Monthly Archives: January 2012

Screen Actors’ Guild Awards 2012

Posted in Awards, Celebrity, Film, Style, Television by

The Screen Actors’ Guild awards happened last night over the pond, and there were plenty of outfits to trawl through today. For me it was a case of the SAGs vs. the Golden Globes, because there were some gorgeous risky dresses at the Globes and some not so risky but still beautiful dresses on display last night.

I’m going to jump straight in and tell you that Rose Byrne in Elie Saab Couture and her perfect bob was my best dressed of the night. Her dazzling jumpsuit was just stunning, and it just goes to prove that the god of red carpet couture NEVER gets it wrong. My second favourite was Emma Stone, one for not choosing a full-length gown and two for the amazing Alexander McQueen horse clutch she was carrying to go with her dress by the designer. Michelle Williams looked gorgeous in red Valentino and so did Kyra Sedgwick in Emilio Pucci.

I’ll put Lea Michele on my best dressed list because she did look fantastic in a grey Atelier Versace dress, but for crying out loud Lea just a peep of your leg and a slight pout will do, none of this “sexy” open mouth or chorus girl posing.

Amber Heard looked smoking hot in a black Zac Posen gown with sexy cutouts. I’m normally against black on the red carpet because there are so many colours out there than safe black but Heard knows how to pose without going all Lea Michele on us. Other stars that chose black were Angelina Jolie in an awfully cheap looking Jenny Packham gown, Stacy Keibler (star by default) in a lace off the shoulder Marchesa gown which I found boring, and Jayma Mays who wore a beaded Reem Acra dress that would have worked on someone with much more star power than the Glee actress.

Also why did Emily Blunt’s Oscar de la Renta green gown look so cheap? For a red head green is the go to colour but this was just not right. SOFIA VERGARA IF YOU DO NOT STOP WEARING STRAPLESS MERMAID GOWNS I WILL BE FORCED TO SCREAM AT YOU. I don’t care if she has an amazing figure try something different. Tilda Swinton, what happened to your Haider Ackermann relationship, as much as I like this Lanvin gown you should not blend into the background! Oh and Kristen Wiig and that choker. Just no.

I think the Globes had more risk takers, better colours, patterns and overall looks, but the SAGs still brought the glam factor, check out the slideshow of all my favourite and a few not so favourite looks below…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Shailene Woodley vs. Jennifer Lawrence

Posted in Awards, Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Style by

I was thinking about The Descendants and how Shailene Woodley is only 21 (born in 1991 makes you sick) and how good the film was, and then I realised that she is basically Jennifer Lawrence a year later.

Jennifer was the big young name throughout awards season after her plethora of nominations for her role in Winter’s Bone, according to IMDb she was nominated 29 times including a Best Actress nod at the Oscars, and won 10 awards including the Rising Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. A massive haul for the now 21 year old, and a massive promotional tour of the red carpet.

My absolute favourite will always be the Calvin Klein she wore to the Oscars, a super 10/10 on the sexiness scale and I said before that she was too sexy for the Oscars but looking back the gown was perfect, sleek and simple and she didn’t go over the top.

Shailene also opted for Calvin Klein on the red carpet at the Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards 2012 but in a more refined gown from the Resort 2012 collection. It wasn’t red-hot like Jennifer, but icy cool and fresh with minimal make up. The minimal make up look is a definite recurring trend for Shailene, her natural beauty literally shines through, no layers and layers of eyeshadow and eyeliner needed, she keeps it simple and understated.

Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein at the Oscars 2011

Shailene Woodley in Calvin Klein at the 2012 Critics' Choice Awards

White & Lacy: Jennifer Lawrence in Dolce & Gabbana at the Independent Spirit Awards 2011 // Shailene Woodley in Honor at the 2012 AFI Awards.

Golden Globes glamour: Jennifer in Louis Vuitton // Shailene in Marchesa

Quirky & Cute: Jennifer Lawrence in Viktor & Rolf // Shailene Woodley in Jason Wu Resort

Golden Globes 2012: A success!

Posted in Awards, Fashion, Film, Style, Television by

I refer you to my post on the Golden Globes 2011, where I was extremely disappointed in the dresses, very few celebs displayed any show stoppers and it was a struggle to form a best-dressed list.

However this year was very different… the stylists stepped up their game by a long shot. I think last year has been vaporized into oblivion by this years array of stunning gowns.

