Welcome To The Red Carpet…
Each Spring we get to witness the fabulous journey from red carpet to red carpet that the celebrities embark on that leads to the Oscars. Have I seen all the movies being nominated for & winning awards? Nope. Not even close. Do you know which gowns & frocks I love and which designers are killing it? Oh. Yes.
Here are some of the highlights of late!
{I like this because it’s a one-of-a-kind take on a standard Little Black Dress and the answer to what to wear to a cocktail party.}
{Cute. Eye-catching. Age appropriate. What more could you ask for from a young starlet?}
{I adore a man in a suit, but with an endless parade of red carpets during awards season black and grey suit after black and grey suit gets a bit… Dreary. Three cheers for a man who mixing things up and likes to try great colors & textures. Precisely as the face of Burberry should!}
{Flowy and white can frequently bomb on the red carpet. Too loose, too casual, too flower child… But this one is perfection. It’s all about the belt!}
{Another black & gold number that killed it on the red carpet. Dramatic. Unique. Flattering. Perfect!}
{Finding the perfect jewel toned gown isn’t easy and I can’t imagine a more beautifully colored dress than this one. And that silver collar? Swoon!}
{Prints & patterns are such a breath of fresh air on the red carpet in a sea of princess-y frocks and this metallic black & silver number was especially stunning. And she wisely left the statement jewelry at home.}
{Another fabulous white gown curtsey of Ralph Lauren. Lovely silhouette and a flattering hue, but those earrings were what really sold me. Just stunning!}
{I LOVE Kerry Washington and she’s had some killer looks during her Django Unchained press tour – But this Giles gown is one of my favorites. It’s totally unique while still looking like it was made for her. Brava!}
And finally… Some Golden Globe goodness:
{I love this dress! There was lots of back-and-forth on this one from the commentators, but I thought it was fun and a breath of fresh air!}
{Striking. Just striking.}
{I love the drama here – The deep oxblood color, the neckline, the train… There’s a lot going on, but it works for her.}
{I LOVE pants on the red carpet. And I love women in tuxedos. This is simple but totally chic and timeless. Well done Amy, well done.}
{Wow. It’s eye-catching and dramatic, but still age appropriate and utterly flattering. Gorgeous dress!, I love the gold embellishments.}
{This peach hue suits Miss Jessica to a T. It’s classic but the styling, jewelry & bag take it up a notch.}
{I love black & white on the red carpet. It’s sharp and eye-catching. And Julianne Moore knows JUST how to pull off this killer Tom Ford gown.}
{Flawless. The gown is a stunning color, suits her figure perfectly, and I adore the double straps, low back, and sheer stripe. Perfection!}
{Drama Drama Drama. When you want sophisticated, high fashion drama and glamour you know where to go – Alexander McQueen!}
{I’m not usually a fan of sheer hemlines but I just love this sparkly Miu Miu number. It really stood out last night – Both on the red carpet and on stage – And it looks great on her.}
{And she’s back! I used to love everything that Miss Kidman wore on the red carpet but all the white lately hasn’t been my favorite – This however is killer. It’s busy, but she’s just the woman to pull it off!}
{Such a standout dress last night – This is the definitely of an eye-catching look!}
In my humble opinion there was a winning tie here… Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta {styled by the fabulous Brad Goreski} and Taylor Swift in Donna Karan Atelier. Both looked utterly striking and were styled to perfection. Well done to everyone though, there were virtually no disasters at this stylish event.
My only complaint? Where was Keira Knightley??? Her Chanel gowns for the Anna Karenina red carpets have been divine – I was dying to see what she was going to wear to the Golden Globes. Sob!
{Images from TLo}
Curious about last year’s stand outs? Check out Golden Girls. And Boys. for the 2012 red carpet looks from the likes of Angelina Jolie, Evan Rachel Wood, Emma Stone, and Rooney Mara.
Which fabulous frock was your favorite?
Looks of the Week
I always give a little sigh of relief when all of the Fashion Weeks are over – There’s a lot to keep up with, a lot going on, lots of photos to try to find and websites to link and models to track down… It’s pretty exhausting even from a distance, I can’t imagine actually being there!
So, to celebrate the end of a month of fashion here’s a Looks of the Week post filled with fabulous, relatable styles that we mere mortals can emulate.
Such a great, easy look. A chic black pantsuit is a great alternative to a cocktail dress. Though most of us aren't running around in Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2012 pieces. Unfortunately...
