OSCARS 2013: WRAP UP

I am neither an art director nor in the business of public relations, but if I was...does it get any better than this?

Art Director's Dream: the iconic tumble courtesy of Dior clad Jennifer Lawrence.

Is it just me or did Anne Hathaway look like she made all of her "Oscar night" dresses in Home Ec 101?

Anne Hathaway in (from left) Saint Laurent at the Vanity Fair party, Prada for the awards show and Armani for the Les Mis number.


Jen got it backwards this year...she did a warm dress with cool highlights in her hair. In 2009 she did a cool dress with warm highlights.

Wearing a column Valentino metallic dress in 2009 (left). This year in a red Valentino (right), Jennifer Aniston missed her mark.


Jessica Chastain practices her poses in front of a mirror (strategic placement for hand wave, weight on back foot, chin down), while Kerry Washington (hand shadowing face, rounded shoulders, unfocused gaze) clearly does not.

Jessica Chastain (left) strikes a picture perfect pose, while Kerry Washington (right) needs more mirror time.

Charlize Theron is our new girl crush. She has immaculate style (love her less-is-more Dior), is one out of 1,000,000 women who looks gorgeous with little to no hair, dances like Ginger Rogers (who knew?), and doesn't take herself too seriously (her "annoyed" face at Seth McFarlane's off-colour song was filmed the day before as part of the shtick).

Clockwise from top left: grace and fluidity with Channing Tatum, "playing" disgusted, flawless on the carpet, the face that sold a million bottles of perfume, rehearsing her bit with Tatum the day before.

Halle and Jane...Message from Alexis Carrington: "No matter how hard you try you'll never be good enough for Blake." (Alexis throws drink at both)

Halle Berry (left) in and Jane Fonda (right) both in Versace are a little too 80's for our palette.

Keeping in mind that "most improved" doesn't translate to "best" but rather...largest reform, Fan Bingbing earned the title this year. She was too much of everything on the red carpet in her Marchesa, but managed redemption in her Elie Saab at the after parties. Just wish she'd deflated that tire on her head...

Fan Bingbing: Too rich and filling (left). Lighter and less syrupy sweet.(right).

THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE, OH YESSSSSSSS

A Lanvin dress (from Spring 2012) with snake-effect embellishment.

Sunday February 10th marks the start of the Chinese New Year...capturing the feel of Chinese New Year in your wardrobe is simple: stick to a colour palette of black, red, gold and orange. An all black ensemble with a shot of gold and a red lip and nail is a subtle approach. The more daring can incorporate Eastern influences like a mandarin collar, clean lines and capped sleeves or sleeveless uppers(calling to mind the style of a classic cheongsam). 

From left: Kate Moss celebrated Chinese New Year last week at The Dorchester's China Tang in a black Stella McCartney jumpsuit, a black velvet jacket and a gold "serpent" belt; Actress Zhang Ziyi wears Asian-influenced Mary Katrantzou in March's Vogue Taiwan;  actress Gemma Chan in sombre Dolce & Gabbana pops a red lip.

For 2013-2014 we say goodbye dragon, hello snake. Actually it's the water snake this go round, but we're not particular about that. As long as we meld some reptile into our closet we'll be feeling right on track. Beyonce had it going on when she rocked a python bodysuit for her Superbowl performance...and many designers for S/S2013 are continuing their love affair with python in both clothing and accessories. For those who are squeamish or altogether oppose the wearing of skins of any kind (reptile or other) a belt with a serpent motif, a reptile print on a fabric, or a leather "stamped" to read python, will do very nicely, thank you. 

Clockwise from top left: Giambattista Valli snakeskin print dress at www.mytheresa.com; Kara Ross python clutch at www.neimanmarcus.com; Giuseppe Zanotti snake effect sandal at www.farfetch.com; Made Her Think open serpent ring at www.shopbop.com; Essie Repstyle nail Polish in Sssssexy.

In the Western culture, snakes have a bad rap, but in the East, the snake is actually regarded as a "little dragon" and is associated with happiness and wealth. Good thing for that...have you priced a python bag lately? Ouch! 

EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW...

