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.

25Jan2013

Red Riding Hood revival: Spring/Summer 2013 Couture

Posted in Fashion, Red Carpet, Runway by nlcorner

Ever since Gwyneth Paltrow stepped out in that Tom Ford white ensemble featuring a cape at The Oscars, I fell in love with them.

Then Lana Del Rey became the wicked witch to Gwyneth’s good at the MET Gala in a dark gothic Altuzzurra cape combo, and Fan Bing Bing followed suit in an Elie Saab Couture creation whilst attending a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Katy Perry wowed in her Naeem Khan navy blue avec cape at the UNICEF Snowball in November, and supermodel Karolina Kurkova proved that an all Red Riding Hood look works amazingly well at the New York City Ballet Fall Gala wearing Valentino Couture as did Sarah Jessica Parker back in 2011 in Giambattista Valli Couture.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford // Lana Del Rey Joseph Altuzara

Fan Bingbing in Elie Saab Couture // Katy Perry in Naeem Khan

Karolina Kurkova in Valentino Couture // Sarah Jessica Parker in Giambattista Valli Couture

A cape just makes a look all glamourous and fairytale, and several designers showcasing their couture creations for the spring/summer 2013 season thought so too as it was capes galore on the runway.

I hope this feature filters down to the high street just like full length dresses did for winter last year. People are inspired by what they see on the red carpet, capes are a fabulous touch!

Elie Saab Couture Spring/Summer 2013

The most amazing gown with cape, Elie Saab Couture Spring/Summer 2013. This needs to be seen on a red carpet soon.

Ice cool mid-cape, another red-carpet worthy gown for The Oscars. Elie Saab Couture Spring/Summer 2013.

Giambattista Valli Couture Spring/Summer 2013. Short printed cape dress.

Exotic cape from Jean Paul Gaultier Couture /Summer 2013.

Valentino Coututre Spring/Summer 2013

The perfect shade of red, Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2013.

Beautiful white cape dress reminiscent of Tom Ford, Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2013.

Caged cape, Valentino Couture Spring/Summer 2013.

Mini feather cape, Chanel Couture Spring/Summer 2013.

Stunning gold cape from Zuhair Murad Couture Spring/Summer 2013.

Absolutey amazing detail, Zuhair Murad Couture Spring/Summer 2013.

Head over to my PFW Pinterest board to see the rest of my favourite looks from Couture week.

24Dec2012

My Best Dressed: 2012

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

A whole year in red carpet, street style, movie premieres, and film festival looks is hard to sift through. It’s made a little easier when you trawl through everyone else’s best dressed lists and agree or disagree with what they have picked.

Last year I somehow managed to pick my top five best looks rather than my best dressed of the year, so this year it’s been a little more difficult because I still want my favourite looks, those stand out dresses that can never be competed with, but then there are celebrities out there who have just excelled throughout the year it would be difficult to pick just one look.

10. Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev topped my Best Dressed of 2011 with her showstopping Donna Karan at the 2011 Emmys. She made my top ten list this year with her electric blue Elie Saab dress she wore in Cannes to the amFar Gala. She’s had a great year, promoting the brilliant movie Perks of Being a Wallflower co-starring Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and Ezra Miller, with other red carpet hits including a red Reem Acra and a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown.

Elie Saab // Monique Lhuillier // Reem Acra

9. Ginnifer Goodwin

Ginnifer Goodwin is one of those stars that is always under the radar but looking back over 2012 she has made plenty of best dressed lists with some crazy beautiful looks and not to mention she has the best pixie cut in the business. Not one to shy in the background my favourite from Ginnifer is a tie between her bright pink Roksanda Illincic dress she wore right at the beginning of the year at the People’s Choice Awards and her Monique Lhuillier gown she wore to the Emmy Awards, her other looks include a stunning feather Gucci dress she wore to the LACMA Art and Film Gala and another orange Monique Lhuillier that she chose for the MET Gala.

Roksanda Illincic // Monique Lhuillier // Gucci

8. Emma Stone

You can’t help but love Emma Stone, she’s funny and pretty and she’s kissed Ryan Gosling, a lot. She had a good run on the press tour for The Amazing Spiderman this summer with my favourite look on the red carpet at the Paris premiere in a stunning Gucci gown, she wowed in Elie Saab at the UK premiere and also wore a Chanel look. She also knows how to do pretty as she wore a candy pink Valentino creation to the Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood event.

Gucci // Elie Saab // Valentino

7. Blake Lively

She’s one of my style crushes and I love Blake, she’s had a fantastic year; marrying the man of my dreams Ryan Reynolds, being named the face of Gucci Premiere, Gossip Girl finally ending (and getting fake married in Georges Chakra Couture) and a great red carpet run for her film Savages which co-stars Taylor Kitsch and Ryan Taylor-Johnson. It was one of the best jaw-dropping moments of 2012 when Blake arrived on the LA red carpet looking all Veronica Lake-esque with tumbling blonde curls in a curve-hugging sexy Zuhair Murad gown, she continued to wow with a Michael Kors red hot suit, a lemon flowing Gucci dress and two beautiful Jenny Packham dresses when appearing on television. I would have included her wedding dress in this list but unfortunately no images have been released of her Marchesa creation just a small subtle hint…

Zuhair Murad // Michael Kors // Gucci

Georges Chakra Couture Gossip Girl wedding // In Marchesa for Martha Stewart Weddings

6. Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic, normally I just judge celebrities by what they wear and if I don’t like it then see ya. But she is genuinely funny, and nice, and just a typical girl who has to be told to watch her language and be careful about what she says because her brain-to-mouth filter doesn’t work. You have to read the excerpt of her interview with Rolling Stone magazine from the April 2012 editoiin because it had me giggling and wishing she would be my friend and the cover is just smoking hot. Her red carpet run for The Hunger Games was a little hit and miss but the gold Prabal Gurung dress had me drooling, it is one of my favourite dresses of the year without a doubt, hence being on my best dressed list… But there was a sexy Tom Ford gown and another gold dress by Ralph Lauren she wore for the UK premiere that made up for the poor latter half of the year where she made Rachel Zoe her stylist who dressed her in that godawful Dior suit.

