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Sunday, January 31, 2016

You Better Werk!: Kiernan Shipka in Erdem at the SAG Awards

Mad Men star Kiernan Shipka was one of the few that I was really looking forward to seeing on the red carpet at the SAG Awards last night, and she did not disappoint. I was blown away by her custom purple Erdem strapless silk corseted gown. Kiernan always knows how to rock the red carpet and with her very first full length gown I just love the vibe of effortless relaxed high glam that she is exuding here. From the gown which could have gone very high glam paired with the windswept hair and very basic makeup just reminded me why she is such a style star at such a young age. She really did werk the red carpet and gave us something so chic and elegant. She is someone that I would love my my nieces to look up to style wise as she knows how to dress in high fashion while still keeping it age appropriate. She will be around for a long time to come and she just keeps getting better.

When Bad Dresses Happen To Good People: Gwendoline Christie in Lanvin at the SAG Awards

 I feel like I am almost always ragging on Gwendoline Christie when she steps onto a red carpet. I think that she has a hard time trying to find the right looks for her based on just how tall she is to start (she is 6'3" after all) but this Lanvin gown, which was presented as a cocktail dress in the Spring 2016 RTW collection, was just awful. On the runway I liked the short bubble hem and I think that the likes of Kate Bosworth, Lupita Nyong'o, or Emma Stone could have sold the cocktail version to me but this gown just looked unfinished. For something custom made for Gwendoline I am very disappointed. The gown does her no favors, that's it. Plain and simple.
The look was further brought down by the angular slicked back bob that she has going on. With this type of gown I would have preferred to see Gwendoline wear her hair in soft vintage inspired curls. The fir of this gown was also terribly off it looked like it was just thrown together. All in all this was not something that should ever have seen the light of day. Gwendoline my personal opinion is stick to simpler styles as they are usually when I love your red carpet outings.

You Better Werk!: Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton at the SAG Awards

Alicia Vikander does to Louis Vuitton what Lea Seydoux does with Prada and Miu Miu, everything she touches turns to red carpet gold. Alicia shocked me with her golden geometric Louis Vuitton long sleeved sequin gown on the SAG Awards red carpet last night. I just look at Alicia in this look and all I want to do is grab her, get in a time machine and run to Studio 54. This gown shines with disco glamour but done in a totally chic and elegant way.
Everything about this look as perfection from her perfect silky straight pushed back hair, to her Louis Vuitton High Jewelry diamond earrings and cocktail ring and her black with gold piping peep toe pumps this looks was styled to total perfection. Usually I find that Alicia's favored messy hairstyles or lack of makeup keep me from putting her on the top of best dressed lists but last night there wasn't a hair out of place.
The best statement accessory that Alicia could have added to her Louis Vuitton gown was the actor statuette that she ended up taking home. Winning a SAG Award usually means really good things when it comes to taking home the Academy Award. So this begs the question; after wearing two very simple in design custom Louis Vuitton gowns will she up the volume with a full skirt or long train at the Academy Awards? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

When Bad Dresses Happen to Good People: January Jones in Schiaparelli Couture at the SAG Awards

 I didn't get to see January Jones move down the red carpet at the SAG Awards last night but I don't think it would have helped me like her Schiaparelli Spring 2016 Couture gown any more. The first thing I can't believe is that she was dressed by the same woman who works her magic on the likes of Jessica Chastain, Cate Blanchett, and Viola Davis. I was worried when I watched the Schiaparelli Spring 2016 Couture show that these gowns were going to be a tough sell for anyone walking the red carpet, and sadly they have claimed their first victim. I think that this gown had way to much going on and too much volume for really anyone to be able to pull off without looking like they tore down the organza curtains, wrapped themselves in them, and got in a limo on their way to the awards.
 The styling also did not help the case of the gown. With something so voluminous I don't know why January allowed her hairstylist to do that hideous messy updo. The hairstyle ages her and the makeup fades into the background. With all the detailing around her neck she really needed some sort of lip color to be able to pull focus away from the knots on her shoulders and up to her face. I did like the addiction of the Aurelie Bidermann gold cuff but it was almost lost against the sea of silk chiffon.
This was the only photograph of the gown that I saw that actually made me sort of like it. Sadly January Jones, who is usually a favorite of mine on the red carpet, landed herself in a dud and if Jane Fonda's tragic Schiaparelli Couture gown from last year is any indication, this will be on my mind when I start to make my considerations for Worst Dressed of the Year. It's a shame that bad dresses happen to good people, sorry January but better luck next time!

