Category Archives: Red Carpet

2011 Emmy Fashion Recap

Posted on September 19, 2011 | 1 comment

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

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A Dress Worthy of the Final Rose

Posted on August 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

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

From L – R: Amsale at Nordstrom, Aidan Mattox at eDressMe, Mikael Aghal at Bluefly, Sue Wong at Nordstrom, Sue Wong at Bloomingdale’s
 
 
 

What do you think?  Did she make the right choice?  Was this the ONE?  Or would you have picked a different dress?

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Kiss me, I’m Stylish!

Posted on March 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

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. 


Most famously first seen on Angelina Jolie at the Oscars in 2009:
Angelina Jolie in Lorraine Schwartz via InStyle
They have since graced red head Julianne Moore at the Golden Globes in 2010
Julianne Moore in Bulgari via InStyle

And, a very blond Reese Witherspoon at the Oscars in 2011
Reese Witherspoon in Neil Lane via InStyle
These looks get their movie-star sized wattage from the simplicity of the design: a stud and a drop, and the mega-size.  In this case, (and with jewelry isn’t it often the case?), bigger is better.

So, perhaps you don’t have velvet rope access to Neil Lane – here are some looks for less:

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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Red Carpet Inspiration: Jewels

Posted on March 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

Again, I loved Gwyneth Paltrow’s dress, hair and jewels. 

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein via InStyle

I thought she radiated.  In fact when watching the pre-show with my sister I kept noting the man/intern/earring showcaser who relentlessly adjusted Paltrow’s hair to show off these:
Louis Vuitton Earring via People.com

Those earrings are to die for, and I am fairly certain the originals fall under the category of “would kill your bank account”.  But all hope is not lost. The idea behind the earring is a cluster of multicolor stones in an organic shape (not specifically round or square).

Here are my top picks for the look for much, much less:
From L – R: Rachel Leigh Nico Shooting Star Cluster Earrings at Charm & Chain; Gas Bijoux Faux Turquoise and Quartz Gold Plated Cluster Earringsat Ylang23; Wing Studs at Top Shop; Sorrelli “Wild Meadow” Earrings at Endless; Oscar de la Renta Multi Stone Drop Earrings at Net-A-Porter

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A Night with Oscar

Posted on February 28, 2011 | 2 comments

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.

Images via InStyle.com

At one point Anne joked that the great thing about this job (hosting – which, let’s be honest no one really loves the host) is the dresses she gets to wear and the ability to share the stage with Sandra Bullock and Oprah.  Of all of the great dresses (and tuxedo) she wore, and they were great, my favorite was the burgundy Versace  gown at the midway point.

Not that I know Anne, but this seemed to be the most natural fit; highlighted her coloring, fit beautifully, and I am sure much to her mother’s delight, no fidgetting.
Atelier Versace
Best black: Camilla Alves in Kaufman Franco.  She looks beautiful, sultry, not overly done.  I love this style of a dress, it reminds me of Salma Hayek on her wedding day.
Kaufman Franco
Best avante garde: Cate Blanchett.  I truly don’t think anyone else could have worn this gown with such ease and grace.  Her hair, jewelry, and gown are stunning.  I love the hints of yellow on this light and airy lilac Givenchy gown.
Givenchy
Best use of structure: Celine Dion.  Celine is perfectly tailored and fitted in this structured and sophisticated gown.  During the Red Carpet telecasts the flashbulbs were highlighting the shine of the fabric.  She looked magnificent.
Giorgio Armani Prive
Best dress for your dream Bat Mitzvah: Hailee Steinfeld.  This was so sweet, so age appropriate, so Bat Mitzvah ready.
Marchesa
Worst use of poof: Halle Berry.  Halle Berry looked stunning, and I loved this dress until it looked like she was swirled through some tulle and tumbled out of Mood Fabrics onto the Red Carpet. 
Marchesa
Best use of sparkle: Mandy Moore.  Mandy looks wedding ready, and red carpet ready.  I love this dress.  It is sweet, demure, and beautiful of her.  She looks like a doll.
Monique Lhuillier
Best use of white: Michelle Williams.  With her platinum pixie cute and darker brows, the retro style Chanel gown was the perfect choice.  I thought this was just lovely.
Chanel
Worse use of white: Nicole Kidman.  Pass.  I don’t like the hip bands, the embroidery, the orange shoes.  Pass.
Dior
Best use of a Red Carpet Moment, aka my favorite: Gwyneth Paltrow.  This gown by Calvin Klein was so modern and chic in the execution and was highlighted beautifully with the Louis Vuitton vintage-y earrings, brooch and rings.  Her pin straight hair and the liquid gold of her gown were a vision.
Calvin Klein

