Wearing o' the Green: Eco-Friendly Designs for the Red Carpet

<img alt="Constructing a Gown with Green Intent" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=9fe60c74-71b3-487f-ac55-a335ce444648&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 305px; height: 451px; float: left;" /> The Green Carpet Challenge is an effort by Vogue Editor France Sozzani and Livia Firth (married to Colin Firth) to inspire the fashion industry to reduce its carbon high-heeled footprint. The challenge (for designers who accept it) is to use only environmentally ethical methods in producing red carpet gowns. These creators incorporate responsible and sustainable resources and re-purpose material from existing garments and recycled items. Livia Firth wore an eco-friendly design to each award show this season and convinced at least one other star to participate for each red carpet event.  Colin re-used his tux from last year to at least one award show, the Oscars. This year’s Challenge kicked off at the Golden Globes when <a href="http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/pictures-today/golden-globes/2012/colin-firth-livia-firth-golden-globes-2012" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Firth wore a gown made by fellow Italian Giorgio Armani</a>. For the 2012 award season, Firth enlisted some heavy hitters to design her eco-friendly red carpet gowns:  Tom Ford; Chanel; Giorgio Armani; Gucci; Yves Saint Laurent; and Stella McCartney. At the BAFTA Awards she hooked stars <a href="http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG9078690/Baftas-2012-Viola-Davis-and-Michael-Fassbender-go-green-for-Livia-Firth.html" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Viola Davis and Michael Fassbender </a>into her enviro-friendly net. Firth also advocates wearing vintage garments and the unheard-of measure of wearing a gown more than once. She also chooses fair-trade gold, conflict-free diamonds, and vintage pieces for her jewelry. At this years Academy Awards,  Firth wore a red Valentino sustainable gown which was made from recycled polyester from plastic bottles. Meryl Streep joined the Green Carpet Challenge donning a gold, full-length gown by Lanvin. It’s his first ever eco-friendly gown made from Eco Certified Fabric. For more information about the Green Carpet Challenge you can follow its official blog on the Vogue UK website. <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Green Carpet Challenge</a>.  
3/16/2012 7:42:59 AM
(JessieB)

Emma Stone: Fresh as an Irish Rose

<img alt="Emma in Emerald" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=bd8cda16-0336-4b7d-adf9-699fa9374bc3&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 305px; height: 452px; float: left;" />   Though Emma Stone is of Swedish descent, not Irish, she looked lovely in green earlier this year.  I wonder if she’ll bring out this gorgeous frock for St. Patrick’s Day.  Let’s take a look back at this up-and-coming style starlet’s journey this award season.   Critics Choice Awards — January 12, 2012 Right out of the gate, Stone proved she wasn’t afraid to play with color against her pale skin and burnt ember tresses, wearing a long flowing Jason Wu gown. The glowing emerald print beautifully intensified her natural coloring.   Golden Globes — January 15, 2012 For the Globes, Stone stepped up the drama by choosing a custom-made plum tulle gown with deep neckline. The <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/Emma-Stone-Pictures-Golden-Globes-2012-21341922" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Lanvin dress</a> featured raspberry panels on the side and embroidered shoulders. The lines of this dress made it stunning.  Screen Actors Guild Awards — January 29, 2012 Who said tea length dresses were just for school dances?<a href="http://www.popsugar.com/Emma-Stone-Pictures-SAG-Awards-2012-21539133" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> Stone’s SAG dress by Alexander McQueen</a> was so unexpected, so playful — this is why she stands out on the red carpet. She always manages to do something fun and glamorous, but her genius lies in youthful styling: modern hair and makeup; shoes; and accessories.  Academy Awards — February 26, 2012 For the biggest award show of the year, Stone was a first time presenter. She walked the carpet like a pro in a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown with Brian Atwood shoes and a Louis Vuitton handbag. Mixing red hair with a red dress on a red carpet is definitely risky, but it worked. Some <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/emma-stone-at-the-oscars-when-bows-attack/2012/02/26/gIQAY9wgcR_blog.html" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">criticized the large neckline bow</a>.  I thought it was dramatic but effective since she chose a simple up-do that allowed it to shine. The play of color made her green eyes look amazing. Overall, Stone has had a tremendous debut on the award show circuit this year.
3/12/2012 7:07:54 AM
(JessieB)

Red Carpet Recap: Who Were This Year’s Fashion Superlatives?