2016 Berlin International Film Festival: Opening Ceremony & "Hail, Caesar!" Premiere Wish List

The Berlin International Film Festival will kick off on February 11, 2016 with a grand gala premiere of the latest Cohen Brothers film "Hail, Caesar!" Sure to be in attendance is the president of this years International Jury, Meryl Streep. A year ago I would have scoffed at Meryl being on a film festival jury as the fashion was bound to be bland and blah but towards the end of last year (and the emergence of a new stylist) Meryl started making more of an impact on the red carpet, so now I am intrigued to see what she is going to wear for the red carpets during the festival. I picked this navy blue Alexis Mabille Fall 2015 Couture long sleeve embroidered shirt dress ballgown for Meryl to wear for the Opening Ceremony and "Hail, Caesar!" premiere. I believe that this gown embodies Meryl's relaxed classic look but does so in a grand way. We did not get to see any of this collection on the red carpet during festival season in the Fall so I am hoping that Meryl gets her hands on it for Berlin. Finish the look off with simple styling including a pair of navy satin pumps, a chic updo, and a pair of diamond cluster earrings and Meryl will kick of the festival in style.
With such an all-star cast it is hard to know exactly who will be showing up for the "Hail, Caesar!" premiere but there are two female stars that I have high hopes for showing up looking glamorous. Scarlett Johansson steps out ever so infrequently for red carpets so I am really hoping that for this premiere that she brings her signature sex appeal to the red carpet. The last time we actually saw ScarJo on the red carpet was almost a year ago at the Academy Awards. I would die if Scarlett got her hands on this blue and black embroidered Atelier Versace Spring 2016 Couture strapless mermaid gown for this red carpet. This gown would bring sexy glamour to the red carpet, something that Scarlett is quite known for. I think that silhouette would hug her curves and the train would just add dramatic impact. Finish the look with a pair of black sandals, an edgy glam updo, red lip, and a pair of diamond drop earrings and this would be a look to remember for Scarlett on the Berlin red carpet.
The other star of the film that I am uber hopeful will show up is the stunning Tilda Swinton. Tilda is always one that I enjoy seeing on the red carpet as she has quite the unpredictable style. She could go high glamour or menswear inspired or something modern and edgy. I decided to go with a modern edgy glam look with this white Christian Dior Spring 2016 Couture asymmetrical scoop neck bell shaped gown. When I watched this runway show Tilda was the first woman that came to my mind when this gown took to the runway. I believe that it embodies a lot of what Tilda likes to bring to the red carpet: glamour, modernity, and edge. With such a sleek silhouette it really could be brought down by the wrong styling so I would keep it simple with a pair of metallic silver pumps, edgy pouf, diamond cluster earrings, and a pink lip. All this together would give Tilda a red carpet look that would rival some of her greats red carpet hits.

You Better Werk: Brie Larson in Atelier Versace at the SAG Awards

 So the SAG Awards were last night in Hollywood and I was honestly bored by most of the red carpet so there will be no Top 10 list from this event. Instead I am going to introduce a new red carpet fashion post called "You Better Werk." Last night when the E! Live From The Red Carpet cameras cut to Brie Larson getting out out of her car I let out a little squeal because she was wearing one of my favorite looks from the sporty Atelier Versace Spring 2016 Couture collection, which walked the runway just a week ago. I was expecting to Brie to wear something very pretty but this was just a major unexpected WOW moment for me.
 What I really loved aside from the modern glamour of this is that Brie looked so shining and confident wearing it especially when she was holding her award (which almost matched the dress!) I was not a huge fan of Brie's going into Awards Season but she has consistently shown me that she is one that I should take seriously on the red carpet and her looks are proving that. She keeps building on the success of her last look and I am already trying to figure out what I would love to see her in at the Academy Awards!
What really made this look were all of the little details that were infuses from her custom dyed Roger Vivier silver satin sandals, Jacob & Co. diamonds, an unseen except on Instagram quirky Anya Hindmarch clutch, as well as the details on the dress like the orange safety strap and Swarovski crystal rope detailing all made this look one that I will definitely be remembering come Best Dressed of the Year time.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Runway Report: Valentino Spring 2016 Couture

Valentino, designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, was my absolute favorite collection from all of all the Spring 2016 Couture collections. It was the same flowing Valentino that has become the houses new signature but with a different air about it this season. I loved the turn of the century/1920's inspiration that flowed through the collection. I found myself seeing a lot of pieces inspired by the work of couturier Paul Poiret (you can see some of his work here). I also loved that the models walked the rose petal strewn runway in the grand salons of the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild. With some of the looks took me back to the days of ancient Greece and Rome with the toga like flowing silhouettes in everything from bold reds to ethereal whites. My favorite look from the collection was the red and burnt orange gown (pictured far left) which I can picture someone like Alicia Vikander wearing with such effortless ease. Other women I can picture wearing this collection on the red carpet are Eva Longoria, Cate Blanchett, Emma Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Moore, Amber Heard, Diane Kruger, Elisabeth Moss, Tilda Swinton, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Jessica Chastain, Lady Gaga, Naomi Watts, Blake Lively, Claire Danes, Emma Watson, Olivia Palermo, Tessa Thompson, Saoirse Ronan, Keira Knightley, Sarah Jessica Parker, Olivia Wilde, Lupita Nyong'o, Michelle Dockery, Kiernan Shipka, Hilary Swank, and Zoe Kravitz. We will for sure see this collection on Oscar night, at the Met Ball, and the Cannes Film Festival and I am hoping a million red carpets in between.
I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Friday, January 29, 2016

