Dress For Wedding

Why These One-of-a-Kind Manolo Blahnik Boots Are Valued at $5,715

Manolo Blahnik’s crystal and pom-pom-embellished fuchsia boots, unveiled in Prague this week, are one of a kind.

The always-imaginative designer teamed up with Preciosa, the leading global manufacturer of Bohemian crystal, for the boots ― which are on display in the crystal maker’s flagship store in Old Town Prague through Nov. 12. The style was created to celebrate Blahnik’s Prague installment of his “Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes” retrospective, which will land in that city in August.

What makes the shoes so special? They are adorned with more than 100 Preciosa crystal chandelier trimmings and fuchsia pom-poms. They are valued at 5,000 euros, or $5,715.

Blahnik’s team and VIPS in Prague toasted the new style this week along with Czech model and philanthropist Tereza Maxová. The ceremony featured a performance by the Czech Ballet, who danced to Bedřich Smetana’s Prodaná nevěsta the famed comic opera loved by the legendary designer.

“It was a great honor to be asked to unveil the ‘shoe for Prague,'” said Maxová. “Not only was today special because of the unrivaled craftsmanship of this stunning pair of boots but also because Mr. Blahnik shares my own and Preciosa’s deep-rooted Bohemian heritage.”

“This has been an exciting collaboration for us given Mr. Blahnik’s Czech roots,” added Carla Filmer, global communications director for Manolo Blahnik. “Ours is a brand that seeks to be interesting and inspiring, neither of which we have found lacking here in Prague.”

In addition to the unique offering, Blahnik crafted 20 pairs of limited-edition Hangisi jeweled buckle pumps, also Bohemian-inspired. Those styles featured handmade Czech lace and Preciosa crystals. The shoes are being sold by appointment only, and each pair will be individually tailored to its wearer.

Visit the Preciosa store in Prague to see the one-of-a-kind style on display throughout Blahnik’s exhibition. “The Art of Shoes” will open at Museum Kampa on Aug. 11 and remain on display until Nov. 12. So far, the exhibit has traveled to Milan and St. Petersburg, Russia.

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Mark Bumgarner Made Valentina’s Dress Solely Through Social Media

Mark Bumgarner has been getting one dream client after the other. Shortly after getting Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in one of his floral creations for Cannes Film Festival, he got drag queen Valentina glammed up in a fiery red ball gown.

Valentina rose to prominence as she completed RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9. She got the Miss Congeniality Award. She also got featured by Vogue for her beauty routine.

Back to the dress, though. The creation was for the finale party of RuPaul’s latest season. How did it come about? Instagram! Mark tells us that he and Valentina, also known as James Leyva, got to talking via the social media platform. “We started getting acquainted on Instagram even before the season started. She was liking and commenting on my photos so when I saw her account, I instantly fell in love with her.” So to everyone out there, always keep checking those DMs.

The feeling was instantly mutual for the designer and the drag queen. “We started exchanging messages and numbers,” Mark tells us.

This admiration evolved. Valentina is known for her penchant for Latina and old-school glamor. “When the season started I knew I had to make her a dress. Also, some of my friends think that her style is so perfect for my aesthetic. So we started planning on the dress, long before she got eliminated in the competition,” says Mark.

What was produced was a custom-made ball gown. It’s amazing how the process, from conception to approval was done via WhatsApp. “I sent her a few sketches, and she liked this one the best.”

Of the make, it’s all premium materials of “illusion tulle, silk, and Swarovski crystal elements.” Mark also adds that he just had to make sure that the gown was unmistakably from his atelier. “I wanted my signature giant bow because Valentina is larger than life.”

What’s more is that the designer looks like he’s found another muse who gets his vision. Preen.ph asked him why he thinks Valentina liked his work. “To those who know Valentina in the show, you will understand that she has this certain style, charm, and finesse that instantly attracts anyone to her. I think [with] anything she wears, she will stand out.”

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The £8 body lotion that will revolutionise your morning routine

How often do you moisturise your body? Once a day, religiously? Three times a week? Or just whenever you remember? Well, according to Sanctuary Spa, 65 per cent of British women don’t moisturise their bodies daily. A lack of time and fear of getting cold are the two main reasons stopping us, apparently.