<img alt="Charleze Theron Golden Globes 2012" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=979f7a87-9fe3-4cb9-88bd-62df8c7f79a8&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 420px; float: left;" /> Who had our water cooler tongues wagging this year? Here are my picks for top fashion VIP’s. Most Popular: Right Legs. <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/news/golden-globes-2012-dresses-with-super-high-sexy-slits-2012161" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">High side slits </a>were all the rage on the red carpet this year. Many stars wowed us with gam glam from Angelina Jolie to Viola Davis to Lea Michelle.  Best Team Players: <a href="http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2012/01/30/octavia-spencer-in-tadashi-shoji-2012-sag-awards/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Octavia Spencer and Tadashi Shoji</a>. Octavia Spencer won the hearts (and most of the awards this season) of red carpet devotees. She remained loyal for most award shows to designer Tadashi Shoji. The winning pair consistently turned out glamorous and excitedly not 0-sized gowns all season.  Most Athletic: Bare Arms. Strapless gowns were another style trend being sported by the likes of Cameron Diaz, Michelle Williams, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Chastain, and Sofia Vergara.   Best All Around: Charlize Theron. Even though she skipped Oscar’s big night and she may not be the paparazzi favorite right now, her style choices were still undeniably flawless this award season from start to end. Most Likely to Get Detention: Movie Stunts. Actor Sacha Baron Cohen showed up at the Oscars red carpet<a href="http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/304925/20120227/worst-dressed-celebrities-2012-oscars-photos.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> in full Admiral Regalia </a>to promote his movie The Dictator. I’m not even complaining about the childish Ryan Seacrest stunt, but couldn’t he at least wear a more authentic, stylish Dictator uniform?  Cast Cliques: Solidarity was rampant on the red carpet. Movie casts really stuck together this award season by forming a unified glam squad; thanking one another in acceptance speeches, mooning over each other on the red carpet, sharing designers (carpooling to shows in a minivan?). From a fashion point of view this group dynamic worked successfully with the cast of The Help and The Artist (less successfully with the cast of Bridesmaids).
3/6/2012 9:16:56 AM
(JessieB)

Time Is On Their Side: Stylish Stars Never Age-Out Of Award Season

<img alt="Helen Mirren at Golden Globes" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=aa1046ad-31d8-41e4-aa1d-c2b6054d97bf&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 225px; height: 419px; float: left;" /> Great leading ladies neither burn out nor fade away. They adapt their red carpet looks as they mature. Two great actresses over the age of sixty who managed to keep it stylish and sexy but still age appropriate this year are Helen Mirren and Glenn Close. English actress Helen Mirren rarely makes a misstep on the red carpet and at the Golden Globes this year she wowed in a ruffled and<a href="http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20554298_20560237_21106267,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> glamorous navy blue Badgley Mischka gown</a>, Badgley Mischka clutch, Fred Leighton sapphire and diamond jewelry, and Jimmy Choo shoes.  The gorgeous 66-year-old also wore<a href="http://www.justjared.com/2012/01/28/helen-mirren-dga-awards-with-taylor-hackford/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> Badgley Mischka to the Director’s Guild of America Awards</a>. The gold gown showed off her curvaceous body, but was still glamorous and stylish.  She’s a master at choosing body conscious clothing that’s modern and super stylish without being too young. Glenn Close may not be a fresh new face but her style is still evolving for the better. In a joyous departure from her usual red carpet fare, <a href="http://www.altfg.com/blog/movie/glenn-close-photo-sag-awards-2012/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Glenn Close wore a black Zac Posen gown from his resort 2012 collection</a> to the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. The tulle sleeves offered a revealing touch with a huggy bodice and lovely train that accentuated all the right areas.  <img alt="Glenn Close at Oscars 2012" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=686dc0f5-58af-4e82-99f0-8f3a93b3d0d0&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 125px; height: 230px; float: right;" />At the Academy Awards this year she stepped on the red carpet with confidence in Zac Posen. It was a strapless forest green gown with floral embroidered details and matching blazer featuring wide satin lapels. It made her body look amazing. She’s making smart choices this award’s season with elongated trailing gowns featuring hourglass silhouettes. Showing curves not skin in simple structured gowns seems to be a winning formula for the more experienced red carpet attendees.
3/3/2012 11:36:52 AM
(JessieB)

Save the Dates: Which Ladies Had The Best Dressed Arm Candy On Oscar Night?

