OSCAR Roundup : WORST DRESSED Pt.4

In my final installment on my Oscar Roundup, I'll close off the list with the last lady to land herself in hot water. Like the other 3 ladies on my list, this next person has been damned WORST DRESSED because she should have known better. Surely there were more ghastly dresses on the red-carpet that night - Cameron Diaz's ill-fitting Valentino for one (the origami inspired train fell flat and the dress had fitting issues around her stomach). The difference is that I expect nothing from them. The fact that this year Cameron thought to comb her hair and left the gum chewing at home is enough for me. However the starlets that disgrace my WORST DRESSED list have fashion knowledge and usually make good choices.....usually. How do I know this? They've done so repeatedly in the past. Maybe they were all smoking weed that day. If that's the case, I can't fault the next lady on my list - given her boyfriend of course.

4) Beyonce Knowles.

I don't understand Beyonce sometimes. She's either over-the-top gaudy, or at the other end of the spectrum - dull and boring. I'll admit, there have been a few times when she hits it exactly on the nail (that silver Versace from the 2000 Grammys is the best example), but most times, she totally misses the point. When she was in Destiny's Child, i couldn't fault her that much. She was part of a group and couldn't overshadow Kelly and Michelle. Also, her mom was in charge of her look (yet it's ironic that some of her best looks were during DC3). But now, she's on her own. Free as bird. She can wear what she wants and because of who she is, has the fashion world at her feet. Designers trip over themselves trying to dress her. So what gives?
Beyonce is beyond talented. She can sing, and I mean sing. She writes, produces, dances, arranges....she could run for president if she wanted to. She also very beautiful. Stunning even. But a beauty like her is best appreciated when she keeps her makeup and hair simple. And most importantly, when her dress is also simple, yet still interesting.

As these pics show, when she gets it right, no one can touch Beyonce.




While these are good examples, there would be times when I would catch her in yet another gaudy, overdone contraption of a dress with circus makeup, & I'd scream - Simplify!! Simplify!!

She obviously wasn't listening to me when she decided on her Golden Globes dress. Decked out in an Elie Saab dress that was so revealing and tacky, I didn't know whether to cover her up, or arrest her for 'street-walking.' Why so over-the-top? I propose the following explanation. Beyonce worked very hard on her Dreamgirls role. She lost weight, worked with an acting coach, and (from reading the interview she gave to Elle mag) poured her heart and soul into her role. She sung and danced her heart out. Then along comes Jennifer Hudson. After that, people didn't even realise Beyonce was still in the picture. That must have hurt like be-ach. J-Hud starting getting ALL of the attention. I think the Queen B took a long time to come to grips with fact that the spotlight was not going to shine on her this time. So she tried to steal some attention @ the Globes.

I'm guessing by the time the Oscars rolled around, she finally realised that in life we don't always get what we want, and toned down her look. Good, because Kelly and Michelle have been overshadowed by B for years - and they've handled it with grace. Now she knows what it feels like.

Now enough of my hypothetical ranting. Back to her Oscar gown.

Her pale Green (almost seafoam) Armani Prive gown was beautiful, don't get me wrong. But to me she could have tried harder. The dress draped nicely and the cabochon gem-encrusted detail on the shoulder strap and bodice was a nice touch. But overall, it was boring. With a capital B. As I've said before, this is the Oscars. You're supposed to pull out all the stops and really go for. If Jennifer Hudson was faulted for going too far, B didn't even leave the house. At least she FINALLY followed my advice and kept her hair and makeup simple.

Side note: What's with her obsession with extensions? Her natural hair length suits her much more....besides, we know that everything south of her shoulder blade is fake. So why pretend?

but I digress.

My recommendations? I would have put B in that showstopper of a gown that appeared in John Galliano's Spring/ Summer 2007 Couture show.

Beyonce has the type of personality that automatically commands attention. This dress is perfect. Pure drama. Before you think it's too much, look past the theatrical makeup and origami headdress. Remember that the atelier @ Dior is the best in the world. They can whittle a dress down from over-the-top to just right. I would have swept her up in a 60's bun and kept her makeup slightly on the dramatic side..but above all...kept it all simple.


