Tag Archives: Nina Dobrev

MET Gala 2013 ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’

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

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

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.

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jaime King in custom Topshop at the MET Gala 2013

Ashley Madekwe 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.

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 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 in Givenchy at the MET Gala 2013

Madonna Twitter Instagram picture

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.

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

 

Sienna Miller Burberry

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.

The Oscars 2013: After Parties

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

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Olivia Munn Atelier Versace (Getty)

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 Emilio Pucci (Getty)

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 Zuhair Murad Couture

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 (Getty)

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.

My Best Dressed: 2012

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

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

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

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

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

Zuhair Murad // Michael Kors // Gucci

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

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

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

Tom Ford

Prada // Michael Kors // Stella McCartney

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

Prabal Gurung

Atelier Versace // Alexander McQueen // Jenny Packham

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

Elie Saab Couture // Erdem

Chanel Couture // Valentino Couture // Burberry Prorsum

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

Bill Blass at the UK prmeiere of The Hunger Games

Atelier Versace // Marc Jacobs // Elie Saab

Atelier Versace // Marc Jacobs // Elie Saab

Chadwick Bell // Emilio Pucci // 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

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

Diane Kruger 1

Prada // Giambattista Valli // Erdem

Diane Kruger 2

Calvin Klein // Giambattista Valli Couture // Christian Dior

Diane Kruger 3

Nina Ricci // Calvin Klein // Chanel Couture

Diane Kruger 4

Prabal Gurung // Prada // Versus

San Diego Comic Con 2012

Posted in Celebrity, Diane and Josh, Film, Television by

It’s my favourite annual event, and it’s the one that realistically I could never afford to go to, not unless my Master Plan succeeds…

San Diego Comic Con is so popular amongst bloggers, reporters, film buffs, fanboys, actors, actresses, directors, writers, producers etc etc because it is seemingly one of the only events where the line is crossed between fans and those we are fans of.

Twitter was alive last weekend with stars of (mostly US) television shows excited to get to Comic Con and meet the fans, because as the majority always say its the fans that keep their shows going, its the fans that buy the movie tickets and keep cinema alive and this is the reward.

Teasers, trailers, spoilers and the fun factor make Comic Con an amazing event. I mostly followed The Hollywood Reporter’s Comic Con coverage this year, as well as Michael Ausiello at TV|Line, plus #SDCC on Twitter proved a great point of reference for those bloggers and writers for websites there and in the action.

Fringe

The cast of Fringe take a bow (image via fringebloggers.com)

It was a bittersweet panel for Fringe in the massive Hall H, as it was the show’s final appearance. Due to start filming the final season soon the cast, Josh Jackson, Anna Torv, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Jasika Nicole and show runner Joel Wyman, had a pretty emotional time during their panel. The Season 5 trailer was shown before the panel sat down, released by Joel on Twitter afterwards, and it satisfied fans questions about whether this final season would be set in the same future as shown in episode 19 in Season 4 with Joel confirming shortly after.

The funniest moment of the panel happened aside from the Mighty Ducks reference, when answering the question what have you most learnt from your characters and Anna Torv replies: “What I’ve learnt is to come…” cue pause, cue absolute guffaws of laughter from Josh Jackson and the rest of the cast as Anna realises what she has said.

Most emotional moment is when the cast are asked by the moderator, TVGuide’s Damien Holbrook, about their favourite moving scenes that they are not in, Jasika Nicole starts off the waterworks as she describes her favourite with Anna Torv and Lance Reddick following suit with the tears.

It really will be sad to see this unique and original show go, and I’m thankful that Fox gave Fringe those 13 final episodes to close the story. The plight from the fans was too much to ignore and I think there would have been huge disappointment if it had not been renewed so late in the game. There is a lot to come in the final season, which obviously will be fantastic if the previous four seasons have been anything to go by.