<img alt="George Clooney and Stacy Keibler on the Red Carpet" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=26635dfd-ffae-43ca-88f9-08069c313ee7&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 403px; float: left;" /> Let’s face it — I can’t talk about male trophy dates without starting with the men that dangle from the arms of Angelina Jolie and Stacy Keibler. C’mon, these two ladies have the Godiva of arm candy! At the 2012 Academy Awards <a href="http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/article/0,,20552373_20573862,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Stacy Keibler and George Clooney</a> both looked flawless. Why not? Few couples in Hollywood have top designers at their beck and call like these two. Keibler rivaled the golden statue himself in a beyond gorgeous Marchesa gown. She paired it perfectly with boyfriend George Clooney who looked fantastic and debonair in Giorgio Armani.  Angelina Jolie also looked amazing in an Atelier Versace black gown<a href="http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-02-26/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-at-2012-oscars/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-at-2012-oscars-18/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> perfectly complimented by beau Brad Pitt </a>in a black Tom Ford tux. If you’re going to do matchy-matchy — black on black is the way to do it right.  On Oscar night no words could express how dapper <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/red-carpet/jean-dujardin-and-alexandra-lamy-at-the-84th-annual-academy-awards-2012262" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Jean Dujardin looked on the arm of his wife Alexandra Lamy</a>. He perfectly accentuated her total look in a Lanvin tux and after the ceremony with an Academy Award statuette. Jean Dujardin at Academy Awards Victoria Beckham had one of the best accessories of the night at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party: her dashing husband David Beckham. She chose a gown from her own Fall 2012 collection and matched it with the bowtie brilliance of David Beckham in Christian Dior . Rock on ladies.
2/29/2012 10:44:38 AM
(JessieB)

Is All That Glitters Oscar Gold On The Red Carpet?

<img alt="Milla Jovovich Wears Elie Saab at the Oscars" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=1db2e199-bd37-4ec2-a0a5-0499a5117ba7&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 450px; float: left;" /> At the 84th Academy Awards Show last night starlets of all ages and sizes tried to prove that all that glitters is Oscar gold. Some of the evening’s trends included strapless or one- shoulder gowns, and sexy high side slits (also seen a lot on Fashion Week runways this year). My favorite pick for the evening was presenter Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab (one of the actresses’ go-to designers). Milla is usually so strong in her films it was great to see her in the white, one-shoulder gown looking as graceful and feminine as a European countess.  Glamorous makeup and hair with jewelry by Jacob & Company finished her flawless look.  Equally stunning was <a href="http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2012/02/27/jessica-chastain-in-alexander-mcqueen-2012-oscars/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Jessica Chastain’s strapless Alexander McQueen gown </a>which fit her body perfectly. It featured an on-trend black and gold pattern done with embroidery. A pattern is always risky on the red carpet, but this high-glam design worked. She finished the look with Harry Winston Jewelry and a sexy Bridgette Bardot hairstyle.  Of course you can’t overlook perennial fashion perfectionist<a href="http://www.fulltimeford.com/2012/02/26/gwyneth-paltrow-wears-tom-ford-autumnwinter-2012-academy-awards-oscars-cape-dress/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> Gwyneth Paltrow in a white fashion-forward Tom Ford gown with cape</a>. And Angelina Jolie was perfect too, in a simple black Versace with impeccable makeup and hair. Cameron Diaz donned a great ivory Gucci dress which was strapless and fitted, with A-line ruffles. And Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad with Lorraine Schwartz jewels proved she’s still the queen of strategically-fitted sexy gowns. One miss of the evening was Virginia Madsen.  She’s a beautiful woman, but the startlingly purple gown she wore was not flattering or well-fitting. Another was actress<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/actress-kate-mara-arrives-at-the-84th-annual-academy-awards-news-photo/140007116" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> Kate Mara in a nude gown</a> that almost looked like she’d had a wardrobe malfunction.  Overall, this year’s Oscars red carpet provided lots to oogle and google.
2/27/2012 7:22:58 AM
(JessieB)

Will Award Season Color Trends Find Their Way Into Your Closet?