Runway Report: Stephane Roland Spring 2016 Couture

For his Spring 2016 Couture presentation Stephane Rolland turned back to the old days of Haute Couture opting to show his collection intimately within the walls of his couture salon in Paris with the models holding numbers which corresponded to a look which was named and announced by a live emcee. A small collection of 17 looks was all that Stephane needed to present to give a deep impact as each look was better than the last. It will take a special woman with a lot of presence like Lady Gaga, Nieves Alvarez, Tilda Swinton, Li Yuchun, Nicole Kidman, Cheryl Cole, Fan Bingbing, Rita Ora, Beyonce, or Gwen Stefani to make these creations work on the red carpet. I am hoping to see Solange Knowles wearing my favorite look, a black jumpsuit with ruffled flamenco sleeves and crystal detailing, on the red carpet.
I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Armani Prive Spring 2016 Couture

Light like clouds, that was the starting point for Giorgio Armani as he started to craft the Armani Prive Spring 2016 Couture collection. The collection titled "Mauve in Movement" was one of my favorite Armani Prive collections in a while. While I wasn't a fan of the shorts looks that started the show the cocktail dresses and evening gowns made for the the most glamorous and elegant collection from Armani in a while. I am excited to see which gown Cate Blanchett will pick for the Academy Awards, and Supporting Actress nominee Charlotte Rampling was front row at the presentation. A sign that Armani will be the designer of the night? My favorite look from the collection was a spaghetti strap gown with a pleated layered skirt and embellished bodice which a featured a plunging neckline. I can picture someone like Selena Gomez wearing this stunning gown on a red carpet and making it on the top of best dressed lists. Elizabeth Banks, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Emmy Rossum, Jessica Chastain, Rooney Mara, Kate Bosworth, Zhang Ziyi, Anna Kendrick, Lady Gaga, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Jane Fonda, Allison Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Paz Vega all also come to mind to make this collection come alive on the red carpet.

I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Elie Saab Spring 2016 Couture

For Spring 2016 Couture Elie Saab took us on a journey to India. I go back and forth on my position on this collection. There are undoubtedly a bevy of extremely glamorous gowns and cocktail dresses in this collection (which we always expect from Elie Saab), but I found some of the looks presented to be sloppy. Some of the pant looks, tucked into embellished high combat boots remind me of looks that one would wear to Coachella or Glastonbury. These are not places I would normally think of when I think of Haute Couture. One question I have for this collection I have is will L'Oreal Paris spokesmodels, Bollywood superstars, and Elie Saab fans Aishwarya Rai and Sonam Kapoor take this collection and wear it on the red carpet during Cannes? Each usually takes a red carpet and does wear some sort of traditional Indian dress but will they wear a sari inspired gown from a Lebanese based couture designer? I don't quite know. I would love to see one of my favorite red carpet ladies, Diane Kruger, wearing the tan beaded fringe gown on a red carpet. I think that Diane is one of the few women who has the red carpet presence to make such a bold gown work on the red carpet. Other women I can picture wearing this collection on the red carpet include (but is not limited to) Lucy Liu, Rita Ora, Nicole Kidman, Florence Welch, Uma Thurman, Eva Longoria, Fan Bingbing, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emmy Rossum, Judi Dench, Jennifer Lopez, Helen Mirren, Emma Watson, Naomi Watts, Jessica Chastain, Elizabeth Banks, Cate Blanchett, and Emma Stone.

I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Givenchy Spring 2016 Couture

Riccardo Tisci showcased his Spring 2016 Couture collection for Givenchy during Paris Fashion Week: Men's keeping with tradition that started last summer. I get excited to see all the new menswear clothes that I ogle and fawn over and then add couture and I am usually lusting over the collections. While the couture collection might have only been 12 looks they were 12 amazing looks full of absolutely beautiful details. I am happy Riccardo is showing couture on the runway and I am hoping that sometime soon he will return to the couture circuit and deliver a full runway collection during haute couture fashion week. No two looks in this collection were similar and I can see a bevy of Givenchy loyalists like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Lea Seydoux, Rooney Mara, Rihanna, Amber Heard, Ciara, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Florence, Beyonce and Naomi Watts on the red carpet. I would most like to see Jessica Chastain wearing the chartreuse sequined gown with a halter neck and side cutouts, maybe for the Vanity Fair Oscars After-Party? While I am sure that most of these looks will be left to couture clientele I am hoping that a few of them make it onto a red carpet.

I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Giambattista Valli Spring 2016 Couture

When I think of volume, glamour, and ruffles I always think right to Giambattista Valli and he did not disappoint with his Spring 2016 Couture. In his 10th couture season I felt like this collection was a mediation on his previous 9 collections and some of the greatest pieces that he has created over the years and has done an fantastic job taking those codes and turning them into new looks without doing direct copies. When I search the couture collections I am always thinking about red carpet wear-ability and I am extremely excited to see this collection start to show up on the red carpet at awards shows, gala's, movie premieres, and then ultimately the Oscars, the Met Ball, and the Cannes Film Festival. I can see almost every look from this collection on the red carpet but my favorite look was the yellow and green draped cocktail dress (pictured above) and I think someone like Zoe Saldana would be perfect to wear this dress on the red carpet. One look has already been worn for the Sidaction Gala by Diane Kruger (and I actually pinned this dress saying she should wear it!) and I am sure it is just the first of many red carpet moments for this collection. Red carpet style stars like Elizabeth Banks, Kiernan Shipka, Daisy Ridley, Emma Stone, Kate Bosworth, Emmy Rossum, Hilary Swank, Sonam Kapoor, Marion Cotillard, Tilda Swinton, Amy Adams, Kirsten Stewart, Cate Blanchett, Lea Seydoux, Jessica Alba, Selena Gomez, Janelle Moane, Solange Knowles, Alicia Vikander, Brie Larson, Taylor Swift, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lily James, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rooney Mara, & Berenice Bejo are all women that I can picture wearing this collection on the red carpet. 