...I LEARNED AT THE SAG AWARDS!

1. Navy is a lot easier to wear than black. It photographs beautifully. Matte navy absorbs flash in a most flattering way. Fab on women, men and even those expecting. It's a clever color.

In The Navy: Chris Tucker in Prada; Jennifer Lawrence in Dior and Busy Philips in  Gabriela Cadena

2. Angelina does red carpet leather. The rest of us don't.

Julie Bowen's Johanna Johnston leather is too syrupy to be dangerous...too princess-y to be sexy. It reads like a mixed metaphor. 

3. If your BFF dwarfs you, get a new one.

At the Producer's Guild Awards, left, Nicole Kidman towers over fellow Aussie Naomi Watts. Clever girl, Watts (in silver Marchesa), switched posing buddies (right) at the SAG Awards, opting for a more proportionate Jennifer Lawrence.

4. Designers design, actors act. If each does their own thing we'll be fine.

Kaley Cuoco needs to look to the original script and cut off another four inches.

Nina Dobrev leaves the improv to the stage and follows Elie Saab's direction to perfection.

Could Julianne Moore have avoided SAGgate, by keeping the Chanel jacket Karl Lagerfeld designed for her dress?

Although it worked as it was...we do wish Anne Hathaway had kept the pouf Giambattista Valli intended for her gown.

Sally Field (in J. Mendel) ought to look to the runway and let go of about eight inches to show some ankle bone.

5. Matchy matchy can ruin a gorgeous dress. 

Yawn: Helen Hunt (in Romona Keveza) didn't have to do pewter on pewter on pewter. An infusion of black, plum or even amethyst green would have been so much more interesting.


6. Mom was right...it's good to dress age appropriately.

Kiernan Shipka (left) is on target in Oscar de la Renta; Julia Stiles' (center) Amen Couture, ages her by at least thirty years; Sarah Hyland's Dolce & Gabbana is youthful and camera ready.

7. There will always be a "cool girls" table, even after high school.

They probably only wore pink on Wednesdays and ponytails no more than once a week: (from left) Marion Cotillard in Dior Couture, Jenna Elfman in Balmain, Jamie Alexander in Marc Bouwer.

8. When in doubt, add a belt.

Accentuating an hourglass figure: (from left) Amy Poehler in Zuhair Murad; Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta and Jane Krakowski in Kaufman Franco. 

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

The Golden Globes 2013 are officially done. Despite accusations that this awards season is suffering from a bit of the "meh" syndrome, there were definitely some high and low notes on the red carpet. To that end, we present our takes on best and worst while incorporating songs, albums and artists nominated for Grammys this year. Focus and you should be able to follow along...

SET FIRE TO THE RAIN (and to this dress, please)

Halle, we love you, but this Versace is right out of a Destiny's Child video. 

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN (since SNL?)

Kristen Wiig in Michael Kors. The new double threat: funny and sexy. We miss her on SNL.

SEXY AND I KNOW IT (werk)

(From left) Katharine McPhee in Theyskens, Kate Hudson in McQueen and Miranda Kerr in Zuhair Murad...those deep plunges. Oh they know it all right.

IF ONLY YOU KNEW (nude doesn't work)

(From left) Amanda Seyfried in Givenchy, Amy Adams in Marchesa and Megan Fox in Dolce & Gabbana need to know that nude fabric on camera-ready pale skin is somewhat like rice pudding for dessert.

BLOWN AWAY

Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta is perfection: the dress, the hair, the jewels, the clutch, the lip.

EL CAMINO/CHANNEL ORANGE

(From left) The most photogenic color choice was that perfect meld of a 1959 red El Camino and tangy orange resulting in a "tomato red"...as we noted in a post in early January, it's THE dress color of the moment.

I DO

(From left) Julianne Hough is princess-y in Monique Lhullier, Jennifer Lopez is bridal in Zuhair Murad and Anne Hathaway was once a princess bride but now a trophy holder in Chanel.

