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.

5Jun2012

Diane Kruger at Cannes 2012

Posted in Beauty, Diane and Josh, Fashion, Film, Red Carpet, Style Crush by nlcorner

The golden girl of Cannes this year was of course Diane Kruger, a member of the jury for this year’s prestigious film festival and wearer of some of the most gorgeous gowns seen so far this year.

Never one to let anyone down she opened attended the jury photo call on the first day of Cannes in a burgundy Versus Fall 2012 pleated mini dress with strap details, only Diane could pull off a short sexy dress for the daytime and the bright blonde hair and flawless make up makes it a beautiful look.

Diane Kruger in Versus at the Jury Photocall Cannes 2012

Diane made a dreamy return to the Cannes red carpet in an ethereal mint green Giambattista Valli Couture dress for the Moonrise Kingdom premiere and the Opening Ceremony.

Diane in Giambattista Valli Couture at the Opening Ceremony

On to another day and another dress, this time Diane wore Calvin Klein to celebrate the Women in Film event sponsored by the brand. I love the coral textured fabric of the dress and the shape and admittedly there is a lot of the twins on show there, but I think because Diane doesn’t always do blatant sexy she gets away with the squished cleavage look and those white sandals purely because she has my favourite boy Joshua Jackson on her arm once again (and nixing those pesky rumours they had split).

Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein Fall 2012 at the Women in Film event.

For the Haiti Carnival Benefit hosted by Armani, Diane wore one of her favourite designers Jason Wu. I first fell in love with her style after she wore that Jason Wu red dress at the CFDA’s a few years ago and here she is in, as of yet unpresented, resort look. The dress has many different aspects to it, the black slip underlay with a signature embellished collar, and the navy chiffon draping that ties into the black waist, I think the navy and black is what jars me especially after seeing Karlie Kloss in a magenta pink dress of a similar design at the MET Gala and Jess Stam at the CFDA Awards in a cobalt blue version. I do love the ear jewellery though and of course there’s Josh…

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu Resort 2013 at the Haiti Carnival Benefit hosted by Armani.

My absolute favourite look of Diane’s at Cannes is the Vivienne Westwood gown she wore to the Amour premiere. It shimmered and oozed with old Hollywood glamour, from the sidewswept waves, the delicate drop earrings, to the silver box Jimmy Choo clutch, that waist-narrowing corset and the signature draped cleavage. An absolute 10/10 dripping in rose-gold sequins.

Diane Kruger in Vivienne Westwood at the Amour premiere. A silver version of this dress will set you back £2,535 on net-a-porter…

Diane wore a custom-made Nina Ricci gown to the Killing Them Softly Cannes premiere, a white drop-waist gown with feather detail and skirt. At first glance I immediately thought this was Chanel Couture, but no no Diane was saving the Chanel for the amFAR Gala later in the week. I like this dress, but I can’t get past the huge corsage on her shoulder, I know it adds a soft pop of colour but it’s just so big especially considering how delicate and detailed her hair is. Josh looked exceedingly handsome in Lanvin.

Diane in custom-made Nina Ricci at the Killing Them Softly Cannes premiere.

A hop, skip and a jump over to Monaco saw Diane and Josh attend the Nights in Monaco Gala Fundraiser in Monte Carlo. She wore a Prabal Gurung Fall 2012 gown, with an ostrich feather skirt and amazing gold applique detailing over the bust on a sheer top. This was really an outstanding look and the Nicholas Kirkwood for Prabal Gurung shoes tops off an amazing night for Diane as it was reported that Josh bought a £45,000 necklace for his lady. Annoyingly nearly every media outlet I read reported that it was an engagement gift, but if anybody knows this couple is that they’ve repeatedly said they see no need in getting married. Diane was previously married to Guillaume Canet for five years before they divorced and he went on to have a child with actress Marion Cotillard.

Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung and Nicholas Kirkwood for Prabal Gurung shoes. (Image via redheadfashionista)

I love the idea of Chanel, it’s a luxurious brand and I will always have a 2.55 handbag on my wishlist, but whenever I see the looks from a runway show I always struggle to like any of them. Maybe I’ll like an accessory or a detail but sometimes the looks are so out there that I cannot picture them on the red carpet. That is where celebs like Diane come in to display the looks in their own unique way, time and time again I’ve seen a head to toe Chanel look and have been gobsmacked at how different it really looks in person than on the runway. The Krug wore a dress from the Resort 2013 collection that had just been presented, it pays to have friends in high places especially if your bessie is Karl.

Diane Kruger in Chanel Resort 2013 at the amFAR Cinema Against Aids Gala 2012

Diane’s Cannes run ended on a high with Christian Dior Couture. This dress seemed to get bit of love and hate from the critics, but if you look at every look from Diane there is barely a look that is the same she knows how to mix it up and never sticks to one look aka Jennifer Aniston and her LBD’s, Taylor Swift and her gold/neutral sparkles, and Kristen Stewart and the bedraggled look (ok I give her the Reem Acra gown). Diane’s Dior Couture sleevless gown with a Cinderella-style structured skirt was a great end to the festival, it wasn’t by any means my favourite but I definitely didn’t hate it at all.

Diane Kruger in Christian Dior Couture at the Cannes Film Festival Closing Ceremony and Therese Desqueyroux premiere.

Absolutely outstanding performance from Diane Kruger at Cannes this year, I can’t wait to see her back on the red carpet next year and for the rest of this year, as always my #1 Style Crush!

23Jan2012

Shailene Woodley vs. Jennifer Lawrence

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

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

16Sep2011

New York Fashion Week Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Posted in Fashion, I Adore, Models, Runway by nlcorner

I honestly don’t know how fashion editors, buyers, directors etc etc do a fashion week. I’ve struggled to keep up with all the shows and I’m sat on my arse in front of a computer scrolling through photographs from each show, and even then I have to make a selection of who I want to look at because it TAKES SO LONG. I always look at my favourite designers, the recognisable names and then pick a few random ones that usually end up been the better options!

New York Fashion Week, was a whole load of different, if that makes sense. There were some similar themes running through several shows, like a LOT of white, and in mostly silky sheer material which looked a dream, seen at Luca Luca, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. The material I mention was in practically every show, well every show that I looked at, it’s the perfect shimmery, sexy, slinky, swishy, silk material that I adore especially when you see it down the runway floating and folding on the model. I especially loved the DKNY show, I watched it livestream on Style.com and I felt like I was there (I pretended OKAY) the looks were light and airy with really nicepops of colour.

Luca Luca

DKNY

Colour was another big look, from pastel, sherbet, vivid, neon, rich, royal, sparkle and nude there wasn’t a show that didn’t pass by without a flash of the rainbow (well maybe apart from Ralph Lauren…). My favourite ‘colour’ shows were Jason Wu and Christian Siriano, Wu’s pastel pinks paired with crisp white and citron flashes of yellow were a dream, and Siriano’s burnt orange ball gown skirt was a delight.

Jason Wu Jacquelyn Jablonski

Jason Wu Kate King

Christian Siriano

Shape was sexy and tailored, peekaboo splits, peplum skirts or ballgown goodness. The recurring sexy tailoring was a particular favourite, pencil thin trousers in an array of colours, or the easiest way to do spring tailoring, shorts. Shorts galore! Simple style with a loose tee or sharp with a tux blazer, a great look to pull off if you pair the right shapes together. There were shift dresses from Victoria by Victoria Beckham her new line (not diffusion mind), there were full length red carpet amazing-ness, puff-tastic, dropped flapper style waists and some dripping in embellishment, case in point, Marchesa.

