Sex and the City 2: Fashion & Luxury in Different Cities

The much-awaited Sex and the City 2 film premieres were held on May 25th at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and on May 27th at Leicester Square in London. The star-studded events celebrated the fusion of fashion and film with guests who were dressed to the nines as well as with hundreds of thousands of screaming fans who surrounded the venues.

The leading ladies of the film were dressed in elegant gowns at both events, leaving no doubt that they are the stars of a revolutionary franchise – one that has heavily impacted pop culture, fashion, and the lives of women (and men!) all over the world.

Led by the film, this report will take you to an assortment of cities around the globe: from New York to London, Abu Dhabi, Marrakech, and back.

Looking at the New York premiere first, Sarah Jessica Parker shone bright in an asymmetrical, one-shouldered, neon-yellow Valentino Couture dress and silver satin Ferragamo double platform pumps. The star surprised many fans who were expecting to see her wearing Halston, Oscar de la Renta or Marchesa to the event. Kim Cattrall, the ageless beauty who plays the wild character Samantha to perfection, wore a 1930s-inspired, gold-beaded Naeem Khan gown, replete with retro waves in her hair, red lips and a plunging neckline.

Kristin Davis looked pretty in a bright pink strapless 1950s vintage couture gown by Jean Desses, accessorized perfectly with 19th century Fred Leighton jewelry, a Judtih Leiber clutch and Christian Louboutin heels.  Cynthia Nixon was an emblem of sophistication in a black, strapless Carolina Herrera mermaid gown, along with diamond drop earrings, a diamond leaf brooch and a black clutch.

Not to be outdone, the Sex and the City men, loved deeply by all fans, were also dressed in chic suits. John Corbett (Aidan) looked his handsome best in a navy blue suit, outfitted by Ralph Lauren while Jason Lewis (Smith Jerrod) was in all black. Chris Noth, dressed to perfection as is typical of Mr. Big, was enthralled by the number of fans screaming for him at the premiere.

Notable outfits of the evening included Gossip Girl’s Michelle Trachtenburg in a red strapless mini-dress by Notte by Marchesa and Jessica Szohr in a black sheer-top, fitted jumpsuit by Willow. Valentino Garavani also attended the event along with other personalities such as Lisa Minnelli, model Alessandra Ambrosio, Donald and Melania Trump, designer Zac Posen, Howard and Beth Stern, actress Gabourey Sidibe from the film Precious, and model and New York club-owner Petra Nemcova.

Moving uptown later on in the evening, the after-party held at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts followed an outfit change by two of the stars. Sarah Jessica Parker switched into a black, Fall 2010 Elie Saab dress along with Nicholas Kirkwood heels, and Kristen Davis sparkled in a silver-grey vintage Balmain couture dress.

Next, flying across the pond to the London premiere, Sarah Jessica Parker once again opted for a strapless dress; the black tulle Spring 2008 Alexander McQueen lace dress was accompanied by a bold hat by British milliner Philip Treacy. It was a look that someone with her poise and grace could easily pull off. She also wore a black armband to pay tribute to her friend, the late designer McQueen.

Kristin Davis wore a gold Normal Norell gown while Kim Cattrall chose a vintage Thierry Mugler, keeping the retro waves and red lips that she sported at the New York premiere. Cynthia Nixon brightened up for the London premiere in a teal Narcisco Rodriguez gown.

Guests included celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, actresses Amanda Holden, Rachel Stevens, Emma Roberts, singer Emma Bunton, models Penny Lancaster, Daisy Lowe and Lisa Snowdon, and IT girl, Peaches Geldof.

Although the film’s plotline kicks off in New York, the city where it all started, the four characters (and viewers) are whisked away to an opulent getaway in Abu Dhabi. Writer and director Michael Patrick King rightfully described it as “escapist entertainment” at the New York premiere. That being said, the former HBO show, the first film and this latest one discuss several issues that women face at various stages in their lives, but they do so with humor and a certain sincerity topped off with several sprinkles of fashion, taste and glamour. It is perhaps this combination of relatability as well as aspiration that has brought this franchise millions of devotees worldwide.

The film was shot in the exotic destination of Marrakech in order to represent Abu Dhabi. Marrakech, a souk-filled city surrounded by the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara desert and the Atlantic Ocean, mixes tradition and modernity into a divine assortment of luxurious hotels, restaurants and spas. It is no wonder that it was a favorite of the jetset crowd of the 1970s such as Yves Saint Laurent, and continues to be a popular getaway today.

Saving the best for last, we now discuss the one and only Sex and the City stylist, Patricia Field‘s fashion picks for the film. It has been rumored that the styling costs for the film were in the ballpark of $10 million USD. Ms. Field, however, refutes this. She also reveals that her current inclination towards more classic, chic shapes led to the inclusion of several pieces from Halston, the American label at which Sarah Jessica Parker recently took on a creative role. Although the film includes classic labels such as Chanel, YSL and Dior, and a selection of vintage pieces, Patricia Field states that she styles the stars based on the characters and the story, not based on labels alone.

The film opens in theatres on May 27, 2010 in the U.S. and May 28, 2010 in the U.K.