The runways for Fall 2012 featured several shows with leather clad models. The look, while typically personifying an edgy sex kitten character was ladylike and sophisticated. Slim shapes, flattering seams, longer hemlines offset the sleek leather for a feminine style.
Jessica Alba got an early jump on the leather trend and proved you can rock (studded!) leather in the summer and look just as flawless.
Now make the look your own, for a lot less!
On Monday night Hollywood and Fashion royalty came together for the annual Vogue Met Ball. The evening celebrated a new fashion exhibit that compares and contrasts the designs of two Italian women: Miuccia Prada and the late Elsa Schiaparelli.
If there is a Red Carpet to go big on, this is it.
Let’s get to the good first:
Awesome Old Hollywood – Milla Jovovoich in Prada
The Best Bold Color – Solange Knowles (and Rachel Roy) in Rachel Roy
Best Tribute – Coca Rocha in Elizabeth Taylor’s Givenchy
The Most Fiercely Fabulous – Rihanna in Tom Ford
The winners in the “too much” category:
Too Short or Too Long – Jessica Biel in Prada
Too Old – Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney
Too Much Hunger Games – Elizabeth Banks in Mary Katrantzou
Too Much Beyonce (even for Beyonce?) – Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci
Last night was the 84th Academy Awards. I have a few take away notes after teh 3+ hour telecast: the show, like Oscar, felt pretty old; plastic surgery, especially on a man (I’m talking to you, Billy) rarely works; the “used to be fat” jokes for Jonah Hill feel really mean-spirited and cheap; and one montage is usually enough, I counted 4-5.
Now, on to the important stuff, the Red Carpet.
I have to say, I didn’t have an out and out favorite. Some looks were pleasant surprises, and other were slightly disappointing. But there were no show stoppers, or major risk takers on last night’s carpet.
Best in Red: 
Michelle Williams has the ingenue look down, and this night was no different. In any other awards season Emma Stone wouldn’t have ended up on the worst dressed list, however, this style is so similar to the Gucci dress that has been worn to death it didn’t feel fresh or fun for this major event.
Best in White:
Gwyneth Paltrow and Rooney Mara both wore white modern updates of classical styles. However, on Hollywood’s biggest night Gwyneth Paltrow looked like the grande dame of “the industry” and Rooney Mara looked like she was playing in another star’s dressing room.
Best Mint:
Berenice Bejo and Missi Pyle both wore a springtime hue of mint. Berenice looks lovely, ethereal, and like a star. Missi looks kind of messy.
Best in Nude:
Cameron Diaz and Kristin Wiig both wore gowns with a fitted bodice and tiered delicate skirts. However, in this showdown Diaz gets Oscar gold. If I had a favorite dress of the night, it was this peachy nude Gucci gown with cascading skirt and beaded details.
Best in a Cinch:
This one is hard for me to do, as you know I do love Jennifer Lopez. However, on the Red Carpet and during the show her beaded and sheer Zuhair Murad gown read more Vegas glam than Hollywood glam. I thought Octavia Spencer looked lovely, regal and glamorous on her big night.
Which dresses were your favorite? Tell me in the comments!
Last night was the Golden Globes, Hollywood’s biggest party of the year, and the host for the party was none other than perhaps a little sloppy (and maybe a little stiff) Ricky Gervais. The winners weren’t overly surprising, and either was the telecast, or the Red Carpet.
There were some winners: George, Meryl, the Descendants… and then there were some real winners…. on to the carpet!
Best Dressed: I can’t recall the last movie that featured more than Salma’s voice, but she was a welcomed addition to the Red Carpet. She shined brightly in beaded Gucci.
Salma Hayek, Gucci, Golden Globes 2012
Maybe their Daughter Picked their Dress, but Still Best Dressed: Jessica Alba, the mother to two daughters, was beautiful in a lavender hued Gucci dress. I am sure her stylist picked it out, but this is the dress of every little girl’s dreams.
Jessica Alba, Gucci, Golden Globes 2012
Rumor has is Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr’s daughter did pick out this dress, and I love it. SMG wore Monique Lhuillier for a triumphant and bold return to the Red Carpet.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Monique Lhuillier, Golden Globes 2012
Best Color Story: Better in Red
Angelina (Versace), Natalie (Lanvin), Emma (Lanvin), Viola (Emilio Pucci), Tina (Oscar de la Renta)
In varying degrees these leading ladies chose red for the Red Carpet moment: the look was modern, glamorous, deco-dent, sweeping and glamorous.
Now, it’s time to get into the more uncomfortable portion of the review, the ladies whose dresses made them look uncomfortable:
These stars are all mega-watt or at least on their way to becoming so, and their dresses were either a little too tight, a little too loose, or way too loose. Can someone find a stylist?
Kate Winslet, Jenny Packham, Golden Globes 2012
Shailene Woodley, Marchesa, Golden Globes 2012
Jessica Biel, Elie Saab, Golden Globes 2012
Rounding out the bottom, the worst fits and the worst dressed:
I get that Reese was supposed to be va-va-voom in this dress, but instead it was somewhat dead on arrival, poorly fitting it missed the Jessica Rabbit mark.