If the Dior proved too much, this Valentino would have been equally stunning, but in a more subtle way. I'd tighten the fabric at the waist so that it would highlight Beyonce's legendary hips. I'd keep the hair style the same...but less kohling around the eyes. This one screams old world class and sexiness at the same time.

Beyonce has all it takes to become the modern generation's definitive diva..without the attitude. If she can only get her look together.

OSCAR Roundup : WORST DRESSED Pt. 3

3) Jennifer Lopez

J-lo, J-lo, J-lo.....I don't get it. What's happened to you? I understand that you've tried to re-envision yourself in the post-Bennifer world. I understand that you're desperately trying to distance yourself from the diva image you had in the past and present a more covered up, classy version of yourself. But honey, you're trying WAY too hard. You're losing yourself in the process. Where's my Jenny from the Block? I'll admit that there comes a time in everyone's life when they need to change, grow, mature. But when this happens, the essence of the person should stay the same. J-lo, I feel like I don't know you anymore. I was there when you asked "I you had my Love...would you comfort me?" I even defended when they all slammed Gigli...and believe me...that wasn't easy to do. Sure you may change husbands as often as some of us change unversity programs, but damn girl, you look absolutely fabulous doing it.
So what gives? Stop trying to change who you are. You're a diva. A Lolita-like temptress that settles for nothing but the best. You've got a business sense and a skill for multi-tasking that even Trump can't trump. You command attention just by being yourself. I agree that you should evolve your look, keep it fresh. But no need to morph into a Stepford wife.


Your dove grey Marchesa dress was okay. But Jenny, okay doesn't cut it for you. Not at the Oscars anyway. Sure every now and then the camera would grab some great angles of you, but on the whole, it lacked your signature pizazz. I could tell that there's that part of you inside that screaming to come out again and be daring and sexy. Your hair and makeup were flawless, as usual. You looked divine from the waist up. Below that it was all a mess. It completely and totally shrouded your awesome bod.

To be honest, your dress this year was a huge improvement over that dreadful mess that you wore last year. I'm all for vintage couture, but that avocado green Jean Dessès gown was not it. Sure the colour was lovely, but the draping at the waist did nothing for your figure and made you seem wider than you were. Also, the tan was so bright it was almost radioactive.

Here's a reminder of your more stellar moments.

1) The infamous dove-grey Chanel Couture @ 2001 Oscars (her top was so see-through, the camera man had to shoot her from the neck up)


2) In seafoam Vintage Valentino Couture @ 2003 Oscars (based on one Val made for Jackie O). This is at the height of the modern day Liz Taylor-like spectacle that was Bennifer.


3) In gorgeous orange sherbet Michael Kors. Bear in mind that this was a couple days after Bennifer announced their breakup and Jennifer dared to appear in public alone. She looked fabulous.


4) A classic JLo look, here in Roberto Cavali.

OSCAR Roundup : WORST DRESSED Pt.2

Ms. Hudson was not the only one that night to commit a fashion crime. In one of my final Oscar posts, I round out the list with a couple more picks for Worst Dressed.

The following ladies have landed themselves on the list for one reason only : THEY KNOW BETTER. In all fairness, Jennifer Hudson can be completely forgiven because she's new to the fashion world. However, these ladies are not. They are seasoned professionals who have been doing this red carpet bump and grind for a few years now. They each have a fashion sense that is beyond the average "my-stylist-told-me-to-wear-this" starlet and they have access to garments that average mortals can only dream of. They've all done better in the past, so I'm not tolerating any sloppiness or excuses.


2) Nicole Kidman

Nicole made a lot of Best Dressed lists that evening, but she landed at the top of my disaster list for one main reason - This is Nicole Kidman. Not Nicole Ritche or some other mindless star turned out by a stylist. This Nicole Kidman, Hollyood's undisputed Queen of Fashion. She has more class and style in her little finger than all of Tinseltown combined...and then some. She understands the power of clothes and the power of the right image. She understands haute couture and appreciates it for the art form that it is. She's extremely fashion savvy and makes daring choices (both in her movie career and fashion decisions) that few would even consider. She has a class and elegance about her that emanates whether she's in a pair of jeans or a Chanel gown. And most importantly, she has single handedly rewritten Oscar Style. Talk to anyone deeply interested in Oscar fashion and they'll tell you of the Fashion Moment. In 1997, Nicole Kidman stepped out of her limo at the Academy Awards wearing a chartreuse Dior Couture gown from John Galliano's first couture collection for the House of Christian Dior and revolutionized modern Oscar style as we know it.

