Designer A-Z 
The Week in Dresses – 15th June 2012
By Carla Challis
The trend: Shoulder show-off
King Charles II would have loved the seemingly accidental, almost innocent off-the-shoulder trend, as though a dress would just fall off at the slip of a hem. Salvatore Ferragamo’s designs are poster pin-up for this trend, with Leighton Meester and Fan Bing Bing wearing his peasant inspired designs. Chloe Moretz structured MaxMara LBD is more eighties working girl, soften by ruffled lines and a girly alice band. Melanie Griffith would be proud…
Give other looks the slip and push these wide necked dresses off the shoulder…
From left: 3.1 Phillip Lim Ballerina Dress, Dina Bar-El Sophia, Roberto Cavalli Floral Print Jersey Dress
The trend: Sheer genius
Give the illusion of nude, Rubenesque flesh with this daring favourite of the A-list brigade. Naked they are not, the intricately designed lace or embroidery covers their modesty and gives a killer finish – just look at Malin Akerman‘s stunning gilded Marchesa dress. We love how Catherine Zeta Jones looks as though she’s been caught in a web of ivy whilst Sheryl Crow does demure in navy Marchesa.
Show a little skin with these lace and sheer creations…
From left: Alice and Olivia Heidi party dress, By Malene Birger Moliano Lace Dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs Dahlia Dress
The trend: Gothic Girls
Style’s savviest players are shunning neons and brights, pastels and candy hues for a much darker, devilish palette. Wine red, burgundy, plum and aubergine shades rocked the palest of skintones; from Florence Welch in ruffled Gucci to Lady Gaga in futuristic David Koma (with matching shoes, clutch and sunglasses, natch). But it’s Emma Stone‘s schoolgirl-esque Rochas puffball who gets the goth award for overall cuteness.
Show your dark side with these deliciously dark dresses…
From left: Jasmine Di Milo Cross Strap Dress, Alice and Olivia Goddess Dress, Jasmine Di Milo Draped Dress
