Let’s dive into the espadrilles. These pretty and preppy classics never get tired, but I’m ready to take them to the next level. The exquisite weaving and gorgeous fabric ribbon on Chloé’s Piia Woven Ribbon Wedge Sandals ($725 on saksfifthavenue.com) make these the kind of shoe that makes an entrance..

Then there are the gladiator sandals, a must for any summer filled with maxi dresses and flowing wide-leg pants. My favorite of the moment is the Adison Sandal ($120 on dolcevita.com). Its delicate nude shade goes with absolutely everything, and carries a certain quiet cool that whispers low-key luxury. I love it with a slight tan and brightly colored pedi. Boom.

Ballet flats continue their reign this summer, and you won’t find me complaining. I adore how easy they are to throw on with almost everything, yet how effortlessly their rounded toe flatters the foot and can get revved up in big, bold colors and metallics. For example: The Metallic Leather Ballerinas ($99.99 on shop.mango.com) look at once feminine, contemporary, and fancy.

The flip flop may just be the quintessential summer shoe, but is its informality really wearable everywhere? When it’s from The Row, yes — definitely. The Ginza Leather Platform Flip Flop ($970 on net-a-porter.com) has leveled up the flip flop game with a made-in-Italy design that includes a black suede platform to provide more structure and a white leather strap that is so sleek, it looks almost aerodynamic.

And then there are the sandals. Can there ever be enough? From strappy low-heeled versions to kitten-heels and medium block heels to slip-ons, they’re all as easy as a day at the beach. One of my favorites this year is the party-ready Jeffrey Campbell Linques Sandals ($130 on anthropologie.com), with their slip-on styling and smooth leather upper, and lustrous metal buckle that makes a big and elegant statement. They come in a slew of colors and patterns, too — one to fit the many moods of the season.

One-piece suits

Supported and sexy: Color blocking is a huge swimwear trend this season, and The Marina ($95 on summersalt.com) is right on-point. With built-in cups in a slight V-neck design and adjustable straps, it provides comfortable structure and makes you look like a million bucks. The higher-cut hip line elongates legs, and the diagonal seaming accentuates waists. Meanwhile, the material is thick and tight, so you feel snug and properly held in.

Softly nautical (and sustainable): Ookioh is a terrific brand for simple and sweet designs. They also source their fabrics from an Italian mill that uses 100% regenerated materials “like ocean wastes (such as sunken fishing nets) and pre-consumer waste products (things people might throw away in production) and turns them into dreamy, luxurious textiles.” They’re also on a mission to not use plastic in their packaging. And their overall aesthetic is equally natural — like the fantastic Nantucket One Piece ($100 on ookioh.com) with blue and white stripes and an elegant high neckline, a plunging back, high-cut leg, and shelf bra underneath for A+ shaping.

Cool prints (and sustainable): Made from recycled nylon, nylon, and elastane, the Idalia One-piece ($350 on marahoffman.com) is a full-on color statement. It’s fully lined with a scoop neck and a low open back and high leg cut, and I love it in Alegasia — a gorgeous neo-psychedelic print with multicolor swirls.

Long sleeved (and sustainable): Cali’s wet suits have inspired a wave of long-sleeve swimsuits, and they provide lots of coverage, feel like a second skin, and are just plain cool. One example: The Lotte Spring Suit Shell ($350 on abysseofficial.com) looks sleek with a bikini bottom cut and is made of thin, 100% Japanese limestone-based super stretch neoprene — which boasts the lowest carbon footprint of any around — and is lined in a fabric made of recycled consumer plastica

Two-piece suits

Sporty bikinis: Without ever falling into tomboy territory, the current crop of athletic two-pieces rely on playful and cute details like zippers, asymmetrical straps, and more color blocking to make it clear you’re not sacrificing style for sport. They also offer a little more coverage than most bikinis, so you can surf, play, swim, or blast a volleyball without worry. For all of the above, the sassy Helena Bikini Top ($220 on araks.com) and Hyma Bikini Bottom ($140 on araks.com) perfectly fit the bill.

The L.B.D of tankinis (and sustainable): Sometimes you just need a well-made, simple black suit to stand out and feel completely put-together in. When that’s the case, the Square Neck Bra Cup Tankini ($50 on athleta.gap.com) and Cinch Full Swim Bottom ($40 on athletica.gap.com) step right up and do the job. They’ve got a powerful stretch in their fabric made of recycled H₂ECO, and feature hidden underwire support, so you can do everything from paddleboarding to diving with abandon.

So if you haven’t already made your plans for your long weekend getaway, it’s time to do three things —and pronto:

Make those plans, now.

Shop for the getaway — with a smart, sales-centric strategy.

Pack your weekend getaway bag and go.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet on what to buy and pack, according to your destination —based on what your preferred mood and activities are, and with a keen eye on Memorial Day sales. Ready? Get set. Now go, already.

 Beach, beach, and more beach

Where: Pelham House (pelhamhouseresort.com), Dennis Port

Why: Lounge on the private beach and in the sunken firepit centered in the seaside pool, then nosh at the rooftop eatery. Consider it your own over-the-top Cape house without the crowds – or the mortgage.

Essentials to pack: Sandals that can stand up to the surf, like the Gilmore Logo Embossed Faux Leather Slide Sandal ($39 on michaelkors.com); and Anne Cole’s Women’s Shirred Printed One-Piece Swimsuit (on sale for $66 on macys.com).

Sailing off into the wild blue yonder

Where: Aragosta (aragostamaine.com), Deer Isle, ME

Why: Tack around sparkling Penobscot Bay, drop anchor, slumber in artsy-chic cottages, consume one of New England’s most beautiful prix fixe dinners. Repeat.

Essentials to pack: A cute sweater for breezy nights, like Calvin Klein Jeans’ Women’s Striped V-Neck Knit Top (on sale for $35.78 on macys.com) and a pretty dress for dinner, like the Puff-Sleeve V-neck Midi Dress in Stretch Linen Blend (on sale for $63.99 on jcrew.com).

Get high on hiking

Where: Spruce Peak (sprucepeak.com), Stowe, VT

Why: Welcome to the Gstaad of the Northeast, complete with cushy suites, soaring mountains, and art galleries galore.

Essentials to pack: A nifty backpack like Fjällräven’s Abisko Hike Foldsack ($135 on fjallraven.com); and a cute-meets-alluring blouse for evening, like the Cecarina Long Sleeve Cotton Top (on sale for $139 on joie.com).

Pampering at an ultra-luxurious spa

Where: The Spa at Encore Boston Harbor (encorebostonharbor.com)

Why: With 19,000 square feet filled with glowing lanterns, antiques, and plush treatment rooms, it puts the ‘up’ in upscale.

Essentials to pack: A Luxe Cashmere Pullover (on sale for $449 on clubmonaco.com) to wear between treatments; and Baggu’s Horizontal Zip Duck Bag (on sale for $31.50 on lisasaysgah.com), to tote all of your worldly goods along with you.

And the goal isn’t to necessarily to look stunning, so much as it is to stun, to present an artistic statement, and of course, to get as much attention as possible. This all coincides with a different theme each year, and this year’s was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” Lagerfeld, the late designer who worked for luxury brands including Patou, Chloé, Balmain, Fendi, Chanel, as well as his own label, was a controversial choice this year. After decades of remarks considered racist, homophobic, and intolerant of women’s bodies and dismissive of sexual assault, Lagerfeld’s legacy had alienated a solid portion of the fashion community—including the models who protested the Gala’s theme a day before the event.

But The Met Gala is a show, and the show must go on. And in this case that meant celebrity attendees posing on the red carpet in looks that paid homage to Lagerfeld’s career of six-plus decades, spanning designs he created for every label he’s worked for, with lots and lots of homages to his many black and white ensembles, plenty of pinks, and his signature pearls, flowers, and black shades. Here are ten looks I loved — not for their audaciousness (that award goes to Jared Leto for dressing as Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette; or to Lil Nas X, who showed up in head-to-toe silver body paint) or necessarily because they honored Lagerfeld, but for the beauty and artistry they brought to the scene.

Naomi Campbell (who started working with Lagerfeld when she was 16 and, it should be said, still looks incredible) was one of many who wore an absolutely gorgeous shell pink Chanel Couture dress.

