A royal wedding wouldn't be complete without a princess-worthy wedding gown. And while Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen confection is a look we'll remember forever, we couldn't help but be swept away by the gown Princess Sofia donned to marry Prince Carl Philip of Sweden on Saturday. Sofia's dress was a custom creation by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt and featured delicate lace sleeves and a cascading train. Sofia topped her beautiful look with a shimmering tiara that was a gift from King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Read on to see her swoon-worthy look from every angle.
The stars strutted down the Tony Awards' red carpet on Sunday, including nominees who got an able assist from Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who a year ago proclaimed the annual event a fashion disaster in need of help.
No one look predominated. Hemlines and necklines varied. Colors ran the gamut from vivid reds, pinks and greens to neutral beige. Fabrics were alternately floral, solid or embossed, and there was a smattering of metallics.
"Heidi Chronicles" best actress nominee Elisabeth Moss chose a white, sleeveless Oscar de la Renta boldly embroidered with colorful flowers and vines in deep pink, yellow and green.
Patricia Clarkson, up for "The Elephant Man" opposite fellow nominee Bradley Cooper, also went sleeveless, in a black Alexander McQueen enlivened by huge deep red roses. "You look great!" enthused Wintour as they embraced.
On the red carpet outside Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall, bare shoulders trumped strapless looks, while the men mostly stuck to traditional tuxedos, some choosing a long tie over a bow tie.
Michael Cerveris, "Fun Home" nominee, sported an Armani tux but added his grandfather's tie bar.
For Broadway veteran Victoria Clark, nominated for a revival of "Gigi," the Wintour imprimatur was a godsend.
"I didn't have to worry about what to wear because I knew they were going to take care of it," said Clark, sporting a midnight blue gown with black lace top.
"Hand to God" best actor nominee Steven Boyer, wearing a Marc Jacobs tuxedo, cryptically observed, "There was a process" to being dressed and styled by Wintour and her minions.
Wintour, among the fashion world's most powerful and influential denizens, was brought in at the behest of Tony-winning costume designer and American Theater Wing head William Ivey Long, ostensibly to inject a bit of glamour to the annual Broadway event, which has traditionally been of more interest to theater fans than fashionistas.
The American Theater Wing is the creator of the Tonys.
The editor herself bucked the bare-shoulder trend in a dusty rose gown enlivened with sequins.
Newcomer Alexander Sharp, a favorite for best actor for the "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time," wore a cream-colored dinner jacket with plum-toned bow tie and dark trousers designed by Billy Reid.
"It's been fun to dress up - I'm not really used to all this," enthused the Broadway newcomer.
Helen Mirren, who won the best actress Tony for "The Audience," dazzled in a flowing, gauzy V-necked lace gown with an extra-long train, fitting given her role as Queen Elizabeth.
Kate Hudson's never met a romantic ivy number that she didn't just love (or look phenomenal wearing), but her glamorous Marchesa gown was even more bridal than ever. And while they too were nowhere near an aisle, Allison Williams and Olivia Wilde (in Dolce & Gabbana and Reem Acra, respectively) could've doubled as radiant brides-to-be.
These aren't the only ladies who've swapped wedding (or wedding-like) dresses for red carpet gowns—check out even more in the gallery below!
But it looks like the trend has evolved again with low-cut plunging tops showing off as much décolletage as possible being the 'in thing' this summer.
As always, the style is dictated by the trendy A-listers in the run-up to summer, with fans taking inspiration from the likes of Irina Shayk and Leonardo DiCaprio's rumoured girlfriend Toni Garrn.
And true to form the pair arrived at amfAR's Cinema Against Aids Gala - held at swanky Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, near Cannes - in eye-wateringly low-cut dresses.
Newly-single Irina, who is thought to be dating Bradley Cooper after ditching Cristiano Ronaldo last year, certainly courted attention in her breast enhancing dress.
Supermodel Chanel Iman followed suit in a floor-length silver dress cut down to just millimetres above her bellybutton.
British beauty Lily Donaldson went for a simple yet mightily effective black frock with silver diamante edging cut very close to her chest.
