The Oscars 2013: After Parties

Posted in Awards, Celebrity, Diane and Josh, Fashion, Film, Red Carpet, Style by nlcorner

The after-party gowns are always better than the red carpet gowns, probably because it allows actresses to wear something less restrictive if that’s the route they have gone earlier. Some stay in their Oscar gowns but quite a lot this year decided to change, and for those that didn’t actually attend the Oscars themselves most were invited to viewing parties. Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Gala was particularly popular with some stunning looks displayed on the red carpet.

I don’t think there has ever been a time when Nina Dobrev hasn’t been on a best dressed list. She was my Best Dressed of 2011 after her stunning Donna Karan gown she wore to the Emmys that I still can’t forget and she has just upped her game ever since. She attended Elton John’s viewing party wearing Naeem Khan Fall 2013, this detailed cutout gown is fresh of the runway, Nina obviously chose a nude underlay to make it red carpet appropriate and she topped of this perfect look with a high ponytail and smokey eyes.

Nina Dobrev in Naeem Khan at Elton John’s Oscar Viewing Party 2013.

Another attendee at Elton John’s party was former-ANTM contestant, turned actress, Analeigh Tipton. My jaw dropped when I saw her in the blush pink fully embellished Elie Saab Couture gown, she kept the thigh high split and deep v neckline classy with tumbling waves and natural make up.

Analeigh Tipton in Elie Saab Couture at Elton John’s Oscar Viewing Party 2013.

Diane Kruger went a completely different route this year at the Vanity Fair after party in a fresh off the runway look from Giambattista Valli Fall 2013 Collection. Her black and white mini cape dress was one of my favourite looks from the collection and only someone like Diane could pull this off with aplomb. Some may say it looks a little bulky, but I think Diane is willing to push the trends and this works for me, especially when accompanied by Josh Jackson.

Diane Kruger in Giambattista Valli at the Vanity Fair After Party (picture by Vanity Fair)

Someone else who knows what works for her and is always willing to stand out on red carpet is Solange Knowles. She wore a bright yellow Emilio Pucci creation with her biggest afro yet and gorgeous matte red lips. I can’t fault a thing.

Solange Knowles in Emilio Pucci at the Vanity Fair Oscar After Party 2013.

Monique Lhuillier is always a popular choice of designer for big events, and Ginnifer Goodwin, Isla Fisher and Kate Beckinsale chose dresses from her collection. Ginnifer and Isla both chose electric blue gowns but each greatly differed in style. Ginnifer opted for a short structured sequin embellished gown, whilst Isla chose the classic strapless sweetheart fitted gown with train, it would have been pretty plain if not for the bright hue. Kate looked fabulous in a black tulle dress with a gold firework design, her high ponytail and cocktail ring complemented the dress with no need for added sparkle.

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhuillier at the Vanity Fair Oscar After Party 2013.

Isla Fisher in Monique Lhuillier at the Vanity Fair Oscar After Party 2013.

Kate Beckinsale in Monique Lhuillier at the Vanity Fair Oscar After Party 2013.

Jennifer Lawrence looked postively radiant clutching her Best Actress Oscar wearing a metallic Calvin Klein gown. If I really had to choose between her Oscar red carpet Dior gown or this metallic Calvin Klein dress I think I would sway towards this one. It just reminds me of her classic red CK dress she wore to the Oscars back in 2011 and this fitted style suits her down to the ground. I know this whole Dior partnership sounds good on paper but she would have been amazing as a CK covergirl.

Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein at the Vanity Fair Oscars After Party 2013.

Olivia Munn in Atelier Versace, changing from her Marchesa gown to this hellishly sexy pink thigh high split dress was a good move. When compared this is more Olivia’s style, she smoulders and is just basically hot.

Naomi Watts in Emilio Pucci, another actress who chose to change. She switched from her stunning Armani Prive gown to another metallic inspired Emilio Pucci, I much prefer her first choice but she still looks beautiful here.

