Best Dressed: Met Gala 2011

Last night was the Met Gala…otherwise known as the Met Ball, Costume Institute Gala, and the “Oscars of Fashion.” As I like to say, normal red carpet events are meant to please the mainstream, and the Met Gala is meant to please the fashion world. There were a lot of fabulous dresses out there, which of course can easily be ruined by poor styling choices. No one is perfect, but when you have a team of hair stylists, wardrobe stylists and makeup artists on hand, you are expected to get pretty damn close.

With that said, here are my best dressed picks for the 2011 Met Gala…

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Miranda Kerr in custom Marchesa

Her job is to be an angel, and she looked like quite the fashionable one in this custom Marchesa dress. Those appear to be Nicholas Kirkwood shoes which is always a funkier pairing choice. I appreciate when celebs choose an unexpected accessory, and pairing this stunning dress with something other than a sparkly pump is exactly what I’m talking about.

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Margherita Missoni in Missoni

I can always count on Margherita Missoni for some unexpected accessory pairings. Belting this dress definitely dresses it down, but I don’t hate it. Wearing a spiked necklace with those statement bracelets is a bold move, and it’s the perfect juxtaposition to the pastel lightness of the dress.

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Liv Tyler in Givenchy Haute Couture

The 2011 Met Gala wouldn’t be the 2011 Met Gala without at least one dress from the Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture collection. That collection screams WEAR ME TO THE MET so I’m glad Liv Tyler decided to go this direction. The bright yellow clutch is a perfect pairing for this lavish gown.

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Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney

I’m normally not one for simplicity but this was too perfect to pass up. I know she does this minimalistic nude dress look often, but you can’t help but stare. When a dress fits like a glove, it makes all the difference…and this fit is just amazing.

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Emma Stone in Lanvin

To be honest, I don’t really like this dress. So why did I pick this look for my best dressed picks? Because the drama it brings combined with the bold lips and statement earrings is just amazing. I had to look at this a few times to make sure I loved it, and although this will be a controversial one…I LOVE this look.

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Diane Kruger in Jason Wu

This is another look that brings the drama. A large slit is an easy way to pump up the drama, plus the hair and makeup really compliment the outfit. She is also working the HELL out of this look…which is always important when posing on the red carpet. The dress is gorgeous on it’s own but was meant to be worn by Miss Kruger.

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Demi Moore in Prabal Gurung

Another controversial look, most would see this and give a big WTF, but this was my absolute favorite dress from the Prabal Gurung Fall 2011 collection so I had to include it here.  I actually was hoping someone wore it to the Oscars, so when I saw it at the Met Gala I was beyond thrilled. Although the headpiece is a little much, this is the ONLY event you can get away with wearing a head-to-toe feathered look. My only comment, I wish she would have “worked it” like Diane, because the standard smile-and-pose does not work with a look like this.

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Gisele Bundchen in Alexander McQueen

This entire event was dedicated to the late Alexander McQueen, so I knew there would be quite a few McQueen dresses on the red carpet…although there were none like this. If you’ve read my red carpet commentary posts before, I rarely ever fall in love with a red dress (it’s my least favorite color…especially paired with the RED carpet). However, I literally gasped when I saw this photo. If anyone but Gisele wore this, my reaction would be completely different. But she BROUGHT IT in this dress and I am loving every bit of it.

Who were your best dressed picks? Let me know in the comments section below!

Photos: Tom & Lorenzo, Radar Online, The Cut

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Oscars (Part 2)

If you haven’t yet, I’d suggest reading Part 1 of my red carpet coverage for the 2011 Oscars. If you have, we can just move right along…

Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier

As I tweeted last night, Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier is just as surprising as Ryan Seacrest in Burberry. It’s hard for me to take Mandy seriously when I just think of her as the girl who sang “Candy” that I jammed out to a number of years ago, but regardless…she really does look beautiful. I love the pop of color in the lips. My only comment is that the color of the dress washes her out a bit. But overall, she looks great.

Melissa Leo in Marc Bower

Remember how awkward her acceptance speech was? It kind of reminds me of this dress. She tried, but it just didn’t work. It could be worse. It could be better. She could have worn something a little more cool and modern. I guess that’s all I can really say about this…

Michelle Williams in Chanel Spring 2011 (modified)

Thank you Michelle Williams for not wearing a floral pattern (see daisy disaster). I actually really wanted her to wear Chanel because it fits her look and many of the pieces from the most recent Spring 2011 collection would work for her. I’m glad she went with this modified version and not the original (would have given her no shape). It’s simple yet interesting. This dress fits her perfectly and I just love it. Michelle, you have redeemed yourself!

