There’s something about a true designer dress that elevates the soul, while flattering the body from every angle. Quality fabrics and top-notch construction make investing in a designer dress a purchase that pays off for years to come. With award season fast approaching, Elle.com looks at some of the most elegant designer dresses that are winners no matter what the season.
The red carpet is the best friend to a designer dress. Gwyneth Paltrow loves to wear glam gowns by her best gal pal Stella McCartney. Eva Longoria Parker desperately digs the look of Versace. And, Beyonce swoons for Roberto Cavalli. Elle.com gives high marks to French actress Marion Cotillard for her choice of an embellished mint green gown by Christian Dior, and to Nicole Kidman, who shined on the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards red carpet in a black L’Wren Scott gown, complete with a plunging back.
Of course, one doesn’t need to be attending an awards ceremony to don a designer dress. Many of the same dresses are available in ethereal fabrics like organza and gossamer chiffon and fit like a glove.
The same idea is true for the designer little black dress. Fabrics such as wool, satin and jersey from Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Nicole Miller go from the office with a jacket to an evening out, simply by changing shoes and jewelry. Considered a wardrobe must, the designer little black dress is full of infinite possibilities ranging from cocktail to floor-length, sleeveless to one-shouldered, belted or free-flowing fabrics. Designer Rachel Roy worked a smart leather jacket into her Pre-Fall 2010 little black dress.
Women everywhere can thank Hubert de Givenchy for his little black dress designs made famous by Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy and years later, the designer little black dress still looks fresh and new.