J. Mendel

Tibi

Prabal Gurung

There were plenty of red-carpet looks that could be seen at future film premieres, gala’s and even award shows, one of my favourites was Ralph Lauren’s look 52. A simple white column dress with cobweb patterened jewel short sleeves and a high neck, I would very much like to see this on Emma Stone. Zac Posen’s collection exudes glamour and red carpet beauty, for someone to wear one of his gowns would be a show-stopping moment. And not forgetting, the queen of red carpet, Georgina Chapman…

Ralph Lauren Zuzanna Bijoch

Zac Posen

Marchesa Karolina Kurkova

My ULTIMATE look of the week and ULTIMATE model, has to go to Karlie Kloss in Prabal Gurung. Prabal Gurung’s show was the epitome of sexy and I also watched that livestream and couldn’t believe how good it was. Karlie Kloss just has this amazing walk and this smoldering eyebrow-arching pout that I am just drawn to, how can she look that good and be only 19 *sad face*.

Prabal Gurung Karlie Kloss

Right I’m ready and raring to go for London Fashion Week, I expect this to be edgier as the Brit designers are apparently known for. Probably won’t like it as much… I can’t wait for Paris though.

Here’s the best of the rest….

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

All images from Style.com

7Jun2011

MTV Movie Awards vs. CFDA Awards

Posted in Awards, Beauty, Celebrity, Fashion, Film, Girl Crush, Gossip Girl, Hair, Lists, Models, Sexy, Style, Style Crush, Twilight by nlcorner

Two awards shows, two very different crowds. But both one common goal, dress to impress. MTV Movie awards saw plenty of daringly short dresses, embellishment, and casual sexiness. The CFDA Awards were all high fashion bang on trend, colour blocking, sheer and silk materials, super tall models alongside the most notable fashion designers of-the-moment.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

4May2011

The Costume Institute Gala 2011: Alexander McQueen “Savage Beauty”

Posted in Art, Beauty, Celebrity, Diane and Josh, Fashion, Hair, Lists, Models, Music, Musings, Style, Style Crush, Topshop by nlcorner

The annual Costume Institute Gala’s MET Ball is fashion’s biggest extravaganza, this year it was in tribute to the late Alexander McQueen and there were plenty of guests in attendance who had some way over his illustrous career crossed paths, become great friends, walked in one of his shows or admired him from a distance.

The “Savage Beauty” exhibition is exquisite, I spent a fair amount of time going through the pieces on the MET Museum blog, the pictures, the video and the accompanying narrative from his close friends and colleagues play the part in it being pretty unique. I haven’t always paid close attention to Alexander McQueen and fashion for that matter only picking up my addiction in the past couple of years, so I feel I’ve missed out on some amazing shows such as “It’s Only a Game”, “VOSS” and “Widows of Culloden”. I advise you take a look they are things of beauty.

Those in attendance of 2011′s MET Ball had to pull out the stops to be the one most talked about, the dress that was most desired and the look of the night. And what a night it was for our very own British designer Stella McCartney, I’ve counted EIGHT women wearing her designs, that must be some kind of an achievement for any designer let alone a Brit. Stella is known for making dresses for women, perfectly sculpted, figure-hugging, or fiercely bright and statement-making. Every celebrity looked amazing in her gowns and for Iman a gold lame jumpsuit (she is Iman of course she can do what she wants).

Eva Mendes - although I like the colour and 70's style of the dress I'm still hoping Eva will return to her sexy roots rather than all the loose dresses she's been wearing recently. Rihanna - looks drop dead hot exactly as expected, the nude slash on the opposite side of the dress exposes just enough without been slutty. Her hair would have been amazing plaited without the long piece on the end.

Hailee Steinfield - I must say this is one of my favourites of the night, unexpectedly because it is understated glamour at its best. Capped sleeves and fitted bodice, works beautifully with the mini/maxi skirt. Iman - who cares, that crazy hair and the gold lame is what she's about.

