2014 End of the Year Awards: Best Dressed of 2014

Thanks to everyone for following for the past 365 days! I am going to take a few days off now and enjoy the holidays with my family. Sunday I will be back starting with my wishes for "New Years Rocking Eve with Ryan Seacrest" and then diving right into Awards Season 2015. I hope everyone is having a safe, happy, and joyous holiday season and can't wait to see what 2015 will bring for If I Was A Stylist. Any comments on who you love from this list and who you think is missing are always welcome! 

-XOXO- 

FutureStylist93 a.k.a Thomas James Monks

2014 End of the Year Awards: Best Dressed Man

Two years in a row now Eddie Redmayne has rocked the red carpets showing men that dressing formally doesn't always have to be black and white. Relationships with Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, and Burberry all make for amazing red carpet moments. When he stepped out for the "The Theory of Everything" premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in a jade green Burberry Prorsum double breasted suit I bowed. He is officially the King of the Red Carpet. Anyone else think that with a stellar awards season run that Eddie could possibly vie for Red Carpet Diva of 2015 against the likes of Cate Blanchett, Diane Kruger, and Keira Knightley?

2014 End of the Year Awards: Red Carpet Brand of the Year

The Red Carpet Designer of 2012 and the Couturier of 2011 was overtaken by Christian Dior in 2013 but in 2014, Elie Saab made his way back to the top spot as the 2014 Red Carpet Designer of the Year. No brand was worn successfully more than Elie Saab this year. He has a successful pattern of creating looks that are designed with the red carpet in mind and not necessarily the runway. With so many amazing collections presented in recent years stars are venturing into the designers archive to pick their winning moments. We are bound to see a plethora of his designs during awards season and the Cannes Film Festival.....the real question is on who?

2014 End of the Year Awards: Couturier of the Year

Of all of the couture fashion houses there was not one that was outdone by Atelier Versace on the red carpets this year. Long time friend of Versace Angelina Jolie worked the houses looks throughout her "Maleficent" promo tour, her wedding, and for a few appearances promoting her film "Unbroken." Other crazy notable looks were the bright yellow gown Emma Stone wore for the "Spider-Man 2" London Premiere, Hilary Swank in a one shoulder white gown at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of "The Homesman," and Kate Hudson in her silver caped creation at the Academy Awards. I am sure that we will keep seeing a lot of Atelier Versace coming up next year.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Ones to Watch in 2015

My One to Watch last year, Lupita Nyong'o, did not disappoint so I am hoping that the same will be come the next year with the four ladies that I have chosen this year. Usually I try to cut it down to one but each of these ladies that are featured have me excited for the year to come for different reasons. Amal Clooney showcased her sartorial style during her wedding weekend festivities in Venice, Italy earlier this year. I am excited to see what the new Mrs. George Clooney will wear as a plus one to major events that her hubby may attend in the coming year. Up next is supermodel turned actress Cara Delevinge. The 22 year old British superstar has five movies coming out in the next year which just helps cement her "IT" girl status even more. What I love so much about Cara is that she knows how to balance glamorous red carpet dressing with her rocker edgy personality. A repeat appearance on this list is Felicity Jones. I put her on this list back when this blog first started and we really did not see her live up to that title until this year. With an awards season run, most likely ultimately ending with an Academy Award nomination, as well as two films premiering in 2015 I will be extremely excited to see if Felicity gives me the red carpet run that I have been waiting for. Last but not least we have Riley Keough. Three films, including the much anticipated "Mad Max: Fury Road" adaptation, being released in 2015. I am excited to see what the actress, who this year shunned the gown for events like the Met Ball and Cannes Film Festival, will wear for her major premieres.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Red Carpet Diva of the Year

Cate Blanchett takes it again! Last year her "Blue Jasmine" promo tour pushed Cate leaps and bounds above the rest to win Red Carpet Diva of the Year. This year was much more of a battle. I give this award to the person that had the most best dressed appearances. Cate actually tied with Lupita Nyong'o so I put all of their photos next to each other and had to decide who's red carpet looks I favored more. Cate ultimately won out but it was a tough battle. Her partnership with long time friend Giorgio Armani and his Armani Prive clothing as well as edgy and unexpected looks from brands like Antonio Berardi, Prabal Gurung, Valentino, and Givenchy just pushed Cate over the line. Will she and Lupita go head to head next year for the title again? Or will we have a new diva next year?