Mila Kunis Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture

I recognized this dress immediately when she walked down the red carpet. You can’t go wrong with Elie Saab Couture on the RC. Mila looks STUNNING in this dress. This color is amazing on her. The boob pieces are a little weird but I kind of love them. I really don’t find anything wrong with this look whatsoever…PERFECT. One of my favorites from the night!

Natalie Portman in Rodarte

The BEST she has looked on the red carpet since being pregnant. I especially appreciate the ode to Rodarte. This color looks beautiful on her and the silhouette is perfect for her “bumped” shape. But why did she have to wear matchy earrings? AND shoes? You are better than that Natalie. I know it.

Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior Spring 2009 Couture

I really love this dress on the original model, but when I see it on Nicole all I can say is…Ummmm no. Too much going on here–the structure of the dress, with the embroidered detail throughout, plus a chunky necklace AND orange shoes? Oh, and side bangs? Sorry Nicole…this just is not working for me (or for you).

Reese Witherspoon in Giorgio Armani

I love Reese Witherspoon which is why I hate to bash on her…but how can you not? I wore a Jessica McClintock dress very similar to this to my homecoming dance freshman year of high school. The clip-in ponytail is something I wore for cheerleading competitions in high school. Now I know you’re totally judging my high school experience but let’s get back to judging Reese. This is just beneath her. Get her some Oscar de la Renta ASAP…

Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang

Oh Sandy, remember when you wore that stunning Marchesa gown to the Oscars last year? What’s with the down grade? First of all, I can’t even handle another red dress on this damn red carpet. Second of all, especially one that isn’t anything special. Then pair with an awkward off-color red clutch? I love you Sandy but you have disappointed me here.

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana

I am torn with this one. Let’s start at the top…I actually kind of love the hair. The “undoneness” of it is pretty cool. The color of the dress is ok. The dark patches over the floral lace confuse me a bit. But what confuses me the most is the exposed bra. Is that really her bra or just part of the dress? The world may never know…

So overall my best dressed picks for the night are: Mila Kunis in Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture, Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture, Gwyneth Paltrow in Clavin Klein (minus the brooch), and Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein. Who were yours?

Photos from Popsugar

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Oscars (Part 1)

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards (or the Oscars if you will) were held last night at the Kodak Theatre. I thought Anne Hathaway and James Franco made a great team hosting the event (they definitely made it “hip” as intended). People won, people lost, but most importantly…there was a lot of red carpet coverage.

Let’s see who got it right, who almost got it, and who I just didn’t get…

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture

At first, the circular detail in the front confused me, but it’s one of those dresses that the more I look at it, the more I love it. She has that simple look to her where she could pull something off like this. And I think it’s perfection. A Givenchy Couture dress can be a risk in itself but she definitely pulled it off. One of my favorites from the night!

Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott Fall 2011

This is the best she has looked on the red carpet in a long time. I guess when you’re nominated for best supporting actress at the Oscars, you gotta step up your game. I love the color, the silhouette is perfection, the slit adds a little sexiness, and I think the hair and makeup is great. My only problem is the necklace…it’s just not necessary, but otherwise it’s amazing!

Anne Hathaway in Valentino Fall 2002 Couture

I love Anne Hathaway. She rarely makes a red carpet mistake (maybe because her stylist is the super fabulous celeb stylist, Rachel Zoe). I was very surprised to see an archived gown (that wasn’t technically vintage) from her, but she definitely pulled it off. Anne looks even better than the original model who wore this dress, and I think it works. I’m never a fan of red on the red carpet but it’s Anne and she can do no wrong.

Florence Welch in Valentino Spring 2011 Couture

This is her look and I wouldn’t want her to dress is anything that wasn’t “her,” but she could have chosen something that wasn’t this matronly. This look would be perfect for a woman age 60+ but not for a young celeb like Florence. Even in her Givenchy Couture dress she wore to the Grammys, the sheerness of the bottom and in the sleeves gave it some sex appeal but this Valentino dress is just way too covered up.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein

When I first saw her on the red carpet, I wasn’t 100% sold…but about one minute later I was completely hooked. It’s an interesting neckline, the liquid effect of this dress looks amazing on her, and I think the stick-straight hair is perfect for this dress. I saw a close up of the earrings and they were huge, looked like some kind of animal, but I kind of loved them. My only comment is that the brooch at the hips is not doing anything for me.