My one to watch last year was Michelle Williams, and again this year I’ve really enjoyed seeing her red carpet choices leading up to the Globes. She’d been sticking to a palette of monochrome and so I was hoping for some colour and I was not disappointed, Michelle demonstrated that understated glamour she is so good at (ignoring the Valentino from last year) with a purple velvet Jason Wu column  dress and picked up the award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe. 9/10

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu at Golden Globes 2012

Evan Rachel Wood was my favourite of the night, she is never afraid of wearing a show-stopper and this Gucci Premiere gown was simply beautiful. She reminds me of a mermaid, with feathers. 9.5/10

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci Premiere at the Golden Globes 2012

Dianna Agron wasn’t featured prominently on any best/worst dressed lists, I suppose her star power is still at a B- for a television actress, but her red laser cut Giles dress is a star to me. Very reminiscent of the Marchesa dress that Rachel McAdams wore at Cannes but edgier. I think it would have worked even better if it didn’t have the slight train and was cut with a flare at the ankle. 8/10

Dianna Agron in Giles at the Golden Globes 2012

I loved Claire Danes‘ neon pink Calvin Klein from last years Golden Globes, this year she picked a monochrome J. Mendel dress. I loved it but I think that’s because of the back, I’m a lover of bare backs and this was a hit purely for that reason and the red lips. Still she went on to pick up the Globe for Best Actress in a TV Drama for the epic show that is Homeland, congratulations. 7.5/10

Claire Danes in J. Mendel at the Golden Globes 2012

Kudos to Paula Patton for daring to wear THE brightest dress ever made. Her sunshine yellow Monique Lhullier dress showed Sarah Michelle Gellar how to do the designer the correct way. Honestly, SMG turned up in a godawful inky blue and white dress with a huge bustle around the waist which just totally overwhelmed her and then she made the excuse that her daughter Charlotte picked it out… Yeah put the blame on the innocent child poor thing. SMG gets a ridiculously low -2/10 whilst Paula shines with 7/10.

Paula Patton and Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhullier at the Golden Globes 2012

Salma Hayek looked gorgeous in Gucci, I don’t think I’d be able to guess how old she is when she busts out a dress like this. Sleek and sexy, gorgeous but no mutton. An easy 8/10.

Salma Hayek in Gucci at the Golden Globes 2012

As a rule to myself I never EVER include Tilda Swinton on any lists, because she is a force of her own making. An individualist at heart she just refuses to conform. This time however her Golden Globes outfit was by no means extreme nor was it simple and boring, but a light blue Haider Ackermann creation which she carried off without breaking a sweat. I really liked the styling, the matching cuffs and quiffy ice blonde hair (it’s like she’s always the White Queen) , an icy 7/10.

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann at the Golden Globes 2012

The best of the rest include:

  • A stunning Kate Beckinsale who really doesn’t seem to age in Roberto Cavalli a graceful 8/10.
  • Katherine McPhee in a shock horror mid-length gown by Donna Karan. A refreshing change but the colour was a bit drab 6.5/10.
  • Nicole Richie is a favourite of mine, I liked her Julien Macdonald dress but I didn’t love it, the bling was fantastic though 7/10.
  • Madeleine “Victoria” Stowe, the Revenge actress didn’t scoop any awards but looked electric in a cornflower blue Vera Wang custom creation 7.5/10.
  • Although I don’t favour this dress on Lea Michele because she just sexed it up way too much, the pose, the smoky eye it just doesn’t sit right. I love the green cocktail ring and the dress itself but really not her, one day she will do something simple and understated and will still look amazing, a stingy 6/10.
  • Diane Lane really shows everyone else how to do it, the actress looked elegant in a gold embellished Reem Acra gown 8.5/10.
  • Emma Stone’s Lanvin gown kind of underwhelmed me, I love her and the make up was gorgeous but I was expecting something showstopping, maybe she’s saving it for when she’s nominated, 6.5/10.
  • Mila Kunis rocked up in a black Dior dress, she looked nice but clearly was there in a supporting capacity and not to steal the scene, a lacklustre 6.5/10.
  • I was really on the fence with Jessica Biel’s choice of Elie Saab Couture. He makes THE best red carpet dresses and she chose this? It’s kind of old lady up top with this beautiful skirt. Sort it out Jess you’re not going to wear this at your wedding I hope, 5.5/10.
  • I would like to say to Nicole Kidman to get rid of the long hair and tight dresses, and wear something that makes you look your age and not a tacky wannabe. 3/10 just because it’s Versace.

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli at the Golden Globes 2012

Katherine McPhee in Donna Karan at the Golden Globes 2012

Nicole Richie in Julien Macdonald at the Golden Globes 2012

Madeleine Stowe in Vera Wang at the Golden Globes 2012

Lea Michele in Marchesa at the Golden Globes 2012

Diane Lane in Reem Acra at the Golden Globes 2012

Emma Stone in Lanvin at the Golden Globes 2012

Mila Kunis in Christian Dior at the Golden Globes 2012

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab Couture at the Golden Globes 2012

Nicole Kidman in Versace at the Golden Globes 2012

Michelle Williams and Celine Buckens in Victoria by Victoria Beckham

Posted in Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Style Crush by

We know how much Victoria Beckham likes to promote her own clothes, and who better to show you how it should be done.

So its always nice to see another celeb wearing her designs, in their own way or just how she intended. In the past week we’ve seen the same dress in two different colour ways on two very different people.

Michelle Williams in a white and black Victoria by Victoria Beckham, this is a great display of Michelle’s style, simple design with scalloped detailing and a dropped waist skirt. Michelle has been on a run of monochrome of late so I’m dying to see what she wears to the Golden Globes.

Michelle looking fantastic in Victoria by Victoria Beckham at the BAFTA Awards Annual Tea Party in LA.