Bad Bunny in a white, backless Simon Porte Jacquemus suit, punctuated with a frilly and ultra-long train festooned with fantastic white fabric flowers. It’s about time men got to have some sartorial fun.

Dua Lipa charmed in demure Chanel Couture — a white tweed gown (with pockets), inspired by one Claudia Schiffer wore in the early ‘90s.

Nicole Kidman in drop-dead stunning pale pink, feathered number — a dress Lagerfeld designed for her twenty years ago for a Chanel No. 5 ad — topped with devil-may-care undone hair.

Viola Davis was electrifying in a fuchsia Valentino showcasing a significant feather plume at the bust and scattered feathers along the bodice.

Anne Hathaway in a remixed dress with lots of Lagerfeld tropes — chains and camellia flowers with tweed stitched together around cutouts. It was a throwback pastiche and an absolute win.

Olivia Wilde seemed ready for a fabulous medieval battle in white Chloé with a capelet top and armor-like gold cuffs and front design, flanked with side cutouts at the waist.

Gisele Bündchen in a white Chanel Couture dress with shimmering panels and (yes more!) feathers all over an enormous flowing cape — which she flapped about for extra drama. Most remarkable, though, was her huge smile.

Penélope Cruz looked every inch the part of one of the evening’s chairs in ultra-white white Chanel Couture, sparkling with silver beading and a sheer hood. Her history with Lagerfeld also goes way back; he selected her as a house ambassador for Chanel decades ago.

Jessica Chastain showed up as a platinum blonde in Gucci — a sheer black confection held up by a bustier followed by a frilled skirt, a flowing sheer black train, and a Lagerfeld classic: big black Wayfarers.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams is pregnant with her second child and doesn’t care who knows.

“There’s three of us here,” she told Vogue host La La Anthony at Monday’s Met Gala. “I’m feeling good. I can breathe. I can stop. I’m not hiding.”

Williams attended the big bash honoring designer Karl Lagerfeld with her husband Alexis Ohanian. They were accompanied by model Brooklyn Beckham and his wife, actor Nicola Peltz.

Williams, 41, became a mom in September 2017 when she gave birth to Olympia Ohanian. She went back to work three months later before finally hanging up her tennis racket in September 2022.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner wrote about her harrowing delivery in a 2022 essay for Elle.

“All the while, I was in excruciating pain,” she recalled. “I couldn’t move at all—not my legs, not my back, nothing.”

She said she began coughing violently before doctors realized Williams had an embolism and a hematoma. Naturally, Williams won her battle with those ailments and was out of the hospital a week later, ready to take on the challenges of motherhood.

“I thought I was going to be really strict, but so far I’m the more lenient parent,” she wrote. “This kid has me under her finger.”

Williams wasn’t the first expectant mom to announce at the Met Gala she was pregnant with her second child. Model Karlie Kloss beat her to it.

“I got a plus one, don’t tell anybody,” beamed during Vogue’s red carpet coverage. “This is the first time I’m actually on a red carpet pregnant.”

Gisele Bündchen once again mingled with fashion’s elite on Monday night, attending the 2023 Met Gala solo following her divorce from Tom Brady last year.

With her Chanel ensemble, the 42-year-old honored the 2023 Met Gala theme. The event, like the Met’s new Costume Institute exhibition, is devoted to the controversial Karl Lagerfeld, who worked as Chanel’s creative director.

Bündchen had a long working relationship with Lagerfeld. In 2014, for example, she became the face of Chanel No. 5 perfume.

Bündchen last attended the Met Gala in 2019, wearing a blush-hued Dior gown for that year’s “Camp: Notes on a Fashion” theme. Brady joined her on the pink carpet at the time, complementing his then-wife’s outfit with a maroon velvet tuxedo jacket.

Bündchen and Brady finalized their divorce in October 2022, ending a 13-year marriage during which they welcomed two children, Benjamin Rein, 13, and Vivian Lake, 10. (The athlete also has a son, Jack, 15, with ex Bridget Moynahan.)

“The decision to end a marriage is never easy, but we have grown apart, and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and only wish the best for Tom always,” Bündchen wrote on Instagram at the time.

In a Vanity Fair interview published in March, the ex-Victoria’s Secret Angel said that her and Brady’s breakup was “the death of [her] dream.” She also pushed back on speculation that she made Brady choose between his football career and his family, saying their relationship issues were “not so black and white.”

Vogue is hosting a livestream from the event.

The theme of the annual black-tie fundraiser is once again controversial, with this year’s exhibition “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” honoring the artistic contributions of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. (You can read more about criticism of the Met Gala theme here.)

Here are some of the best and worst looks from the 2023 Met Gala.

Contributing: Dan Clarendon and Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News

The Kardashians are ready for the Met Gala.

Skims tycoon Kim Kardashian posted video to her Instagram story showing a trio of massage beds in a posh hotel room, surrounded by flower petals and candles. On the wall, spelled out in silver letters, are the words “Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala.”

Well-heeled celebs including the reality TV star and her clan will descend upon the Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday for the United States fashion industry’s biggest annual party. Tickets, which benefit the museum’s Costume Institute, start at $50,000.

Co-chairs include tennis star Roger Federer, “Levitating” singer Dua Lipa and “Vicky Cristy Barcelona″ actor Penélope Cruz.

“New York here we come!!!!” Cruz wrote on an Instagram photo showing her in a white gown.

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Vogue editor Anna Wintour has presided over the Met Gala since 1995. The queen bee fashionista teased to Monday’s festivities with video featuring herself and the honoree.

“The dress code is: In honor of Karl,” she wrote.

The eccentric German designer died in 2019, ending a career that saw him reinvent Chanel and serve as the fashion house’s creative director for nearly four decades. It was Wintour’s decision to make “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” the Met Gala’s 2023 theme.

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“The Girl from Plainville” star Elle Fanning told Variety last month she was excited about the gala’s Lagerfeld homage.

“I am truly going on theme,” she said. “I have a good story behind the look that is special to me. I’m excited.”

Her Monday Instagram showed the 25-year-old performer wearing what appears to be an exfoliating mask while downing a green drink.

“Bottoms up Met,” she captioned that image.

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Multi-talented “I May Destroy You” creator Michaela Coel, who’s also a Met Gala co-chair, posted Instagram images showing her hitting the town dressed to the nines and getting gussied-up — possible for Monday night.

“Pre met gala (sic),” she captioned one photo.

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Count “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively among past attendees who don’t plan to attend the 2023 Met Gala. In 2022, she sported a head-turning Versace Atelier gown with a huge bow and no straps.

“I’ll be wearing that on my couch on Monday,” she said at a Tiffany & Co. event on Fifth Avenue last week.

When it comes to this year’s Met Gala, Anna Wintour prefers to focus more on the art than the artist.

The longtime Vogue magazine editor said that despite Karl Lagerfeld’s controversial commentary, his work deserves to be honored at the annual event she’s presided over since 1995.

The theme for this year’s star-studded fete, which benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, pays tribute to the late German designer, who died in 2019 at 85.

“Karl was provocative, and he was full of paradoxes,” Wintour told Gayle King on CBS Mornings Monday. “And I think sometimes he would say things … to shock, and not necessarily things that he believed in.”

The British fashion doyenne, who apologized for the lack of diversity in what many consider the fashion Bible, made it clear she and chief curator Andrew Bolton do not condone some of Lagerfeld’s past remarks.

“Obviously Karl was a complicated man, and I think Andrew’s decision was really to focus on the work and it’s not a biography. There are documentaries and books that cover all sides of Karl’s life. We are really focusing on his work,” she said.

“I think when we go back and we look at the work that he created over so many years, I think that deserves celebration, it deserves acknowledgement,” Wintour added. “I think there would extraordinary interest in this exhibition.”

Throughout his 65-year career in fashion, Lagerfeld created garments for several luxury design houses, including Chloé, Chanel and Fendi.