Prabal Gurung // Ralph Lauren // Tom Ford

5. Gwyneth Paltrow

I’ve struggled with where to place Gwyneth because the white Tom Ford gown she wore to the Oscars was a great moment, and it wouldn’t have been as amazing if she hadn’t worn the cape which put her straight to the top of the best dressed at the awards ceremony. She wore one of her good friend Stella McCartney’s cutout gowns to the Grammys which were seriously popular this year and even wore another white Tom Ford dress proving a good designer partnership always works well for the red carpet. My other favourite look of Gwynnie’s was the sexy Michael Kors cutout dress she wore to the designers’ Golden Heat Gala and making another of my best dressed lists this time at the MET Gala in a super short Prada creation.

Tom Ford

Prada // Michael Kors // Stella McCartney

4. Kate Hudson

I’ve always liked Kate Hudson, ever since How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and that amazing yellow dress (which just so happens to be in the V&A Hollywood exhibit in London) she knows how to dress for her body. She can look sexy but it’s always so understated and relaxed, her wavy long blonde hair is never over done which goes a long way into making her a goddess on the red carpet. She hasn’t been super busy this year, but the moments Kate has had on the red carpet have been memorable especially the red Prabal Gurung she wore to the amFAR Inspiration Gala in LA in October. The Atelier Versace gown she wore at the Venice Film Festival for her movie The Reluctant Fundamentalist was simply breathtaking, the white Alexander McQueen at the Toronto Film Festival and the purple Jenny Packham gown packed just as much of a punch when she attended The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April.

Prabal Gurung

Atelier Versace // Alexander McQueen // Jenny Packham

3. Keira Knightley

She had her work cutout this year on press tours for Anna Karenina, A Dangerous Method and Seeking A Friend for the End of the World. Her crowning moment was in the Elie Saab Couture gown for the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Anna Karenina, but I equally liked the mint green custom Erdem gown she wore at the LA premiere of AK it was a real change from the princess dresses she had been wearing. Keira also donned a Chanel Couture gown for the UK premiere of AK, Valentino for two premieres and two Burberry Prorsum dresses proving to be the princess of designer couture.

Elie Saab Couture // Erdem

Chanel Couture // Valentino Couture // Burberry Prorsum

2. Elizabeth Banks

Maybe you’re thinking huh? But this actress had the best press tour for a movie this year, The Hunger Games’ actress really channelled her character Effie Trinket and brought a rainbow of colours and accessories to the red carpet. Colour is so powerful, and Elizabeth is definitely not scared of yellows, oranges, and greens proving that being daring and taking a risk is much more fun than sticking to trends. And for someone whose co-star was 21-year-old Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth did sexy without looking like she was trying to compete she knows what suits her and she did it with aplomb. From the beginning of the year at the Oscars to The Hunger Games red carpet and all the other bits in between Elizabeth Banks is deserving of second place.

Bill Blass at the UK prmeiere of The Hunger Games

Atelier Versace // Marc Jacobs // Elie Saab

Chadwick Bell // Emilio Pucci // Elie Saab

1. Diane Kruger

I think as soon as she appeared on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the Opening Ceremony in May I knew there would be no other person that could top the following red carpet dresses that Diane wore for the event. Even beforehand she started the year in Prada at the Critics’ Choice Awards, Erdem in Paris, Giambattista Valli at the Berlin Film Festival, Jason Wu, and then in Calvin Klein for The Oscars. She stepped out in a purple Prada dress for the MET Gala that still has me on the fence, and then all of her fabulous Cannes looks from Giambattista Valli Couture, Nina Ricci, Christian Dior, Chanel, Calvin Klein, Prabal Gurung and the best of them all the Vivienne Westwood. For this she takes the top spot on my best dressed of 2012, I’m pretty biased when it comes to Diane Kruger anyway and she has the best accessory in Joshua Jackson which I’m sure sways it everytime she steps out with him. May another 2013 see Diane show everyone in Hollywood just how it is done.

Diane Kruger in Vivienne Westwood at the Amour premiere in Cannes 2012

Prada // Giambattista Valli // Erdem

Calvin Klein // Giambattista Valli Couture // Christian Dior

Nina Ricci // Calvin Klein // Chanel Couture

Prabal Gurung // Prada // Versus

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!

10Feb2012

Spring Couture 2012

Posted in Diane and Josh, Fashion, Film, Runway by nlcorner

It was a couple of weeks ago in Paris, but haute couture was delivered despite (as so many keep reminding) the economic downturn. Yesss we know we can never afford the £25,000 dresses Donatella is sharing with us but some people can, and even if those some can’t they’re allowed to borrow them for the awards season. And in most cases they’re given to those walking the red carpet for the publicity so who cares, as long as we get to see them on some beautiful actresses I say gimme. Especially the orange Versace and any of the amazing, jaw-droppingly perfect Elie Saab gowns.

We’ve already seen a fair few couture pieces already (with my fave lady Diane Kruger wearing a Giambattista Valli in Berlin) but who will wear what to the Oscars? There are already rumours flying around that Gwyneth, Charlize and Cameron have requested Victoria Beckham to design something special, but Cameron was at nearly every couture show with her pick of what she wants so I don’t see that happening…

Here are my favourites from Paris…

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Images from Style.com

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.