Monday, February 28, 2011

Sequins, Sparkle, & Stars, O My!

ScarJo in D&G
Vintage glamour: Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang
Reese Witherspoon
Red hot Penelope in Gucci

Oprah, in Zac Posen

Best Actress winner, Natalie Portman in Rodarte
Mila Kunis in Elie Saab
Charming in Chanel, Michelle Williams
Marisa Tomei
Melissa Leo
CK on Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Hudson
Hilary Swank in Gucci

Halle Berry in Marchesa
Hailee Steinfeld in custom Marchesa
Gwyneth in Calvin Klein
um yes hi! i just had twins!
Avant-garde favorite, Cate Blanchett in Givenchy
Host, Anne Hathaway in Valentino, with Mr. Valentino himself as arm candy
Supporing actress nominee, Amy Adams, in L'Wren Scott
Last night's performer looked radiant in this Monique Lhuillier sparkler.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. And while last night's awards show seemed to disappoint a lot of the fashion world, I do believe that there were some beautiful moments throughout last night's 83rd annual Oscar red carpet event.
Prima Ballerinas
In my humble opinion, I feel that Black Swan's Natalie Portman saved the best for Oscar. She glowed in her wine colored Rodarte gown, giving a much deserved nod to the film's costume designers. Her co-star, Mila Kunis, was one of my favorites in a peak-a-boo lavendar Elie Saab laced gown, which created an amazing effect on her slender silhouette. She totally rocked that dress.
The Red Sea
Red tones were all the rage last night as red carpet greats, Sandra, Penelope, & Anne looked unbelievable in the evening's chosen hue. One has to point out newbie & nominee Jennifer Lawrence, who set the tone on last night's carpet as the first to arrive in a curve hugging Calvin Klein sleeveless gown. She looked ravishing in this simple yet elegant number & hit the nail on the head by keeping her jewelry uber-simple.
Is Calvin the New Red Carpet Go-To?
Calvin Klein scored another mention yesterday, as Gwyneth Paltrow couldn't have looked more perfect in her poured on silver CK number. Her sleek hair & art-deco Louis Vuitton jewels were the perfect surprise to complete an already perfect look.
Missed Pitch
I don't necessarily want to categorize the following 2 as flubs, because on another night they may not have been. However, in the midst of the rest of the gals, these were my lesser favorite looks. Reese, a la Elle Woods, with her high (extremely bouncy) pony tail looked great in her classic Armani Privé gown, however, no one can ignore the shocking resemblance it had to Julia Robert's Valentino gown she wore on her winning Oscar night. All the while, I really appreciated the emerald jeweled earrings, but sincerely hope that the wedding dress she chooses is more resonant of her fashion reputation we've all grown to love.
Nicole Kidman just didn't cut it for me, and since this strike 2 (possibly 3) of this year's award season, one has to wonder what is going on? My mother is a huge Nicole fan (rightfully so) and adored the gown, I just felt that the front mimicked oragami (which we've seen done so much better-- uhmm Charlize Theron) and was slightly confusing.
I lied, there was a mishap now that I remember, Marisa Tomei. I didn't get it. At all. It was too much. Too much navy, too much tulle, too much dress. At least her hair and jewelry were simple to offset the large amounts of dress below her waist.
Halle & Hailee
Are the yin & yang of the Oscars. The veteran & past-winner versus the young fledgling starlet. However, both chose dazzling muted toned Marchesa sparklers for the event. Halle redeemed her SAG malfunction in a tan Marchesa ah-mazing-ness. She couldn't have looked better, and no one can wear that color better than she can-- no one. Nominee, Hailee Steinfeld graced the carpet in a one-of-kind creation that she helped design. I have to say, based on her 3 red carpet appearances this season she really knows how to hit a high note without dressing older than she is. She is the epitome of what any 14 year-old should wear to these things ;) Not to mention, she's super adorable.
Honorable Mentions
I couldn't bare to leave out Michelle Williams, Amy Adams, & Hilary Swank who all looked gorgeous in their respective dresses. Michelle too did significantly better this go-round looking so chic in her stunning Chanel gown. Amy Adams, rocked her fully-sequined navy short-sleeved L'Wren Scott dress. While I didn't love the necklace choice with the neckline (a big earring would have been enough) the dress fit her so incredibly well and her hair was perfect: loose & flowy to juxtapose the structure of the dress. Hilary looked divine in her slate grey Gucci gown (new look for Gucci I might add) as you all now know I have an avid adoration for all things sequined & feathered... lurve.
The One Who 'Brought It'
I'm sure that all fashion mavens rejoiced as Cate Blanchett perused the red carpet in a pearl & crystal encrusted Givenchy dream dress. It's one of those dresses, that while you're sitting at home on the couch vegging out gawking at all these beautiful ensembles, you think to yourself, "I want to go somewhere to wear something like that!" Then reality smacks you in the face each commercial break.
We all know the Oscars were wanting to appeal to a younger demographic but I'm just gonna throw out there, if you want to appeal to all demographics, I think Sandra Bullock & Robert Downey Jr. should host next year... just sayin'...

Monday, February 14, 2011

Fashion Entertainment.

While a little on the short side, she can get away with it with those gams!
Stunning in J.Mendel
Avant-garde in Jean Paul Gaultier
Nikki.. being Nikki
Love this boho-sequined look
Always bringing the curves to the carpet
Only Katy Perry. In Armani
Would love to wear this Malandrino gown! Julianne Hough looks amazing!
Weight Watchers wonder!

Gaga. Always in character.

A little too much for her petite frame.
In all fairness, no one should really judge Grammy fashion, because much like music, the Grammy red carpet has no rules. Where else would you ever see Lady Gaga arriving in an incubator? Or Katy Perry dressed up like an angel?.. Eh.. you get the point ;)
The guest list is just as eclectic as the fashions. It is a place where the lyrical maestros, rap gods, country crooners, rock legends, soul sisters, & pop princesses convene in one place to honor all things music.
Sequins & sparkle are always a star favorite as shown by Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian (who probably stole that dress right outta Lopez's closet!), among others. My favorite: Selena Gomez was a teenage dream in a liquid gold J.Mendel gown.
Performance-wise, I thought Bieber, Jaden, and Usher were adorable & awesome all at the same time. Being the wedding lover that I am, I couldn't help but think Katy Perry sharing her wedding video during her performance was sooo cute & appropriate on Vday-eve. & I thought the Bruno Mars old school rendition was so amazing! Can't leave out all things Rihanna, looking gorgeous with both Eminem & Drake-- singing 2 of my favorite songs of the year. If I'm going to make my husband sit through all these awards shows with me I also have to give a shout out to the Avett Brothers & Mumford and Sons, as they were his favorite.
And while I love me some Gaga, I don't think her "Born This Way" performance "shift the world" like she had hoped, hell, it barely shifted me.
For me, two things stole the show: Jennifer Hudson's rockin' bod showcased with those gorgeous gold epaulets & peek-a-boo lace bra. As well as Gwyneth Paltrow's sky-high-multi-colored Louboutins during her performance with Ceelo. Meanwhile, my husband wants to know when did she get so hot? Ah, sigh.
The Grammy's never disappoint: they always make us laugh, question, wonder, & entertain. Both the fashions & the performances gave us a solid dose of all of the above!