He was not only known for his design brilliance and extravagant flair, though. The self-proclaimed “working class dressmaker” courted controversy with views that have been considered fatphobic, racist, and sexist. He famously caught flak for calling vocal powerhouse Adele “too fat” with a “pretty face” and claimed “no one wants to see curvy women.” Lagerfeld, who was plus-sized for years, famously lost 92 pounds in a year and documented his routine in the best-selling 2005 book “The Karl Lagerfeld Diet.”

The designer also caused an uproar in 2010 for putting supermodel Claudia Schiffer in blackface and yellowface for a Dom Perignon champagne ad.

“Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” featuring nearly 200 pieces — culled from a vast inventory of over 10,000 — is open to the public May 5 through July 16.

Bold brights

The latest colorful trenches are everything that your standard stone-gray version is not. Take the Maxi Trench Jacket ($99.95 on dynamiteclothing.com). Sure I love its removable sash andlightweight, soft fabric that makes any silhouette flattering. But I also credit the back vent for its allure, and most of all, the high-voltage shade of orange it comes in — which goes with just about everything you put on.

Playful patterns

It’s customary for trenches to be a solid color, even when those colors come in all kinds of unexpected shades (see above). But at the moment they also come in patterns, and what patterns they are. I’m partial to the Moiraa Floral Print Trench Coat ($550 on bloomingdales.com), with its all-over floral print that grabs an edge from the sleek black background. With a flared bottom hem, adorable belted cuffs, front double-breasted button, and point collars, it cuts a cool but cute figure that’s tough to beat.

Artful athleisure

Best thrown over sweats or yoga pants, the season’s lightweight trenches are the final layer for any super laid-back look. Somehow, the coats’ structured formality over total informality just works. Example? The H&M Double-Breasted Trench Coat ($65 on www2.hm.com), a marvel in neutral stone, or a revelation in a bold color like orange-red.

Roll out the relaxed look

Slouchy yet sophisticated, this season’s loosely proportioned trenches are ankle-length with long sleeves and adjustable tab and buttons. One great version is the Relaxed Trench Coat ($179 on stories.com), complete with concealed button closures, duo welt pockets, and secured with a tonal buckle belt.

Safari, So Good

Utilitarian but also full of swagger and style, the safari-inspired trench is a triumph of multitasking design. Take a look at the Long Mac Coat ($205 on everlane.com) in Toasted Coconut. It spotlights a relaxed point collar and storm flaps, raglan sleeves with adjustable cuffs, and an oversized design. It’s also water-resistant and has lightweight lining, making it the just the thing to throw on when you need to feel like you can handle anything. Including an entire season of looking fantastic.

What’s more, this season’s crop of dresses is vast and lovely. And the accessories out there are equally irresistible. After all, at Easter, hats are as much of a tradition as marshmallow birds. Here are three of my favorite looks right now.

Florals are the obvious go-to, and Tuckernuck’s Hydrangea Blooms Faven Dress ($298 on tnuck.com) is a glorious and glam choice. Overlaid onto a subtle leopard print, the watercolor-inspired green blooms are contrasted with a dark green trim on the hem and sleeves, and details like puffy sleeves, a removable waist sash, and back slit. I also love the ruched mock neckline, which adds even more drama.

And you’ll need some snazzy green shoes to accompany that. I’m loving Grace’s Perfect Mary Jane Pump 70 ($695 on sarahflint.com) by Sarah Flint. They’re flirty, a wee bit retro, they’re a stunning statement covered in emerald jacquard and fixed with a faux pearl button. To top it all off, reach for The Side Button Wool-felt Cloche ($124.95 on vermontcountrystore). It’s hand-sewn and inspired by 1920s style, and in the color loden, its timeless charm is a perfect foil for the dress’s beautiful green.

Not all florals need to be light and bright — some, like Ted Baker’s Addilin Midi Dress ($295 on bloomingdales.com), have a touch of sultriness thanks to a dark black background color. The body-skimming and sleeveless design is ultra-flattering and sports a gathered mock neck. The only thing that could make it any more sophisticated would be an incredible pair of shoes — like the contrasting Mirela II Espadrille Wedge ($350 on stuartweitzman.com) in ivory and natural. And its straw heel perfectly matches Eugenia Kim’s Mirabel  grosgrain-trimmed straw sunhat ($495 on net-a-porter.com).

Pastels are also a big star of the show this time of year. For that I’m loving Lulu’s French Countryside Lavender High-Low Dress ($96 on lulus.com) in a pretty lavender. The flowing hem shows off an airy woven fabric and adorable cap sleeves. Keep the purple vibe going with Malone Souliers’s absolutely gorgeous Marion Pointed Toe Floral Appliqué High Heel Pumps ($995 on bloomingdales.com). They’re dainty and exquisite, with satin floral appliqués across the front. And as the perfect finishing touch, there’s the Solid Floppy Straw Sun Hat ($28 on madelinelove.com) in lavender. It has a wide brim that brings a sweet and simple drama to the entire look — and the entire holiday.

Nails: Who doesn’t get a jolt of energy just looking at a pretty pop of pink? Gucci’s brand new shades of Glossy Nail Polish $33 on sephora.com) include a Valentine Fuchsia that will liven up your mood every time. It also has a high shine finish, for attention-grabbing gleam.

Lips: When you want to make a bold statement about spring color, let your lips do the talking. I love Chanel’s new Rouge Coco Gloss ($36 on chanel.com), a moisturizing gloss that comes in shades like fiery corals such as Amuse Bouche and strong pinks like Rose Pulpe. The iridescent colors makes lips plump and smooth, with even coverage thanks to a dual-sided applicator.

Bags: A bright and cheery bag is a game-changer not only for your outfit, but for your entire day. Walk into any room with Christian Louboutin’s Cabata Nano East-West Patent Tote Bag ($1090 on neimanmarcus.com) in a shade called Piou Piou (an electric yellow), and be prepared for people to take notice. Lined with Louboutin’s signature bright red, the shiny patent leather tote sports all kinds of darling details, like the tonal spike accents at the handles.

Shoes: Veronica Beard’s Dessie Platform Sandal ($237 on veronicabeard.com) is a chunky platform that’s pretty comfortable even though it’s a 3 and a half-inch heel. And its color is the sweetest pink possible.

Home: Easily change your mood — and the mood of any room — with a high-energy green color, and a clean, bright, fresh scent to match. Nest’s Lime Zest & Matcha Votive Candle ($46 on nestnewyork.com) will boost your energy with notes of lime zest, green tea, clary sage, and bergamot. Crafted with a special premium wax, it burns cleanly and evenly as it infuses your home refusing and motivating scents.

Shades: When you want your spring fashion choices to mimic the very sun that inspired them, slide on a pair of Chloé’s 58mm Gradient Round Sunglasses ($174.97 on nordstromrack.com). The big, round, and lemony yellow shades have textured temples and are a retro way to aesthetically live up to their name – sunnies.

The former supermodel, who was married to the now-retired NFL great for 13 years, referred to the highly publicized split as “the death of my dream” and put the kibosh on claims that she gave Brady an ultimatum about choosing between their marriage and his football career.

“Wow, people really made it about that. What’s been said is one piece of a much bigger puzzle,” Bündchen said in a Vanity Fair interview published Wednesday. “It’s not so black and white.”

The 42-year-old mother of two called the scuttlebutt “very hurtful” and “the craziest thing” she ever heard.

“It’s like a death and a rebirth.” Gisele Bündchen is ready for her next act—and she’s got some big ideas.

In a VF exclusive, the supermodel discusses the end of her marriage, being “blindsided” by FTX, and pursuing la pura vida on her own terms.

: https://t.co/RK4JVlVoyM pic.twitter.com/VTvCY6bVg5

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) March 22, 2023

“Listen, I have always cheered for [Tom Brady], and I would continue forever,” she said. “If there’s one person I want to be the happiest in the world, it’s him, believe me. I want him to achieve and to conquer. I want all his dreams to come true. That’s what I want, really, from the bottom of my heart.”

After the couple’s divorce was finalized in October 2022, rumors circulated that the Brazilian beauty was dating her jiu-jitsu instructor, Joaquim Valente.

Of that, Bündchen said: “I think, at this point, unfortunately, because I’m divorced, I’m sure that they’re going to try to attach me to anything.”

However, she did say that she was “so grateful” to have met the Miami-based Brazilian coach.

