Pairings

the Kate Moss & Jamie Hince Wedding

We’ll start with some good news. Perennial supermodel Kate Moss married longtime rocker boyfriend Jamie Hince of The Kills in a 1920’s style unstructured John Galliano gown that’s drawn mixed reviews. The groom wore custom Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilatti, as did his best woman Alison Mosshat. Vogue UK reports that Galliano did attend, though he was understandably camera shy. We all remember what happened the last time cameras caught surprise revelations from the former Dior designer, so hopefully there was some non-alcoholic sparkling cider available for him to toast the couple with.

After the wedding, the bride changed into a white 3-piece Stella McCartney pants suit as she and the groom hopped on a helicopter to embark on their honeymoon. McCartney was also in attendance.

The festivities cost a reported £1 million (approximately $1.6 million), and the guest list also included fellow supermodel bestie Naomi Campbell, a bevy of Vogue editors past and present (Anna Wintour, Emanuelle Alt, Carine Roitfeld), newlyweds Lara Stone and David Walliams, Daphne Guiness, Marc Jacobs, Kelly Osbourne and Jude Law.

Sounds like the ultimate bridal fashion show.

the Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock Wedding

Then we get to the only wedding that could force Kate Moss to change her wedding date. A number of the fashionable guests for Moss’ wedding were also invited to the wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock (now, Princess Charlene).

The reported$65 million budget makes the Kate Moss affair seem positively low key, but considering the fact that the Prince and Wittstock actually had two weddings, and invited all 30,000+ of Monaco’s residents to take part in some part of the festivities, maybe it’s relatively reasonable. For the record, two weddings is actually common in France, where a civil ceremony is required before a religious ceremony is recognized.

In spite of rumors that Wittstock was considering becoming a runaway bride *three times* amid new paternity tests for Prince Albert (the groom already has two children out of wedlock, and is reported to have fathered two more while dating Wittstock), the couple made it through the official state marriage, and onto a balcony where they shared an awkward kiss.

They're definitely no William and Kate

For their civil ceremony, the bride wore a light blue Chanel suit, and for their church ceremony a custom made Armani Prive gown. The dress featured a 5-meter train, and was studded with crystals and pearls.

Guests included, um, all of Monaco (see previous note), Prince Albert’s ex-girlfriend Naomi Campbell (who had a wedding filled weekend), Karl Lagerfeld (who designed the blue Chanel suit), Giorgio Armani (who designed the wedding dress), French President Nicolas Sarkozy and wife Carla Bruni, as well as too many princes, princesses, kings and queens of various countries to mention individually. There’s no agreement on whether any of Prince Albert’s children or their mothers were in attendance. The palace says no, rumors say his daughter, Jazmin Grace, and Nicole Coste, mother of his son Alexandre, were somewhere amid the well-wishers.

Congratulations to all the happy couples, and good luck to any who aren’t so happy. No names.

Partings

Now for the partings. Because sometimes wedding diamonds aren’t always forever, for every spectacular celebrity wedding this weekend, we got two spectacular celebrity divorces.

the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver Divorce

The Monaco Royal wedding may take the crown for scandalous and excessive weddings, but leave it to Hollywood royalty to show ’em how it’d done when it comes to scandalous and excessive divorce! Maria Shriver officially decided to terminate her marriage to the Governator, and filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Which was kind, considering she could have cited messing around with the maid.

The couple will split an estimated $400 million, and custody of their minor children. In total, they have 4 children. If you’re trying to do the math, that’s enough for 1.5 royal weddings for each of them, should there be any eligible princes or princesses.

the Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds Divorce

After just 2 years of marriage, the ink is dry on the divorce papers for Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds. The split was reportedly amicable, with neither seeking spousal support. Probably not easy, but at least it was quick.

the Thomas Jane and Patricia Arquette Divorce

“Hung” star Thomas Jane and former “Medium” star Patricia Arquette also made it official, and sealed the deal on a divorce. There’s a joke about seeing this one coming somewhere in there. The couple will share custody of their 8-year-old daughter. Their marriage lasted approximately 3.5 years. In Hollywood marriage years (sort of like dog years), that’s almost 15 years.

the George Lopez and Ann Serrano Divorce

Then there’s late night comedian George Lopez and wife Ann Serrano, who are calling it quits after 17 years of marriage. They share one minor daughter, and thanks to a life saving donation from Serrano, they share the same kidneys as well (obviously, Serrano has one, Lopez has the other). Fortunately, the couple is trying to keep things amicable on both fronts.