Stacy Keibler rocked a stunning blue Asos dress that showed off just a hint of skin. This is a great cocktail frock because the longer hemline offsets the flash of midriff to keep it on the classy side.
This is a great mens coat. I love the contrasting belt, faux fur collar & double-breasted buttons. Not a huge fan of facial hair or short pants on men though...
I'm still in full coat mode and I love that this is a lighter version, more of a "preparing for Spring" type coat than a winter coat.
Late Afternoon has a knack for pairing pieces you might not guess would look phenomenal together. Yellow jeans, a white lace top and a floral midriff baring top? Perfection! Spring anyone?
In the mood for florals to get a jump on Spring? Check out Modelinia’s Model Style File: Flirty Florals.
Does it get more chic than this? Cropped black skinnies, pointy-toed pumps and a black leather motorcycle jacket. Fabulous.
Wow. I mean. Just wow. It can be hard to pull off the menswear inspired suit on the red carpet, and trying to spice it up with a little sexiness can fail. But Miss Evan Rachel Wood knows how to do it right. Love the shoes paired with the Jason Wu suit.
So chic! Taylor Tomasi-Hill looked phenomenal in polka dots, wide leg pants and a great belt in Milan.
This is hardly a typical mini skirt look - I like sequined collar on the bright red blouse and the fun zipper clutch. They both keep it far from boring.
Source Want to try a great polka dot look? Eat, Breath, Fashion has some inspiration & ideas on finding the perfect look. Or you can check out the MCLV Style File on Olivia Palmero‘s polka dot skirt!
Stay tuned this week for summaries from the Fall 2012 Paris Fashion Week shows, the front row looks and a very special Moi Contre La Vie giveaway.
Looks of the Week
Ready for some non-Fashion Week fashion? Yes, they’re still rich, famous, beautiful and hanging out places we’re not invited, but I can promise that they’re not sitting front row at a fashion show though!
The 2012 Elle Style Awards:
Tali Lennox wore a dramatic, sheer Julien Macdonald gown with a flashy metallic belt. I'm sure that the grey, white & yellow confection was eye-catching in person, but I was most impressed by the intricacy of the frock.
Clearly I'm just as ready for Spring as Poppy, I sat up a little straighter and smiled a little more when I caught sight of her adorable Mary Katrantzou for TopShop dress. Too. Cute.
There were peplum dresses galore at NYFW so it was nice to see a fun, basic way to wear one from Evan. The black patent bow belt paired with the t-strap heels were perfect!
Writers Guild Awards:
So. Cute. No idea who she is, but this is adorable and age appropriate. If I could get away with wearing this, I'd be alllll over it!
I like this dress because its different. Head-turning without being scandalous or revealing, you would definitely take a second look when she walks by.
Personally, I can't wear rompers, they just do not work for me. That being said, when I looked at this picture all I could think was "Spring's coming!!!" Super cute and fun.
This look is exactly what I pictured when I heard that Marni was designing a collection for H&M. Interesting combinations of prints and fabrics with a fun vintage twist. Imogen Poots looks absolutely great in this silk dress!
Adorable! I probably would have worn tights instead of pants with the great embellished tunic, but Jaime looks pretty great here. Love the headband.
Sofia Copola has great, low-key personal style and this look is perfectly her. Its fun, funky and has a great retro feel with the pattern and shimmery fabric.
I love polka dots and this look (or parts of it) probably would have been what I picked. I really like the bright blue and white combo - very crisp. Go Hanneli!
These are really beautiful colors on Jayma - she looks phenomenal in jewel tones but you have to admit she looks pretty great in these iridescent pastels as well.
LOVE. The styling is perfect for this simple, chic shift.
Veronica Echegui's Gucci gown was head-turning and dramatic, that belt was the perfect accessory!
Mar Saura looked stunning in Ralph & Russo. I really love these shimmery, shiny pale gowns but they can be really hard to pull off - she makes it look effortless here.
Shailene Woodley looked stylish and all grown up in her Bird by Juicy Couture jumpsuit. Very chic!
Kate Mara clearly wanted to prove that her sister wasn't the only one who could make a splash on the red carpet. Her zip-up Bird by Juicy frock is a little bit cheeky, but still very cute. Too bad she didn't throw on some brightly colored pumps!