Then we have newcomer Celine Buckens, who stars in the Speilberg epic War Horse, in a pink and black version of the same dress. Celine adds a bit more gold to the styling, which makes it more fun and youthful, and I love the shoes.

Celine Buckens in Victoria by Victoria Beckham at the London premiere of War Horse.

What is age appropriate?

Posted in Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Style by

So many women in celeb land like to wear provocative clothing to get column inches, to promote their movies or products they happen to be endorsing at that moment. It’s the way to catch attention, to look smokin’ hot (or a hot mess) and news outlets and gossip sites pick up on it straight away and voila you’re the talk of the week!

But how do you dress whilst still grabbing those headlines and be “age appropriate”?

There are plenty of young teen actresses out there finding their feet in Hollywoodland, from Elle and (the slightly older) Dakota Fanning, Chloe Moretz, Hailee Steinfeld, and Abigail Breslin. I say finding their feet, it isn’t as if they are stumbling around like Emma Watson in her early Hermione days, they are decked head to toe in fashion houses like Miu Miu, Rodarte, Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu and Proenza Schouler.

Emma in her early years...

But as many fashion critics are so quick to point out, some of them are not adhering to this apparent rule of age appropriate styling.

Case in point, Chloe Moretz, she’s flashed up on a plethora of red carpets this past year as she promoted her movies Let Me In, Hick and the recent Martin Scorcese 3D epic children’s fantasy movie Hugo. In my opinion she is doing much better than poor old Emma ever did, of course she has a stylist’s assistance but I think Chloe is head strong in her fashion choices much like Elle Fanning is in hers.

The main outfit that I think sparked the “age appropriate” debate was the Valentino dress Chloe chose for the premiere of Hick at the Toronto Film Festival back in September. I admit it is sexy for someone who is only 14, the tight leather and sheer top half even if she is covered up, but if this is what was on offer to her from the designers and for no one to tell her any different then why wouldn’t she pick it. But it’s not as if she is Lindsay Lohan, so why get all huffy about it?

Chloe Moretz in Valentino

I move onto another outfit that has been deemed appropriate for someone Chloe’s age, a Miu Miu coat dress from their Resort 2012 collection. It’s still short, and she still has bare legs, but because she’s added a sparkly brooch to her hair and it covers her chest it is all fine. Another one, this time Chloe dons an amazing pair of Stella McCartney lace leggings and a leather jacket, why is this so age appropriate? It would be easy to say that the leggings were too tight and she shouldn’t be wearing heels. A Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 dress is adorable and cutesy, but still features a lace see-through top half and fitted skirt.

Chloe in Miu Miu, Stella McCartney and Dolce & Gabbana

Elle Fanning seems to be popular on the best dressed lists, her quirky dress sense wins fashion critics’ votes over Chloe nearly everytime they are pitted against each other. Quirky is apparently age appropriate, but some of her outfits are odd and ironically ageing, however never wrong because she’s young and just experimenting.

Elle Fanning in Marc Jacobs Spring 2012, looking all saccarine and sweet.

I then must go to the other end of the spectrum, critics take a pass at younger ones for dressing more maturely in a sexy way or more maturely in a too covered up prim and proper way, can they ever win? But what about Helen Mirren (67) in Dolce & Gabbana or Elle Macpherson (47) in Herve Leger for Max Azria?

Helen Mirren at the Comedy Awards in December, looking a bit of a hot mess if I do say so. This Dolce & Gabbana dress is reserved for the likes of Miranda Kerr.

Elle "The Body" Macpherson in Herve Leger for Max Azria. I'm all for a woman who has an amazing body, but boy don't we know this with the "look at me" dress. Why can't she go back to that amazing red suit?

And who could possibly forget Madonna at the Oscars Vanity Fair after party? (And just because she’s Madonna she cannot possibly justify dressing so horrifically)

Madonna at the Vanity Fair Oscar party last year, with her then 15 year old daughter Lourdes....

Too High Heels

Posted in Celebrity, Fashion, Musings by

I’m a fan of Victoria Beckham I will happily admit that, ever since she transitioned into a bona fide fashion designer creating amazing dresses and then branching out into accessories I can’t help but be in awe.

I love seeing her treat the airport runway like a catwalk and the sidewalk like her own personal show in  those ‘Daffodile’ Louboutins that she is so fond of to complete the look.

How I’ve always wished that I could wear amazing heels and gorgeous outfits everyday but after purchasing my own version of mega heels from Topshop at five and a half inches they are staggeringly high verging on falling over territory, I have spent two nights in them and am at a loss as to how Victoria and so many others go shopping, carry babies and generally stay vertical without worrying they are going to topple over any second.

Seven hours is my maximum per night, and that was with a little helping from alcohol and a lot of sitting down. Congratulations to all those celebrities out there that look graceful and oh so fashionable (with a lot of help from their chauffeurs). I think I’ll stick to my daytime wedges or just slum it in flats.

* I also spotted these shoes on Topshop, super extreme heels that are obvious copies of the above-mentioned Louboutins.