I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Dice Kayek Spring 2016 Couture

 I love discovering new talent during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week and this season I really fell in love with Dice Kayek. Creative director Ece Ege experiment with tailoring and volume this season and I can imagine that a bevy of couture loving ladies like Janelle Monae, Solange Knowles, Lady Gaga, Diane Kruger, Elizabeth Banks and Rita Ora would love to get their hands on this collection. I think that this is one of the couture brands that we need to watch. Dice Kayek has the potential to make it on the red carpets at some of the chic art type of events that these type of ladies attend. My favorite is the navy full skirted dress with the blouse top and green leaf detail and I can picture Bollywood superstar Sonam Kapoor rocking this dress on the red carpet.
Dice Kayek Spring 2016 Couture 
I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Christian Dior Spring 2016 Couture

Christian Dior presented their first collection since the resignation of former creative director Raf Simons. Under Simons we saw Dior take a turn towards a more modern woman as it's clientele and that was still the case as the in-house atelier teams (headed by premieres Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux) presented the Spring 2016 Couture collection. The silhouettes still rang out with youthful modernization but with a little bit more flair than the streamlined looks of Raf. Flamenco ruffles were found on blouses, cocktail dresses, jackets, and skirts in a variety of different ways. I was seriously disappointed that there wasn't a single grand gown to kinda lead me towards what Dior spokesmodels Jennifer Lawrence and Charlize Theron will be wearing for the Oscars next month, while I was pretty much expecting custom gowns anyway I wish I could have had something to include in my red carpet wish lists for them. My favorite look was the yellow riffled beaded top and black and white beaded skinny pants which scream of the modern couture that Dior is headed toward and would look fantastic on the back of the likes of Zoe Kravitz or Solange Knowles. Nicole Kidman, Emma Stone, Cate Blanchett, Emilia Clarke, Chloe Grace Moretz, Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Bosworth, Zoe Saldana, Natalie Portman, Rihanna, Charlize Theron, Daisy Ridley, Tilda Swinton, Rooney Mara and Marion Cotillard are just some of the women that I can picture making this collection work on the red carpet. 

I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Chanel Spring 2016 Couture

Eco-conscious serenity was the starting point of the Chanel Spring 2016 Couture collection presented this week by Karl Lagerfeld at the Grand Palais in Paris. I often find myself taken by the grand sets that Karl presents his collections on in the same space every single season. Last couture Karl transformed the Grand Palais into an interpretation of a Monte Carlo casino and for Spring 2016 RTW it was a bustling airport and for Spring 2016 Couture it was a modern wooden Ark surrounded by grass and small ponds. The set took me from the beginning and then you continued to see the eco-conscious theme through out the whole collection which featured such details as wood chips fashioned into beading and paillettes, as well as 3D elements that were fashioned out of recycled paper and organic woven yarn. When it came to the style of the clothes I think that it was very classic Chanel with some modern twists. The show started off with interpretations the classic Chanel tweed suits which transitioned into the more modern part of the evening wear and the show finished with Mica Arganaraz wearing the traditional bridal gown (far right) which was a strapless tea length column gown with an attached train and made all that more modern with an embroidered to match bomber. I was surprisingly drawn to the cork sculpted wedges which had the signature toe cap design, I think that after a few seasons of different interpretations not speaking to me I am glad that Karl found something that I actually quite enjoy and can totally picture members of the fashion pack rocking on the sidewalk runway next season. Aside from the gold lame cape that Gigi Hadid wore on the runway (which I want for my own personal collection) my favorite look from the collection was the simple white peplum cocktail with gold embellished trimming, it was irresistibly chic and I am sure that it will end up on the red carpet on the back of someone like Charlize Theron, Blake Lively, or Jessica Chastain. Other beauties I can see wearing this collection on the red carpet include Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett, Anna Wintour, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Amber Heard, Keira Knightley, Florence Welch, Nicole Kidman, Riley Keough, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianne Moore, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karlie Kloss, Anne Hathaway, Fan Bingbing, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rooney Mara, Naomi Watts, Kristen Stewart, Diane Kruger, Kate Bosworth, Emma Stone, Rita Ora, Olivia Wilde, Emily Blunt, and Zhang Ziyi.

