Most Expensive Dress In The World Unveiled

The most expensive dress ever made - in modern times, anyway - has been unveiled at Ukraine Fashion Week.

The black showstopper is covered in fifty 2-carat black diamonds, one of the rarest kinds in the world.

It's the latest project of British designer Debbie Wingham, who has built a reputation for extravagant gowns - though this is her most expensive yet.

Debuted at the Millionaire's Club in Monte Carlo, one of the world's richest states, the gown weighs over 13kg - so pity the poor model.

Wingham has made a name for herself as a celebrity designer, producing bespoke gowns on demand for red carpets and occasions. Her client list includes Dita Von Teese and Kate Winslet.

The gown, which includes a peplum and a shoulder shrug, is encrusted with $AUS5.5 million worth of diamonds, both white and black - the 50 black and a 'cobweb' or mesh of white and white gold.

However, the record-breaking gown hasn't impressed all critics, with some accusing it of being ill-fitting and unstylish.

The material onto which the diamonds were sewn had to withstand their considerable weight, and is less flowing and elegant than the usual ballgown satins and silks.

The gown will probably not go on tour, because insuring it would be a nightmare - but it's given Wingham the publicity boost of a lifetime.

What do you think - worth the price tag?

Image: The Black Diamond dress.

Conde Nast Accused Of Sabotaging Carine Roitfeld

Carine Roitfeld left French Vogue under a severe cloud.

And now Conde Nast, the publisher of Vogue, seems to be taking their revenge on their ex-editor, if the New York Times is to be believed.

Conde Nast has announced it will launch a French version of its major title Vanity Fair - but its timing is, to some commentators, suspicious.

They've chosen to announce the French version ages before it will debut - and right as hype for Roitfeld's new magazine, CR Fashion Book, is reaching fever pitch.

CR Fashion Book has been all over the fashion pages, with its Kate Upton editorials and incredible photographers. Roitfeld is pulling out all the stops, and all her contacts from her Vogue days.

However, the excitement over a French Vanity Fair might have been calculated to overshadow her big first edition, due out soon.

Her new magazine was "surely a trigger" for Conde Nast's scene-stealing announcement, a French journalist told the New York Times.

Conde Nast denies it, but Roitfeld certainly burnt her bridges with Vogue - she called it 'a golden cage' in the press.

The magazine world is cutthroat, and the attention of the public and of advertisers is key to a magazine's success.

However, other fashion commentators say the Vogue-Roitfeld feud is 'long over', and that Conde Nast has better things to do.

What do you think - suspicious timing, or a coincidence?

Image: CR Fashion Book.

Australian Wool Makes A Splash In Milan

The campaign to give Australian wool a heavy dose of glamour continues, with a huge party at Milan Fashion Week.

And it was no ordinary party.

It launched a book, When Wool Is In Fashion, showcasing Australian wool in garments designed by the world's top couture houses.

The book has a pedigree to die for. It was produced by Australian Wool Innovation and Italian Vogue, and the designers include Lanvin, Givenchy, DVF and Marc Jacobs.

The party itself was sheer Milan, with Donatella Versace - whose designs also appear in the book - stealing the show, New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn making the rounds and Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani lauding Aussie wool to the press.

"Most of the designers here, they mostly buy Australian wool," she said - a valuable boost to the high-fashion end of the wool industry.

Wool has seen a Renaissance in high fashion recently, with Vivienne Westwood devoting an entire collection to Aussie merino.

Now the book, shot by high-fashion photographer Pier Paolo Ferrari, will cement its next step forward - onto the major editorial pages of the world's magazines.

Will you be sneaking a peek at the book once it becomes available to purchase?

Image: When Wool Is In Fashion.

Your Ultimate Online T-shirt Store: Threadless

It's coming up to summer time - and all your T-shirts are hopelessly musty, last-season (neon slogans? So out) or plain drab.

Fear not - RESCU has the T-shirt destination to end them all.

Threadless, the online T-shirt community, is unique. It brings together artist-submitted designs and eager customers, so you don't need to go combing through independent boutiques or tiny web-stores for the freshest looks.

It also has a huge range of styles, colours and fits, regular sales and swift Aussie delivery.

The big look of the season? An oversized T-shirt in crisp colours tucked into a flowing maxi-skirt, with a hippie headband to match.

The designs range from sickly-sweet to whimsical to the quite seriously amazing. No cheap screen-prints here; many of the designs are first oil painted and then produced on shirts.

One thing they don't do? All-over patterns. However, a central design, particularly if retro or attention-grabbing, is a great way to focus an outfit, paired with a blazer and long pendants.

On-trend this season? The abstract, the Art Deco, images inspired by space photography, and intricate ice-cream coloured prints reminiscent of the 1960s.

Image: Threadless.