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SAG Awards Red Carpet for Less

Posted on February 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

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.

Anyway, because it’s like the little sister there is a sense of attainability.  Let’s explore, shall we?


I raved about Sarah Hyland’s youthful twist on orange (cute pun!) and the strapless gown from Nicole Miller does the trick for $355

Loved Natalie’s chic mom-to-be white gown.  This look is easily recreated with the Vanilla Strapless Gown from Laundry by Shelli Segal and the addition of some sparkly pins and brooches.

Lea Michelle and Tina Fey’s straight from the runway Oscar de la Renta were a little difficult to recreate on a budget but I think we’re pretty close with a gold infused Sue Wong gown ($488) and the Nika gown (for a budget busting $788).

My favorite, in the category of “I would rock this anytime” was Julie Bowen’s pantsuit jumper.  She admitted it was risky, but she neglected to mention it would be a cinch to recreate.  Halter jumpsuit from TopShop ($90) and sparkly pins and you’re red carpet, or disco ready.

Shop Happy!

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SAG Fashion Review

Posted on January 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

True confession: I did not watch the SAG awards.  I watched a political thriller filmed in the 1970’s instead. 

Due to the magic of the Internet and the fact that my sole interest was the pre-show, I am convinced I didn’t miss much, but I won’t make this a habit come Oscar time.

I have a funny perspective about award show fashion.  I tend to think of the SAG Awards as Homecoming, the Golden Globes as Prom Night, and the Academy Awards as the Wedding Day.  The grandeur and the glamour increase dramatically between the SAG’s red carpet and Oscar’s.  With that said, I think the fashion that we see on SAG night is a bit more theoretically attainable (price tag not included) and so much easier to say “I love it, I wish I had it!”.

On to the Red Carpet, shall we?  Images from Instyle.com
The best of the night:

Sarah Hyland looks as young as she is – and that is awesome.  Also awesome?  The color.
Sarah Hyland – Max Mara
I like that Natalie is sticking with simple shapes, and column dresses.  She looks comfortable and beautiful and is radiating in this dress, and still saying yes, I am pregnant, engaged, and will probably take home an Oscar in a month.
Natalie Portman – Azzaro
I included this dress in my Spring 2011 Runway favorites and I love it still.  I think this is the way for Lea to go – she already gets a bit of a bad rap for being a diva, so I think keeping her gowns simpler, and train free sort of diminish that “dressing for the part”.  I love the shine and the shape, and her more relaxed hair.  The only thing I would change are the shoes which seem a little overwhelming with this dress.
Lea Michelle – Oscar de la Renta
Call me crazy, but I love this.  I love everything about it.  I am sure Julie Bowen will get dumped on for wearing a jumpsuit, but I think it is pretty close to awesome on her.  Also awesome the major diamond jewelry and girl next door hair.  Yes, if this was my jumpsuit, I would wear it.
Julie Bowen – Catherine Malandrino
I am not typically a fan of Tina Fey’s sartorial style (or her thank you speeches when she wins, for that matter), but last night Tina Fey looked radiant.  I love the simplicity of the sheath, column dress instead of the more A-line, or retro fitting dresses she normally favors.  I love the texture and color, which has so much more pop and pizazz than her normal black, and her hair and makeup are beautiful.   
Tina Fey: you are the winner!
Tina Fey – Oscar de la Renta

