MTV European Music Awards 2011 - Best Dressed

The MTV EMAs came to these fair shores on Sunday night, and brought a host of talent with it. Unfortunately, not all of it was in the form of a decent frock. Luckily, the glue that held the whole night together -- the hostess -- came through, setting the tone from the off with this intricate Marchesa number.

While the length of the dress and the bare back was bordering dangerously close on 'scandalous'  ("Virgin on top, stripper on the bottom", is how Tom & Lorenzo put it), the high neckline and long sleeves just about managed to keep it away from the 'indecent' category.

Though I usually err on the more prudish side, my love for Marchesa wins out in this instance. It's a beautiful dress on a young, fresh-faced starlet, who did right by keeping the make-up and jewellery minimal.

This is the second time Ms. Gomez has appeared on a NYADF 'best dressed' list, putting herself firmly on my fashion radar. Her various outfit changes (which you can see over on JustJared) cemented her position, particularly when she got her Beyoncé on in a purple, sparkly mini jumpsuit to perform at the event.

Someone give that girl's stylist a raise.

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Honourable mention goes to Jessie J. for this strapless number, which is decidedly demure for the lady more likely seen in printed pants and kaleidoscope colours (though fear not, she brought those out, too, because she walked the pink carpet at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast not once, not twice, but thrice, in a different outfit each time).

Though I'm not usually a fan of leopard print, this Dolce and Gabbana dress fits the singer flawlessy. The hair and red lip give it an old-school glamour feel that adds a touch of maturity and class to the whole ensemble, while the bright colour still keeps it young and EMA-appropriate.

A D&G gown, eh? Maybe it is about the money after all...

Worth every penny?

Lisbeth Salander - The Girl with the H&M Collaboration

Now this is right up my street. As a welcome break from the run-of-the-mill celebrity collaborations we see every second day with highstreet stores, Hennes & Mauritz is set to break the monotony by rolling out a line inspired by a figment of Stieg Larsson's vivid imagination. Yes, Lisbeth Salander's style is coming to a store near you next month. And I couldn't be more excited! This fictional female takes edgy to the extreme.

To get down to specifics, H&M has paired with Trish Summerville, the costume designer for the Hollywood version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (due in cinemas December 21st). Anyone who has read the book or seen the Swedish version of the film will know the style will be very rough and ready, with a rock chick edge. Fortunately, this line will be a tad more palatable for a fashion-forward audience, and will feature just the right amount of gothic glamour. "Stylishly gritty", as WWD puts it. Think leather jackets, studded accessories, and torn jeans. Like this:

Trish Summerville (centre) and the H&M collection
Image courtesy of H&M

The 30-piece collection is due to debut at Colette in Paris on the 28th of this month, followed by worldwide release on December 14th, a week before the film. Prices will range from $3.95 for tribal-style earrings, to $29.95 for hoodies, to a very reasonable $59.95 for leather boots, and will max out at $199 for leather jackets (euro price to be confirmed, but you won't be too far out if you just switch the $ sign for a €). Also in the collection will be a pair of platform wedges featuring covered studs for a "subdermal piercing" feel, as Trish says.

Check out the video below for some more details and a sneaky little peek at the pieces:

It's a Swedish style-fest!