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa

First of all, I thought it was so cute she helped design this dress. I heard she was wearing Marchesa before I saw her on the red carpet and I wasn’t sure if the choice would be age appropriate for her, but this is so perfect for Hailee. She looks like a little princess and I just love it. I think she’s adorable but I cannot get past the headband! If she had a cute little jeweled Jennifer Behr piece, she would be one of my best dressed picks. But that headband looks like she picked it up at Walgreens in a 3-pack on the way to the awards!

Halle Berry in Marchesa

Can you look at Halle Berry and say she looks bad? Just try to look at her and say “ew.” You can’t. She look stunning. This dress is beautiful. It looks a little disheveled at the bottom but I’m not totally hating that aspect. It’s Halle Berry. That is all you need to know.

Hillary Swank in Gucci

This one is difficult for me to judge, because I think Hillary looks beautiful, I am in love with this dress (I live for feathers) but I don’t like them together. I just don’t think a metallic beaded dress with feathers is very Hillary Swank. I would have loved this dress on someone like Anne Hathaway but it just doesn’t feel Swanky to me.

Jennifer Hudson in Atelier Versace Spring 2008 Couture

Remember when I said I don’t like red on the red carpet? Well this is orange/red. And I still don’t like it. She looks gorgeous and confident, which is always important, but I know she can do better than this. And pairing this with purple shoes? That is something I just don’t understand.

Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein

As I’ve mentioned before, I normally do not like red on the red carpet (or ever…red dresses can easily look tacky). I am also not one for minimalism. When it comes to accessorizing, I live by “the more, the merrier.” But you know what? Surprisingly, I love this look. Maybe because this dress fits her PERFECTLY. Maybe because the hair and makeup is stunning. Maybe both? Just gorgeous.

Keep checking back for PART 2 coming soon!

Photos from Popsugar

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Grammys (Part 2)

If you haven’t yet, check out part 1 of my red carpet commentary from last night’s Grammy Awards.

And now it’s time for part 2…

Julianne Hough in Malandrino

Standard Malandrino silhouette. Love the print. She looks gorgeous. But I expect something a little more “amped up” for the Grammys red carpet.  I also still can’t get over her dating Ryan Seacrest.

 

Katy Perry in Giorgio Armani

Katy, didn’t anyone tell you the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was in December? You’re a few months too late…

 

Kelly Osbourne in Tadashi Shoji

I wanted to like this because I’ve really been loving Kelly Osbourne lately but that color purple, with ruffles, and a ribbon tie at the waist is just too “high school dance” for me. I think she looks gorgeous but I just don’t love the dress in that color.

 

Kim Kardashian in Kaufman Franco

Legs. Boobs. Sequins. Makeup. It’s a little “showgirly” for me but it’s Kim Kardashian…do we expect anything less?

 

Lea Michele in Emilio Pucci

Lea Michele would have to do something fashionably offensive for me to hate on her look. I would have liked a bolder shoe here but I love the cut of the dress, especially the detail at the waist, and I love that sultry berry color lipgloss. Wish they showed more of her on the Grammys red carpet.

 

Miley Cyrus in Roberto Cavalli

Whoever said that too long of extensions were in? (see Jennifer Lopez ) The dress looks tacky, there’s side boob, there are wayyyyy too many bracelets and it’s wayyyyyy too much with that sparkly dress. And pardon me for being bitchy, but it definitely looks like Miley’s been getting the late night munchies if you catch my drift…

 

Nicki Minaj in Givenchy

The next Gaga. Meaning…she can do no wrong.

 

Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 Couture

Not the biggest Nicole Kidman fan and I probably would have hated this dress on anyone else but the colors, the fit and the silhouette totally work for her. I hate to say it but I really don’t find anything wrong with this look.

 

Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 Couture

Probably one of the riskiest dresses you could wear on the red carpet (which is why I had to provide a side shot as well), Rihanna pulls it off well. What can I say? It literally hits her in the “right spots” to hide what needs to be hidden, and her stylist definitely provided her with the perfect undergarments for this specific dress. A lot of people hated her hair mostly. I kind of loved it though. This dress on this girl at this event…totally works.