Does this red carpet influx of plunging dresses and very dangerous necklines mean the era of Kardashian bum-skimming hemlines is in the past?
Is the rise of the 1960s mini skirt set to dive-bomb in favour of a more conservative length skirt? It would seem the A-list are in favour of this motion.
What's on the red carpet is usually reflected in the high street and you can bet your bottom dollar Topshop, River Island and the like will be snipping inches off their necklines in preparation for the summer.
Bold, brash and loud, Las Vegas is a city like no other. As you hit the famous Strip, you’ll be saluted by Captain Jack Sparrow, bump into Minnie Mouse and stroll past a replica of the Eiffel Tower. And that’s just for starters.
But there’s plenty on offer away from the bright lights and 24-hour casinos – from exquisite fine dining to relaxing spas and, in the surrounding areas, an abundance of natural beauty. No wonder A-list celebrities flock here and why America’s rock ’n’ roll king, Elvis Presley, was a huge fan.
So where to get started in Nevada’s wild child city? If you’re going to holiday in Vegas, blow the budget and opt for upscale accommodation. We checked into the super-classy Palazzo Hotel. This five-star, suite-only hotel has sumptuous super-sized beds and top-of-the-world city views, while the outdoor pool is the perfect place to kick back, relax and catch some serious rays away from the madding crowd.
If the roulette wheel and the blackjack table are not your bag, there’s fun to be found away from the slot machines. Billed as the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas attracts big names such as Elton John, Rod Stewart, Celine Dion and Britney Spears, who all perform regular concerts. And you can catch stand-up comedy performances, dance acts and theatrical shows, too.
A bucket-list must-see is the Cirque du Soleil show. There are eight different performances on The Strip, but the one that tops them all is the Michael Jackson ONE show at Mandalay Bay. To avoid disappointment, be sure to book your tickets in the UK before you go as these shows are often sold out (priced from £110 per person, for details see )
When it comes to retail therapy, Las Vegas gives New York a run for its money. Bargain hunters will love the two shopping outlets on either side of The Strip, selling popular labels such as Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade and Nike, to name just a few.
It’s best to buy the American brands for great deals and remember to take an extra suitcase for your excess baggage!
To swat up on Las Vegas’s history and its ascent from small railroad town to modern day tourist mecca, head to the Springs Preserve. This is the birthplace of Las Vegas, the site of the natural springs where life first flourished in the desert, and visitors to the 180-acre cultural and historic attraction can learn all about the city’s rich heritage.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum, meanwhile, gives you the chance to ride an authentic train along the same tracks that once carried the cargo for the construction of Hoover Dam – the highest concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere and a National Historic Landmark.
And if you need a break from the bright lights, there’s plenty of natural beauty surrounding Sin City; the staggering Grand Canyon and Death Valley National Parks are all accessible by car. Nothing beats driving across the open roads of America in a Ford Mustang – and the good news is that car hire is extremely affordable in the US.
If you’re in need of some R&R after your exertions, head to the Vdara Hotel & Spa (vdara.com). Why not hire a cabana for the day and laze by the pool while being served cocktails on tap and food to order?
Make sure to visit the hotel’s ESPA branded spa for a seriously sumptuous treat. The On The Rocks massage, aptly named, is out of this world. Another noteworthy spa to chill out and be pampered in is Caesars Palace’s Qua Baths & Spa .
You might not think it, but Las Vegas is also a foodie hotspot with celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Joël Robuchon, Guy Savoy and Pierre Gagnaire all opening restaurants on The Strip.
If it’s an all-American experience you’re after head to Fix at the Bellagio for an upscale spin (bellagio.com/restaurants/fix.aspx). Menu highlights include lobster tacos and Bobby Baldwin burgers.
For a fine-dining experience, make a dinner date at DB Brasserie located at The Palazzo’s neighbouring hotel, The Venetian. Chef Daniel Boulud’s modern take on French cuisine is not to be missed. The restaurant, with its urban-cool vibe (leather seats, mood lighting and a buzzing atmosphere), also has a great cocktail happy hour, too.
Whatever your agenda, Las Vegas has something to offer. The only trouble you’ll have is cramming it all into one trip.