THINKIN BOUT YOU

(Clockwise from top left): Julianne Moore and her "hey it's Julie" Tom Ford perfection; Olivia Munn rocks some rocks in spectacular Armani; Nicole Kidman is Hollywood royalty in McQueen; director Kathryn Bigelow, at 61, channels Liz Hurley ; Naomi Watts in Zac Posen is glorious; Hellen Mirren is anything but dowdy in Badgley Mischka; Rosario Dawson is elegantly modern in Antonio Berardi; Tina Fey dazzles in L'Wren Scott; Kate Capshaw is resplendent in Bardot-esque hair; Thandie Newton scores for short in Giles.

GOD FORGIVES, I DON'T

(From left) Julie Bowen drowns in Halston; Rachel Weiz confuses in Vuitton; Jessica Chastain sags in Calvin Klein.

AND THEY'RE OFF!

It's well underway and what a great start to our favorite time of year...Awards Season. The People's Choice Awards showed us that Hermione is certainly no wallflower in a fabulous Peter Pilatto while the Critic's Choice Awards' silver lining seemed to be a former archer in a Prabal Gurung cutout. It's all too exciting and, much like Ann Hathaway's reaction to her Oscar nomination has us crying and laughing and then doing both at the same time. 

TOO MUCH TWEAKING?

Emma Watson chose to crop her Peter Pilatto  dress at the People's Choice Awards (right). We wish she'd kept it knee length and puffed the peplum, as seen on their runway (left).

NOT ENOUGH TWEAKING?

Olivia Munn was quite lovely in her Carolina Herrera at the People's Choice Awards. We only wish she'd mirrored the knee length the designer showed on the runway, to give her little frame some length.

WINNING

At the Critic's Choice Awards, we loved (left to right): Famke Janssen in John Galliano, Amy Adams in Vionnet Demi Couture and Marion Cotillard in Zuhair Murad.

COPY CATS

Also at the Critic's Choice Awards, the choices of Jennifer Lawrence (left) in Prabal Gurung and (right) Naomi Watts in Emilio Pucci were somewhat similar, yes?

MISS CONGENIALITY

Like the title in a beauty pageant, these Critic's Choice entries were nice, very sweet attempts, but not enough gusto to win us over. (Left to right): Anne Hathaway in Oscar de la Renta and Emmy Rossum in Carolina Herrera.

WE JUST WEREN'T FEELING IT

Nope. Definitely not our choice at the Critic's Choice. (Left to right): Elle Fanning in Chanel, Emily Blunt in Miu Miu and Jessica Chastain in Prada.

HERE COMES THE...

Working wedding white flawlessly were (left to right): Emma Stone in Andrew Gn at the Oscar Nomination Announcements, and Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren at the People's Choice Awards  (Hey Harry! Look what you gave up. She could have walked down the aisle in this...).

WHAT TO WEAR WHEN IT'S COLD AND GROSS OUT

Clockwise from top right: Mariah Carey strolls in snow; even lower heeled boots fall short in the slush; Kim K does the snowbank stretch; great shot for a mag page...not so good for real life.

We can't sugar coat it...there are days in winter when it is cold and wet and no matter how much you want to wear them, those Louboutin booties are not made for walking. Trying to ignore the giant snowbank, a la Mariah or Kim K, is just bonkers. On the flip side we have Elle McPherson: bonafide Australian surfer girl who still knows how to dress when it's wet and cold and heels are half-baked.

While Elle embraced her dark side, we think it's depressing enough to be forced to closet your favorite Atwoods/Kirkwoods/Olympias (insert as needed).To that end, it's time to seize the day, do a little creative segue shopping, and lighten the mood.  

It's so sanguine to snatch up pieces like this (bright!) gorge cashmere sweater from J.Crew (available at www.net-a-porter.com ). Pair it with a crisp oxford shirt underneath. We are partial to this adorable J.Crew pink colorblocked version (also from www.net-a-porter.com)

and some R13 skinny cropped jeans (from www.hirshleifers.com).

Go ahead and ditch the SAD energy light you thought you needed and tuck the jeans into some toasty Sorels like these graphic diamond print gems...(on SUPER sale at www.ekseption.es).

The final flourish...a pink mongolian fur jacket like this vintage one (found at www.shrimptoncouture.com). 