Naomi Watts - simple column dress, with sheer sleeves is a sharp contrast to what Thandie Newton is wearing. Both stunning in equal ways, but Thandie pips Naomi to the post with the scallop lac detailing and sheer skirt. Sexy.

Amber Valletta - a classic Stella dress, the simple column skirt keeps the attention focused primarily on the detailed bodice, her pulled back hair and massive earrings add sultry glamour. Gwyneth Paltrow - we know that Gwynnie is bessie's with Stella so of course she would wear the designer, but even though the dress is gorgeous and I would kill for it, Gwyneth makes it dull and boring. This is her go to look, where are her pins from the Balmain dress a couple of years ago?

There were only a select few to actually wear McQueen, those I expected like Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Burton, Daphne Guinness, Naomi Campbell and Anna Dello Russo, as well as Gisele and Coco Rocha. Daphne Guinness actually got dressed in the window of Barneys department store, strange but true you can see the delightful video here. She wore an amazing feathered McQueen creation, probably out of her own very extensive private collection, it captured Guinness perfectly.

Sarah Jessica Parker truly stunned me in her McQueen gown, normally she is a quirky dresser, there’s always something added that makes it that little bit odd but her dress was beautiful. I’m not entirely familiar with Sarah Burton’s style, so her white floaty dress was probably well chosen and not too extreme.

I adore Anna Dello Russo’s outfit, perfectly fitted trousers, gold embroidery detail, crisp white shirt and cropped jacket, not a dress but so ADR. Apparently Naomi Campbell decided to chose the dress with the most fringing anybody ever saw and let it drown her, not to mention the awful hair, whoever did that should be fired.

Gisele looked lovely in her red gown, but it wasn’t outstanding for someone with a body as gorgeous as that. And the only saving grace on Coco Rocha’s black grecian-style dress are the feather’s adorned on the hip, a perfect touch to an otherwise simple dress.

Daphne Guinness

Sarah Jessica Parker

Anna Dello Russo

Naomi Campbell

Gisele Bundchen

Coco Rocha

Next up are my favourite people, Blake Lively, Beyonce and Diane Kruger. Each have their own unique style, Blake and Diane, if you read my blog enough you will know, are my style crushes so I was impressed that Diane returned to Jason Wu as she always looks gorgeous in his dresses. The thigh slit oozes sex but with the full length sleeves adds the classic glamour that Diane does so well and with the perfect Josh accessory on her arm she was never going to fail. Blake had Karl Lagerfeld as her accessory, and what else would she be dressed in other than Chanel? But the dress she turned up in wasn’t what I expected at all. Blake tends to stick to a pattern, mini and tight, boobs and tight, long and more than likely tight-ish, it works for her she has a killer body and it gets her noticed as always. You can see her style peeking through on one half of the dress and then a massive sash covers her other half, its different and I suppose sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone and that’s exactly what Blake has done and she pulls it off with aplomb.

Diane Kruger and Josh Jackson

Blake Lively

Hey B what’s that you can’t move? Beyonce rocked up in skintight Emilio Pucci, showing off her fantastic figure. She struggled to climb the stairs into the venue and even got booed when she didn’t stand and stop for waiting photographers. Who cares about them when you look that gorgeous, I think the keyhole over the breasts wasn’t needed as the dress really spoke for itself.

Beyonce

Kudos goes to Ginnifer Goodwin for shunning a designer dress and opting for custom made Topshop gown, what a coop for them. Her green dress is killer, love it, the cutout the full length brilliant choice. Jessica Szhor also chose Topshop from their Unique range which according to their Inside Out blog will be available in stores in September!

Ginnifer Goodwin and Jessica Szhor

Favourites of the night go to Christina Ricci in Zac Posen, Karlie Kloss looking majah 90′s in Dior, Brooklyn Decker in neon pink Calvin Klein, Liv Tyler in Givenchy Couture, (you’re going to hear lots about her soo)n Oh Land in 3.1 Philip Lim.