I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition Spring 2016 Couture

I thought Alberta Ferretti's involvement with couture was a one off season for Fall 2015 so I was a little surprised when she released another collection of Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition for Spring 2016 Couture. Italian heiress and actress Marchesa Luisa Casati, yes the same woman who inspired the name of Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig's Marchesa collection, was the starting point for the Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition Spring 2016 Couture collection. We were treated to a visual feast that spanned inspiration from almost every decade that Marchesa Luisa was alive. There was some turn of the century inspiration, 20's flappers, 30's and 40's glamour, and 50's volume and I would like to believe that this is what Marchesa Luisa's closet actually looked like at the end of her life. A collection rich in different textures, silhouettes, and varying levels of embellishment. My favorite look from the collection is the bronze fully embellished flapper dress (center) that I can pictured someone like Emma Stone having a fabulous red carpet moment in. Many of these gowns could grace the red carpets from the Oscars to the Met and on to Cannes and I can picture glamorous ladies like Diane Kruger, Jessica Chastain, Florence Welch, Naomi Watts, Hilary Swank, Kate Beckinsale, Elizabeth Banks, Nicole Kidman, and Nieves Alvarez also wearing this collection on the red carpet.

Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition Spring 2016 Couture
I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there! 

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Runway Report: Atelier Versace Spring 2016 Couture

"Athletic Couture" that is what Donatella Versace dubbed the Atelier Versace Spring 2016 Couture collection which kicked off Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week on Sunday. I have never seen athletic inspiration come across so chic and glamorous. From the skintight stirrup pants, cutouts, and the racer-back silhouettes just punctuated the inspiration. Some of my favorite looks included this Swarovski crystal rope that was designed to evoke the idea of athletic ropes. Rita Ora was the guest of honor this season donning an orange cutout mini dress which was held together by that same crystal rope. From the Grammy awards, to movie premieres, to Oscar night, and the Cannes Film Festival this collection is bound to make whomever wears it an instant sexpot glamizon. Stars like Jane Fonda, Paz Vega, Selena Gomez, Rita Ora, Elizabeth Banks, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, Freida Pinto, Lucy Liu, Gwen Stefani, Charlize Theron, Eva Longoria, and a bevy of other sexy women would undoubtedly slay this collection on the red carpet.
I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Runway Report: Ralph & Russo Spring 2016 Couture

If you enjoy the over the top glamour of Haute Couture then you would need to look no further than the Ralph & Russo Spring 2016 Couture collection to satisfy your thirst for all things glamorous. I continue to be blown away by the beauty that Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo drape, sculpt, and embroider to send down the runway. I am sure that onlookers, that included Uma Thurman, Rita Ora,, and L'Oreal Paris spokesmodel and Thai actress Ayara A. Hargate, were just as mesmerized by these absolutely stunning creations as I was watching the video (and probably even more that I was.) These are the types of look that get me excited for the big platforms for red carpet fashion like the Grammy's, Oscars, the Met Ball, and the Cannes Film Festival; where I am sure that these gowns will pop up. My favorite look from the collection wast a peplum bodice caped gown with a fitted silhouette floral embroidery and a midnight blue silk lining on the cape (the top center) which I can totally picture on Aishwayra Rai, Sonam Kapoor, Fan Bingbing or Eva Longoria on the red carpet at the Palais de Festivals at the Cannes Film Festival. I can picture this collection on the backs of some of the most glamorous women in the world like Nieves Alvarez, Kate Bosworth, Angelina Jolie, Amal Clooney, Kirsten Dunst, Charlize Theron, Beyonce, Carina Lau, Blake Lively, Helen Mirren, Jourdan Dunn, Emma Stone, Olga Kurylenko, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lily James, all of the rest of the beautiful women I have previously mentioned like Sonam, Fan, and Uma as well a host of other red carpet stunners. This collection will undoubtedly be all over Cannes and I can not wait!

I have been pinning all the collections on my Pinterest page with my immediate wishes of who I would die to see wearing these stunning couture creations, so to get more of an idea of who I want to wear what from the collections I would head over there!

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Runway Report: Alexis Mabille Spring 2016 Couture

After presenting his collection via a lookbook last season Alexis Mabille was back with his intimate runway show for Spring 2016 Couture. I continue to love the classic glamour that Alexis shows in his collections. While the looks rarely push the envelope the looks are also extremely chic. On the press release a single quote from Emily Dickinson explained the inspiration behind the collection, "Beauty - be not caused - it is." All the looks in this collection seek to show the feminine beauty of a woman and without too many things that can detract from a woman's beauty this collection falls to one of my favorite Alexis Mabille collections. My favorite look from the collection was the white long sleeved double breasted Le Smoking inspired tuxedo sheath gown with ostrich feathers on the hem, the sad thing is that Lea Seydoux wore the featherless version of this gown on the red carpet at the Spectre premiere in Copenhagen. I can picture a host of beautiful women wearing this collection like Lady Gaga, Janelle Monae, Tilda Swinton, Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale, Uma Thurman, Jessica Chastain, Cate Blanchett, Emma Watson, and Marion Cotillard all come to mind when I am flipping through the images of this collection.
Alexis Mabille Spring 2016 Couture