2014 End of the Year Awards: Queen of the Sidewalk Runway

Taylor Swift. That was one name that had a lot of buzz this year. When she moved to New York City earlier this year many wondered what the scene would be like. I personally predicted that Taylor would try to fly under the radar much like Sarah Jessica Parker. But it seems that the pop princess took more inspiration from Parker's "Sex and the City" persona Carrie Bradshaw. Taylor would step out for anything, be it running errands or leaving the gym after a work out, wearing high heels and flawless make up. Each time she stepped out it was a different look which made her sidewalk style more like that of a high fashion runway. This award has never had a repeat winner. Will Taylor break that cycle by taking it home in 2015? Only time will tell.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Still Rocking it from the "Other Side of the Hill"

As the younger generation of stars start to grow older we are seeing youth stay with them but just in a more sophisticated manner. Julianne Moore may have just squeaked into this category, requirement being that the recipient must be over the age of 50, but she shows that despite being "over the hill" that she has no intentions of letting that affect her red carpet style. Promo tours for "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1," "Still Alice," and "Maps to the Stars" along with awards shows, front row at fashion week ensembles, and her requisite red carpet looks thanks to her L'Oreal Paris contract all help make this a perfect year for Julianne. With the possibility of taking home her first Academy Award early next year I am excited to see what 2015 will bring.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Best Young Hollywood

Taking the Best Young Hollywood Award two years running is "Mad Men" star Kiernan Shipka. The 15 year old actress really has a knack for working the red carpets. Styled by none other than the elite Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe, Keirnan works looks from big name designers like Antonio Berardi, Christian Dior, Giambattista Valli, and Prada whilst also taking up and coming brands like Delpozo, Mary Katrantzou, and Peter Pilotto for spins. The child seriously had so many best dressed moments that she is in contention for the Red Carpet Diva of the Year Award which has been taken by stars such as Diane Kruger, Kate Beckinsale, Zhang Ziyi, and Cate Blanchett in the past. She is no longer just one to watch to see if she has the staying power but has proven that she ain't going anywhere.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Best Promotional Tour of 2014

If you had told me at the beginning of 2014 that the Best Promotional Tour of the Year was not going to come from a "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" cast member then I would have probably laughed in your face, but alas this was the case. Hilary Swank really showed up this year working the promotional road all the way from the Cannes Film Festival in May to the AFI Fest just last month. It was a road filled with couture and avant garde looks that just made my heart melt. It is honestly extremely hard to pick an absolute favorite, but ultimately I have to say that her white one shoulder custom Atelier Versace gown at the films premiere at the Cannes Film Festival probably helped tipped the scale ensuring that Hilary won this award.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Model of the Year

The award for Model of the Year was a right race to the finish. Supermodels like Jourdan Dunn, Heidi Klum, and Alessandra Ambrosio all fought to the death, working couture look after couture look to try and become the most triumphant. The ultimate winner though was none of the a fore mentioned ladies but former Victoria's Secret Angel Rosie Huntington-Whitely. Rosie worked the red carpets like they owed her money wearing sexy yet sophisticated looks at every event. Gucci Premiere, Balmain, Cushnie et Ochs, Versus, and Emilio Pucci cons equated some of my absolute favorite looks with the simple grey Gucci Premiere gown that she wore for the Cannes Film Festival premiere of "The Search." I have to say that Rosie has always been a favorite and I am excited to see what she will bring to the red carpets in 2015.

2014 End of the Year Awards: You May Hate Her But I Love Her Award

Miley Cyrus is one of the most polarizing women in the world. People either love her or hate her, there is very rarely someone who walk the half way line. Me? I stand firmly in the LOVE camp. Unlike other teen stars who have slowly transitioned to their grown up careers (i.e. Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez) Miley cut that image with a razor sharp knife. She went from sweet Disney star to rebellious pop icon over night. Forging bonds with brands that align with her new sexy image like The Blonds, Tom Ford, and Alexandre Vauthier have only helped make the transition perfection......at least in my eyes.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Best Ensemble Cast

I do not think that anyone had any doubt in their minds that anyone was going to take home the Best Ensemble Cast Award but the cast of the "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1." Minus the addition of Julianne Moore the same cast won the same award for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" promo tour last year. I have to say that Elizabeth Banks was the showstopper but the fact that Jennifer Lawrence wore a few other brands than just Dior also helped the cast achieve its status. These peeps will have to fight Lea Seydoux and Naomie Harris for a three-peat showcase next year as "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" will be battling "Bond 24" and their fashion diva leading ladies. Do you think that the cast will be able to do it again?