“He’s a person that I admire and that I trust,” she said. “It’s so good to have that kind of energy, to have my kids around that type of energy.”

The Victoria’s Secret superstar shares 10-year-old daughter, Vivian, and 13-year-old son, Benjamin, with Brady.

Bündchen was also romantically linked to 55-year-old real estate developer Jeffrey Soffer in rumors that she referred to as “absurd.”

“I have zero relationship with him in any way,” she explained of the billionaire. “I mean, puh-leeze. They were saying I’m with this guy, he’s old, because he’s got money — it’s ridiculous.”

“Seeing lies being created all the time about yourself is not easy,” she said.

Cate Blanchett: No wonder celebs from Joan Rivers to Adele have called Cate their personal fashion icon; she’s as serious about fashion as she is about acting. And this year’s Oscars presented a perfect example: Cate exuded confidence and classic beauty in a Louis Vuitton gown with a blue draping top and a flowing black skirt—winning points for both grace and strong lines.  If she’s not in a Cleopatra-inspired Jean Paul Gaultier gown or a yellow, oxblood, and lilac Valentino frock, she’s in golden, flapper-esque Balenciaga.

Rihanna: A perfect example of a woman who marches to her own sartorial beat, the singer, designer, and businesswoman blends imagination with a bit of daring. Just take her Met Gala outfits. In 2015, it was an over-the-top confection by Chinese couturier Guo Pei; in 2004 it was a luxurious black silk tuxedo by Marc Jacobs with puffed shoulders. And what other person can keep cool during a halftime show on a floating stage, rocking a Loewe jumpsuit and an Alaia coat over a baby bump?

Sarah Jessica Parker:  SJP has had real fashion know-how going on offscreen since the ‘80s. She’s as comfy in Old Hollywood glam (sequined dresses and pearls) as she is in disco-inspired wrap dresses and Vera Wang ball gowns. In everyday, she plays up jeans with heels and monogrammed Burberry blanket ponchos, and mismatched patterns.

Zendaya: A Valentino brand ambassador as of 2022 (she made formal crop tops a thing at the Oscars, in a look by the designer), Zendaya reminds us that youth can easily equal fashion wisdom. She loves vintage Bob Mackie gowns as much as pairing red athleisure with sleeveless overcoats, and people are still talking about that fantastic gold trench coat of hers.

Iris Apfel: She signed with IMG as a model at age 97. She designed textiles for the White House for decades. She wins acclaim for her costume jewelry collections at major American museums. She inspires documentaries about her outsized influence on the New York fashion scene. Iris Apfel is unquestionably a legend who lives and dresses with more imagination and vigor than many 20-year-olds.

Michelle Obama: Even as first lady, she was known for spotlighting up-and-coming (mostly American) designers—talent like Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung. Now, post-White House, you’ll find her on book tours wooing the crowds in a Balenciaga silk dress and sequined boots. Interviewing in head-to-toe leather or denim, speaking at festivals in sparkly Sergio Hudson jumpsuits, or boarding planes in embroidered Peter Dundas suits.

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When she and Trevor Bull exchanged vows on Nov. 4, 2022, she was wearing all black, from her custom cathedral veil to the mermaid gown by Casablanca Bridal that was cut low in the back and embellished all over with an intricate sequined pattern reminiscent of a fleur-de-lis.

The 29-year-old bride, who lives in Severna Park, Maryland, looked — and felt — stunning.

“As soon as I saw a picture of the dress on Pinterest, I knew it was perfect,” she said, referring to the fashion, decorating and design website that people often use as a vision board for events.

“I went on a manhunt for this dress. I called every bridal store in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia until I tracked one down that I could try on. It was sparkly and dramatic, Gothic and elegant and a little spooky. When I put it on, I felt as though it made me look like myself.”

Bull, who bought her dream dress at Amanda’s Bridal Loft of Annapolis, Maryland, is one of an increasing number of brides who are breaking away from the traditional shades of ivory, cream, ecru and white to try something a little different and daring.

“COVID-19 happened, and weddings changed,” said the store’s owner, Amanda Ritchey. “When couples couldn’t have the big weddings that they had always dreamed of, the dress became more important. Brides were looking for a way to stand out.”

Out were the strapless, lace, fit-and-flare dresses so popular before the pandemic, that made, Ritchey said, “every bride look the same.”

In were sophisticated black dresses and romantic floral prints that seemed to have floated out of an impressionist painting.Some brides have eschewed dresses altogether and opted for wedding jumpsuits. Still others have created custom wedding dresses from gowns that once belonged to their mothers and grandmothers.

Skirting tradition

Gina Samuels, owner of Cameo Bridal Salon & Boutique in Glen Burnie, Maryland, said that in addition to jumpsuits, pantsuits are a popular choice for lesbian couples.

Some of the trouser ensembles come with a traditional floor-length overskirt that brides wear for the wedding ceremony. The skirt can cover the bride’s legs fully, making it appear that she’s wearing a dress. Or, the skirt can be slit up the front to the waist so that it billows out behind, creating the impression of a train. In either case, the skirt is detachable, creating two entirely different looks for the cost of one outfit.

“Some brides wear the skirt for walking down the aisle and then take it off for the reception or after-party,” Ritchey said. “It’s a presto change-o kind of moment.”

And why not?

Though white wedding dresses with a veil and sweeping train have been de rigueur in the Western world as long as contemporary Americans have been alive, historically they represent a relatively recent development.

Before the 19th century, trendsetting royal brides usually dressed in their best outfits, with red being an especially popular color, according to a 2020 article in British Vogue. White was reserved for debutantes being presented at court.

But when England’s Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, the fashion-conscious monarch opted for a then-untraditional gown in a creamy silk-satin and a flowered crown.

Not only did the queen’s choice become the rage, it also became a status symbol, the article says. White dresses are difficult to launder and keep clean, so choosing one for a wedding indicated that the bride’s family was wealthy enough to afford a fancy dress that likely would only be worn once.

Outside of the Western world, white never really caught on.

Wedding dresses in red, the color of joy, have been a tradition in China for 650 years, according to the wedding software company Carats and Cake. The event planning business Sunshine Wedding Spain reveals that traditional Spanish brides wear black to symbolize they will remain devoted to their partners until death. Morocco World News reports that for the premarital henna ceremony, brides in that country usually wear green and gold, the colors of good luck.

Wearing the bouquet

Samuels estimates that perhaps 10% of her customers opt for a nontraditional dress.

But while women who buck convention tend to be confident brides, store owners say that in other ways, their personal style varies greatly.

“The girl who buys the black dress is the edgy girl who is not afraid to break rules,” Ritchey said, “while the girl who opts for the floral dress is all about nature and romance.”

Black dresses often feature black sequins or lace layered over a nude slip, which makes the design pop and creates the illusion of sexy glimpses of skin.

Floral dresses, in contrast, have roots in the recent revival of 1970s boho style. But the modern interpretations of this look can range from all-over prints in soft, muted pastels on fabric as light as a summer breeze to embroidered flowers or appliquéd vines set against a solid background.

Floral dresses have been in demand since the COVID-19 pandemic began pushing weddings and other social gatherings outdoors according to Mary Feeley, owner of Mary’s Designer Bridal Boutique in Annapolis. Not surprisingly, floaty florals are particularly popular in the warm weather months and for rustic-themed weddings celebrated in gardens and barns.

“These dresses are about getting back to nature and living a life that is more organic,” Feeley said. “Floral dresses have a whimsical, ethereal look that a lot of my brides like.”

Repurposing a memory

In addition to owning the store that she founded 40 years ago, Feeley also is a designer, a skill that comes in handy when she works with brides desiring a “repurposed” wedding dress from garments that previously belonged to the couple’s relatives. Feeley cuts the old outfits up and stitches them back together to create an entirely new dress tailored to the bride’s size and style.

But while repurposed dresses have strong sentimental associations, Feeley said they are so labor-intensive they can be considerably more expensive than a premade dress purchased off the rack.

“I’m making a dress now for a bride in which I’m incorporating pieces of wedding dresses from three generations,” she said. “I’m using dresses that were worn by her mother, her grandmother and even her great-grandmother.