Why was it so revolutionary? Simple. Because it was the first time someone wore a couture dress to the Oscars with true conviction. The frocks worn by other stars in modern times had either been used to grab attention (yes Cher, I'm talking to you) or were just plain boring. Nicole matched the dress perfectly to the occasion, and in doing so paved the way for other moments like Julia Roberts' Valentino a couple years later. Now haute couture is so prevalent on the read carpet, it takes a true fashion geek to tell the difference between what is couture and what is ready-to-wear. Nicole started all of this.

In Chanel haute Couture @ 2004 Oscars

In Jean Paul Gaultier Paris @ 2003 Oscars

In Chanel again @ 2002 Oscars

In Dior Couture by John Galliano @ 2000 Oscars

Her looks from that moment on have really cemented her role as The Queen of Cool. She's gone everywhere from pastel hues to darkly gothic, while remaining consistently glamourous. I saw an interview with her once where she said that she takes her red carpet role very seriously. She sees it as an opportunity to inspire young girls to dream. She's also genuinely interested in fashion and this is evident in the clothes she wears in her daily life. I don't think I ever seen a photo of her where she doesn't look effortlessly chic.

So what happened this year? Two words - Nicolas Ghesquiere (say that 10 times fast). This young designer, now head of the hallowed house of Balenciaga founded in 1914 by Cristobal Balenciaga, is a talented designer. His collections every season are extremely influential and the fashion crowd flock to his shows every year to see what going to be 'the next' thing in fashion.

One problem - I wouldn't put his clothes on a blind person. He's talented, but somewhere in that head of his he thinks its okay to put women in cyber robotic boots or pants so skinny you have to have an eating disorder to fit into them (for the record, it was he who started the whole skinny pant/jean scenario that is all the rage right now). But I do respect his vision. It may be misguided and wack, but it is artistic.

Now back to Nicole. She sees herself as someone who encourages "real artists" (as she calls them) by spurring on their creativity. This explains her longtime association with Karl Lagerfeld @ Chanel. But at least her Chanel frocks worked for her. These new Balenciaga duds fall horribly flat. Her white dress at last year's Oscars was so hideous, i had to turn my face away. The hemline was all wrong, the colour and embroidery washed out her gorgeous alabaster skin tone and her hair looked unkempt.

This year it's much the same. Mind you she has resolved her hair and hemline issues, but ultimately, it just doesn't work. The silhouette is nice, but there are no details to draw us in. And most tragically, the colour is all wrong. I'm sure if all the lights went out during the ceremony, hubby Keith Urban would have been able to find her easily because she'd glow in the dark. The red is WAY too bright for her skin.....or anything else for that matter. I wouldn't even paint my walls in that colour. Most people didn't like the bow on her shoulder, but I loved it. It was quirky and imaginative. And her hair and makeup were simple, yet beautiful. Shame about the rest of her dress. However it is a testament to her inner beauty that she still manages to radiate sophistication and class in spite of wearing a colour that's visible from space.

So alas, she lands herself on my list for the second year in a row. Nicole, for the sake of my sanity- PLEASE ditch the guy with the name I can't pronounce.

OSCAR roundup : WORST DRESSED

SIGH (shakes head disapprovingly)

The ladies that have landed themselves on the WORST dressed list all have class, style and sophistication. IT just didn't show up on Oscar night. I've added some recommendations....'cause goodness knows some of them need help. Disagree if you must, but I have my reasons. Forgive me, I didn't want to do this. I love Jennifer Hudson. Really I do. But this needed to be said.

1) Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer what happened?!! This was YOUR night! You knew you had the Oscar was in the bag So what gives?

I propose the following explanation. Too much thought went into her look. For her entire award season, Andre Leon Tally has functioned as her red carpet stylist. Andre , Vogue's Editor-at-Large, is a man who possesses a knowledge and insight into the fashion world that can only be described as comprehensive and esoteric. He has HUGELY influenced my interest in fashion. I look up to him a great deal. It is with Andre's help that Jennifer squired the March cover of Vogue, and thus becoming only the THIRD African American woman in history to do so. He's put together some looks for her that have come to define full-figured sexiness for modern women. Jennifer has been at the top of EVERY best dressed list during the award season, all thanks to Andre's help and fashion knowledge.