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries Nominee Wish List

I am super excited that Christina Ricci is nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award on Sunday as she is one lady that I love to see on the red carpet and I can't wait to see what she is going to wear. Nominated for Outstanding Performance by and Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries for playing famed murderess Lizzy Borden in the Lifetime miniseries The Lizzy Borden Chronicles. I would love to see Christina wearing this red and navy Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2016 gown rendered in novelty jacquard and features a sheath silhouette with contoured piping details and metallic accents. I think that this chic dark look evokes the dark within her character and is something that Christina would look absolutely chic wearing on the red carpet. Finished with a red Rauwolf 'Brutalist' clutch, a pair of navy satin sandals, classic old Hollywood beauty, and a pair of diamond drop earrings and I would be ensured that Christina would make this a memorable red carpet moment.
Kristen Wiig is nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries thanks to her performance in the Miniseries The Spoils Before Dying. I have never been a huge fan of Kristen on the red carpet. I find her style boring or too twee and I am hoping for something a little different from her on Sunday. I think that Kirsten would gravitate towards this nior J. Mendel Pre-Fall 2016 gown rendered in silk and features a sheath silhouette with a jewel neckline, beaded embroidery throughout the bodice and pleated detailing and I believe that it would be a good red carpet moment for her. The dress is chic and grown-up and despite being completely covered I still think that this gown would be incredibly sexy on Kristen. The embellishments on the neck, shoulder, waist, bodice, and wrists keep this look from being bland and boring. I always advocate that if you are going to wear all black at least have some sort of visual interest and this gown has it. A black clutch, a pair of black sandals, a red lip, and a pair of diamond cluster earrings will ensure that this is a beautiful red carpet moment on Kristen at the SAG Awards. 
How Nicole Kidman received a nomination for the Big Screen flop to Lifetime film Grace of Monaco over some of the other performances this year is beyond my mind. While I am excited to see what Nicole is going to wear on the red carpet I am disappointed that someone like Lady Gaga for American Horror Story: Hotel is not nominated in her place. Recently it has been either love or loathe with Nicole's choices for the red carpet and I am hoping that Sunday she gives me something that I can firmly put in the love category. I picked this navy blue Alexis Mabille Pre-Fall 2016 long sleeved gown which features a beautiful long flowing train and an open lace covered back for Nicole to wear on the SAG Awards red carpet because it is chic and simple and I think that is what Nicole is in need of to get back in my good graces. A vintage inspired faux bob, a pair of matching peep toe pumps, a matching clutch, a red lip, and a pair of dazzling diamond drop earrings would round out the perfect styling to ensure that Nicole is in perfect form on the red carpet.
My last wish for today is for the nominated star of the HBO movie Bessie, Queen Latifah. I am hoping that Queen Latifah returns to her beautiful edgy glam looks on the Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet on Sunday night. I picked this white one sleeved Christian Siriano Pre-Fall 2016 high neck fitted gown for her to wear because I think that this is the edgy glam look that I have been waiting to see Queen Latifah do on the red carpet. I think that with such a chic blank canvas that a statement clutch is needed I think a colorful blue Edie Parker 'Fiona' faceted tie-dye acrylic clutch added with a pair of silver sandals and a pair of diamond cluster earrings will ensure that Queen Latifah has an absolutely amazing moment on the SAG Awards red carpet.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Nominee Wish List

The 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards are just a week away! I am excited that, aside from tonight's Critics Choice Awards, that the stars will be back out in full force for the next major stop on the road to the Oscars. Alicia Vikander is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for The Danish Girl, unlike at the Golden Globe Awards where she was nominated in the Lead Actress category. I think that this makes a stronger case for Alicia as the competition is not as strong. As a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton I am intrigued to see what Alicia will bring to the red carpet, and her white sequined Louis Vuitton gown at the Globes was quite enchanting. I am not so sure that she will wear Louis Vuitton again until the Oscars but if she does I would pick this gold suede Louis Vuitton Resort 2016 runway gown as it is that chic elegant style that Alicia tends to favor, though I would imagine that it would be a custom gown probably based on the Spring 2016 RTW collection. Alicia really is the only person that can consistently bring a Louis Vuitton look of the perfection to the red carpet so I really hope that continues to be the case.
Kate Winslet, surprisingly, took home the Best Supporting Actress award for Steve Jobs at the 2016 Golden Globes last Sunday and I am interested to see how she will fair with a completely different panel of women she is nominated against. Kate is very cut and dry with her red carpet style; it is always fitted and usually in black, blue, champagne, and green. I am not really very interested in her red carpet style but I think that she would look very beautiful wearing this Antonio Berardi Spring 2016 RTW features a scoop neck with jewel embellishments at the bodice sides and a reverse wraparound silhouette with a long fluid column skirt. The looks fitted silhouette is a Kate Winslet approved standard and the jeweled embellishments on the sides make it something that is a little more than the Kate Winslet standard. Finish with a black clutch, a pair of black pumps, a pair of Tiffany & Co. diamond drop earrings, and a red lip would ensure that Kate has a very beautiful red carpet moment at the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
I was in the minority of not liking the floral Lanvin ballgown that Rachel McAdams wore on the red carpet at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards a week ago. I am interested to see what she will wear for the the red carpet at the SAG Awards since she is actually nominated for her film Spotlight. I picked this chic lemon yellow Naeem Khan Spring 2016 RTW twisted halter neck silk chiffon gown which features an illusion cutout bodice and a ruffle detailed skirt. I think that this is such an elegant look for Rachel as I have fallen out of love with her red carpet style and this would help me get back in groove with this look. Paired with a gold Rauwolf octagon cut gemstone clutch, a pair of gold sandals, a pair of yellow diamond drop earrings this would be quite the beautiful red carpet look.
Rounding out this wishlist is Rooney Mara, who like Alicia Vikander is going to be making this category tougher after campaigning in the lead category at the Golden Globe Awards. Rooney has yet to give me a moment where I say wow and I am hoping that we start taking baby steps to getting there. I picked this black Chanel Fall 2015 Couture sleeveless gown which features crystal embellishment and a tiered silk organza paneled high low gown. I have been waiting to see this gown on the red carpet and though I originally imagined it on someone with a lot of presence like Diane Kruger but I think Rooney's subtle sophistication that this could be a very chic moment a la Audrey Hepburn. Keep the look very simple with a sleek pony (not the bubble thing that she had at the Golden Globes), a pair of black sandals, a red lip, and a pair of chic diamond drop earrings and this just might be a look that I can get excited about.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Red Carpet Rundown: 1/9/2016 to 1/15/2016