In the Oops category:


Great face, great hair, wrong event.  I think Angie thought this was Oscar Night.
Angie Harmon – Monique Lhuillier
I’ve read quite a few interviews lately where Amy Adams (who just had a baby) has to feign laughter when the reporter asserts, “Who knew you even had sex, Amy?”  I suppose because Adams rarely plays the sexy leading lady role the press doesn’t think she could be sexy in real life.  I think Adams is great, and I think this dress would be great too if it was a half size larger.
Amy Adams – Herve L Leroux
I just wish these two had switched dresses.  The gothic black lace on Nicole feels too hard, and the prim and proper gold lace on Jones feels too stiff.  Please call each other first.
 
 Nicole Kidman – Nina Ricci  January Jones – Carolina Herrera

Congratulations to all the winners!  And now we wait for fashion’s biggest night, OSCAR Night!

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Go Green

Posted on January 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

On the flight home from India I watched “The Joneses” a film starring Demi Moore and David Duchovny.  If you have never heard of it, do not feel badly, it did terrible in theaters.  Anyway, in the movie Demi Moore wears a hunter green silk dress, and pretty much since that time I have moved hunter green to the top of the list of colors I need to incorporate in my wardrobe.
Demi and I have similar skin and hair coloring and so this seemed like a good model that it would work.

It seems that I am  not the only one who saw “The Joneses”…

Obviously when Angelina wears anything beyond black or white that is a style victory, but I don’t love this dress or her hair.  The hair bothers me because frankly that’s what my hair looks like when I do a 15 minute blowdry and I feel like the Golden Globes deserve better than that.  Regarding the dress, I like the color and the shoulders were very on trend, but somehow, I feel like the waist cinching reads very 80’s and not 80’s inspired.
Angelina Jolie in Versace via People.com
Mila Kunis looks sweet.  I like the hair, she’s glamorous. But, I don’t loooove it.  The dress has interesting texture, and the rumor is that it was put together 4 days prior to the show – so that is impressive, as well.  It’s just not my favorite green gown of the night.
Mila Kunis in Vera Wang via Instyle.com

And this is the winner!  This is the green gown that would make me a green-eyed monster.  I think Catherine Zeta Jones looks marvelous, and glamorous and old Hollywood.  The color is so deep and made richer by the unique texture of the gown.  I like how she styled her hair and makeup and kept it simple and pretty.  Also, the more I stare at the picture it reminds me of Scarlett O’Hara in the drapes, minus the finials and fringe, of course.  I love that she wore a true movie-star gown for her husband’s return to health and the stage.  Maybe the green will signify good luck!

Catherine Zeta Jones in Monique Lhuillier via Instyle.com

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The Golden Globes, a kickoff to Awards Season

Posted on January 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

This Sunday is the Golden Globes – and the first “real” award show of the season.  For me the viewing begins hours before the first award is given with the pre-show.  Nothing beats a glamorous red carpet, and because the Golden Globes are more fun* than the Academy Awards the celebrities tend to have a bit more fun.

I will definitely do a recap of the awards next week,  but in the interim I reviewed the designers Pre-Fall collections for 2011 to get a hint of what we might see on the red carpet.  Here are my picks for the actresses in the Best Actress in a Drama category, all images from Style.com.

Halle Berry in J. Mendel – this dress is easy, its graceful, and it will still highlight the best of Halle Berry – plus I think she radiates in metallic tones.

Nicole Kidman in Carolina Herrera – Nicole Kidman often goes for the lady look, and few do “lady” better than Carolina Herrera.  I really don’t expect this to be Nicole’s year so this might be too much dress for her, but otherwise I think she would look lovely in it.