I'll demonstrate this point.

Exhibit A : J-Hud has exuded pure class at all her Dreamgirls Premieres. My personal favourite? Her gold brocade Carolina Herrera gown @ the Paris premiere. She has worn some serious labels (Michael Kors, Costello Tagliapietria to name a few) and her midnight blue custom made Vera Wang gown @ the Golden Globes showed the crassly dressed Beyonce exactly how to be sexy and sophisticated (without having to undress in front of the world).

In brown Costello Tagliapietra

@ the Paris Premiere in Carolina Herrera

@ The Golden Globes in Vera Wang

@ The SAG Awards in Michael Kors

If you look at a timeline of all her looks leading up to the Oscars, you'll see a masterful build up of sophistication and glamour. As the Oscars grew closer, her outfits and looks became increasingly sophisticated and elaborate. This is exactly how it should be done...with the Oscars being the Pièce de résistance - the masterpiece, the ultimate moment to shine. The reason for this is simple, the award show season starts in late November and culminates with the Oscars in mid Feb-mid March. In that time frame, they're tons of award shows, galas and premieres to attend. Not to mention all the talk shows appearances starlets are expected to make in a final lobbying effort for Oscar gold. If you think I've gone delusional, look at seasoned stars like Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Catherine Zeta Jones, and even Julia Roberts during award season. Julia played it safe with simple Armani dresses in all her pre-Oscar appearances, but on the night of The Academy Awards, she pulled out all the stops in a vintage black and white Valentino couture gown that will go down in history as one of the best Oscar looks -ever.

But back to Ms. Hudson. As I said, her pre-Oscar looks were perfection. This shows the deft hand of Andre Leon Talley. But something went wrong on Oscar night. They put so much careful thought into her outfit that they OVER thought the whole thing. Yes! Too much thought isn't always a good thing.

J-Hud's Oscar look is a perfect example of following all the rules, yet completely missing the picture, by about 10 miles.

Why do I say so? Well, at first glance, it didn't work. I tried to convince myself for days that I loved it...liked it even. But alas, I had to come to grips with reality. It was just too much. Of everything. The dress, custom made for her by Oscar De la Renta (someone who I also admire greatly for his humanity and talent) was done in a colour that was perfect for her skin. But the execution was flawed. It draped and grabbed in the wrong places and made the lusciously curvaceous and full-figured Jennifer look much larger than she actually was. If that wasn't bad enough, the dress was topped with a metallic python bolero that made her look like an extra on Star Trek. To add even more insult to injury, her hair and makeup were way overdone. The hair looked unnaturally teased to the side of her face and her makeup artist applied enough mascara to repave a highway.

I give her mad props for taking a chance (the bolero) and trying to fuse it with elements of classical elegance (the pockets in the skirt). This last part has Andre written all over it. He's an advocate of skirts with pockets - it gives the impression of detached elegance. This was championed by none other than Coco Chanel herself. I agree. But in my humble opinion, it's only successful on a full skirt. (as in Amy Adam's chocolate brown Carolina Herrera from last year's Oscars)

Sorry Jennifer, but it didn't work.

@ The Vanity Fair Party in Roberto Cavalli

But what I find truly perplexing is the fact that the gold lace Roberto Cavalli gown she slipped into after she won the Oscar was PERFECT. So why didn't she also wear it before she won the damn award? I don't know....I just don't know.

My recommendations? I love the fact that she was the only starlet in custom made Oscar de la Renta. (Yes, I know Jessica Biel wore Mr. de la Renta as well, but her's was an off-the-rack gown from his Autumn/Winter 2008 ready-to-wear collection & in my opinion, it wasn't special enough for the Oscars) I would have put J-Hud in a fabulous gown from none other than His Worship, Valentino. And in keeping with the same theme of exclusivity, I would have demanded that she be the only girl in Valentino that evening. Normally, fashion houses don't do this, since more dresses on more stars mean more publicity. But ever so often they'll make an exception if you have enough fashion clout or are a guaranteed lock to win. Case in point - Cate Blanchett, on her request, was the only person to wear Valentino @ the 2004 Oscars . Everyone knew she was going to win. She's also very well regarded in fashion circles. Because of her request, even Giselle Bundchen, Valentino's favourite model, was reportedly turned down for a dress loan. Another example is Nicole Kidman's Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown @ the Oscars in 2003. Few people carry more fashion clout than Nicole. Apparently even Cameron Diaz was turned away when she tried to borrow a gown.