Red Carpet Round-Up: 1/9/16 through 1/15/16
This week there has been a lot of red carpet events and here are all the looks. I am not going to do a written rundown of all the looks bellow because there are 79 looks this week but I urge you to sort through them all and tell me which you think were absolutely fabulous and which you think were total disasters. From Golden Globe Parties, the Art of Elysium HEAVEN Gala, the UNICEF Ball, movie premieres, and much more the stars were out in full force this week and it continues to keep my fire burning for all of the awards season red carpets. Some of my favorites include Ciara at the College Football Playoffs in Yousef Al-Jasmi, Jourdan Dunn in Burberry at the Burberry Fall 2016 Menswear presentation, and Tao Okamoto at the UNICEF Ball wearing custom Louis Vuitton. Among my least favorites were Juliette Lewis in Vivienne Westwood at the Art of Elysium HEAVEN Gala, Michelle Monaghan at the Netflix Golden Globe After Party wearing Prabal Gurung, and Chloe Grace Moretz at The 5th Wave fan screening in Marc Jacobs Spring 2016 RTW. As always remember that this is not a Best Dressed list, I will continue with monthly Best Dressed lists as well as lists for all of the major fabulous red carpets.

2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Nominee Wish List

As I have continually said Brie Larson is my breakout star this awards season and I am excited to see what she is going to continue to wear on the red carpet's all the way through the Academy Awards. After the Critics Choice Awards tomorrow night the next stop on the race to the Oscars are the Screen Actors Guild Awards which are a week from tomorrow on January 31, 2016. Brie is a front runner to take home the SAG Award and I am hoping she dresses to fit that possibility. I picked this black Marchesa Pre-Fall 2016 gown rendered in beaded lace with tulle and features a column silhouette with a scalloped square neckline, a fitted bodice, and tiered ruffles along the skirt. I think that this is a romantic look for Brie who has been wearing a lot of more modern glam type of look on the red carpet and honestly I think it would compliment the green patinaed bronze SAG statue that she has a great possibility of taking home. Finish this look with sleek hair, a black satin clutch, and a pair of gold sandals and Brie will have a perfect SAG Awards red carpet look.
I am hoping that Cate Blanchett shows up on the SAG Awards red carpet and makes me say wow again. I haven't had a moment where I have said WOW when Cate shows up on the red carpet in a very long time and I am ready to have that moment again. I picked this blue and purple oil slick Armani Prive Fall 2015 Couture strapless sequined gown for Cate as I think that this is something I have never seen from her before and I really think that this gown is perfect for her. I tend to like when Cate wears darker colors as they pop against her alabaster skin tone and I can just picture the contrast of this gown on her glowing skin. My only downside of this gown is it reminds me a bit of the Dior Couture gown that Jennifer Lawrence wore to the SAG Awards in 2014, so that could deter Cate from wearing this gown for the SAG Awards this year. But alas I am still hopeful. A navy blue clutch, a pair of navy peep toe pumps, dazzling multicolored tanzanite and diamond Chopard drop earrings, & a smokey eye would ensure that Cate makes my jaw drop when on her arrival at the SAG Awards.
Helen Mirren is a double nominee at the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture for The Woman In Gold and Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Trumbo. I am excited to see what Helen is going to wear on the red carpet as she is usually so extremely elegant. I can totally picture Helen wearing this ink blue Reem Acra Pre-Fall 2016 long sleeve lace bodice and silk fit and flare skirt. This gown shows off Helen's twins which she defies societal norms of putting them away at almost 80, but I say if you look that good at her age then you should flaunt it too. A pair of Harry Winston diamond and sapphire pendant earrings, a navy clutch, a pair of navy pumps, and a red lip would ensure that Helen makes sure everyone knows she is a double nominee and don't you forget it.
I have been on an up and down roller coaster with Saoirse Ronan with her red carpet style, but I am hoping that after her Golden Globe Awards red carpet triumph and coming off her Academy Award nomination that her red carpet style will stay on top form. I would love to see Saoirse wearing something a little more fun on the red carpet like this nude Rodarte Fall 2015 RTW embroidered and feather embellished gown. There are not many women that I can picture wearing this gown and not getting overwhelmed and Saoirse is one of the few who I can. Saoirse knows how to make more complicated avant garde red carpet styles work off the runway and on the red carpet. With such a complicated gown the styling really should be kept simple with a pair of champagne colored peep toe pumps, fresh faced makeup, and a chic updo so her hair won't compete with the feathers on the shoulders. All that would make this a look that I could fall in love with.