“I’m using the sleeves from one dress, the lace from another and the foundation from the third to create something new that will fit this bride’s dream.”

For brides on a budget, Feeley has a workaround:

“If their mother or father or a grandparent has passed,” she said, “we can cut a piece of fabric in the shape of a heart from their mother’s old wedding dress or father’s old shirt. We sew that piece into the lining of the new dress.

“That way, the bride can literally keep her loved ones close to her heart as she walks down the aisle.”

So it’s time to pull out the big beauty guns. That’s right: masks.

These days, masks are made for every part of us —not only hair and face, but feet and hands, too  Here are some of my favorites.

Hair

When it’s brittle: Open up a jar of L’Occitane Intensive Repair Mask ($39 on loccitane.com). Slather it on in sections, from the middle to the ends of your hair, and leave on for 5 minutes before rinsing out completely. The cream-based, silicone-free blend softens everything right up, but also coats hair to protect it the next time you go out.

When it’s dry: Those of us with medium to thick hair know the value of a truly moisturizing treatment in the winter. Moroccan Oil’s Intense Hydrating Mask ($42 on moroccanoil.com) is extremely creamy and rich, and delivers a deep condition. Its many fans credit the amount of antioxidant-rich argan oil that it contains, which dramatically help improve hair’s elasticity and shine.

Face

When you’ve got breakouts: Clay masks are the undisputed O.G. of acne prevention, and Keihl’s is one of the undisputed heavyweights of reliable skin brands. The company’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask ($45 on ulta.com) is a Godsend if you’re dealing breakouts and blackheads, thanks to its Amazonian white clay mixed with aloe vera and oatmeal. It diminishes surface oil production, clears clogged pores, and seems to shrink pores. It can easily be used as a spot treatment, too.

When you want to banish spots: Whether you’re dealing with built-up melanin or scars, the niacinamide and bearberry in Hyper Skin’s Fade and Glow AHA Mask ($48 on sephora.com) help fade dark spots. It also contains alpha hydroxy acids—those are the AHAs in its name, which are glycolic acid and mandelic acid—and they work together to exfoliate skin and get it glowing.

When your skin’s dull: When skin gets dry, it gets dull. One antidote is overnight masks like the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask with Squalane ($29 on sephora.com). At bedtime, apply it evenly across your face until it’s completely absorbed and head to bed. The formula is paraben- and sulfate-free, and contains squalane (which adds intense moisture) and a probiotic-derived complex that leaves you visibly hydrated the next morning.

Body

When your knees and elbows feel like sandpaper: Leave it to Lush to come up with Beauty Sleep ($18 on lushusa.com). The tub of thick and creamy stuff is full of lemon verbena and valerian root extract, alongside honey, coconut, wheatgerm oil, and avocado and evening primrose oil to push the moisturizing to the max. Rub it into knees and elbows at night, hop into bed, and wake up without a scrap of sandpaper to be found.

When your cleavage needs a boost: When your décolletage and neck are looking drab and showing fine lines, it’s time to pull out some Goodnight Moon Chest/Neck Sleep Mask ($27.90 on trulybeauty.com). Smooth it in wherever you need it; the hyaluronic acid will help skin retain moisture, and the ginseng will amplify circulation to create more natural collagen. Better still, it contains collagen for tightening and firming.

Feet and hands

When feet resemble a desert: Sometimes when feet get as dry as they do in winter, they crack. Just massage in some Reinventing The Heel Mega-Moisture for Dry, Cracked Feet ($32 on origins.com). It’s a heavy duty cream for a heavy duty job, complete with rose, fruit and jojoba oil, plus salicylic acid to slough off dead skin. Shea butter leaves things velvety.

When hands are looking worse for wear: The thin skin on our hands loses collagen and elastin every day. Keep some Coconut Milk Hand Mask by Lapcos ($10 on treat.com) nearby, and use it liberally. Leave it on overnight or use it in small bits over the day (keep it on—don’t wash it off) and watch its blend of ceramides and coconut milk—and all the Vitamin C + E) restore your hands till they’re soft as a baby’s.

Thanks to fab recycling tech,  I can now just click a few buttons on my keyboard and find super cute designs made of either old plastic bottles or high-quality woven fibers from pre-owned textiles. Recycled fashion’s where it’s at. Here are some of my favorites places to find it.

Buying vintage and gently used clothes is the most basic and efficient method of cleverly acquiring an amazing wardrobe. Big style doesn’t get much more wallet-friendly.  All it takes is a sense of knowing what designers, cuts, and eras you love — from flare jeans and cashmere twinsets to embroidered blousons and iconic handbags — and a sense of adventure. I once found a classic Burberry trench with technicolor silk lining (worth $900 new) on a rack at Boomerangs (shopboomerangs.org) in Boston for $35. Online, the possibilities are endless: From poshmark.com and thredup.com to the ol’ standby, eBay.com.

And let’s not forget the pieces that have been upcycled.

I can’t wait to wear Toad & Co.’s Rosemarie Dress in Silver Pine Floral Print ($88 on toadandco.com), a spring-ready print just waiting to be thrown on for the first warm-ish day party this coming season. It’s made of recycled fiber.

Likewise, the cool-and-fetching Washed Sand Animal Print version of Garnet Hill’s Recycled Pleated Midi Skirt ($129 on garnethill.com). It’s got a muted-slash-edgy leopard pattern to its accordion pleating that’s going to be perfect all year long with either a silk black tank top in summer or a black cashmere turtleneck with boots in the winter — not to mention with a denim jacket in spring or fall. And I love that it’s made of recycled poly chiffon, plus recycled poly georgette lining.

American Recycled Clothing was the first company to sell used clothing in department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s in the early 90’s. And they’re still doing it on an even more individual level, with Ts like the Rcycld Out-Seam Music Tee ($32 on recycled.clothing/collections/tshirts), via authentic vintage graphic music t-shirts they’ve repurposed into tank tops with out-stitch detail. Pick your fave, from The Beatles to Motley Crew.

And then there are the upcycled plastics — and there are so many new and innovative ways they’re getting turned into cool clothing. The Black Compressive High-Rise Legging ($78 on girlfriend.com) is sturdy and high-rise. They’re made from 25% recycled water bottles and 79% recycled polyester. Better yet: When you no longer wear their pieces, send them back to to be recycled again and get a $15 gift card in return.)

Clearly we’re not done with winter, so don’t bypass the Women’s Water Resistant Puffer Jacket ($328 on tentree.com), which is sharply designed, ultra-warm, and made of Repreve fabric, plastic bottles and recycled fiber. At least 70 bottles were saved from a landfill for each jacket’s construction. Tentree also plants 10 trees for every purchase.  It’s a win-win.

Things kicked off last Thursday with a show from Christian Siriano. His daring and inclusive collections are always a sartorial shot in the arm for the Week, and this year the show was inspired by, as Siriano put it, “Audrey Hepburn’s rose garden at midnight.” White, pink, and lavender roses flanked the runway, and Siriano sent out refined bubble-hemmed midi dresses and rose print-covered pantsuits on models—who by the way included Lindsay Lohan’s siblings, Ali and Cody. (Lindsay herself sat in the front row next to Julia Stiles.)

The highlights continued on Friday, particularly with the Rodarte runway show at Williamsburgh Savings Bank. The production threw down the gauntlet with over-the-top drama. From the silver-draped banquet tables and shimmering candelabras to the goth makeup on models, it was a suitably fantastical backdrop for the equally glitzy clothes—the likes of floor length black column dresses, mint green sequin-covered pant sets, and metallic silver gowns outfitted with wings.

Later that day, Prabal Gurung set his runway show at the New York Public Library, and took it to an even grander level with a mirrored runway floor and starlight projections all over the ceiling). The collection leaned heavily on asymmetrical pieces, while others were festooned with patterns meant to mimic butterfly wings. Outerwear was big, too, with standouts like a fuzzy, oversized coat swirling with high-energy reds and pinks.

On Saturday, Proenza Schouler’s runway show focused on referencing the house’s past designs (with vintage prints used as linings) but moving on to new versions—like velvet tie-dye dresses from the past, but toned down in color. There were sharp-cut trenches and blazer-cut wool coats, and plenty of extremely wearable midi dresses in metallics, or black jersey, or even more velvet.