Next month, Sanctuary Spa is hoping to rectify this with its new Wet Skin Moisture Miracle, £8, a moisturiser that is applied to soaking-wet skin after you’ve turned off the shower. Not to be confused with Nivea’s In-Shower Body Moisturiser, which launched a couple of years back and is rinsed off after application, Sanctuary Spa’s formula stays on the skin and is absorbed super quickly before you towel dry as usual.

Sounds too good to be true? I thought so too, especially when the brand revealed stats showing a 100 per cent rise in skin hydration (compared to other body creams after 12 hours). However, I’ve been using it for the past two weeks and it genuinely does leave your skin softer without any stickiness.

There are a few downsides, though: it does leave the bottom of your shower rather slippery, and you have to really like the signature scent as it lingers for a good few hours. Perhaps the biggest drawback for me was that it lacked the luxurious, buttery texture that you associate with moisturising. I might not slather on cream from head to toe every day, but when I make the effort I want it to feel like pampering rather than quickly slapping on a runny lotion.

That said, my arms and legs have been moisturised more in the past two weeks than ever before, and for those willing to forgo an indulgent texture for speed and practicality, this could easily be a game-changer and a real timesaver.

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The British summertime is a wonderful thing - wonderful for trips to the seaside, ice lollies, reading in the garden and generally not-moving-very-fast. If, however, you're stuck in the city, summer becomes a time of sticky tube seats, swollen feet and, if we're being honest, beads of sweat on upper lips.

Stepping off the Eurostar into Paris a few days ago, it occured to me that these pitfalls don't seem to hinder French It-girls: they were going about their daily business looking stylish, effortless, and, crucially: not sweaty. A few hours later, I'd whittled their summer-in-the-city essentials down to the following 6 staples.

By day: the 1970s button-front dress

This hybrid is a bit like a 1940s tea dress, but longer - around mid-calf - and less prim thanks to the button front detail (and a light hand on doing up said buttons). Anne-Laure Mais' version is from her own collaboration with Parisian label Leon & Harper, which goes on sale July 10th, but in the meantime try Jigsaw and Equipment.

By night: the red dress

When you don't have the option of layered-up styling, one high-impact buy is called for: which is where the red dress comes in. The high street have lots of great options, but if you can stretch to £340, Rhode Resort's long-sleeved wrap dress is my pick. Great with a tan (or a swipe of bronzer and red lipstick if not), you need only add a pair of flats - bow tied in Camille Charriere's case, or buckled like Lolita Jacobs' pair - and voila, instant outfit.

The stacked heel sandals

Completely flat sandals might look like the lovechild of style and comfort, but shin splints argue otherwise. The French solution is a stacked-heel sandal that's low enough to be comfortable all day, and all evening - as they're more elegant than a flat, you needn't change for a night out. The French online-only high street brand Sezane has a good variety, or try L.K. Bennett - theirs are even on sale.

The oversized white shirt

Nothing looks fresher than a crisp white shirt in the heat. They're impervious to sweat, flattering on every skin tone, and go with everything. Caroline de Maigret's fabulous one is Chanel, worst luck, but check out Finery's selection: they've got everything from origami-pleat collars to sculpted waists.

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Chelsea Clinton Comes to Defense of Fat-Shamed Sean Spicer

No one is immune to being fat-shamed ― not even White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

Spicer has been holding press briefings off-camera lately, and according to White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, it's because of Spicer's weight gain. According to a text message sent to The Atlantic, Bannon wrote, "Sean got fatter," as the only explanation as to why there have been changes to the briefings.

That response didn't sit well with Chelsea Clinton, who took to Twitter to call out Bannon for fat-shaming his colleague.

"The White House using fat shaming to justify increased opacity. 2017," wrote the daughter of Hillary and Bill Clinton.

Breitbart News White House correspondent Charlie Spiering responded back to Clinton, saying, "It's a joke people." Clinton didn't think it was funny though, writing back, "Oh ok. So using fat shaming to avoid answering questions about increasing opacity. Got it. 2017." In another tweet, she added, "Fat shaming isn't a joke I find funny. Ever."

Spicer has been critiqued for his image in the past; Axios reported earlier this year that “[President Donald] Trump hasn't been impressed with how his new press secretary Sean Spicer dresses," and that the president allegedly asked an aide, "Doesn't the guy own a dark suit?" Trump's comments likely led Spicer to transform his look, making himself more presentable at the podium.

Apparently Trump has also gained weight since taking office, reports CNN.

Meanwhile, Spicer is reportedly looking for a replacement to take over his press briefing responsibilities. We have just the perfect person in mind.

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