<img alt="Charlene Theron in Dior" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=73f3e3d5-974b-4322-8667-368e94d0ac23&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 225px; height: 247px; float: left;" /> Let’s face it — color is a subject largely designer driven. Many award gowns are practically whisked off the runway for their red carpet debut. From this vantage point they are literally broadcast around the world. Then clothing manufacturers set about the task of producing similar, cheaper garments for the masses. Respecting this hierarchy, let’s look at some of this year’s red carpet color trends that will likely be affecting our future fashion: Nude / Blush Tones Nudes abounded at the Golden Globes this year being worn by Angelina Jolie in Versace, Kate Beckinsdale in Roberto Cavalli, Diane Lane in Reem Acra, Jessica Biel in Elie Saab, and perhaps most successfully by Charlize Theron in Christian Dior. They make a great canvas for stunning jewelry and glowing skin.   Jewel Tones<img alt="Emily Blunt in Jade" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=530e4505-ab82-45fc-abce-803c796f02c0&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 105px; height: 125px; float: right;" /> Leading ladies are having a lot of fun with this trend with some popular choices being jade green, royal blue, fuchsia, and coral. Two great examples from the SAG Awards this season are from<a href="http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2012/01/30/sofia-vergara-in-marchesa-2012-sag-awards/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> Sofia Vergara in a wow raspberry pink Marchesa</a> and Emily Blunt in an emerald green Oscar de la Renta stunner.    <img alt="Claire Danes" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=b7e83155-fb4d-40e3-83d5-51ee8d5d63c2&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 100px; height: 231px; float: left;" /> Color Blocking Color blocking combines two or more blocks of color in one look bringing a modern twist to familiar gown silhouettes. Angelina Jolie did this well at the Golden Globes in her Versace blush gown featuring a block of red carpet red at the top. Another is Claire Danes in the black and white paneled J. Mendel gown she wore to the Golden Globes.
2/26/2012 2:34:34 PM
(JessieB)

Award Season Jewelry -- Accessories Apropos for 2012

<img alt="Elizabeth McGovern Wearing Simon G Earrings" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=925e045a-8105-4e65-87bd-4d184b6b202f&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 205px; height: 274px; float: left;" /> If you’re a less-is-more-kind of girl this award season may be for you. There have been many high impact pieces for sure, but overall red carpet attendees have been draped in only a few well chosen pieces like a knockout pair of earrings paired with a diamond bangle. Proof that a few carefully placed pieces really allow a gown to shine. After all, the purpose of jewelry is to compliment you (like a good date), but never upstage the overall look. Let me assure you I’m going to skip the highly-panned Kristen Wiig choker debacle at the SAG Awards all together and get right to this award season’s jewelry trends.   <ul> <li> Trend #1:<a href="http://2012fashion.info/platinum-gemstone-jewelry-had-shined-on-the-red-carpet.html" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> Platinum reigns supreme</a>. It’s still a glamour-go-to, regal and timeless, and we’ve seen lots of show stopping gowns paired with diamond platinum studs or elegant platinum bangles. </li> <li> Trend #2: Color statement pieces. Stylists know understated gowns pair well with bold colored gemstones or offer an interesting color contrast like pairing a lavender gown with emerald earrings.</li> <li> Trend #3: Cool colored gems. Stars have chosen a lot of cool-toned gemstone hues with a predominate palate of green, turquoise, and blue.</li> </ul>   Lorraine Schwartz has been a jewelry darling this award season with her large colored <img alt="Julianna Margulies in Lorraine Schwartz" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=3173bc11-f2ff-489d-9121-d7c8e69ccc5a&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 160px; height: 213px; float: right;" />gemstones in bold settings being placed on style stars Angelina Jolie, Emily Blunt, and Julianna Margulies. An understated counterpart to the modern boldness of Schwartz is the jewelry of Fred Leighton. His classically elegant jewels have served established stars including Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams, Reese Witherspoon, and Helen Mirren this season. Don’t worry -- we’re still seeing plenty of pieces from perennial biggies like Cartier, Harry Winston, and Tiffany & Co. As jewelry designers continue to be a big part of award season commentary the list of jewelers who’ve become household names is sure to grow.  
2/24/2012 12:11:29 PM
(JessieB)