Lily Collins took on the Zuhair Murad responsibility seeing as though Jennifer Lopez was MIA, there is a lot going on with this dress from the vertical stripes to the sheer lace and open back but the colour keeps it altogther.

Marisa Tomei looked gorgeous in a Valention jumpsuit. There is always someone who has to shake things up and wear trousers and Marisa looks perfect in this very elegant embellished jumpsuit.

Elizabeth Banks Alexander McQueen (Getty)

Elizabeth Banks in Alexander McQueen. I love this orange hue, and gold belt but I hate that hair style. I love Elizabeth Banks style so I can forgive her for that.

27Feb2013

The Oscars 2013: Red Carpet

Posted in Awards, Beauty, Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Red Carpet by nlcorner

The Oscars Red Carpet is the peak of the awards season, and it signals the end of all the boozing and schmoozing. What I love the most about this red carpet, is the anticipation and build up of which designers the stars will pick to wear.

It could be the making of a fairly unknown designer’s career, or it could be the Kings and Queens of red carpet dressing are displayed in all their glory, like the obvious pairings of Jennifer Lawrence and Dior, Anne Hathaway and ~~not this time~~ Valentino, Jennifer Lopez and Zuhair Murad, Jaime King and Jason Wu, and Diane Kruger and Chanel/JasonWu/Giambattista Valli…

What I hope for the most is for someone to be daring, for a celebrity to be brave and genuinely shock critics and viewers alike by picking something unexpected. The only person on the Oscars red carpet that managed that on Oscars night was Jennifer Aniston.

Don’t be mistaken I don’t think she was the best dressed I’m just glad she wasn’t wearing black. Her red Valentino Haute Couture gown didn’t translate as well as on the red carpet as it did on the runway, but kudos to Jennifer because everyone expected her to stick to her usual monochrome palette instead she pushed that envelope a little by going with strapless red bustier dress, safe but interesting for her.

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Another person in red was Sally Field, although she lost out to Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress, she looked gorgeous in Valentino Haute Couture. Showing the younger ones how it’s done by wearing a sheer gown with a nude underlay , it was a worthy effort and she certainly looked better in her red Valentino than Hilary Swank who chose a similar gown from the Spring couture collection.

Sally Field in Valentino Couture at The Oscars 2013.

I give the award of Best OTT Frou-Frou Moment to Amy Adams, another strapless bustier gown but this time a dove grey Oscar de la Renta creation that the actress struggled to manage down the red carpet. This was just one of many colourless gowns that was on display, it could have been epic if it was a vivid pink or even yellow.

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta at The Oscars 2013.

My obvious choice for Best Princess Moment has to go to Jennifer Lawrence she just simply shone on the Oscars red carpet.

I’ve been trying to figure out for weeks what she would pick from the Dior Spring Couture collection, her BAFTAS dress threw me and the dresses I had earmarked for her were worn by Marion Cotillard, instead she chose a blush pink brocade strapless (!) bustier gown.

A twitter picture showing her getting ready was released just before she appeared on the red carpet, I was glad because I genuinely thought I’d be waiting all night for her to appear. I think what made the look was the Chopard necklace draped down her back, such a modern touch.

I’m so glad she won the Best Actress Oscar because after her previous two nominations this was deserved, and also simply because she is adorably clumsy as proved when she tripped going up the stairs to collect her award.

JLaw getting ready.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Stunning.

I think what the trouble was with the Oscars red carpet was that it was pretty mediocre, I mean don’t get me wrong there were some nice dresses but that’s all they were just nice and if not pretty boring. So many stars chose to go the strapless look, either a coloumn design or a big full skirt there was hardly any variation. That’s why as soon as Naomi Watts stepped onto the red carpet I knew she was going to be my best dressed without fail.

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive at The Oscars 2013.