Jennifer Lawrence in Naeem Khan – I had to Google Jennifer Lawrence as I have never heard of her… In any case a lot of what I saw was a bit more bohemian and very textured.  I love the color and the texture of this gown and that it is very formal, without being a ball gown a la Penelope Cruz.


Natalie Portman in Reem Acra – Natalie is a mom to be, but has never been shy about her fashion choices.   In her most recent public appearance she has been all Mary Quant, short dresses and high collars, so with that in mind I loved the detail on this collar and the ease of the dress.  I don’t know what she will wear, but I know it won’t be tulle, and hopefully not black.
Michelle Williams in Derek Lam – Michelle is a fashion darling, she always looks timeless and chic, and I love her platinum pixie haircut.  She tends to favor more vintage styles and I liked the retro vibe of this gown and the bold color. 

See you on the Red Carpet!

*They sit with friends and drink all night long…

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Editing the Red Carpet

Posted on August 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

The 62nd Emmy Awards are now just a faint memory and now exists for the Fashion police and blogosphere to criticize and joke about.  Here’s my attempt to tackle the Red Carpet’s best, worst, and just-off looks, all images via the Huffington Post.

Back in Black
Black for formal wear is so classic so it is always interesting to see how celebrities and their stylists keep it ineresting.  I think some fared better than others.

Rarely do I not swoon for Marchesa, but Heidi’s dress feels just a little small, and a little extra short.  I wish she would have given herself an extra in every direction.  Mindy Kaling is a very petite lady and I feel her bad-ass ballerina is overpowering her, without the ruffle at the top, I feel like she’d be wearing the dress and not the other way around.

 Kelly Osbourne looks glamorous and still very comfortable in black.  The fit on the bodice is gorgeous and the skirt is beautiful.  Julia Louis Dreyfus is in the winner’s category simply because she continues to look radiant, healthy, and the dress fits gorgeously.

Fashion that Makes You Gleeful
The trend color of the night: Navy.  The best dressed in navy, Jayma Mays and Lea Michelle.  I like the relaxed tresses, and I love Lea’s jewels, but when in the fit category I give the win to Jayma Mays all the way. 
 Jenna Ushkowitz seemed to fly low on the fashion police’s radar, but I loved this look.  She looks young, which she is, and still trendy and current.  I don’t love the mix of accessories, and would have preferred all gold – but otherwise she looks fabulous.  Okay, this pains me.  Naya Rivera is beautiful.  This dress’ color is beautiful.  But, it is too over the top, too much skirt, too much hair, too much drama.
Can We Edit This?

I wish both Dianna Agron and Keri Russell’s dress had been shorter.  Agron’s at a tea length would be more Audrey/Grace and less Scarlett O’Hara.  Keri is very much modern Baby (Dirty Dancing), I just wish it was shorter, and fit better at the bodice, it looks about a size too large.

Things I loved
Emily and John, Kevin and Kyra, Stephanie Carter, Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri.  I love the sweetness of the newlyweds, the jewels and color of the long marrieds, the glitter of Jennifer Carter, and the mother-daughter love of the ageless Sarandon/Amurri.

Things I am feeling Ehhh About
Maria Menounos dress feels like a poor man’s Sandra Bullock’s Marchesa.  Lauren Graham is a beautiful woman, this dress does nothing for her and is more matronly than it needs to be.  January Jones reminds me of Anne Hathaway when she was everyone’s fashion muse, edgy and overdone, it is just not believable for me.  Christina Hendricks in Zac Posen, I wish she would have lost the feathers, it feels like one detail too many.

Who Shouldn’t Have Been Invited:
I feel like there are no words.  This is neither a Mad Men Costume Contest, and I assume Stephanie Pratt’s house wasn’t on fire, so I cannot understand why she is not wearing bottoms. 

Winner of the Red Carpet Game:
I didn’t care for Claire Dane’s speech, but I loved the honey hair, makeup and glittering gown. This was a dress I would want, and would wear, even if it was just while sitting on the couch while watching the Emmy Awards next year.

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