Ulla Johnson’s Sunday runway show was found on the 65th floor of Hudson Yards. There she showed off tomato-red crocheted sweaters and ankle-length off-the-shoulder dresses, evening tops strewn with ruffles, and her calling card—boho skirts and blousons in animal and global prints. Meanwhile, the Jason Wu runway show was held at The Guggenheim. Trumpet lilies bowed over the edges of the catwalk as models sashayed out in draped and ruched evening dresses in colors both warm (ochre, brass, and mustard) and jewel-toned (plum and chocolate numbers, with plenty of sheer cutouts and lace).

Then came Monday, and along with it, Et Ochs’s digital show and by-appointment showings in designer Michelle Ochs’s showroom (also at Hudson Yards). This season, in addition to her signature evening gowns, she delves into workwear. Think clean-lined dark denim everyday pieces (her asymmetrical tunics are a knockout), boiled wool vests sporting graphic pockets in contrasting colors, and shift dresses with slashed sides beneath matching blazers.

On the heels of that show came Bibhu Mohapatra’s, which was full of the expected glamour and dramatic energy. I especially liked the gorgeous blue tulle dress he sent out, seemingly ready to take on any big event with a flourish. But I also loved what Tory Burch did after that — that is, taking everyday looks and revving them up with daring elements like extra-flowy midi skirts, brocade jackets with a matching cropped pant, and boldly hued satin in everything from a lime green dress pant and a chocolate blouse to shimmering navy trousers and a stunning green long-sleeved midi dress.

And on Tuesday, Brandon Maxwell’s runway collection continued the house’s trend toward modern minimalism; think beautiful tailoring in neutral colors. That meant meticulous and accessible pieces like peplum-waisted and bell-sleeved tunics in gray and camel, structured winter coats at all lengths, and sleek tuxedo jackets.

All of those highlights give us something to look forward to this fall — and maybe even a little inspiration for our end-of-winter wardrobe.

This is the day to gussy up for a great night on the town – or a romantic dinner at home. And what better color for a Valentine’s Day date than high-drama, passionate red?

If you don’t have a ravishing red frock in the closet, there are plenty out there to be found, and many are on sale after the holidays. For example: The Winter Garden Dress in “holiday red” ($109.99 on jcrew.com) is covered in sequins and comes in a deep tomato red. Its bell sleeves, miniskirt, and complete sequin coverage are perfect for dancing the night away.

But why go for the usual dress, when you can rock a jumpsuit? Nothing says “I love the nightlife” like BCBG Max Azria’s One Shoulder Cutout Jumpsuit in Rosso ($298 on bloomingdales.com). Maybe it’s the asymmetrical neck. Maybe it’s the single-sleeve shoulder with the extra cutout piece. Or the swingy flattering wide leg design. It’s definitely the flaming rouge-ness of it all.

In all of the looks above or below, you’ll need a shoe. Not just any shoe — the shoe. Save other occasions for sensible footwear. Tonight is for wearing heels, and kicking them up.  I love the Sidney Pump ($490 on khaite.com) in Fire Red with patent leather and a delicate band of crystals.

And then there are the looks that tip a hat to old school Valentine’s Day cards themselves. If you want to be literal about the whole pink-and-red thing, order up a Lucky Shirtee ($68 on freepeople.com) in Bubblegum, a snap-up, stretch-fit, top in bright and joyful print. (It’s fabulous with any kind of denim.)

And finally, pull out all the stops (and all the roses) with the Voile Shirt Dress by Adam Lippes ($396 on gretta.co). The light and airy, full-length frock sports buttons from top to bottom and then makes the whole shebang glorious in neon red blooms.

PARIS (AP) — Art returned to a glittering Chanel couture universe Tuesday with monumental animal sculptures gathering in the center of the runway-in-the-round like a surreal zoo for its Paris Fashion Week show.

Designer Virginie Viard collaborated with contemporary artist Xavier Veilhan who used a bestiary in house founder Coco Chanel’s apartment as a creative springboard for the carnival-like spring decor.

Yet as much as the animals — made of unpainted wood, paper and cardboard — appeared simplified, lifeless and monochrome, the Chanel collection contrasted strongly, sparkling with color and sequins in an unusually vibrant display.

Here are some highlights:

CHANEL’S ANIMAL PARADE

Veilhan said he wanted to “evoke the relationship to animals which is constantly evolving in our societies.”

A VIP front row that included Marion Cotillard, Tilda Swinton, G-Dragon and Vanessa Paradis, watched on as a gargantuan camel, bull, fish, horse and lion resembling blown-up mobiles were wheeled onto this strange runway, beneath a ceiling installation of large geometric discs.

One bird pushed on set with a large beak and myriad scruffy wooden plumes seemed to give birth to a model in a top hat and a split white riding jacket with fringed skirt. It had guests reaching for their cameras — with one dubbing it the “Trojan chick.”

The rest of the collection seemed less directly connected to the animal theme — and this level of subtlety was not a bad thing. Coat dresses and bouclé tunics in tweed featured animal twists — such as embroideries of pet dog Labradors and Scotch Terriers. Elsewhere, there were strong equestrian styles, building on ideas from previous Viard seasons. Here, the riding jacket was key, constructed in gleaming silken tweeds above gamine miniskirts and youthful skorts.

There were quirks galore in the long white gloves, black and white bow ties and skintight gold- or black-capped boots with white boxer-like lace ups — yet they sometimes felt out of place.

The strength of this otherwise superlative and poetical couture — which sparkled throughout with brocade, paillettes, sequins and gleaming silks — spoke for itself.

One loose amorphous gown glistened like a silver fish with its thousands of embroidered sequins and black, white and gold silken breast. Elsewhere, a thickly textured bell skirt was constructed using rippling layers of white-colored silk like a underwater shell, or perhaps a delicate stratus cloud.

ARMANI PRIVE’S CIRCUS

At the grand stone entrance of the Garde Républicaine, Giorgio Armani’s late start forced guests — some scantily clad — to wait in the freezing evening cold. Once the green light was given, Michelle Yeoh was among the first to walk down the path of romantic lanterns — effusing that she was “very happy to be here.” Then came Carla Bruni-Sarkozy extolling the “feminist power of couture.”

Juliette Binoche was next, dodging questions about playing Coco Chanel in an upcoming Apple TV series “The New Look,” saying “this is not for tonight, now it’s time to support Giorgio — he’s a big supporter of artists.”

Once the media circus subsided, guests sat by a harlequin stage lined with interlocking-colored lozenges, ahead of a playful collection.

Silk bolero jackets opened the display that riffed on the 1980s, with lozenges appearing throughout — first as a 3D relief on jackets and, most dramatically, later on a blown-up courtly ruff.

Fastidious embroideries in every color under the sun dripped down sometimes slinky A-line and body-caressing column silhouettes.

But too many styles and shapes came together in this exhaustive collection — with its big jeweled flower appliques, dazzling sequin-encrusted jackets and round collar tops with geometric shapes — and that made the show hard to pin down as a whole.

Sometimes garments would have benefitted without Armani’s insistence on structure — such as one paneled gown that creased at the skirt — but there was so much dazzle and razzmatazz it’s unlikely many guests noticed.

ALEXIS MABILLE’S COLOR

His couture fusion dripped with drama.

French designer Alexis Mabille mixed old-school Grecian draping with a take on the Indian sari in the bright colors of South Asian dress. It produced a soft spring collection with longer silhouettes and fluttering scarves that used dozens of meters of floor-sweeping silk.

Bejeweled flowers adorned hairstyles, which, like the dangling lengths of fabric, flowed freely.

A bottle green gown cut a sublime hourglass silhouette. It reshaped the model’s body — open at the sides, wider at the top — and was held in place by a Grecian waistband. A cerulean blue gown, flowing unstructured from its round neck right to the floor, was notable for pure simplicity.

Not everything was a hit, though, such as a blue hooded gown with slightly incongruous, spiked satin lapels and a misplaced belt that confused the eye.