It all rests on the cutout, otherwise it is simply another sparkly column gown, Naomi had said that she wanted something different and this was the perfect choice to stand out on the red carpet. I’m surprised more people didn’t choose a cutout design, it’s such an easy way to add something special without it being tacky (I’m looking at YOU Brandi Glanville). Naomi’s gorgeous teased updo, jewels, and flawless make up made the whole look.

Another actress who dared to do something different was Zoe Saldana, her red carpet style is so unpredictable it was great to see her in a lavender Alexis Mabille Couture gown with an ombre style train. The floral applique hem made the strapless element more exciting, and noticeable with her hair wavy but pushed back to expose her drop earrings.

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture at The Oscars 2013.

Another stand out gown came from Stacy Keibler, this is her second year as George Clooney’s plus one at The Oscars so well done to her for keeping hold as we all know George is notorious for getting a girlfriend just for awards season maybe she’s a keeper… Anyway she wore a gun-metal grey Naeem Khan embellished gown that just made her look stunning, she made my best dressed list last year as well in Marchesa so she obviously knows what looks good on her and isn’t afraid to flaunt it. I’m warming towards these faux wavy bobs as well I wish my hair would do something like that…

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan at The Oscars 2013.

I was really looking forward to seeing Kerry Washington on the red carpet, and whilst she impressed me in Miu Miu with her coral pop of colour and embellished bust, it was once again a strapless gown. I really was expecting something dramaticlike the amazing Giles dress she wore to the UK premiere of Django Unchained. Now that was epic.

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu at The Oscars 2013.

When I saw Charlize Theron on run the red carpet, what struck me was how gorgeous she looked with her ice blonde pixie crop with a matching ice white Dior Haute Couture peplum gown. Yes it was another strapless dress, but with Charlize she’s able to bring something that sparkles without really having to do anything. The only factor that may have pushed Charlize down further on my best dressed list is heat magazine associating her with Brigette Nielsen…

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture at The Oscars 2013.

It’s really the case of the best of an OK bunch, as Salma Hayek wore a black velvet Alexander McQueen dress with gold halterneck applique, Jennifer Garner playing the part of proud wife in a purple ruffled Gucci gown, Samantha Barks looking sexy in black Valentino, Sandra Bullock wearing one of the only Elie Saab gowns in black, Olivia Munn in a burgundy and gold Marchesa with stunning make up and hair, Fan Bingbing wearing an extremely vivid pink Marchesa, and of course one of the shocks of the night Anne Hathaway wearing Prada NOT Valentino, it was a pretty dire dress to be fair as the darts on the bust of the gown made her nipples look erect the whole time.

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen at The Oscars 2013.

Jennifer Garner in Gucci at The Oscars 2013.

Samantha Barks in Valentino at The Oscars 2013.

Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab at The Oscars 2013.

Olivia Munn in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Fan Bingbing in Marchesa at The Oscars 2013.

Anne Hathaway in Prada at The Oscars 2013.

And a special award to Funniest Hair Faux Pas has to go to Melissa McCarthy, her hair disaster was beyond epic. You could see her bouffant bobbing along in the crowd from space. Otherwise her David Miester dress was quite pretty.

Melissa McCarthy in David Meister at The Oscars 2013.

11May2012

MET Gala 2012

Posted in Beauty, Celebrity, Diane and Josh, Fashion, Hair, Models, Red Carpet, Style Crush by nlcorner

This year’s Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was held in honour of Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli - I’m not going to pretend I’m totes fashion and had heard of the latter until this exhibition – andwith rumours abound that Miuccia was running a tight ship, it was with a hush of excitement that news of who was dressing who began to filter through.

The biggest news before the Gala went ahead was that the head honcho had put a stop to Coco Rocha being dressed by her designer bessie Zac Posen, she instead had teased on Twitter she was wearing vintage Givenchy. Now in my mind vintage Givenchy would be elegant, dramatic and gorgeous, what Coco Rocha wore was far from any of this… A vintage suit previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor may be majah but she looked like a hot mess and to top it all off she added some poor 13 year-old girls bubblegum pink clip ins. If there was ever a Worst Ever Dressed Award it would go to you Mrs Rocha, please stick to what you know.