(L to R) Rihanna, Jessie J & Adele
(L to R) Caroline Flack, Cher Lloyd & Abbey Clancy
Interested in upping your own game when it comes to your daily and weekend looks? Modelinia has a quick & dirty guide to the perfect look using the beautiful and stylish Lara Stone, Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn as examples – 3 Steps to an Effortless Model Off Duty Look.
Golden Girls. And Boys.
The 2012 Golden Globe Awards were Sunday night and the ladies & gents did not disappoint. Join me.
One of the most talked about looks of the night was Angelina Jolie in cream & red Aterlier Versace. Whether you're a fan of hers or not, its hard to argue that this isn't a striking, head-turning look.
I love dramatic black and white gowns and I absolutely adored the sequin embellished open back of this J. Mendel dress. Such a great choice for her.
Nicole Richie was an art deco goddess in Julien Macdonald. Loved the dress. Loved the stacked bangles. Loved the stand out clutch. Would kill for the ring and earrings. Kill.
Shailene Woodley was by far the most well-dressed of the starlets her age. Her strapless Marchesa was a beautiful fit and color, I just wish she's added some bright jewelry or a flashy clutch.
The drama queen of the night was Evan Rachel Wood in a knockout green Gucci gown. Say that three times fast! The cut, the sequined embellishments, the feathery train... Fabulous.
If you'd shown me this gown prior to the red carpet, I would have assumed she was the wearer, so it is very much sticking with her style of late. Something dramatic and out of character is always nice at these more important awards shows, but I have to admit that she looks striking. No faults here!
The high in the front, low in the back hems are not my favorite, but this Christian Dior gown is breathtaking. She looks phenomenal, from her diamond encrusted headband to her strappy cream sandals. Bravo!
Haider Ackermann has been Tilda Swinton's go-to designer for the last few years and you have to admit that this combination gown/blazer suits her unbelievably well. And the fit is absolutely perfect. Love the double cuffs.
Nicole Kidman was quite a sight in studded Versace. She's been a fan of the pale, almost bridal looking gowns the last few years but I have to say that I like this one best of all of her choices lately.
Helen Mirren held her own in Badgley Mischka, outshining stars half her age. Proof that aging gracefully is where it's at!
Jessica Alba always chooses eye-catching, flattering gowns for the red carpet, but one of her real strengths is her accessories. She always has AMAZING jewelry. And these earrings and cuff are just as gorgeous as expected.
There were lots of neutrals and sequins on this year's Golden Globes red carpet and I found Miss Natalie's dress all the more striking for how much it stood out from her peers. Similar cut and style to Angelina's, but in a much more striking color combination.
This wasn't the most loved gown of the evening, but personally I couldn't take my eyes off of her. The color was divine with her skin tone and hair color, the cut suited her extremely well and it was a head turning look overall.
Ready for some yummy men in tuxedos? Me too.
Swoon. Mr. Darcy.
Bradley Cooper looked dapper in a strandard bowtie tux & some questionable facial hair.
Personally I'm a big fan of ties over bowties with a tux so Channing Tatum's look really did it for me.
First, I have to say that I was devastated that two of my all time favorites didn’t appear to be in attendance for the Golden Globes. SOB. But in Diane and Zoe’s absence Evan brought the glamour.
My favorites?
- Best jewelry – Nicole Richie
- Best hair – Charlize Theron (LOVED the jeweled headband)
- Best dress – Couldn’t decide on just one. Top three: Tilda Swinton, Evan Rachel Wood and Emma Stone. With Charlize Theron & Angelina where right on behind them though.
- Best tux – Colin Firth. Of course.
Afterparty pictures later today…
Awards Awards Awards
No time to chat, lots to see!
12th Annual AFI Awards Luncheon:
Claire Danes looked stunning in chic white Donna Karan. The belt & pumps were a great touch of color and I like how the look is low-key and elegant rather than in your face. You can always count on Donna Karan for that!
Adorable! Such a complimentary combination of colors and fabrics on her. And great shoes!
Evan Rachel Wood was quite a sight in a fitted red pencil skirt and pointy-shouldered printed blouse from Roland Mouret. I love that she unbuttoned her blouse to reveal a lacy black bra. Feisty!
Charlize Theron looked prim and proper in a gorgeous Stella McCartney dress. The pop of cherry red lipstick keeps all of the yellow from being too sweet.
Octavia Spencer was a vision in white. She accessorized perfectly with a leopard clutch, thick bangle and metallic pumps. Perfect for an afternoon tea.