Can you imagine how messy things would be if Serrano filed to get custody of her kidney back? Awwwkward.

“Her style is her big shoulders, long legs, tight jeans, sleeves up to the elbow, one hip out. I personally like her. Sheâ€s a handsome French woman. She has a style, but is it enough to make a whole magazine?” the designer queried. {Styleite} Lagerfeld said he would reserve judgement until after a few Alt-helmed issues of the magazine were released, but given the rarity of actual criticism in fashion it’s always kind of nice to have someone willing to say what others may be thinking.

It remains to be seen if Alt’s personal rock chic style means preferential treatment for brands (who are also clients) like Balmain, Isabel Marant and Gucci, or if she can broaden her focus to include a more diverse style range. Rumors around Roitfeld’s departure suggest that it was in part due to brand advertisers who felt they weren’t getting enough editorial love, and pay for play placement in the form of consulting and freelance gigs for those who did appear. {Fashionista}

So while some may have demanded change, will Alt simply be more of the same? For readers who liked the magazine under Roitfeld, that might not be a bad thing. For those who felt they weren’t getting a fair shake under Roitfeld, perhaps it’s not the change they were hoping for.

She spoke with Cathy Horyn and said “Itâ€s 10 years that Iâ€m editor of the magazine. I think itâ€s time to do something different.”

Though apparently, she’s not exactly sure of what something different is. “I have no plan at all,” she told Horyn. {On the Runway/New York Times}

It’s doubtful that Roitfeld, who worked closely with Tom Ford during his Gucci days and launched the career of model Lara Stone (who has since gone on to book major campaign after campaign), will have to look far for a new opportunity.

Jonathan Newhouse, head of Vogue publisher  Conde Nast International, told Vogue UK “Itâ€s impossible to overstate Carineâ€s powerful contribution to Vogue and to the fields of fashion and magazine publishing. Under her direction Vogue Paris received record levels of circulation and advertising and editorial success.”

When we spoke with Roitfeld at the end of the first Fashion Celebration Night (the Paris take on Fashion’s Night Out), she didn’t seem concerned with cloning the everyone’s invited American style event, instead opting for one that required invitations – which obtained by buying a copy of Vogue Paris, but invite required nonetheless. Though much smaller than the night in New York, it seemed to be a financial success for retailers, something no one has been willing to speak about for the US version.

It’s great that Roitfeld is going out strong, though we suspect (hope) it will only be a matter of time before she pairs up with familiar names. Is Tom Ford’s turn as guest editor a hint at the personal projects to come? If there’s anyone who understands taking a break for other creative endeavors and coming back to fashion in their own way, it’s definitely Ford. We’d put money on future plans involving him, even if they aren’t set as of yet.

Septemberâ€s cover girls

Though she is a French actress, Cotillard appeared on the cover of U.S. Vogue before her current Paris cover shot, which fashionologie suggests may be because Editor in Chief Carine Roitfeld was saving her for the top cover spot of the year in the September issue.

A deviation from the norm is a smart way to draw attention to the magazine for September, when all fashion magazines put out their biggest and best issues in the hopes of edging out the competition.

The last time Vogue Parisâ€s September issue featured an actress was in 2005 when Nicole Kidman received the coveted spot. Last yearâ€s Vogue Paris September cover went to Lara Stone. {fashionologie}

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott photographed Cotillardâ€s stunning cover photo, in which she sports bleached eyebrows, dramatic plum-maroon lips and a vintage-y hair style. Love it!

In an exclusive interview, Signature9 caught up with Vogue Paris editor-in-chief at the end of Fashion Celebration Night (the Paris counterpart to Fashion’s Night Out). Find out why the Paris event was different from the New York and London events, why the unabashed focus on luxury, and what Carine did at the end of the evening.

More coverage to come, from what shoppers wore to what they were buying, and if one evening really can make a difference against economic challenges.