STEPHANE ROLLAND GOES FOR GLAMOUR

A film projected on a giant screen to Stephane Rolland’s guests ahead of the show featured a homage to 1959 movie “Black Orpheus” filmed in Brazil. The movie, which won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is set in the context of a favela during the famed Carnival time.

But Rolland seemed interested more in the carnival than the poverty of any favela — and the couture itself was highly stylized, haute glamour with a ballroom kick and, as ever, highly sculptural.

Purified white and black gowns sported giant whooshes of fabric, one as a floor-scraping train or as a huge neck band that when the model turned revealed a naked back. Another look, one of the collection’s best, was a three-dimensional back mini gown with skirt cut on the bias. It shot out in a huge wave from the hip.

Rolland played on the dramatic effect of flesh reveals against the purity of the often clean lengths of fabric — with scooped out plunging V-lines in the neck, split skirts and lopped-off shoulders.

With her caressing velvets and silks, embroideries, sequins and tiny silver studs, designer Maria Grazia Chiuri may not have reinvented the wheel, but she certainly embellished it beautifully on the first of Paris Fashion Week.

Yet the event’s first day wasn’t without controversy after Dior was criticized for inviting a Russia influencer sanctioned by Ukraine and Schiaparelli was the subject of online ire for glamorizing trophy hunting after featuring a fake lion’s head.

Glamorous frivolity, exaggerated silhouettes and surreal takes on classics harking from the 1930s heyday of house founder Elsa Schiaparelli.

That was the mood at the first spring-summer couture show of the season — and what a start! — with its lashings of gold, intricate embellishments and rollcall of front row VIPs inside the lofty gilded atrium of the Petit Palais.

Designer Daniel Roseberry was on top form Monday — taking classical styles and giving them unexpected twists. A dark tuxedo with stiff oversize shoulders was transformed into a minimalist, space-age jumpsuit.

A bronze bustier reimagined as a giant oyster shell rose up like a fan that obscured the model’s face. Its incredible pearl embellishments were rendered in organic, crystallized layers showing off the deftness of the house atelier.

Myriad embellished baubles — almost resembling wet pearls — organically dripped off a blown-up bolero jacket that cut a beautiful silhouette, and had perhaps belonged to some underwater princess.

Yet the collection was also reverential to the house founder whose unique brand of frivolity charmed audiences around the world. A giant lion’s head — replete with fangs and bushy mane — modeled by Irina Shayk added a bite to this collection. It was an inventive nod to Surrealism — but also a statement about the absurdity of the use of fur.

Kylie Jenner, who sat front row at Schiaparelli also wearing a 3-D lion’s head and a gold snakeskin bag, was later criticized online amid accusations of glamorizing animal cruelty.

And as anyone with wanderlust worth his or her Instagram account knows, New Englanders are flocking to sunny spots with abandon right now — especially the easy-to-get-to destinations. If you pack strategically and light, you won’t even have to stop to check your bags. Just roll on through the airport, head straight to your resort, and you’ll be in a chaise lounge sipping a piña colada before you can say, “Pass the SPF.”

So pick a destination that’s calling your name, and pack up the following key pieces. You’ll need a few other things, of course—the goods for your usual beauty regimen, your favorite shades and sun-protective hat, something to sleep in, maybe a pair of pants and a T-shirt and cardigan to wear at dinner or while exploring town. Oh, and don’t forget something juicy to read. But these are the essentials to buy now and toss into that tote:

A sundress that makes you smile

To get the most wear out of this piece during your trip, you’ll need to make sure it’s versatile—something that can be feminine and proper one minute, and devil-may-care casual the next. Vince’s ethereal Smocked V-Neck Dress ($170 on vince.com) is a smart choice, flowing and stunning in shades like Rosetta (a heavenly pink) and Lake (a sterling silver blue). What’s more, its smocked waist makes it incredibly easy to slip on and off, so it you can don it for a fancy dinner out on the town one night, and the next day, as a cover-up for the beach. Speaking of which, you’ll need….

A carefree cover-up

Make it simple, a cinch to toss on, and no-fuss. There are plenty of options out there, but absolutely none as simple and easy and go-anywhere as the Presidio Dress ($98 on athleta.com). The gauzy, high-low design offers a blessedly relaxed fit that still qualifies as very pretty (for when you suddenly need to be presentable at the tiki bar for lunch). It comes in a bevy of hues.

An unbeatable pair of sandals

It’s impossible to choose between a couple of pairs of shoes to take for a day away from the house, let alone a vacation—am I right? So no, no one pair can be all things to all situations. But whittling it down to one or two is a good bet to start with for a vacation, so you don’t wind up with a whole other suitcase entirely full o’ footwear. To that end, I recommend one you can play in, dance in, and sashay in on the sand, but still has a little bit of height. Witness the Joanie III Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal ($135 on sorel.com). It’s sturdy, great grip is also a wee bit lofty (the heel height’s nearly at 3 inches, and the platform height’s at 1 and a half inches. The full-grain leathers jump between bright candy colors; or neutrals like cream, back, or beige; or gorgeous gradient silver tones.

A built-to-flatter swimsuit

Yes, there is such a thing as a universally flattering one piece. The Bill Mio Ruched Halterneck Swimsuit ($175 on net-a-porter.com) plays up old Hollywood, calm pin-up style, and also hugs all of your curves, while also making a big, bold style statement. And that statement, above all else: “I’m so happy to be on vacation!”

The 45-year-old Grammy winner secretly tied the knot with Bianca Censori, an architectural designer for his fashion brand, Yeezy, during an intimate ceremony in Beverly Hills, according to TMZ. The couple has been spotted getting cozy in public in recent weeks and West just last month released “Censori Overload,” which seems to be a tribute to his new love.

“The Bible said I can’t have any more sex ‘til marriage,” West raps in the track.

While it does not appear the rapper filed for an official marriage certificate, he was photographed wearing a wedding band as he arrived at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills earlier this week.

Neither of the newlyweds has confirmed the marriage on social media. It’s not clear how long they have been dating, though Censori has worked for Yeezy since 2020, according to her LinkedIn.

The nuptials come just two months after West finalized his divorce from reality television star Kim Kardashian after seven years of marriage. The former couple shares four children together: North, 9; Saint, 7; Chicago, 4; and Psalm, 3.

During a vulnerable interview on the “Angie Martinez IRL” podcast. Kim tearfully admitted that co-parenting with Kanye has been a struggle after all the drama surrounding their breakup.

“Co-parenting is hard,” the Skims founder said. “It’s really f—ing hard.”

Following their split, Kardashian was quickly linked to comedian Pete Davidson, whom she dated for nine months before they called it quits in August. West was notoriously jealous of the couple. He penned a diss track about the former SNL actor and sparked several scandals on social media.

The clothing retailer says it followed the necessary steps to release a line of Bieber merchandise after the singer claimed he never approved the products.

“Justin’s license holder has confirmed that H&M had the right contracts in place and followed all proper approval procedures for each selected design,” H&M said in a statement Thursday.

“Nevertheless, out of respect for Justin, we removed the products from our site and stores, and we’re working to find the best way to make use of them.”

The statement comes three days after the Canadian-born Bieber, 28, urged his fans not to buy the H&M collection of hoodies, T-shirts and accessories.

“The H&M MERCH THEY MADE OF ME IS TRASH AND I DIDNT APPROVE IT,” Bieber wrote Monday on his Instagram story.

H&M released a short statement the same day to claim it “followed proper approval procedures” before elaborating in Thursday’s announcement.

“We have been Justin Bieber’s merchandise partner since 2016 and we are very proud of the work we have done so far,” H&M said.

Known for hits such as “Sorry,” “Peaches” and “Let Me Love You,” Bieber is a two-time Grammy winner out of 23 nominations.

Bieber canceled multiple concerts in June after suffering partial facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition caused by the shingles virus. He returned to the stage in August before canceling much of his “Justice World Tour” due to what organizers described as health concerns.

First up: We need some unapologetic shine. Et voila: The Marie Marot X J.Crew sequin maxi skirt ($350 on jcrew.com). Cascading to the floor in an eye-catching and sparkling navy, it sports a flattering A-line for great fit and flowing movement, and is a refreshing and still-classic alternative to black. I love it with a cream blouse or cashmere sweater.

