Category: Red carpet

OSCAR DAY! Who will wear what? So, in pretty much every credible “best Oscar dresses of all time” list, Nicole Kidman’s chartreuse Galliano for Dior dress in 1997 makes it. It was John Galliano’s first couture collection for Dior and was totally legendary. It pretty much changed the game for dress expectations at the Oscars. The colour, embroidery detail and fur trim were exquisite (not a word I use very often). This dress is what true couture is all about. Will we see anything like it tonight? Let’s hope.

 

Rihanna in Azzedine Alaia

No a huge fan of hers right now – that’s a different story. But have to say, she looks incredible in this custom Alaia red dress. The fit is beautiful and the cut is impeccable. This dress manages to be both elegant and sexy – which isn’t an easy task. Her new hair looks great too – like old school Rihanna. And how good is this colour on her? Also love the matching red lips and nails. I think this could be one of my favourite Rihanna looks. Side note – Naomi Campbell has long been an Azzedine Alaia muse. She’d look stunning in this dress too.

Jennifer Lopez in Anthony Vaccarello

Really? Again? Obviously, I don’t need to make the Angelina Jolie reference because everyone already has. Jennifer Lopez is so beautiful and has such a great figure but she’s trying too hard lately. This look on her just isn’t cool – it just looks like she’s trying super hard to look and dress like she did 15 years ago. Although, the accessories she chose are perfect – the Tom Ford strappy black sandals with gold ankle detail are crazy cool and I like the black and gold Jimmy Choo bag too.

Beyonce in Osman

She may have rocked the March Vogue cover but not so much in this colour blocked black and white Osman pantsuit. It’s not bad or anything, it’s just pretty toned down for Beyonce. It looks like something she’d maybe wear for a night on the town in NYC or on a talk show but it’s a surprising choice for the Grammys. The matching geometric cuffs are pretty cool though. She’s received so much attention lately at the Obama’s inauguration and the Super Bowl that maybe she wanted to be a more low key. I guess she just wasn’t interested in pulling a “Jennifer Lopez” – which is what we should start calling it when it’s so obvious your dress choices are based on getting more attention than anyone else.

Katy Perry in Gucci

I was surprised when I heard this was Gucci. It seems really gimmicky – which suits Katy Perry but Gucci is definitely not gimmicky. And it’s a really odd, unfaltering mint green. Then I heard the whole look was based on early 70’s Priscilla Presley and I was kind of getting it. But then I decided I don’t care either way because it’s Katy Perry and she’s not someone I pay much attention to.

Marion Cotillard in Dior Haute Couture

Very pretty and chic. I like the varied length – it’s elegant and feminine. And the jewel tone colour is good looking. But it would be nice to see her in something other than Dior. I know she’s a spokesperson for the line but it’s little predictable. I’d love to see her wear a different designers to the Oscars. Remember when she wore the mermaid Gaultier Couture gown she wore to the Oscars in 2008? That was an amazingly cool dress. And she wore it so well.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

So much better than the odd mint green Calvin Klein dress she wore to the Golden Globes. It’s still not my favourite look on her though – I don’t think the crimson red works super well with her complexion and hair colour. But she’s so pretty and charming and seems really down to earth. It’s hard not to like her.

Nicole Kidman in  Vivienne Westwood Couture

I normally love Vivienne Westwood but not this one. The colour is beautiful, and maybe it’s just me, but it seems a little beauty pagenty. Like, I could see this on someone in the running for Miss Universe. The combination of beading, the sheerness at the top and the side slit just doesn’t feel expensive – even though I know it totally was. I bet it looked better in person.

Sophia Vergara in Donna Karan Atelier

I said the same thing about her at the Emmys, the Golden Globes and now the SAG Awards. She always wears the same thing. Sure, she’s gorgeous and sexy but it would be nice if she changed it up a bit. At least this one is a tiny bit different from some of her recent red carpet looks but not by much. I’d love to see Sophia in something edgy and more high fashion. Picture Sophia in the black Tom Ford alligator print dress Rihanna wore last year to the MET gala. That would be awesome on her.

Anne Hathaway in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture

I like this dress and still love her hair. And the strong red lips sure look good with black. The length of the dress is also cool (a retro vibe with a bit of edge) and the shoes are perfect with it. Don’t get why so many people have such a hate on for Anne Hathaway lately. Maybe she’s a little too sweet but I think she seems like a real nice gal.

Julianne Moore, in Chanel Haute Couture

Her first award show outing since the Golden Globes and it’s obviously hard to top the incredible custom Tom Ford she wore that night – it was such a great dress. Not loving this black and white Chanel on her. The hair and make-up are lovely but the dress seems a little big, doesn’t it?

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture 

Like Marion Cotillard, she must also be on contract with Dior because she always wears it to the bid award shows lately. And other than the beautifully tailored black tuxedo suit she wore with the scarf tied around her neck a couple of months ago, I haven’t loved most of her Dior choices.  The looks just aren’t that exciting or interesting. I’d love to see her Balmain – that would be cool.

Red isn’t the easiest colour to wear but when done well, it can be a great look. Here are two very different red looks and both ladies wear the colour well.

First, Gwen Stefani in a super cool red plaid coat with her signature red lips. I’ll never get sick of this lip colour on Gwen – it works so well on her. And this is such a good looking coat. It’s casual but still structured and chic. Love the sunglasses too. Could she look any cooler walking around London? Even the guy behind her thinks so.

And now Helen Mirren in a long red Escada dress. Such an elegant dress – and the fit is super flattering. Also like the sheer long sleeves and the draping on the front. She looks so fancy. It almost looks like something Joan Collins would’ve worn on Dynasty – and I mean that in a good way. Helen’s 67 and she couldn’t look better. She also looks like herself – she hasn’t changed her face and she’s allowed herself to age – and is beautiful and sexy because of it. You can tell she’s confident in this dress and she should be. She owns it.

Now that it’s the new year and award season is quickly upon us, I figured it was a good time to look back on some of my favourite red carpet looks in 2012. Here it goes:

#1: Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford at the Oscars. Not only will this go down as one of the best looks of 2012, it will for sure go down as one of the best looks in Oscar history. She totally nails it with the long & sleek look. The cape is awesome and super dramatic. The accessories also worked really well – love the diamond cuff. Gwyneth’s best look ever.

#2: Jane Fonda in Stella McCartney at Cannes. At 73, Jane’s never looked more amazing. And she totally rocked this Stella McCartney optical illusion dress. Love the long emerald earrings as well – very flattering. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Jane on the red carpet this year.

#3: Diane Kruger in Vivienne Westwood at Cannes. I thought this was the best dress at Cannes this year. Such a good colour and the fit is perfect on her. So glamorous and sexy. Love the minimal accessories as well. You don’t need much with a dress like this.

#4: Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen at TIFF. Such a good look for Kate. Very modern and sexy. The super high slit works so well because of the long sleeves. And love the split in the middle with the sparkles. This is a really good looking dress. And her hair and make-up look awesome too. But I would have picked different shoes.

#5: Charlize Theron in Christian Dior at Snow White and the Huntsman premiere. Totally stunning. The way the dress is constructed and flows as she moves is so beautiful. It’s obviously not for everyone and is pretty dramatic but I think this dress could for sure be in a museum. And she’s styled perfectly as well – the hair, shoes, jewels, make-up. This is fashion.

The most amazing blazer ever and she wears it better than the model did on the runway (Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear). And no one does the bleached blond hair and red lips like Gwen does. Also loved the way this is styled with the cross necklaces (a little reference to old school Madonna), leather pants and pointy toed stilettos.

Photo from style.com