January 10, 2012

Dresses Deserving of a Red Carpet Moment This Awards Season

Although still a few weeks away, awards season is upon us. It’s my favorite time of year, in the blogging world anyway, because if I can’t be on E! Fashion Police to make my commentary, I sure as hell am going to do it right here on ChiCityFashion instead.

These celebs can pick any dress from any collection they could possibly want, but we do tend to see mostly recent runway collections at these red carpet events. I’ve compiled my favorite red carpet ready looks from Spring ’12 that I hope to see worn by some major celebrities this coming awards season. And this is just the beginning…we still have Fall ’12 to come next month!

Alexander McQueen Spring 2012

This might be too avant-garde for most red carpet events–it could be better fit for the Met Ball, worn by someone who knows how to OWN a look–but this was my favorite dress from Alexander McQueen Spring ’12 and it’s too amazing not to have a red carpet moment.

Azzaro Spring 2012

A lot of celebrities don’t like taking the risk of wearing color on the red carpet, and often they can bore us with their skin colored bandage dresses or plain LBDs. However, this would be a great option for someone wanting to be subtly sexy without being too over-the-top.

Bottega Veneta Spring 2012

Now this is the completely opposite of the Azzaro number above; this is for the girl who loves to wear color. Because of the more casual nature of this dress, the color is not overpowering. Great option for something like the Independent Spirit awards.

Chanel Spring 2012

This dress is perfect example of simplicity making a statement. There isn’t too much going on here, but between the black detailing and the play with volume, you don’t need much else…except a kick-ass shoe of course.

Christian Siriano Spring 2012

I can’t tell if this would be too casual for the red carpet (I would have to see it in person) but it was my favorite look from Christian Siriano Spring ’12 and it’s definitely deserving of a red carpet moment.

Giambattista Valli Spring 2012

Elle Fanning…your dress is ready.

Jason Wu Spring 2012

I’m not a gown person, but when you make it neon I will definitely reconsider. I can see Zoe Saldana owning this look at the Oscars. Not many people could pull of this much chartreuse but I’m hoping someone [Zoe] will try!

Marchesa Spring 2012

Marchesa has become a staple on the red carpet and it’s because of intricate designs like this one that makes them so popular at these events. This is definitely a statement maker but it’s so gorgeous, it NEEDS to be photographed on someone fabulous.

Marchesa Spring 2012

Another Marchesa stunner, this one is much more toned down than their usual designs. However, if you’re a celebrity and find yourself pretty pregnant during awards season…this is YOUR dress!

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012

You could find yourself on the best dressed or worst dressed list in this one…no in between. With the right styling and the right celebrity, this could definitely be done right.

Prabal Gurung Spring 2012

Wearing a white long dress, on a day that’s not your wedding, is not an easy thing to pull off. But with Prabal’s use of cut-outs, sheer detailing and of course that amazing slit, this is beyond perfect for the red carpet and a great canvas for a statement piece of jewelry and an amazing pair of heels.

Prabal Gurung Spring 2012

This is probably the biggest risk out of any of the dresses I featured here today, but it’s one of my favorite looks from any of the Spring ’12 collections and I’m dying to see someone wear this look…and wear it well. Whether it’s worn with or without the harness, the detailing here is just too gorgeous not to have a big red carpet moment.

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What dresses do you hope to see on the red carpet this awards season?

Photos via Style.com

September 18, 2011

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Emmy Awards (Part 1)

The Emmys are happening right now and if you were following my tweets, you’ll know that I was less than impressed with the red carpet. High school proms probably had better (or similar) dresses than the Emmys. Strapless, one shoulder, nude and red…wow that’s so exciting. Come on guys…really?

Okay so now that you’ve listened to me rant, I have to say…there were a few people who made my time worth while. So don’t worry, my Emmy posts will not all be bitchy (just mostly). So here we go…

Photobucket Lea Michele in Marchesa

One of the MANY red dresses at the Emmys last night, I actually loved this on Lea Michele. I was a little confused because this strikes me as Valentino and not Marchesa, but I can’t complain because it fits her perfectly and the shoulders are an amazing detail. The draped back was a nice touch too!

Photobucket Kelly Osbourne in J. Mendel

For being a host of Fashion Police, she never wows me on the red carpet. (#irony)

Photobucket Katie Holmes in Calvin Klein

I was indifferent about this at first, but the more I look at it the more I like it. It’s simple and I actually like the belt (even though it “casualizes” the dress). One thing I can’t get over…the hair. She must have gotten sweaty in the car ride over and threw it in a bun out of spite.

Photobucket Kate Winslet in Elie Saab

Is there a reason why she always wears cap sleeves? You couldn’t choose something more unflattering. However, this dress fits her body beautifully. But as I’m going to say for many of the dresses from tonight…BORING.