Coco Rocha in Vintage Givenchy at the MET Gala 2012

To follow on from my Worst Ever Dressed, I’ll direct you to my next worst dressed. If you read my previous post on this young woman you would probably see who I was going to say a mile off.

Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga at the MET Gala 2012

Honestly the dress isn’t really that bad, I think the red next to the blue is sending me shivers but I like the bodice of the dress. It’s just those SHOES. They could honestly be the most horrific shoes ever made on earth. And of course you know I’m going to have a problem with that hair, yes I know if she’d had it all posh and preened it would not be her style but surely something like her hairstyle from the BD premiere could be done here.

Everyone else seemed to think that Karolina Kurkova looked uh-mazing, but I really think Rachel Zoe was given too much creative control with a roll of tin foil. The turban Kurkova sported was an almost spit of Kate Moss’ Marc Jacob’s ’09 MET Gala outfit, and if Zoe had just left it off I would have let her get away with the standard gold sparkly dress that every designer has to make.

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe at the MET Gala 2012

It’s easy to pick apart the looks you don’t like, it always is but when it comes to those jaw-dropping dresses there can only really ever be one that just made you wish you could wear that dress. That’s the only way I can pick which celeb knocked it out of the park…. Or maybe there will have to be a three-way tie…

For me Beyonce’s Givenchy Couture gown was a jaw-dropper, that train, the sheerness, and her post-baby body, but when you think about it as stunning as she looks she has worn just as risque outfits on stage. So to me this is a normal look for B, in fact I think I prefer her Emilio Pucci from last year’s MET Gala.

Beyonce Knowles in Givenchy Couture at the MET Gala 2012

Someone who never fails to look smokin’ hot is the ever sexy Rihanna, her Tom Ford dress fit like a second (snake)skin. It was on par with her black lace Stella McCartney look from last year, still with the crazy hair but a little more toned down, despite the one inch talons adorning her hands.

Rihanna in Tom Ford at the MET Gala 2012

Now my number one Style Crush let me down a little on the night, after her showstopper Jason Wu number last year, Diane Kruger rocked up in a purple Prada number. Not the usual high glamour she goes for on the red carpet, in fact it was a little dressed down. The skirt half was gorgeous but the top half was a little on the slouchy vest side, not something I would expect from such a first class dresser, still I can’t bring myself to say I hate it…

Diane Kruger in Prada at the MET Gala 2012

Two very different women, two very different dresses, one designer. Cate Blanchett and Florence Welch were both guests of Sarah Burton, they both wore Alexander McQueen gowns, one I adored the other was a little extreme but to be fair suited the wearer’s personality down to the ground… Can you guess which I liked?

Florence Welch and Cate Blanchett with Sarah Burton in Alexander McQueen at the MET Gala 2012

Yup you guessed it… Cate Blanchett!

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen at the MET Gala 2012

One of my main contenders for Best Dressed was, surprisingly enough, Gwyneth Paltrow, going for a shorter length than her fellow attendees, she wore a Prada dress with embellished pockets. I really like the shape of the dress and if I had a body like that at 39 I would be proud of it too. The hair and make up along with those earrings really top off a fantastic look from Gywnnie, almost harks back to that Balmain dress at the Iron Man premiere in 2008.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada at the MET Gala 2012

I loved Kate Bosworth’s Prada look. Yes I said it I loved what Kate was wearing, the dark ombre feathered dress, the Miu Miu shoes the flawless make up and the slicked back hair. I want it all, I want it all NOW!

Kate Bosworth in Prada at the MET Gala 2012

It was nearly a draw with Kate, but I think Camilla Belle just pipped her to the post in her Ralph Lauren silver fluid gown. The fact she went full length adds even more glamour, both had similar make up looks – it seems that wine coloured lips were the majah look of the night – and Camilla’s hair just topped off that old Hollywood glamour that I adore so much.

Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren at the MET Gala 2012

Here are the best of the rest from the MET Gala 2012:

Lana Del Ray in Altuzarra, Fashion Critic over at Red Carpet Fashion Awards made the genius comparison of Lana being the Bad Witch to Gwyneth Paltrow’ Good Witch at the Oscars this year.

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhullier. I really love this look, the colour suits Ginnifer down to the ground and her pixie cut is as perfect as ever.

Bianca Brandolini D’Adda looks verrrry gold in Dolce & Gabbana the epitome of their label really. I kinda like it on the Italian socialite, glitz and glam in the most obvious way.

Nina Dobrev in custom-made Donna Karan. Nina knows how to do the red carpet, ever since she wore that red Donna Karan at the Emmy’s this was a match made in heaven.

Victoria Justice in McQ by Alexander McQueen. The young star dresses her age in a beautiful McQ dress, the colour explosion and the puff ball skirt make a really great look.

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy. Amazing colour.

Emma Stone in Lanvin. I enjoyed this look, but Emma can do sooo much better than this.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry. We get it R H-W has the perfect body, but this look really bores the hell out of me even if I do love the make up.

30Jan2012

Screen Actors’ Guild Awards 2012

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

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…

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21Dec2011

My Best Dressed: 2011

Posted in Awards, Celebrity, Fashion, Lists by nlcorner

I’m an avid fan of Red Carpet Fashion Awards, so many blogs out there (mine included) chart what celebrities wear and this does it perfectly. I admit I’ve turned a bit lazy because Fashion Critic does it so bloody brilliantly.

She has a Best Dressed of the Year Awards running at the minute which it took me a while to complete because OMG there are soooo many dresses/outfits this past year that have stood out. But I narrowed it down to my five favourite looks this year and eventually decided on my personal winner.

RCFA will be releasing the results of the BDOTY Awards this week but here’s who I’m hoping comes out on top…

5. Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli stealing the limelight at the Friends With Benefits premiere.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

4. Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, The Royal Wedding.

Kate arrives in Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

3. Zoe Saldana in Elie Saab Couture at the Latin Grammys 2011, I can’t help but also mention her amazing Michael Kors bodysuit and matching trousers that she wore when appearing as a guest on Project Runway.

Zoe Saldana in Elie Saab Couture

2. Diane Kruger in Jason Wu at the MET Gala 2011, as well as a consistent performance throughout the year wearing Chanel, Gucci and Alessandra Rich.

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu at the MET earlier this year

1. Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan at the Emmys 2011, my absolute Best Dressed of the Year. A show-stopping gown.

BDOTY

11Jul2011

The lovefest continues

Posted in Awards, Boy Crush, Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Girl Crush, Hair, I Adore, Style, Style Crush by nlcorner

I’m still loving all the attention the Royal newlyweds are getting, Wills and Kate, the Prince and the Princess, oh how genuinely happy they look together. Their tour of Canada was fantastic, I don’t care that each news piece was simply an updated version of the couple’s itinerary for that specific day, I want to know exactly what they were doing and what they were wearing whilst doing so. Kate is so pretty, still on the skinny side but dare I say it may be why she is so easily accepted into the media spotlight, what would they say if she was slightly rounder and less slimline, probably wouldn’t be so kind. Her long locks and bright radiant smile are her selling point, and her carefully planned wardrobe for the trip were put together very well, so kudos to the person who helped her out.

Their tour overseas ended in LA, with a BAFTA Brits to Watch event that saw 42 Brits named as up and comers in their field of entertainment, film and television alongside some of the more glamourous Hollywood A-listers such as Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hanks et al. To be honest I haven’t seen many pictures with the Brits that attended but plenty of the American stars that wanted their audience with royalty. My favourite picture of the night has to be J to the L-O chatting to the future King and Queen. That sentence, seriously who could ever have predicted that “Jenny from the Block” would get to chat to royalty, never.