Darlings, Last Night Gwyneth Glittered in Head-to-Heel Red Valentino
Leave it to our perpetually polished muse Gwyneth Paltrow to bring some old Hollywood va-va-voom to this year’s The Fashion Awards. Sashaying down the red carpet in a swoosh of crimson, the Goop founder dazzled in a vintage Valentino couture gown plucked straight from the Italian fashion house’s acclaimed 1965 autumn/winter collection. Crafted from sumptuous red silk, the dress’ sweetheart neckline and empire waist accentuated Gwyneth’s lithe frame before billowing into a slight A-line skirt with the most tempting thigh-high slit. The real showstopper moment? When Gwyneth swept a matching floor-length cape around her bare shoulders, the vision of crimson confection was complete. But a lady knows an ensemble of this calibre requires accessories of equally exacting glamour. Around Gwyneth’s wrist flashed diamond bracelets by Van Cleef & Arpels that would make Holly Golightly green with envy, while rockets of red patent leather stilettos lent the look that inimitable Gwyneth edge. With blonde waves glossy as a Hollywood starlet’s and a gaze smouldering behind smokey eyes and precise flicks of liquid liner, Ms. Paltrow proved she can vamp it up Valentino-style with unparalleled polish and poise.
Inside the Royal Albert Hall, golden hour glided into cocktail as performances scintillated. Sharing on Instagram, Gwyneth captured candid moments backstage and praised Sam Smith’s “incredible” show. But long after the last lingering notes faded, our fashion icon was still shining brighter than ever. On the red carpet with iconic supermodel Kate Moss, the duo dazzled photographers with a pose patronne extraordinaire. “We’ve still got it @katemossagency,” Gwyneth captioned the moment with affectionate camaraderie, celebrating her kindred fashion spirit across the pond. Later swathed in a plush white robe between parties, the Shakespeare in Love starlet toasted her elegant evening with a flourish of red wine, its rich bouquet nearly as intoxicating as Gwyneth herself.
So what enabled our leading lady to float through the festivities on air? A bewitching pair of red patent stilettos, of course, which Gwyneth sensibly slipped off mid-soiree. Capturing her scarlet shoes cast aside beneath swirling spotlights, artist Stephanie Simon praised Gwyneth’s stylish practicality: “@GwynethPaltrow takes off her shoes mid-party and that also makes me very happy.” For this fashion blogger, such wisdom warrants slow clapping with nail polish-adorned hands. Because while glittering professionally on the red carpet takes steel nerves and stilettos, a true fashion icon knows when it’s time to let loose and give those soles some air.
So take a cue from our glamazon mentor and don those dancing heels, darlings. Sashay into the night with courage, then slip into comfort when it’s cocktail time. Because fashion should be decadent, dazzling fun – not a beauty pageant to be endured. Gwyneth gets it. Her red carpet rocked Valentino vintage with contemporary cool-girl aplomb – then she kicked off her heels and danced barefoot under the lights. I can’t wait to see what distinctive style statement she makes next. But for now, her Fashion Awards eleganza has this blogger swooning through all eight inches of my Dior slingbacks. Thanks for the inspiration, G.
