Thursday, January 28, 2010

oh holy jesus

I don't even know what to say. I need someone to explain to me what the hell is going on at Valentino. I've had issues with label in recent years, but I just don't have the wherewithal to break this collection down tonight, so I'm going to let it marinate and attack the collection with commentary tomorrow. In the meantime, Jenna's got some great observations up on Jezebel. The first thing I thought when I looked through the first couple of looks was: Oh shit. Poor man's Rodarte.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

show me your teeth

Tavi and Alexa Chung at the Chanel show

Monday, January 25, 2010

i want candy

So after I selected these images from the Christian Dior couture show and made my little comments, but of course before I had proofread and posted it, Dodai at Jezebel did the same thing (with some of the same exact references). But of course hers is far more insightful and funny. Blast! But anyway, here's a less entertaining version to keep you less entertained! It's what I'm here for!

"Off to the fox hunt! Pip, pip! Cheerio!"

"It's so fortunate that I just happened to be wearing my riding culottes today!"

"I'll get my hands on those dalmatians if it kills me."

I'm intrigued by the physics that went into designing this hat. I must understand the science!!

I feel like there's something very Marie Antoinette meets Valley of the Dolls going on here.

I'm fighting the overwhelming urge to cover my apartment with tea roses and bustled satin. Is that wrong?

I love seeing couture and knowing that, if I could afford it, I would totally wear this for dinner with my girlfriends. Perhaps not the hat, unless we were getting together for High Tea at The St. Paul Hotel.

"My parents named me Chanel Iman. Thank goodness I turned out pretty."

Someone's been marathoning Joan Collins movies.

Like, lots of Joan Collins movies.

This model's hair makes me want a danish, please.

The world needs more bustles. It's an easy spot to store your clutch, leaving your hands free for more important things such as gesticulating wildly, nibbling chocolate covered strawberries, and sipping champagne.

And now I'm hungry for scallops.

Fashion pirate!

for your consideration

Ah, the SAG Awards. So unfortunately named, but still the only awards that I really put much faith in, at least as far as acting is concerned. Though there were a lot of lovely looks on the red carpet (Julianna Margulies in Narcisco Rodriguez and Meryl Streep in Balenciaga deserve a quick acknowledgment), this list includes just my very favorites of the night. Enjoy.

Monique in um, I'm not really sure: Let's start out with a dress that I desperately want for myself, and can someone please tell me who made it so I can track it down? Monique and I have quite different body types, but this is a chic and feminine gown that has the potential to flatter so many figures. The pale blush shade can be a little hard to wear (and would probably wash me out), but it looks magnificent against Monique's skin tone. Another major point for this look is that the actress (and potentially her stylist) insisted on proper undergarments. This is an issue for any figure, especially when one is wearing a gown made of thin fabric in a pale color, and I've seen many a beautiful dress ruined by unsightly foundation garments. Victory all around.

Kate Hudson in Emilio Pucci: Why? WHY does Kate Hudson keep wearing dresses that I love and forcing me to include her in these red carpet recaps? I'm seriously considering no longer featuring her on this site and starting a Hudson boycott. Because I'm sorry, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Fool's Gold, and Alex & Emma cancel out all the beautiful Emilio Pucci, Marchesa, and Versace in the world. But this dress is still gorgeous (though I could do without the awkward pout 'n' pose).

Marion Cotillard in Elie Saab: This Elie Saab strikes me as a bizarre combination of Bjork's infamous swan dress and a figure skating costume, but you know, in a good way.

Christina Applegate in Roberto Cavalli: Normally princessy gowns aren't my favorite, but there's something so simple and elegant about this dress (descriptive terms I don't usually associate with Roberto Cavalli). Ms. Applegate's hair was also fantastic. Appropriately formal, without being fussy.

stunning rosy makeup and sparkly accessories as well

Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen: First of all, I love Jesse James and I adored Monster Garage. I find it so hilarious to see photos of him at these events in a suit. Love it. Secondly, I knew you had it in you, Sandy! I haven't really liked any of Sandra Bullock's recent red carpet choices, but this McQueen gown is such a fantastic selection. Alexis Carrington would be proud.

Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen: This is such a fantastic McQueen collection and it's so rewarding to see an actress give it justice at such a large event. The dress is quite a lot in itself, so I'm glad that Ms. Paquin didn't go overboard with styling.

Dianna Agron in Georges Chakra: Though the draping on Ms. Agron's gown looks slightly modified from the runway version (perhaps just pinned or belted differently? or just a funny angle?), it's still absolutely stunning and a red carpet standout for this event.

the original runway look

Jennifer Carpenter in Paule Ka: Sure, this isn't exactly a unique look, but Jennifer Carpenter wears this micro-minidress with such confidence that it just won't get out of my head. Gorgeous draping accents on the dress, and I love the black notes in the accessories. Also very Alexis Carrington.

Michelle Monaghan in Calvin Klein: This actress used to be baby-sit my friend, and though she is apparently the world's worst sitter, I've been quite impressed by both her film roles and her red carpet choices. She tends to favor Calvin Klein, and this modern graceful number is a great example of how well the line works for her.

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu: This is my personal favorite look of the night, and to no one's surprise, it's worn by Diane Kruger. It's not quite as dynamic as Michelle Williams' mustard yellow Vera Wang from the 2006 Academy Awards (Ms. Kruger is even rocking a similar tomato red lipstick), but it's a beautiful color and cut. Though Ms. Kruger doesn't seem to pick favorites with designers, a lot of my favorite looks of hers happen to be by Jason Wu. The pair seem to work quite well together.

Carey Mulligan in Lanvin: This is a pretty predictable choice for Ms. Mulligan, and it's a strikingly similar cut to the Nina Ricci gown that she just wore for the Golden Globes. That said, this Lanvin number is still a stunner, and the color suits her (despite the unfortunate fact that it tends to blend into the red carpet in event photographs).

Thursday, January 21, 2010

delicious dresses

Did The Golden Globes leave you feeling a little short on pretty? Me too. Here's some fashion sustenance for your sweet tooth.

Kate Bosworth in Calvin Klein at a Golden Globes After Party

Diane Kruger in Miu Miu at the BAFTA Tea Party

Chloe Sevigny in Christian Dior at a Pre-Golden Globes Party

Ashley Olsen in Erdem at a Golden Globes After Party

Rachel Bilson in Chanel at The Art of Elysium Annual "Heaven" Gala

Anna Paquin in Viktor & Rolf at The Art of Elysium "Heaven" Gala

Jennifer Carpenter in Basil Soda at a Golden Globes After Party

Jamie King in Burberry Prorsum at The Art of Elysium "Heaven" Gala

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa at The Art of Elysium "Heaven" Gala

Diane Kruger in Donna Karan at The Critics Choice Awards

Kate Bosworth in Alexander McQueen at The Art of Elysium "Heaven" Gala

Chloe Sevigny in Christian Lacroix at a Golden Globes After Party

Camille Belle in Valentino at the Art of Elysium "Heaven" Gala

Ashley Olsen in Alexander McQueen at The Art of Elysium "Heaven" Gala