Once Upon a Time

I think this show ended up being a surprise hit during it’s first season, well for me anyway. The shortened version of what it’s about is a bunch of the most well-known fairy tale (and more familiarly as Disney) characters live in a small town by the name of Storybrooke who have no clue who they really are due to a spell they are under cast by the Evil Queen/Mayor Regina. She cast the spell to rid Snow White, her step daughter, of her true love Prince Charming.

There is only one person who believes (or knows the truth) they are fairy tale characters and that is the adopted son of the mayor, Henry, who happens to be the biological son of Emma Swan the ‘saviour’, she is the only one who can break the curse and save the people of Storybrooke and restore them to their true selves by simply believing.

The show continually played between the two worlds, showing the audience how the stories in the fairy tale world impacted on the characters in the ‘real’ world.

As Season 1 came to a close it was very clear that (SPOILER) the curse was broken, and the each character now knew who they were. What do we now expect of Season 2 now that the people of Storybrooke have been ‘rescued’, what will they do once they know they have spent many years as normal people with their true lives abandoned?

The show producers at the Comic Con panel said that in the first season the two worlds were “kind of touching” and now we will see how that affects whether they will merge together. Henry’s father will be revealed, this could be a major factor or a nonentity but the fact it’s taken so long to be revealed it must be the former. Other teasers include the introduction of several new characters including the big tease of Hook in the footage that was released. Other characters include Mulan, already cast and will be played by Jamie Chung, Sleeping Beauty played by Sarah Bolger, as well as Jack of the Beanstalk fame.

This really is a show that could go on for the long run and the writers obviously have a lot of source material to work from!

The Vampire Diaries

It was time for Elena to change in the final episode of TVD last season, and by change I obviously mean into a vampire. Her character has been through enough scrapes and it was about time that she actually died. Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec made the right decision, if it had been delayed again I think the show would definitely have suffered, even though the delay was the fantastically brilliant Joseph Morgan playing a deranged original vampire by the name of Klaus.

Nina Dobrev, joined by cast members Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Zach Roerig, Steven R. McQueen, Michael Trevino and executive producers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, spoke about how it’s going to be a challenge making vampire Elena different from doppelganger vampire Katherine: “It’s always been fun to make Elena and Katherine different… How do you make Elena the vampire version of herself and different from Katherine? That’s [going to be a challenge for season four]. I think that’ll be defined from her experiences.”

We know Elena never wanted to be a vampire, it was never an option she would chose (the stand out difference from Twilight may I add) so now she has to deal with being made one against her will and the teaser trailer for Season 5 suggests that she will refuse to feed which means her transition will not be complete and she will truly die.

Dexter

Two minute sneak peek at Season 7 of Dexter, super exciting if you are a fan of the show:

Elysium

Elysium

Onto movies, Elysium is Neill Blomkamp’s follow up to District 9 starring Matt Damon. THR’s report said it was “arguably the most impressive thing screened in Hall H so far”. Rough footage was shown exclusively to the Comic Con audience, so I haven’t seen anything yet but the hype is already there especially when it involves people living in space.

Superman

Superman

A teaser clip has been released (thank god because I was annoyed my Cineworld screening of TDKR didn’t show it!) today of Zack Snyder’s Superman, and I must say it looks suitably dark and gritty. The main pull for me to this film is the Nolan name attached as a producer, his input is easily clear from the clip and that is a good thing if the ending to the Dark Knight Trilogy is anything to go by!

Pacific Rim

I wasn’t familiar with Pacific Rim, but by the sounds of it’s big $200m budget and Guillermo del Toro at the helm it promises to be more than just a Michael Bay robot versus alien movie. Well I hope so anyway. Robots and aliens have been done again and again but Guillermo del Toro says that all the aliens in Pacific Rim are completely original: “There will be sea monsters, flying monsters — we got monsters up the wazzu”.