Photobucket Julie Bowen in Oscar de la Renta

I feel like funny actresses never try on the red carpet (or they do and they fail) but Julie Bowen really knows how to dress for her body. I love the plunging neckline and I think this totally works for her. One of my favorites of the night!

Photobucket Juliana Margulies in Armani Prive

There’s a battery pack in her spanx and those are actually light bulbs on the bodice. (not really but wouldn’t that be cool?)

Photobucket Julia Stiles in Georges Hobeika

Standard. Drab. Forgettable.

Photobucket Jayma Mays in Zuhair Murad

So not age appropriate. I can see someone like Hailee Steinfeld wearing this but between the layers, the ribbon belt and the jeweled barrette in her hair, this just reminds me of playing dress up (if you got to raid designer showrooms and borrowed $10,000 gowns).

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Be looking out for parts 2 and 3 to come!

Photos: People, Hollywood Reporter, E! Online

February 28, 2011

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

January 17, 2011

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Golden Globe Awards (Part 2)

Carrying on from my previous post.

[I promise there are more winners in this post…and by winners I mean best dressed]

**Click photos to enlarge

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

I thought I was dreaming when I saw Angelina step on the Red Carpet in COLOR. I mean, this is truly a historical moment. Let’s all embrace this…and hope she continues to wear more color on the RC because she looks stunning in this emerald green. Go Angie!

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive

Let me start off by saying you cannot go wrong with Armani Prive. You have to have a really terrible stylist to make Armani Prive look bad. Thankfully, Anne has a really awesome stylist (who happens to be Rachel Zoe) therefore this dress on this girl was fool-proof. Absolutely gorgeous. Perfection from head-to-toe. Best dressed of the night.

Christina Hendricks in Ramona Kaveza

I understand it is not easy to find a suitable dress for a woman with a large chest, but she makes the WORST choices when it comes to the red carpet. It’s like someone with linebacker shoulders wearing a halter top! I’m also not a fan of the red dress, with the red carpet AND the red hair. Plus the frizzy hair so close to the ruffled shoulder is all wrong.

Elisabeth Moss in Donna Karan

She tends to look angry and a bit frumpy on the Red Carpet but she really got this right. Although it was one of the many green dresses on the RC last night, Elisabeth really rocked this look. Love the detailing in the bodice, it’s a beautiful shade of green and she looks really happy and confident. Always a plus!

Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung

I had no idea who this was because I haven’t seen True Grit, nor do I care to see movies with such a drab color scheme, but I am definitely keeping this girl on my radar. Young girls often go too mature or too childish on the red carpet and her overall look was perfectly age appropriate. I also love me some Prabal on the RC 🙂

Jennifer Lawrence in Louis Vuitton

It wasn’t my favorite of the night but it works for her. She looks pretty. It’s nice to see some Louis Vuitton on the Red Carpet. But that’s about it.

Julianne Moore in Lanvin

Officially convinced Julianne’s goal is to be on the worst dressed list at every event. Well congrats Ms. Moore…you win! [for worst dressed of the night]

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

I would have hated this dress on anyone else but it totally works for her. The color and ruffles are youthful but the silhouette is sophisticated, so for a young woman like her it’s perfect. She always surprises us on the Red Carpet (which I love) so she gets an IN from me.

Leighton Meester in Burberry

Okay so I know a lot of people hated this but if you have seen Leighton’s previous Red Carpet choices, you should be bowing down to her for choosing this dress (trust me, it could have been much worse). I actually love this dress. I would definitely wear it. Love the slit. LOVE the bag. And I can’t wait for new episodes of Gossip Girl.

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa

First to arrive on the Red Carpet, and I couldn’t stop thinking about this dress throughout the night. A lot of people said it was too much. She’s a young, GORGEOUS, talented actress and she’s at a prestigious awards show in Beverly Hills…there is no such thing as too much. I am obsessed with this dress and I’m obsessed with Olivia in this dress.

PS. If you know where I can get Olivia’s gold spiked Christian Louboutin shoes, tell me…because I need them

Photos: Getty Images (taken from The Cut)

November 26, 2010

Where to Find Looks For Less: Runway Rundown

When it comes to high fashion, we are always quick to turn to the top designers, but we are hesitant when we see a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there is Runway Rundown, a free online resource where you can find the hottest trends for less.

Search by season, color, designer, material or trend, Runway Rundown links you directly to the website where you can purchase these amazing looks for less, and exactly how much it will cost you.

A look from Elie Tahari Spring 2011…for $163?! Amazing.

This dress is almost identical to the Marchesa…and it’s less than $500!

It’s not easy to find quality looks like are almost identical to those seen on celebrities or on the runway, so I can definitely appreciate the time that goes into Runway Rundown. Definitely one of the best “looks for less” websites out there!

Visit www.runwayrundown.com and look like you walked straight off the runway…for MUCH less!