 

Selena Gomez in J. Mendel

Pretty dress on a pretty girl. I’d like to see her do something a little edgier or fashion forward for the red carpet. She’s young, she’s gorgeous so why not? But if it’s not her thing, I wouldn’t push it. That’s the type of stuff that sends you to rehab… (cue Lindsay Lohan jokes)

 

Well that’s all for now. Let me know who your best dressed (or worst dressed) picks were for the Grammys. Until next time!

 

Photos from Us Magazine, Just Jared & Huffington Post

 

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Grammys (Part 1)

I watched an hour of pre red carpet coverage, 2 hours of [somewhat painful] red carpet coverage and 3 and a half hours of the Grammys [which I enjoy enjoyed 20-30 minutes of] just to admire the fashion in order to prepare myself for this day. And this day is judgment day…so here we go!

Amber Riley in Ema Savahl

This is difficult because I love her, I love the dress, and I think the shoulder ornament attached to the necklace is genius. However, I hate all of this together. I know it’s the Grammys but it’s just too much.

Ciara in Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 RTW

Although I thought this was Beyonce at first glance (maybe because I hadn’t put my glasses on yet) I did recognize almost immediately that this was look 2 from Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 RTW.  I loved this dress on the runway, I do love it on her but I do wish the hair was either shorter or in a funky updo.

 

Dianna Agron in Vivienne Westwood Gold Label

I do appreciate her trying to “edge it up” and really separate her character on Glee with who she really is, but she ultimately failed because she looks like Quinn desperately trying to be edgy. Black dress, black shoes, black bag, black nail polish, black earrings AND a smoky eye…it’s just all wrong.

 

Eva Longorio in Ashi

I can’t decide on this one. First of all, her legs look AMAZING and then I just get distracted. I love the skirt portion of the dress but I wish the top part wasn’t as ruffled but instead, more fitted. It’s all about proportion (especially when you’re petite like her) and the proportions here are just a little off. But hey, it’s Eva Longoria and she’s always gorgeous.

 

Florence Welch in Givenchy Couture Spring 2011

This dress is so her. It’s probably why Kelly Osbourne picked it for her to wear on the pre red carpet edition of Fashion Police, and I’m glad it worked out because I love this on her. This was a stunning collection and I kind of wish Florence wore one of the avant garde head pieces shown with these dresses. That would have left people quite confused, but I can dream though right? Oh FYI I hated the hair…you can’t let your hair air dry straight out of the shower and put on Givenchy Couture. Sorry.

 

Hayley Williams in Jeremy Scott

I think she’s part of some band I don’t listen to however I do appreciate some Jeremy Scott on the red carpet. His collections are always avant garde and always interesting and intriguing so I can’t totally hate on this dress. Judging solely based on the striking red hair, I can see this dress fits her personality so I think it works here. It’s the Grammys, you’re allowed to have fun (unlike the Oscars)…

 

Jennifer Hudson in Versace

I love this dress (even with the “mullet” hemline”) and I think she looks absolutely stunning. The shoes are great, the jewelry is perfect but like Ciara, I am just not loving that center-part, overly flat ironed hair. Otherwise, I have nothing else to say but GORGEOUS! (and I think I might start Weight Watchers)

 

Jennifer Lopez in Emilio Pucci

I am biased because I am not the biggest JLo fan. A lot of people loved this look last night and it appears to be great at a glance, but when you break it down it’s not so great. The dress is amazing, the shoe are out of control (in a good way) and the bag is gorgeous, but it is just way too much silver on one person. The bad hair extensions are also way too Miley Cyrus and I am definitely hating on the hair.

 

Jewel in Pamella Roland

I normally wouldn’t like this dress on anyone else but Jewel seems like a down to earth woman who isn’t all flashy, so I think this look works for her. She’s pregnant and it’s not easy to find a flattering dress when you’re expecting so this totally works. The jewelry, makeup and hair are all spot-on too.

 

Jordin Sparks in Zang Toi

I saw her on the red carpet before I had my glasses on and all I could think of is “What is this large red thing appearing before my very eyes?” I put my glasses on and saw it was Jordin Sparks in an ill-fitting prom dress circa 2003.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for part 2…coming soon!

Photos from Us Magazine & Just Jared