Felicity Jones stood out in pale Dolce & Gabbana, the ribbon shoes and neutral envelope clutch keep it from being too plain,
White seemed to be the color de jour in the days leading up to the Golden Globes and Miss Elizabeth Olsen was another who tried it out. I love the layering of this look, the oversized boyfriend blazer over a shift dress, paired with long necklaces. And I love love love this top handle handbag. Need!
Felicity Jones was a vision in lacy, layered Valentino. Such a beautiful dress!
The 2012 Art Of Elysium Heaven Gala:
Amber Heard amped up the glamour with this Old Hollywood knockout look from Donna Karan. She wisely let the dress take centerstage and steered away from over accessorizing.
Kirstin Dunst tends to favor looks with a bit of quirk, so while the sheer black overlay on this Valentino gown might have appeared matronly on another actress, it somehow works on her. Another reason I included this look was because her makeup looks flawless, I've never seen her look better.
The white Valentino gown that Ali Larter donned was anything but boring and her earrings and clutch really stole the show. Absolutely gorgeous.
Minka Kelly was hard to miss in bright, bright Oscar de la Renta. The basic silhouette of this gown and the simple gold accessories were important since they let the extraordinary color of the fabric take front and center.
Sorry to tease, I’ll be back later today with the Golden Globes!
The Good the Bad & the Ugly: Critics’ Choice Awards
Ready for some glitz and glamour? The Critics’ Choice Awards were the latest stepping stone towards the Oscars, and the style was a step up from the People’s Choice Awards. More gowns and less cocktail-length frocks. Brights, dark hues and neutrals all made appearances and the men even pulled out their suits.
And Brad Pitt pulled out a cane.
Hmmm.
Confusing, no? I like the white tie though.
I've missed you Evan!!! Evan Rachel Wood looked phenomenal in a strapless Valentino column gown. The lace and intricate detailing of the fabric kept the dress from being boring and her fresh makeup and adorable updo made her look ethereal.
Pale yellow, bright yellow and grey? Only Diane Kruger could make this work. And on a red carpet (grey, actually) sadly lacking in accessories her pink clutch and bracelets were a welcome sight.
Clearly after the success of her green Gucci suit at the People's Choice Miss Emma decided to stick with what works. This belted maxi-style Jason Wu dress is perfection on her. I especially like her cat-eye makeup and simple pave hoops.
Kirstin Dunst's layered tulle & ribboned Christian Dior confection was completed with vintage earrings and bright pink lipstick. This was one of the few black dresses and I like that she chose something dramatic and unusual.
Gotta give credit where credit is due. A white gown is HARD to pull off and Stacy Keibler looks great here. The bangles and sparkly clutch are nice, but obviously Mr. Clooney is the best accessory a girl can have!
Viola Davis couldn't have picked a more striking color for herself than this gown. I like the simplicity of it paired with the gold tassel earrings.
You're got to respect a woman who wears pants on the red carpet! Leave it to Tilda Swinton to pair a dramatic open black and white coat with white pants and a black pussy bow blouse. Tres chic!
I wasn't sure if I loved or hated this black and white Chanel gown, but ultimately I decided that it worked for her. She has a fun, quirky personal style and I think that a dress like this highlights her petite stature without overwhelming her.
Have a great weekend!
Looks of the Week
This is such a great, clean look. Effortlessly striking. Arizona Muse has been all over the magazine pages and runways over the last year, and now she's starting to be just as dependable on the streets.
I didn't know that there was a way to make a puffy jacket look chic... Apparently you layer it with a blazer over a button down and tie. And for extra credit, add a hat!
Retro glamour at its finest. Evan has really been hitting her stride with these old school looks lately, somehow she manages to make them look fresh and modern rather than cookie cutter Bettie Page. Well done.
There is only one word for this look - striking. This dress is nothing short of show-stopping. If you saw her, could you help but stop and stare? It's not traditional or typical, but those don't seem to be high on her priority list for the red carpet. And her hair looks a million times better with the bangs swept to the side.
Whether you're sick to death of her or a big fan, you have to admit Miss Jenny From The Block looks pretty fierce here. You know me, I'm a sucker for a great coat. Add some leopard print, Jackie O sunglasses and badass shoes & I'm sold!
A chilly looking Rosie strutted her stuff in New York in some KILLER Alaia boots. While leather pants/leggings aren't something the average woman can pull off, this is a great example of how a statement coat and great shoes are all you need to make a look work. She could easily be wearing a dress under that coat or plain black pants, it's the extras that make it drool-worthy.