Here are my recommendations:

My personal favourite. My advice - I would have ditched the coat and made this dress floor length, with a small train. Then I would have made sure it provided more chest coverage and have the entire dress done in a colour that complemented her beautiful skin tone.

However, this one number would have worked as well, albeit with some minor alterations to suit Jennifer's figure .

OSCAR roundup : Honourable Mention

The following ladies looked divine. While they all played it safe and didn't take any risks - they were beautiful nonetheless.

1) Jada Pinkett Smith

I personally think that this is the most elegant Jada has ever looked. Her corseted Carolina Herrera gown made her positively glow. The strapless look showed off her buff arms and perfect posture, while the bustling of the skirt and the intricacy of the corset detail highlighted her petite frame. The choice of colour and fabric was spot on. And her hair was simple and sophisticated. Pure class.

2) Ziyi Zhang

Ziyi always looks lovely, but this year something was different (could it be the new bf hanging off her shoulder?) Nonetheless, her lacy strapless Valentino couture was perfect for her. When I first saw the gown in Valentino's Spring/ Summer 2007 Couture runway show, I'll admit - even I was indifferent. But Ziyi made it come to life. The lace bodice, the frothy skirt, the pastel yellow colour. Her hair was long, dark and simple. All those tiers of fabric would have overwhelmed anyone else (yes Cameron Diaz, I'm talking to you- see the fiasco that was her Golden Globe frock) but on Ziyi, it was just right.

3) Keisha Whitaker

Everything just worked. In an extremely witty move, she dressed in a gold mermaid tail Georges Chakra gown that, on the arm of Forest Whitaker, foreshadowed what we all expected to happen that night - his win for Best actor. She was his Oscar. Her dress was tasteful yet sexy. The satin was beautifully draped around her figure. It complemented her gorgeous skin tone. Again - hair and makeup -simple, yet spectacular. Her accessories really set her apart. Look closely and you'll see just how wonderfully the pink colour of her earrings and bracelets stand out against her golden coloured gown. It's even echoed on the bag! Now that's a true professional. She looked like she was the one expected to win that night.

4) Helen Mirren

At 61, Helen Mirren is walking proof that you can still knock-em dead in your mature years. Her Christian Lacroix gown was a couture piece, made for her by Lacroix himself. It was pure perfection. The gold lace on the sleeves complemented the embroidery on the skirt. Her hair was divine. Casual, yet extremely elegant. I saw an interview with her the day after the show when she revealed that on Oscar night she didn't wear a bra - because her gown was so tailored to her figure that it "held her in place like two angels hands." That's was couture is all about. Helen is a walking thesis statement that sexiness and attractiveness are not contingent on skin exposure or youth, but by tapping into that fountain of self-confidence and inner beauty. Both her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) looks prove this as well.

OSCAR roundup : BEST DRESSED

Yes yes yes....I know. The Oscars were handed out a long time ago. But you know I had to weigh in with my opinion. I've been jotting down ideas, clipping pics from the web, etc. on and off for about two months now, but I hadn't gotten the chance to sit down and pull everything together. But, school's out - so here goes!


BEST DRESSED.

For a person to be named BEST dressed, they've got to grab your attention, and in a good way. Immediately, you know they're stunning. Everything about their look works. It's not one element of the look that stands out, but it's the entire picture that just works. The dress and hair have got to be perfectly matched to the person, and in spite of all that's going on, we've got to notice the person. (eg. we've got to say - she looks amazing, not the dress is amazing). A best dressed woman wears the dress. It doesn't wear her. She's got to be effortless, totally at ease with herself, yet coy enough to exude that quiet glamour that translates so well in the way she moves and walks. Being best dressed is as much about confidence as it is about knowing what dress to wear to what event. Really, there are no rules. A confident woman who knows who she is can command attention and respect even if she's wearing a plastic bag. Not that I'd advise it. To better understand and decode the mystic of these stylish nymphs, I've formulated the 5 most important things that I find common in all stylish women:

1) They've got to have the silhouette. Overall, the shape of the women and the dress have got to be in complete unison. The fabric must flow off the body as if it's merely an extension of the woman herself. It HAS to be in proportion. In other words, if your full figured and 5' 4" - its' not advisable to don a heavy duchess satin ballgown with a full skirt and 10 m train. All of that fabric and the rounded shape will make you seem shorter and more full figured than you actually are. Instead, go for a light fabric in a more body-skimming silhouette to show off your curves.