Bejo and Chastain: Newbies to the Awards Season Ahead of the Learning Curve

<img alt="Berenice Bejo and Jessica Chastain" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=f665f3fd-f792-4335-ad1b-a9f8d26b9556&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 238px; float: left;" />   Choosing the right dress, navigating designers, the politics of picking the right stylist, coordinating an army of hair and makeup professionals — talk about drama! Newcomers to the awards season have to prove themselves a quick study. Two early style standouts this awards season are newbies Berenice Bejo and Jessica Chastain. Berenice Bejo from The Artist is an established Argentine-French actress, but a new face to American award season devotees. This year she’s earned her first SAG and Academy Award nominations. At the Critics’ Choice Awards, she donned<a href="http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2012/01/13/berenice-bejo-in-elie-saab-2012-critics-choice-awards/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> an electric cobalt blue dress </a>from the spring 2012 collection of designer Elie Saab (a friend of Bejo’s).  Then at the Golden Globes she picked another blue stunner by Gucci (photo above). Obviously, American award show fashion is not lost in translation. I’m anxious to see what choice she will make for the Academy Awards. Will she continue her blue-clad winning streak? Another newcomer to the red carpet is Jessica Chastain, one of the stars of The Help. Besides her roles in The Help and a breakout performance in Jolene, she is also currently starring in The Tree of Life alongside heavyweights Sean Penn and Brad Pitt. With a career that is exploding it looks like she’d better get used to the red carpet. So far she’s managed a successful first outing on the award season circuit with simple, sleek, and super sexy choices. Chastain’s coloring is ideal for dramatic gowns. Her red hair and pale skin made a gorgeous palate for the<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/sag-awards-fashion-jessica-chastain-calvin-klein-285600" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;"> bright blue Calvin Klein dress </a>she wore to the SAG Awards.  Another fashion high for the crimson-coiffed goddess was the curve <a href="http://www.thefashion-court.com/2012/01/jessica-chastain-in-balenciaga-23rd-annual-producers-guild-awards/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">hugging black sequined Balenciaga gown</a> she wore to the Producers Guild Awards.  She looked amazing from head to toe. Obviously, her vegan lifestyle is paying off. It’s enough to make a girl give up meat. (If I take the cheese off my hamburger that makes it more vegan, right?)    
2/23/2012 6:56:32 AM
(JessieB)

Designer David Meister Brings Glamour this Awards Season

<img alt="Beautiful Gowns -- Not Size 0" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=7d7ed472-4006-4571-9187-013526c4dd97&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 600px; height: 320px;" /> Hollywood is a big town with small dress sizes. Most sample sizes for red carpet gowns are 0-2 (not 20).  Actresses who are plus-sized or even over a size 6 have to vie for the top dresses alongside sample size A-Listers. In addition, the top dresses often go to the current year’s hot new style darlings like the kids from Glee. But in the political world of couture dress placement, there are a handful of designers offering sophistication for the not-so-tiny. <a href="http://www.davidmeister.com/page/red_carpet" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">David Meister </a>is one of them. This American clothier is known for impeccable fit and modern styling. Many of his designs are very body conscious, but he also offers a plus size line of gowns. His designs have been worn by The Help’s Octavia Spencer and <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-style/pictures/2012-critics-choice-what-all-the-stars-wore-2012131/19990" onclick="window.open(this.href, 'MelissaMcCarthy', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Melissa McCarthy from Bridesmaids</a>. Meister’s use of sleek, luxurious fabrics translates well with any body type. I like the way he plays with draping to hide possible problem areas. He knows how to show skin in all the right places and as a result, he manages to use a lot of fabric while never delving into the dreaded frumpy category. It’s nice to see evening wear for those of us who actually eat bread on a sandwich. It may not be a popular belief in Hollywood, but larger women deserve to look beautiful too.    
2/21/2012 1:54:20 PM
(JessieB)