Friday, January 15, 2016

2016 Critics Choice Awards Red Carpet Wish List Part 4

Following her stunning white Yves Saint Laurent Couture goddess gown at the Golden Globe Awards and the announcement of her Academy Award nomination I expect that we will only see Saoirse on her top form from here on out. I was starting to doubt if I was actually going to like anything that the young Irish-American actress was going to wear on the red carpet but I am keeping my fingers crossed that we have come past that point. Nominated for Best Actress at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday I am hoping that Saoirse will break out some Chanel Couture for the red carpet. I would love to see Saoirse wearing this army green tulle Chanel Fall 2015 Couture full skirted cocktail dress with gold beaded embroidery on the bodice. While Saoirse has never worn a couture look from Chanel on a red carpet, what better time is there than for the race to the Oscars? Finished with a simple pair of gold sandals, a sleek up-do, and a fresh face of makeup and this will be a triumphant moment for Saoirse in her first Chanel Couture.
Sarah Paulson is not usually one of my favorites to see step out on a red carpet, I tend to find her stiff and standard. I am hoping that for the Critics Choice Awards that she softens her look just a little. With a well deserved Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series nomination for her role as Sally on American Horror Story: Hotel I am hoping that Sarah will give me a wonderful red carpet moment. I picked this tea rose Prabal Gurung Spring 2016 RTW ensemble which consists of a crepe de chine draped halter blouse and chiffon fit to flare evening skirt. I think that this relaxed look is more Sarah's speed, and the last time she wore Prabal at the 2015 Emmys she looked amazing, so I think that she could make this look work on the Critics red carpet. I would keep the styling chic and elegant with a gold clutch, a pair of gold peep toe pumps, a wavy hairstyle and a pink lip to ensure that Sarah looks beautiful on the red carpet. 
Riding on the coattails of her Golden Globe Awards win for her role as Cookie on Empire I am sure that we will see Taraji P. Henson on the red carpet Sunday at the Critics Choice awards where she is nominated for the same role. Taraji is known now for not leaving Cookie on the floor when shooting is done giving us diva-Cookie-realness on the red carpet at all times. I am starting to give up on expecting her to give us glamour but I am hoping that she learns how to finesse her looks. At the Globes her Stella McCartney gown was stunning but where it should have been fitted perfectly it looked like it was bulging and that put me off from liking the look. If Taraji were to wear this black Mugler Spring 2016 RTW gown which sheath silhouette with a metal embellished v-neckline, leather detailing, and a front split I would be praying that she made sure that she has a good pair of spanks on. This gown gives us that glamorous sex siren style that Taraji is in favor of and I think that she could pull it off. A light lined eye, a red lip, a black Rauwolf clutch, and a pair of strappy black sandals would ensure that this is a great look for Taraji on the red carpet.
I am still trying to get a handle on what Tracee Ellis Ross's red carpet style really is. I have seen so many different types of looks on the Black-ish star but none that have seemed truly genuine. For the Critics Choice Awards I picked this gardenia white Elie Saab Spring 2016 RTW gown rendered in lace and features an a-line silhouette with a jewel neckline and an alternating geometric and floral pattern. I think that this chic more casual side of glamour is more Tracee's MO as the high glamour thing made her look uncomfortable. I think that with such a chic gown like this that Tracee would have a hard time not enjoying wearing it on the red carpet. Finish in a very chic way with a Rafe New York 'Sara' minaudiere (which is made of blacktab shell, blacklip mother of pearl, and white hammershell set in a brass inlay) to add some more visual interest, a pair of gold sandals, a red lip and a chic updo to ensure that this look is Critics Choice Awards red carpet ready.
Rounding out my wish lists for the 2016 Critics Choice Awards red carpet is Best Actress in a Drama Series nominee for How To Get Away With Murder's Viola Davis. I think that Viola has a lot of ups and downs on the red carpet. The Marchesa gown that she wore to the Golden Globe Awards this past Sunday was a little too much for her as I think simpler silhouettes tend to work better on Viola. I picked this white J. Mendel Pre-Fall 2016 halter gown which features black corded detailing and a flowing skirt because I think that this gown is simple enough with just the right amount of detailing to give Viola one of her best looks on a red carpet ever. Finish with a white Jimmy Choo Tube Clutch, a pair of black sandals, a red lip, curly bob, and diamond cluster earrings and this would be a personal best for Viola.