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
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
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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.
1 comment:
Mannn Jason... when u said u were serious about fashion... well I thought u meant u were into it like everyone else, but this is too much... much too much *sigh* My spidey senses tell me that somewhere in the vicinity of 2015 u will be a famous fashion editor of one of the big glamour mags... can't wait till we're sipping cosmos at ur condo in the Hills...lol
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