Reese Witherspoon, Zac Posen, Golden Globes 2012
I am terrified of Lea Michelle’s dress – the whole look is so severe and attack of the Spider Woman. She is rather lovely when paired down, and this whole ensemble overpowers her from bouffant head to toe.
Lea Michelle, Marchesa, Golden Globes 2012
What did you think of the show? And what did you think of the ceremony? Who were your best dressed?
Last night we watched the 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards, and while I had high hopes the show made me realize a few things: 1. I don’t watch nearly as much TV as I thought I did, 2. the Emmytones was a bad idea.
The real show for me is always on the red carpet, but in any case, my favorite moments were “the Jimmy’s” and the nominating moment for Best Actresses in a Comedy.
Let’s see the best looks of the night:
Red was the color of the evening and I loved the hue, the cut and fit of Martha Plimpton’s Zac Posen gown.
Martha Plimption, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet in Zac Posen
It’s perhaps a little too Miss Universe for some, but Sofia Vergara is also perhaps a little too Miss Universe. The color and fit are beautiful in this Vera Wang gown.
Sofia Vergara, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet, in Vera Wang
The gown, the fit, the sophistication are all aces in the Zac Posen gown worn by Christine Baranski.
Christine Baranski, 2011 Emmy Awards in Zac Posen
I have been an Elie Saab fan since Halle Berry wore the designer to the Oscars so many years ago. This dress on Evan Rachel Wood has a fabulous Old Hollywood glamor silhouette and there is nothing to complain about with that.
Evan Rachel Wood, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet in Elie Saab
The almost right looks:
I saw this trio and felt a little sad; it’s like the bride’s fashionable best friend, the maid of honor and the mother of the bride. Highest marks for Rachel Taylor in Giorgio Armani, then Annie Ilonzeh in Ramona Keveza, and lastly Minka Kelly in Christian Dior.
Charlie's Angels: Rachel Taylor, Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly
Amy Poehler in Peter Som, and Kate Winslet in Elie Saab were both suffering from the same ailment, there dress was just an inch(es) too tight. These women are fabulous and in fabulous shape, and wearing fabulous gowns, but the fit just fell flat.
Amy Poehler, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet in Peter Som
Kate Winslet, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet in Elie Saab
Cobie Smulders in Alberta Ferretti has the opposite problem, her dress drooped and dragged and felt like it could have been pulled an inch tighter for the perfect fit.
Cobie Smulders, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet in Alberta Ferretti
The not quite there…
Gwyneth Paltrow is perhaps one of the most fit actresses in Hollywood, and yet this potentially stunning dress by Emilio Pucci does her and her midriff no favors. If the Indian inspired gown had been beaded through the body with no interruption, I think we find GP in a different Fashion Police category.
Gwyneth Paltrow, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet in Pucci
Katie Holmes grew up on TV and in some ways I feel like this look is an homage to the 17 year old in us all; the sporty and semi-shapeless dress, and the just from the shower top bun are all a bit high-school, pre stylist.
Kate Holmes, 2011 Emmy Red Carpet in Calvin Klein Collection
Last night America tuned in to see Ashley Hebert break one man’s heart, and make another man’s heart soar. I will admit, I have phased in and out of my Bachelor/Bachelorette fandom, but this season I did watch.
Ashley wasn’t my favorite bachelorette, and I didn’t always love her style – even though we both have a penchant for backless tops. However, I do think she looked very pretty when she finally got her man, her ring, and her happy ending.
Ashley wore Randi Rahm, the same designer of her dress on the first night, and the designer of dresses that Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey and Beyonce have worn.
Ashley Hebert in Randi Rahm
The dress is beautiful, but also $16,000. That’s a lot of roses…
Get the look for less:
A Bachelorette's Look for Less
What do you think? Did she make the right choice? Was this the ONE? Or would you have picked a different dress?
Emeralds have favor with today’s leading ladies and have for long before (and presumably after) St. Patrick’s day. The richness of emerald stones complement the complexion of today’s hottest stars.
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| Angelina Jolie in Lorraine Schwartz via InStyle |
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| Julianne Moore in Bulgari via InStyle |
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| Reese Witherspoon in Neil Lane via InStyle |
Go Green, From L-R: Noumea Emerald Pierced Earrings at Swarovski, Courtney Lee Collection Emerald Brittany Earrings at Max & Chloe, Lata K Illusion Green Onyx Long Earrings at Max & Chloe, Nicky Hilton Sterling Silver Bullet Earrings with CZ and Green Enamel at Endless.com, Diana Warner Emerald-Cut Crystal-Drop Earrings at Max & Chloe
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| Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein via InStyle |
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| Louis Vuitton Earring via People.com |
I will leave the review of the show, the hosts, the banter and the winners to someone else, today we are here to discuss the dresses.
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| Atelier Versace |
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| Kaufman Franco |
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| Givenchy |
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| Giorgio Armani Prive |
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| Marchesa |
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| Marchesa |
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| Monique Lhuillier |
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| Chanel |
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| Dior |
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| Calvin Klein |
I mentioned that I thought the SAG Awards, in terms of grandness of attire, is sort of like High School Homecoming. That is said with no disrespect to the Homecoming Queen – it’s just that the Homecoming Queen is not a bride on her wedding day, and so the SAG Awards is not the Oscars.