I love to feature fashion bloggers in my Looks of the Week posts and this is Justyna from Chameleonic's second appearance. What I love about this look is that it's simple and eclectic at the same time. Nothing is more timeless than a trench - but its spiced up by leopard heels and a bright fuchsia faux fur scarf.
Leave it to stylist Rachel Zoe to throw together the PERFECT black & white look. It's a little bit hippie with the flowy white maxi & tons of Chanel chains but the chic blazer & wide snake-skin belt keep the look structured and put together.
Looks of the Week
Need some pretty to help you get through the end of your Monday? Follow me…
I LOVE this look, its cool, chic and a perfect transition to fall. Plus I'm a sucker for day clutches.
Rock that cover Adele! I don't read Cosmo but when I saw this cover at the newstand all I could think was "wow - it's about time." So hot!
I think this is a great dress, its interesting and unique and perfectly stand-out for a red carpet appearance. On the real life side, I could absolutely see this dress working for a cocktail event at an upscale hotel bar, something with dark carpeting and low lights.
Looks of the Week
As you've probably picked up by now, I love mod looks. And you've also probably noticed that I'm kind of girl crushing on ERW these days. What do you get when you combine the two? Fabulousness!
While I hate to feature a photograph of a woman smoking, I have to admit that I was really drawn to this photograph (taken by The Sartorialist in London). I like the combination of the crisp white shirt with the feminine blazer paired with the dramatic metallic jewelry. It's a very striking combination.
As much as I adore LBDs and funky, fun cocktail dresses, I love it when the stars pull out separates for the red carpet. I like the creativity and originality of this look, and the ring, can't forget that!
- I love this look that Garance shot. The combination of the crisp white shirt dress reminiscent of summer and the kick @$$ boots for fall is very alluring.
This Look of the Day from PostGradChic on Fabsugar really caught my eye. Such a great look for fall, composed of basic separates. You really can't go wrong with pencil skirts!
- I absolutely adore Kerry Washington and have always felt a kinship with her since we both favor dresses, solid colors, clutches and statement jewelry (clearly nothing else though, since she’s a gorgeous, successful actress – but I digress). And she did not disappoint at Opera’s Ralph Lauren event. WOW.
So... I want to be friends with Giovanna. If only for closet-sharing privileges. Seriously, if I had a choice of any closet in the world, I think I'd take hers.
(Non-FW) Looks of The Week
In case you’re sick of looking at models, editors, buyers and A-Listers at the four major fashion shows, here are some… Oh never mind, it’s all the same people, but at least they’re not at fashion shows in these pictures. 🙂
Kirstin Dunst glowing at the premiere of her new movie. I think she looks really beautiful here and though you can't tell, her hair is really cute and her dress has a keyhole in the back.
Olivia Palermo on Project Runway. I love love love this look and may put together a Style File for it. The skirt in cute & fun with a great 70s vibe and she keeps the rest of her look neutral to let the skirt take center stage.
Selena Gomez looking cute & low-key, this is a great alternative to the ubiquitous LBD.
Taylor Lautner & Lily Collins at their movie premiere looking adorable in black. Rarely can a guy pull off a t-shirt w/ suit look, but this one works. And her Versace dress is just the thing!
Claire Danes at the Emmy's looking sleek and modern. A very unique look that I think paid off.
Evan has really been hitting her stride lately and this is another gorgeous example. Absolutely striking.
Bananas! Nina Doprev devastated in red at the Emmy's, it was one of my favorite dresses by far.
Naya Rivera from Glee looking chic in black & white on the red carpet for American Horror Story. Some of the Glee girls tend to look a little... Matronly. Then there's Lea. I feel like this is a great in between look, age appropriate and fun, but classic.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (I admit, I had to look her up on IMDB) looked adorable in this Dolce & Gabbana dress. I thought I was sick of stars, but apparently I just wanted to see them in a fresh new way. Et voila!
Jaime King & Selma Blair looking chic in black and white at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.
Alexa Chung at the ANDAM Dinner after PFW
Amber Heard isn't exactly a newcomer but with her (recently cancelled) TV series Playboy Club and the upcoming Rum Diary w/ Johnny Depp, she's popping up all over the red carpets. She's a gorgeous, gorgeous girl and likes to keep things classic, which suits her incredibly well.
Michael Michele looking utterly flawless in white on the Ides premiere red carpet. Whoa!
Honestly, could this woman look more phenomenal?
Moi Contre La Vie 