Someone must be in a publicist’s ear! Edressme.com already has a knock off of the Rodarte pretty in pink sheath Natalie Portman wore to the Oscar’s. We all know what this is for - nobody wears formal dresses after college unless you’re a socialite or a bridesmaid. Rodarte should not be worn to Prom - and I’m totally offended.
Check out the travesty, $318 @ edressme.com
Best Dressed
1. Miley Cyrus - I know, it pains me to have to say it, but the girl looked gorgeous. While I still don’t condone over-sexed tweens, at least this dress was more conservative than most Miley usually shows up to the red carpet in. I think the beauty of this dress - by Zuhair Murad - is that it looks so vintage lux, like it’s from White Christmas. I love the overlapping petals, and how the waist is cinched with that glamorous satin sash and delicate encrusted broaches. Scallop detailing is definitely an emerging trend, with Chloe’s Spring 09 showing and now this dress which we all know will be in the pages of the next US and People. I’m sure for some it’s a toss up, because Miley is such a questionable force to be reckoned with - but that dress is so glamorous and looks so special, one of a kind, and most of all more adventurous than what both the Golden Globes and SAG awards had to offer this year.
2. Natalie Portman - Who doesn’t love Natalie Portman? Her style is always very, very understated, but in an incredibly chic way. This Rodarte gown, which is quite a departure from what is shown on the catwalk- fits her torso perfectly, and the pink with all of that drape is so fresh - super sweet yet very Grecian. Another important point to call out is her lack of baubles - which would make it look too typical, too traditional, too what Penelope Cruz did. Less is more and Natalie Portman’s style is enviably effortless.
3. Evan Rachel Wood - The second time Evan Rachel Wood is making one of my lists. I can’t say I like how she is a quasi-Dita Von Teese-clone, but there’s something about her choices that translate her oddities into really gorgeous but unexpected (for her) pieces. I also usually don’t like too much Elie Saab - a little too formal - which this dress definitely is, but the cream looks so gorgeous against her pale skin, and the structure and pleating of the bodice are again, very 40’s. Interestingly enough - it’s like her Elie Saab and Natalie Portman’s Rodarte were in the same frame of thought, just executed by very different designers. Take note, a formula for dress success is an expertly fitted bodice and layers of drape that will make you look like you’re floating on air.
1. Heidi Klum - This is just so sad. The lovely thing about Heidi is that she was wearing red to bring awareness to heart disease. The awful thing about this dress is that not even a supermodel could pull it off. It was just too structural in all the wrong places - the asymmetrical neckline and slit were too 80’s, too much. It also didn’t help her that some of her best features weren’t accentuated, like her lean silhouette, teeny waist, or long legs - which is funny since designer Roland Mouret is the genius behind the figure flattering Galaxy Dress. It was like she was wrapped up in taffeta wrapping paper, and was left with very little shape. I did, however, love the baubles on her wrist - which were just the right jewelry for this dress - if anything!
2. Freida Pinto - Totally unfortunate for such an adorable newcomer. I love John Galliano to bits and pieces - but he is a weird, crazy designer at the end of the day, and everyone must remember to EDIT! That sleeve, ugh - no, no, no! For some reason I just keep picturing Bette Midler, this dress is not for someone this young and this cute - her petite frame is completely overpowered with the too heavy detailing, and her gorgeous face is distracted by the asymmetrical sleeve and neck tie. Pair matronly with royal blue and you’ve got me thinking Barbara Bush. While this dress is definitely on trend with what we just all saw for Fall (translucent, asymmetrical) - this reminds me of how Andre Leon Talley put Jennifer Hudson in that awful Oscar de la Renta skin capelet last year (he is very well known for wearing capes), and then she took it off by the time she was accepting her award because it was so unflattering. First rule of styling - dress for the client, not for yourself.
3. Vanessa Hudgens - Not terrible, but totally out of place. I usually love Marchesa, but find it interesting how the dress Jennifer Lopez wore for the Globes was also awful and also Marchesa - not sure what direction they’re moving in but I don’t like it. The gown was a little too prom - I realize High School Musical was a big deal, but you’re not Kate Winslet or Anne Hathaway - she was very over-dressed and looked out of place. She would have done better to stick to her usual boho chic aesthetic and rock a Matthew Williamson empire waist and some gorgeous gold chains. Instead - we get Cruise Barbie and a mess of awful appliques.
I decided a “worst” dressed category wasn’t applicable for this year’s Grammy Awards. Most of those who fall under that category are either one of the following three things: A. train wreck B. on pills or C. have naturally awful taste.
Left to right - Katy Perry, Zoey Deschanel, Taylor Swift
There’s no denying Diane Krueger looks gorgeous in this Giambattisa Valli dress at the “Poure Elle” Paris premier back in November - but I’m pretty sure she hasn’t been in a notable movie since like, Troy. It begs the question as she has been showing up left and right in fashion mags, is she trying out a new career as a socialite? Hey, at least she can multi-task.
A guilty pleasure slideshow brought to us from another angle - the editors of Style.com defending red carpet “wrongs” dictated to us by all of the “expert” fashion police.
Style.com - “Ladies, We’ve Got Your Backs”
Just got around to checking photos/dresses of the SAG Awards - and I’m left thinking, “huh?” I pained myself to choose three best dressed, but the only celeb that looked stunning was Kate Winslet.
Thoughts??
Image taken from People.com
Hannah MacGibbon showed her first collection as Chloé’s lead designer for Spring 09 - and I fell completely in love with the oversized scallop-edge detailing, especially on the shorts. Unfortunately - the real things are hard to find and even once found, are definitely unattainable. So, luckily I was able to find some cute alternatives until the fast fashion cycle catches up.
Urban Outfitters $48
Asos $30
I will also openly admit that I love Heidi Montag! She’s like a living Barbie doll - I kind of love that she ran with it unapologetically. AND the girl does have undeniable style that LC should (and probably does) envy.
Celeb images taken from People.com
Gorgeous, feminine & polished! “How good does my wife look?” - Barack Obama. I think the bigger question is - who is her stylist?
Dress by traditionalist, yet newbie Jason Wu - view complete Sp 09 collection on Style.com
Photo taken from People.com
Yay or nay? I’m still on the fence, I think the color choice was smart and fresh - but it was more first lady-esque than I expected. Still, you can’t blame her for wanting her coat to match fabulously with her dress, DC is frickin’ cold right now!
Isabel Toledo dress, Jimmy Choo pumps. Oh - and did I mention Ms. Toledo is a FIT alum? Happy Inauguration day!
As the inauguration of Obama is coming up this Tuesday, I’ve had a lot of conversations/questions about what Michelle Obama will be wearing. Michelle Obama is different from any other first lady for a bevy of reasons, but her style is really what puts it out there and begs the media to portray her in a new and refreshing light. She has already been praised for her choice of designers - Thakoon, Narciso Rodriguez, and Chicago based Maria Pinto - which are a far cry from the usually matronly adorned first wives. There’s a ton of speculation in the fashion world about what she will wear - but if we can assume anything based on her past choices, it will definitely not be covered in sequins or include a sash or train or any decadence of first lady’s past. So - in stark contrast to our future first lady of fashion, I’ve put together a fun little timeline of inauguration dresses over the years - painful and amusing at the same time.
Jackie Kennedy (her own design)
Patricia Nixon by Karen Stark
Nancy Reagan by John Galanos
Hilary Clinton in Sarah Phillips
To see more, go to People.com