Want another color alternative? This one’s the gold standard: The Palmer Sequined Bodycon Dress by Dress the Population ($258 on bloomingdales.com). With its asymmetrical one-shoulder top and gathered waist, it’s a stunner covered in a deluge of gold sequins that will be turning heads right into 2023.

Don’t even think about not considering an L.B.D. One like Asos Design’s Petite corset mesh midi dress in black ($55 on asos.com). The V-neck comes with all kinds of clever details, from the fixed straps and mesh, corset-style panel to its slim (but not constricting) fit.

Or make it a miniskirt—but one with real character. Like the Fringed Miniskirt ($119 on shop.mango.com) that shows off your dance moves The flowy fabric of the long fringe met with the short design and decorative knot are a combination all but guaranteeing fun.

And don’t bypass a pants option: Relaxed meets refined in the Cairo Pant by Majorelle ($198 on revolve.com), thanks to the presence of both an elasticized waistband with side pockets and a smattering of sequins all over.

Up for a formal night? Play a regal role in Ralph Lauren Collection’s over-the-top Ryne Embellished Strapless Evening Dress ($5,990.00 on ralphlauren.com) — a vision in floor-length black watch plaid. Rendered in a luxurious wool blend, it’s centered by a stone-embellished bullion crest patch at the chest.

And of course, there must be gorgeous shoes. Keep the pain of dancing and strolling at bay all night with either snazzy flats like Badgley Mischa Collection’s Natalia d’Orsay Flat ($245 on nordstrom.com) –the pearls and rhinestones will light up just about any look — or with platform heels. The latter style is going strong, and is easier than ever on your tootsies, with more designs to choose from. A current fave: Stuart Weitzman’s Skyhigh 145 Ankle-Strap Platform Pump ($575 on stuartweitzman.com) in warm gold with an ankle strap for welcome additional support.

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“I DIDNT APPROVE ANY OF THE MERCH COLLECTION THAT THEY PUT UP AT H&M .. all without my permission and approval,” the “Peaches” singer wrote Monday in an Instagram story. “SMH I wouldn’t buy it if I were you.”

In a second post, the Grammy winner said the merchandise is “trash” and again urged fans not to buy it.

But the Sweden-based fashion label, Hennes & Mauritz, apparently denied the allegations.
“As with all other licensed products and partnerships, H&M followed proper approval procedures,” the company said in a Tuesday statement provided to the Los Angeles Times.

“But out of respect for the collaboration and Justin Bieber, we have removed the garments from our stores and online,” a spokesperson added.

The collection included a hoodie featuring Bieber’s “Ghost” lyrics and other colorful items, according to Forbes. But several of the pieces, which were reportedly available on the retailer’s website on Monday, now no longer appear on the U.S. site.

The 28-year-old superstar and H&M have collaborated in the past, with the retailer selling tour-themed apparel in 2016 and 2017 pegged to the “Baby” singer’s “Purpose” album and stadium tour. Meanwhile, Bieber launched his own clothing line, Drew, in 2019 and is also selling his own authorized merch relating to his 2021 “Justice” album on his official website.

Representatives for Bieber did not immediately respond Tuesday to the L.A. Times’ requests for comment.

H&M is the second-largest international fashion retailer after Zara’s parent company, Intidex, and has carried branded merch for artists including Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande.

Last month, the company became the first big European retailer to start laying off staff in response to the cost-of-living crisis, Reuters reported. After sales fell for a third quarter, the retailer said it will eventually slash 1,500 positions to cut costs and try to save around $190 million a year.

In September, Bieber called off the remainder of his Justice World Tour over health issues following his recent diagnosis with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, a rare condition that caused the singer’s partial facial paralysis. In October, Bieber’s team said that the tour would be postponed again.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Celine brought a new line of fashion into the Hollywood spotlight in front of a star-studded audience while infusing rock music into designer Hedi Slimane’s “Age of Indieness” show Thursday night.

The fashion brand’s show at iconic Los Angeles landmark The Wiltern theatre introduced glitzy black and gold gowns, faux fur coats, slim leather pants along with gold-button jackets and coats. Each model walked down the runway to the beat of The White Stripes’ rock-infused “Hello Operator” while displaying the latest collection from the fashion house.

The co-ed runway graced the eyes of several celebrities and entertainers including Cindy Crawford, Doja Cat, Brie Larson, Justin Hoffman, Paris Hilton, Kid Cudi, Paris Jackson, Ava Phillippe, Wiz Khalifa and Courteney Cox. Crawford watched as her daughter, Kaia Gerber, strutted in a glittery gold dress.

Slimane incorporated men and womenswear. Some of the pieces worn were red blazers with gold trims, high-heeled black leather boots, black suits and gold feathers hanging from jackets.

Once the show finished, Slimane briefly marched onstage holding Gerber’s hand, waved and took a bow at audience members – mostly dressed in black – who stood and applauded his fashion efforts.

The fall/winter fashion show ultimately turned into a big party in the lobby area as attendees were served food and drinks before being graced by live performances lasting a couple hours in the theater.

A night centered around rock aesthetics was wrapped up with performances by Iggy Pop, The Strokes, Interpol and The Kills.

“Morning coffee date,” Arielle Charnas captioned an Instagram image showing her with Brandon Charnas.

The cheery post came the same day a publicist for the couple slammed online speculation that Brandon Charnas embezzled money from Something Navy as a “disgusting, coordinated smear campaign” and denied divorce rumors in a statement to the Daily News.

“All of these rumors are fake,” the pair’s rep added. “Arielle and Brandon are happily married. There was absolutely no embezzlement.”

Something Navy CEO Matthew Scanlan also responded to the rumors, telling Women’s World Daily that any embezzlement speculation involving Brandon Charnas is “categorically false” and that he couldn’t embezzle money even if that was the real estate advisor’s plan.

Arielle started the $100 million clothing company as a blog in 2009.

“Brandon Charnas does not have access to company bank accounts,” Scanlan said. “He is not an employee of the company, and he has no access points.”

Something Navy did not immediately address a Daily News request for comment.

The Long Island-born Arielle, 35, and Brandon Charnas, who have three daughters together, haven’t directly addressed the rumors. Brandon Charnas is the co-founder of New York-based Current Real Estate Advisors.

Arielle Charnas’ Instagram post Thursday received positive comments from fitness guru Hilaria Baldwin, stylist Danielle Goldberg and real estate titan-turned-reality TV star Barbara Corcoran.

“Beautiful couple,” Corcoran wrote.

Fans unfettered from pandemic restrictions flocked to film festivals and concerts to get glimpses of their favorite stars, whether Timothée Chalamet in Italy, Harry Styles in Toronto or Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar returning to the stage in triumphant form at the Glastonbury Festival.

Months before her tour broke Ticketmaster, Taylor Swift donned a cap and gown and greeted New York University graduates at Yankee Stadium, receiving a hero’s welcome.

Movies roared back to life: Tom Cruise provided a huge jolt with “Top Gun: Maverick,” complete with a high-flying promotional tour that spanned the globe and got even reluctant moviegoers back in theaters. Jeff Goldblum returned too, this time to the “Jurassic World” franchise that confirmed that yes, movies would find a way. That path often meant a mix of theaters and streaming, as Daniel Radcliffe and “Weird Al” Yankovic showed with their good-natured biopic of the comedian-musician.

For all the highlights, there were plenty of darker moments:

Will Smith upended the Oscars by slapping Chris Rock on live television, yielding one of the year’s most indelible images.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial provided an unsightly window into their marriage and many ugly moments as rapt television audiences watched.

Jimmy Kimmel, pretending to be unconscious on the Emmys stage, overshadowed a win by beloved “Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson.

But there was plenty else about which to smile, like Steven Spielberg did while walking the Oscars carpet as Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose – actors linked in Oscars glory for their roles as Anita in wildly differently versions of “West Side Story” – shared a sweet moment on the carpet.

On fashion runways and starry premieres, elegant, vibrant and sometimes whimsical fashion was on display – patches of light after a long stretch of uncertainty and gloom.

Kate, Princess of Wales, wore a variety of head turning looks for her Hub trip. Which outfit was your favorite?

Take our poll to select the fit you fancied most.