2) The look has to hold our interest. It's all about the details. While the overall silhouette has to work, there must be interesting details that draw the eye and invite us to linger a bit longer. This can be anything from intricate beading and embroidery, to elaborate draping of fabric about the body. This keeps the overall look from being too boring. Whatever the detail, it can't overpower the dress itself.

3) Hair, makeup, and accessories must complement and enhance. How many times have we seen people where we stop and think - dang, if she had only left the fluorescent lip colour at the drug store. When used well, these three components can totally update a traditional dress, or
make a more avant-garde frock more at home in today's world.

4) It ALL has to work EFFORTLESSLY. This part I can't explain. You can follow all these tips, but at the end of the day, it just has to all come together. This is where inner confidence comes in. A woman can be fabulously pulled together, but if she's uncomfortable in the high heels, or the dress is too tight - it shows, and she might as well be dressed in a plastic bag. I've seen a woman in nothing other than a t-shirt and a simple pair of jeans look more stunning than a dressed-up lady that's trying way to hard.

5) There has to be some risk involved. To be best-dressed means that you took a chance - and pulled it off. It's extremely easy to follow templates, but true fashionistas go out on a limb. This sets leaders apart from followers.

Bottom line : Follow your instincts, but don't be afraid to be daring. Step just outside of your comfort zone.


2007 BEST DRESSED @ THE ACADEMY AWARDS

1) Penelope Cruz

This year only two ladies completely and totally floored me. The first person was Penelope Cruz in her gorgeous Atelier Versace gown. The colour was perfect for her skin tone, and the light hue allowed you to be able to view the subtle yet extremely intricate details of Versace's atelier (like the subtle waves on the bodice). Seeing that this was a couture gown (a one-off piece, custom fit and laboriously hand-made by the seamstresses of an officially sanctioned Parisian couture house), one can expect nothing less than the spectacular. But it is a testament to Penelope's true style that she stood out - she wore the dress, not the other way around. Let's face it, any other star would have been overwhelmed by all those layers of tulle and satin. But, Penelope wore the dress, not the other way around. Also, she was smart to keep her hair and makeup flawless, but simple. A dress with such detail (not to mention with a train that size) doesn't need a sideshow of over-the-top hair and accessories to compete for attention. Her hair was classic, yet contemporary in it's execution. Her accessories were evident, but didn't scream for attention. Everything about her look complemented each other perfectly. However, the real treat was to seeing the dress in movement as she walked across the stage. She made it seem effortless, as if there wasn't 16 lbs of gown threatening to derail her. Truly flawless, and my pick for best dressed.

2) Gwyneth Paltrow

When I first saw Gwyneth that night, my jaw dropped. Literally. The hair. The lips. The train. The colour! This is how you do glamour effortlessly. Everything just worked. Her Zac Posen salmon coloured gown was so far off the DAMN! scale that I can't even describe it. The dress was perfectly in porportion to her slender frame. The fishtail hem line flowed beautifully into her train - not too short, but just long enough. She definitely picked the correct silhouette for her slim figure. Now to the details. The intricate draping and tucking of the fabric (especially @ the bodice) was very well executed and added gorgeous detail. Pay attention to the way the faric tucked just at her stomach, then wrapped lusciously around her waist. Stunning. Her hair fell simply off to one side, drawing attention to the beautiful cap sleeves. Her accessories jumped out, but in a good way. The platinum colour of her jewelry was exactly the right foil for the salmon colour of the dress. But they were substantial enough that we noticed them -especially the to-die-for chandelier earrings. Very tastully done. Gwyneth has this way of exuding class and sophistication in whatever she wears. Now -I'll add sexy to that list. Best dressed indeed.

When all else fails...