Other tidbits:

  • Joe Mangienello pretty much confirmed there would be a Magic Mike sequel. Saying if the first one makes money there will be a sequel.
  • Even though I don’t watch the show (contemplating starting) Breaking Bad was a massive hit at Comic Con, with the two stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul turning up in their show hazmat suits.
  • DC had a Batmobile display outside the grounds of the San Diego convention centre showing every version of the vehicle right up until Nolan’s most recent Tumbler.
  • Robert Downey Jr made an unscheduled appearance at the Marvel Studios panel upon announcing Iron Man 3 with John Favreau not returning to direct. The titles for the next lot of Marvel movies were revealed; Thor 2: The Dark World, Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man 3 and still very much in production Ant-Man.
  • Godzilla is coming back in 2014.
  • At the Big Bang Theory panel an audience member won a TRIP TO SPACE. Yes you read that right.
  • I predict the CW’s new show Arrow will get cancelled. I’ll see the pilot but I doubt it will be any good. Cult however, will be great.
  • Stars of two of my favourite shows shared birthday celebrations over the Comic Con weekend; Steven R. McQueen and Colton Haynes of Teen Wolf. Teen Wolf has just had a Season 3 pick up with a mahoosive 24 episode count.

Colton Haynes and Steven R. McQueen

MET Gala 2012

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

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.

The best from Coachella

Posted in Celebrity, Diane and Josh, Fashion, Music by

It seems like everybody went to Coachella at some point over the both weekends it was on, and once again I was not one of them.

This festival is one of the first in the summer (nearly) season, albeit in the US but still it’s as much of a fashion show as it is about the music. Plenty of trends were a-popping but the main style staple were denim cutoffs, in every kinda style.

Something so easy to copy and denim is a fantastic material to customise, I already have mine ready for Leeds Fest 2012 in August:

The studs are actually gold which for some reason doesn't show in this! (Originally from Topshop)

Back to the celebs at Coachella, my ultimate favorite look from the festival has to go to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Those gams. That hair. And that body. She looked flawless in a pair of Christopher Kane embellished shorts and a simple white J Brand shirt open to reveal a bikini top, Givenchy boots finished off this great twist on casual dressing.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at Coachella

Kate Bosworth has never been a firm favourite of mine, but her Isabel Marant cowboy shirt had to be hands down the best thing I saw. I will definitely be hunting out a western inspired lightweight shirt for this summmer. She is a great day dresser, minus a couple of accessories you can never go wrong with Isabel Marant Dicker boots though… I will own a pair one day!

Kate Bosworth at Coachella

Another sight that made me smile with glee was the sight of my favourite ever couple Diane Kruger and Josh Jackson. They love Coachella and were spotted there last year with another cool couple Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder. Thank god they were there again this year, after rumours buzzed about on the internet the other week that the couple had split I started to worry but lo and behold they are back and look as in love as ever!

The gang back together at Coachella this year, Josh Jackson, Nina Dobrev, Diane Kruger and Ian Somerhalder. Yey.

Diane and Josh back together. Diane is wearing a Stella McCartney Palm Print Dress, £170 and those Dicker boots.

Rihanna was there at the festival to perform with Calvin Harris, she jumped off stage to sing with her BFF Katy Perry who was in the crowd. The one time she can get away with a cropped bra top has to be at a festival, and this PEACE top and a Chanel bomber jacket paired with the best studded denim cutoffs I have seen, looked fit.

Rihanna at Coachella.

Oh and I can’t post about Coachella without mentioning Joe Maganiello. Shirtless. Dreamy.

Joe Maganiello. Shirtless at Coachella.

Other majah celebs in attendance were Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, not worth a picture because they looked like homeless people. Katy Perry of course was there with her rumoured new beau Robert Ackroyd of Florence + the Machine, wonder if she will ever get that tattoo the same as Russell’s covered up? Emma Watson with her new boyf, lacking in good hair (poor pixie crop). Gerard Butler, Alexander Skarsgaard, Emma Roberts with on again boyf Chord Overstreet, Dita Von Teese with Hurts frontman boyf, Zoe Kravitz and Penn Badgley looking like the 90′s barfed on them and various others.