MET Gala 2013 ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’

Posted in Celebrity, Models, Fashion, Beauty, Red Carpet by nlcorner

When the theme of this year’s Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET Gala) was announced as ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’ I was excited. This would be an actual event with costumes, surely?

Oh of course not, this is the fashion world dah-ling, couture has to be the order of the day and if Anna Wintour is the head of the chair organising this shindig then you must obey!

This would definitely be a chance for the Brits to shine on the red carpet, punk originated from London surely we are the ones who truly know how to do punk. So it is pretty disappointing to see, then, certain Brit celebrities throwing on a studded leather jacket and calling it an ode to punk Sienna Miller…

There were rumours abound in the lead up to the MET Gala that female celebrities were worried about not looking ‘pretty’ and didn’t want to be too edgy for fear of ending up on that unforgiving worst dressed list. This is probably the only event where you could go for that outlandish look and get away with it all in the name of punk.

Anna Wintour on the other hand attended a different MET Gala, her invite included the sub text ‘punk also means floral’. What person could possibly interpret floral Chanel Couture with even a possible edge of punk? She even shoehorned the pregnant Kim Kardashian into that god awful floral Givenchy floral curtain. Kim K is trying so hard to please everyone around her she really appears as though she hasn’t got a mind of her own, I feel sorry for her because Kanye just seems like he’s regretting his choice of baby mamma…

Anna Wintour in Chanel Couture at the MET Gala 2013

Those who I favoured on the red carpet at the MET Gala are the ones who embraced the theme of the punk:

Anne Hathaway, after the huge disappointment of the Oscars, she by far was my favourite look of the night. Wearing sheer black Valentino, she made the look super edgy by dying her hair peroxide blonde and slicking it back with a messy quiff. As soon as I saw the full look this was what I wanted, what I was expecting on the red carpet. Absolutely 10/10, the naughty boob flashing, the cut out shape and just clear sexiness of the whole look was Sharon Stone uh-may-zing. You go girl.

Anne Hathaway in Valentino at the MET Gala 2013.

Another person who embodied the drama was Nicole Richie, she’s yet to truly let me down on a red carpet and her somewhat simple embellished white custom Topshop gown was accessorised with vampy lipstick and a shock of white hair. I think the punk horror look totally works.

Nicole Richie in custom Topshop at the MET Gala 2013

At first glance Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing a voluminous patterned Giles gown, but scan to the top and she is adorned with a custom made Philip Treacy mohawk inspired head piece. It is simply jaw-dropping. And only something that SJP could work so perfectly, she later revealed her thigh high laced boots which just added to punk glam factor. Well done SJP, you have been reborn!

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles and a Philip Treacy head piece at the MET Gala 2013

Sarah Jessica Parker in her Philip Treacy headpiece at the MET Gala 2013

Elizabeth Banks was the guest of Brian Atwood so her super short Versace gold tuxedo jacket perfectly showcased her amazing fringed heels. This is the definition of glam punk, gold gold and sexy.

Elizabeth Banks in Versace and Brian Atwood at the MET Gala 2013

Nina Dobrev never fails to amaze me on the red carpet, there are some looks that I like more that others, but she always comes out on the best dressed list everytime. This Monique Lhuillier creation gives Nina the punk attitude, and she was one of the few that wore trousers, I like the fact that it came with the detachable tulle skirt because it was still high glamour but allowed her to party on without it at the MET after party still looking fierce.

Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier at the MET Gala 2013

Oh Beyonce, for the second year running the star chose a Givenchy Couture gown and yet another showstopper. I can see this dress been like marmite for some, I love the train of fire it is matches her personality perfectly, the bustier is super tight but the snakeskin material just makes it even more dramatic. She also chose to wear gloves similar to Kim K’s design but by showing her décolletage it allowed for a break in the heavy pattern, and her wavy tresses and smoky make up were the perfect addition.

Beyonce in Givenchy Couture at the MET Gala 2013

I’m adding Emma onto this list simply because it is not a short printed mini dress. Yes there are still cutouts but she looks so different here, I would have liked to have seen some more attitude in her make up and shoes but this Prabal Gurung gown is a great graduation from red carpet princess.

Emma Watson in Prabal Gurung at the MET Gala 2013

Of all the people on the guest list we knew Florence Welch would bring in for the Brits, she has always worked a gothic edge to her red carpet dressing and it worked well here. Her Givenchy Couture fringed and velvet gown is dramatic, not necessarily punk but definitely chaotic, and her fiery red hair makes the whole look stand out.

Florence Welch in Givenchy Couture at the MET Gala 2013

Diane Kruger went that extra step and added a pink dip to the end of her blonde ponytail, it elevates her look along with her dark smoky make up. The Chanel Couture gown with overlay is certainly better than her purple feathered Prada gown from last year and she proved that the Chanel collection wasn’t all flowers like Anna Wintour’s dress did. Top effort, and as always had the perfect accessory with her in Joshua Jackson.

Diane Kruger in Chanel Couture at the MET Gala

Ever since Miley Cyrus chopped off her hair, she’s been channelling the grungy punk look. She’s a young girl not afraid of pushing the fashion boundary and so she shouldn’t be, I hate all those naysayers out there that hated on her for cutting her hair off just like they did with Karlie Kloss why do people have such an issue with short hair not being attractive or sexy?! Her Marc Jacobs dress skimmed Miley’s very toned body it was still glamourous with the added punk jewellery and her spiked up hair. The hair might not have been to everybody’s taste and she could have benefitted from it being slicked back but who cares she took a risk at a punk themed event!

Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs at the MET Gala 2013

I really like Jaime King’s custom Topshop suit, when I first saw her I thought she looked ten years younger maybe it’s something to do with those hair extensions and her model good looks. Jaime has such fun with fashion she never sticks to the same thing so I enjoyed seeing her in this satin trouser suit with a lace bodice top underneath. Topshop do great red carpet looks, if the rest of their guests including my favourite Ashley Madekwe in what she called punk mermaid, and even donned a black bob wig to make it all edgy.

Jaime King in custom Topshop at the MET Gala 2013

Ashley Madekwe in custom Topshop at the MET Gala 2013

At first when I saw Carey Mulligan in her Balenciaga dress, I thought it wasn’t enough but then as you see all the other stars and their interpretations on what punk is Carey fits in perfectly. Her knee length gown with a safety pin attached at the lapel worked with the understated cut outs on the side. I do think though that as someone who has a massive movie coming out that she shouldn’t have let Anne Hathaway upstage her.

Carey Mulligan in Balenciaga at the MET Gala 2013.

I really can’t make my mind up on Cameron Diaz’s Stella McCartney gown. I’m like a magpie to this colour, I love it. At first when I saw a picture I thought she looked a bit like a nun, but then after seeing the back and studying it a bit more I do think it is a very original creation which Stella does so well when making custom creations for her friends especially with the addition of that spiked gold belt. So I like it but I kind of don’t.

Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney at the MET Gala 2013

Cameron Diaz Stella McCartney Jamie McCarthy Getty Images North America

The back view of the dress which is more like a cape than fully covered.

And then there was Madonna (aka Hilary Devey). Only she would translate punk to mean HOT MESS. She rocked up late to the MET Gala red carpet in Givenchy, but not just any Givenchy a checked studded jacket with horrible gloves, horrible ripped fishnet tights, with horrible suspenders, a horrible wig, and horrible shoes.

Madonna in Givenchy at the MET Gala 2013

Madonna posted this on her Instagram page, cleaning before the MET Gala…

And as far as I’m aware, nobody wore Alexander McQueen I though some of their creations would have definitely appeared on this red carpet without a doubt even if they did dedicate the 2011 gala to him.

Best of the rest:

Taylor Swift J Mendel Larry Busacca Getty Images North America

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel at the MET Gala 2013. Good effort from TayTay she stuck to her tried and tested but vamped it up with make up and accessories.

Gisele Bundchen Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America

Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello at the MET Gala 2013. That pose annoys me, but only a model could wear her own interpretation of the infamous Versace safety pin dress which Lady Gaga ruined.

Christina Ricci Vivienne Westwood Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America

Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood at the MET Gala 2013. I love Christina she knows how to work it, not as outlandish has her dress from last year but still she wore the designer who created punk.

Amber Heard Emilio Pucci Newspix Bauer Griffin

Amber Heard in Emilio Pucci at the MET Gala 2013. Far too sexy for this theme, but she still looks amazing and the colour is gorgeous.

Blake Lively Gucci Premiere Jamie McCarthy Getty Images North America

Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere at the MET Gala 2013. A welcome return to the red carpet from Blake, I’ve missed her so much. She looked gorgeous as always.

Cara Delevingne Burberry Newspix Bauer Griffin

Cara Delevingne in Burberry at the MET Gala 2013. I loved the studs and deep v neck, I worry about her though…

Joan Smalls Tom Ford Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images North America

Joan Smalls in Tom Ford at the MET Gala 2013. One word: HOT.

Rooney Mara Givenchy Jamie McCarthy Getty Images North America

Rooney Mara in Givenchy Couture at the MET Gala 2013. Unfortunately Rooney’s gown isn’t that original as Penelope Cruz already wore a version of this last year, which I find annoying for such a big event. She can do better.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Gucci at the MET Gala 2013. She’s a supermodel, she looks amazing.

Sienna Miller in Burberry at the MET Gala 2013. Sienna looks good, but she’s a BRIT and could do way better than throwing on a bloody studded biker jacket, honestly. Poor effort.

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.

9Jan2013

Ryan Gosling, a god amongst men

Posted in Boy Crush, Celebrity, Film, Red Carpet by nlcorner

I believe when The Notebook comes on television, every girl in the world is reminded just how perfect Ryan Gosling is.

That kiss, in the rain.

Yes he may be playing a character, but when he grows that beard and tears down the house and repairs it. It’s like he’s repairing every broken heart ever.

And when he is possibly the only man in the world to rock the hell out of a three-piece brown Gucci suit, you know that he is a god amongst men.

It gets better than that, by the way, he took his mother as his date to his latest movie premiere for Gangster Squad, which coincidentally opens this Friday and I will be sat drooling over his raw handsomeness.

Ryan Gosling at the Gangster Squad LA premiere, in Gucci.

Eva Mendes, you lucky, lucky woman.

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

3Oct2012

Fashion month over on Pinterest

Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Models, Runway by nlcorner

It’s pretty hard to chose my favourite looks from all the fashion weeks, New York to London, and Milan to Paris.

So I decided to Pin all the looks, details, beauty and accessories for each over on my Pinterest page.

Head over to each board to see what I thought of Hedi Slimane’s debut for the new Saint Laurent brand, how much I still love Elie Saab, how amazing Frida Giannini’s collection was for Gucci, the beautiful dresses from Monique Lhuillier, Karl Lagerfeld’s crazy Chanel show, and my favourite Jason Wu collection.

Also see how many all-white looks you can spot, especially the dresses! It was everywhere!

Chanel’s very own wind farm… (via @TimesFashion)

17Jan2012

Golden Globes 2012: A success!

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

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.