Come Spring you can swap the boots out for cute flats or redo the lower portion altogether and work a flirty skirt with the sweater. But for now, you will be warm, sugary sweet and pretty much safe from the backside slide at your Sundance Film Fest appearance.

YOU SAY TOMATO...

Hot tomatoes: (clockwise from top left) Emily Blunt in Roksanda Ilincic, Kate Upton in Narciso Rodriguez, Taylor Swift in her latest cd's namesake "RED", and Clemence Poesy in Valentino. 

Move over little black, step aside ruby, imperial, crimson and fire engine red, the current way to do a dress is the tomato. A little red with a burst of orange and a pop of techno, the color of the moment when it comes to dress dressing is Campbell's tomato soupy mmm mmm good. Skip the predictable black shoes and instead pair with a neutral one to really lengthen the leg. This color is a brilliant way to banish winter blues and is very forgiving to February pasty skin pallor. It's a shade that looks just as great on blondes, raven haired maidens or the gingery set. 

Red, brunette or blonde; the color works for all tones. From left: Ashley Greene in Roland Mouret, Nora Zehetner in Clavin Klein and Nicole Richie in Stella McCartney.

My personal favorite is the sheath cut which transitions from day to night seamlessly, requiring simply an eye makeup embellishment and perhaps a hair redo. The skater dress is a close second, but only for the lean team. If you haven't been keeping up with your Tracy Anderson arm work, go for a cap sleeve to camo the finicky upper arm area. Fabrics work from lightweight wools to willowy silks. Like the nightshade plant that inspired the color, it's a juicy treat sure to delight the senses.

From left: A cap sleeve pencil dress from www.asos.com, a skater dress version from Givenchy at www.forwardforward.com, Amanda Wakeley from www.theoutnet.com

From left: Issa skater dress from www.shopbop.com, Miu Miu leather from 
www.net-a-porter.com and Milly from www.mywardrobe.com

LEATHER WEATHER

Leather Lovers:(from left) Giovanna Battaglia in a leather dress at A/W Paris Fashion Week 2012, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Elizabeth and James leather leggings, Sophia Vargara in a leather jacket and Gwyneth Paltrow in a Hugo Boss leather dress.

'Tis the season for leather. Even in climate-centric zones like L.A., Dallas and Miami, leather will pop its soft little head out of the closet at some point between November and January. Sourcing the skin is easy, but wearing it well, that's a cow of a different color.
Rule #1: Distressed leather only works for black and white Bruce Weber photos. It doesn't cut it in the real world. No matter how much of a steal it is in that vintage boutique, step away from the rack.
Rule #2: Hard to deliver this one but...leather is for thin people. If you have piled on a few pounds, it's best to go another route. This stands for jackets, tops, dresses, skirts and even boots. A chubby calf or ankle popping out from the top of the coolest leather bootie is never pretty. Opt instead for leather accents like bags and gloves.
Rule #3: As your age increases, the weight of your leather should decrease. Also consider a color softer than basic black. A lightweight navy leather jacket is much more flattering than the traditional Brando Biker special.

(From left): Russian Vogue, Paris Vogue and UK InStyle: Editors can't get enough of leather wears.

Rule #4: One piece of leather at a time, please. Leather gloves, boots and skirt/dress/pants all at once reads dominatrix. 

Whoopsy: Leather missteps. (left) Kim Kardashian proves too much leather and not enough Quick Trim can lead to sausage casing syndrome. (right) Ann Romney overdoes in head to toe skin.

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Rule #5:Consider layering leather. A fur vest over a leather jacket is ace. A casual blazer under a leather jacket delivers Warhol wow.

Clockwise from top left: Cedric Charlier blue faux leather top at www.farfetch.com; Haider Ackermann leather biker jacket at www.net-a-porter.com; Givenchy leather "shark tooth" ankle boot at www.barneys.com; Corlette leather cuff at www.farfetch.com

(Clockwise from top left): Leather dress by Maison Martin Margiela at www.net-a-porter.com; gold leather T-shirt by Maje also at www.net-a-porter.com; elbow length aubergine leather gloves at www.asos.com