Marriage of Music and Fashion Makes for Rocky Relationship at Grammy Awards

<img alt="Fergie at the Grammy Awards" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=c35eb543-cf83-4b19-bd30-326de64383c9&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 411px; float: left;" /> Fashion recklessness abounded at the 2012 Grammy Awards as the music industry’s finest attempted to don designer labels without losing their street cred. The red carpet (naturally overshadowed by the death of legendary Whitney Houston) gave us everything from high fashion à la carte to fashion I’d rather see carted away. As to be expected, attendees like Fergie, <a href="http://www.contactmusic.com/news/lady-gaga-steals-a-kiss-from-paul-mccartney-at-grammys_1295049" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Lady Gaga</a>, and Nicki Minaj tried to upstage and out-strange one another in a color war to rival the L.A. gang scene. Most of the ladies formed two teams:  Color and Sparkle. Another trend of the evening was long trains like the one Taylor Swift preceded in her extravagant but elegant Zuhair Murad gown. Somewhere in the middle of the extremes was perfection. Black appeared to be the color of success with top picks being Corinne Bailey Rae (winner for Best R&B Performance) <a href="http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2012/02/13/corinne-bailey-rae-in-christian-siriano-2012-grammy-awards/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">in an exuberantly playful black Christian Siriano dress </a>and Adele (winner of just about everything else) looking gorgeous in a black, dazzling Giorgio Armani. Adored both their looks — not a misstep in either one. Lest you think the men didn’t represent, Bruno Mars did red carpet style his way and wowed in a suit by designer Thom Browne. And who could deny the refined swagger of <a href="http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/02/grammy-awards-fashion-face-off-ll-cool-j-vs-bruno-mars/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=yes,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Grammy host LL Cool J</a>? For me, this is when Grammy fashion is at its best: the rules of red carpet amped-up to reflect the artist’s personal style. No cookie-cutter-couture for these rebels.
2/14/2012 10:43:37 AM
(JessieB)

The 2012 BAFTA Awards: Which Stars Shined Across the Pond and Which Looked Like They’d Fallen In?

<img alt="Christina Ricci in Givenchy" src="ImageHandler.ashx?id=88a97410-e247-4db2-b1fa-752fe675ee1e&size=original" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 437px; float: left;" />   The 2012 Orange British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London premiered today once again bringing up the age old question: Do the Brits do it better? I must admit they sound infinitely more refined than us Yanks when discussing who designed their shoes. However, an American stole the red carpet hands down — my pick for best dressed is a surprising Christina Ricci in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. She was flawless. Ricci’s look was right out of a 1940’s Hollywood high-glamour movie, but the hair, makeup and accessories brought a modern finesse to the overall look. Simply breathtaking. Other highlights included Michelle Yeoh in a va-va-voom crimson gown, Jessica Chastain in a slinky Grecian inspired Oscar de la Renta, and Melissa George <a href="http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/photos/baftas-2012-red-carpet-fashion-1329079013-slideshow/baftas-2012-melissa-george-photo-1329078958.html" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">who looked stunning</a> thanks to the impeccable fit of her black seemingly endless gown by none other than fellow red carpet alum Victoria Beckham.  There were also a lot of safe, muted colors (a big contrast to the fashion we saw coming down the carpet at the Grammy’s). A lot of variations on nude and blush tones like Shailene Woodley from The Descendants in a pretty barely-there blush gown. Some disappointments were commentator Edith Bowman in her shapeless white Christian Dior couture dress (with a dowdy coat thrown over for red carpet interviews?). Helena Bonham Carter reminded me a little of an early Madonna in her black, gloved getup with messy hair. Also, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2100190/Baftas-2012-Live-Meryl-Streep-wins-Best-Actress-Jean-Dujardin-scoops-Best-Actor-award-2012-Baftas.html" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=yes,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=yes,dependent=no'); return false;">Meryl Streep in the overdone Vivienne Westwood </a>(maybe her attempt at a nod to British designers). The corseted gown burgeoned on costume. Meryl Streep in Vivienne Westwood An actress of her caliber deserves something more understated and elegant. I’m sure her win for Best Actress was a great consolation prize. Overall, the BAFTA’s and Brits did not disappoint.
2/14/2012 10:45:05 AM
(JessieB)

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2/14/2012 7:58:06 AM
(JessieB)

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