2014 End of the Year Awards: Most Underrated

I have to say that I absolutely love "Revenge" star Ashley Madekwe almost every single time she steps out on a red carpet. Showcasing a mix of designers, a love of color, and print the British actress always gives the unexpected on the red carpet. Sadly many people do not know who she is. If I were you I would put her on your fashion radar because as her career gets larger and larger the more exciting her style is to get.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Risk Taker of the Year

#FreeTheNipple. 

This might be one of the most profound social movements that Rihanna engaged in this year. After her Instagram account was banned, and later reinstated, for posting a picture of a magazine cover where she was topless, Rihanna lead a social movement. This was most prominent when RiRi attend the 2014 CFDA Awards wearing a completely sheer Adam Selman crystal gown, which exposed her nipples, to accept her Style Icon Award. Other notable looks were her lilac Chanel Couture suite paired with matching fanny pack and sneakers, her white Tom Ford gown with strategically placed crystal embellishments, and her punk rock Givenchy Couture leather and lace ensemble. If anyone can get people talking its Rihanna and love her or hate her she does it well.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Best Brand Ambassador

French Actress Lea Seydoux has won the Best Brand Ambassador award for her paring with Muccia Prada and all of the stunning custom Prada and Miu Miu creations that she has worn this year. Be it a custom gown, a commercial photo call ensemble, or something that came off of the runway Lea has won my heart being one of the few people who ALWAYS hits a home run wearing Prada. She makes the perfect muse for the Italian brand. With her role as a femme fatale in "Bond 24" and two other films premiering in 2015, I am sure that we will see a lot more of Mrs Seydoux on the red carpet and lots more custom Prada/Miu Miu looks from her in the coming year.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Queen of Couture

Queen Cate Blanchett takes the Queen of Couture Award from last years winner Zhang Ziyi. Cate rocked the red carpet in couture designers like Giambattista Valli, Elie Saab, Givenchy, and Christian Dior but her most noteworthy looks came courtesy of Armani Prive. As a good friend of Giorgio Armani and a face of his Prive fragrance, it is not surprising she wore the brand so many times on major red carpets like the Golden Globe Awards, Cannes Film Festival, and to accept her Academy Award. The Queen wears couture like no other so I have to say that this award winner does not surprise me in the least. Will she hold it again next year?

2014 End of the Year Awards: Most Disappointing

Well after praising Anne Hathaway yesterday for being my Most Improved, I have to give my Most Disappointing award. This years award goes to Andrea Riseborough. The British actress used to be a favorite of mine when she showed up on the scene in 2011 wearing Christian Dior Couture at the "W.E." premiere during the Venice Film Festival. With those memories in mind I was extremely excited to see that she was amongst the cast of "Birdman," which opened the Venice Film Festival. Sadly all of Andrea's red carpet looks were fugly and the hair and makeup did not help elevate any of the looks, ditto to the styling. The star looked like a high school goth that just happened to have some money. She even wore the same dress just in different colors for the New York Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. I have to quote the "Fashion Police" and say MAKE IT STOP! I hope that 2014 sees a change in pace for Andrea as I know how much potential that she has.

2014 End of the Year Awards: Most Improved

2013, despite her winning an Academy Award, was none too good for Anne Hathaway on the red carpet. Mrs Anne ultimately ended up with my Most Disappointing award last year. I am happy to say that in 2014, with a large thanks to the fact she got a new stylist, Anne Hathaway is my Most Improved. The stunning starlet wowed me time and time again wearing frocks that she would have never even seen under the direction of Rachel Zoe. I am excited to see her continue on her amazing red carpet transformation. Oh and Anne, if you read this please give me a KILLER moment in Elie Saab soon please?! I have been dying for that moment for YEARS now!

2014 End of the Year Awards: Best Stage Costume

Beyonce might be the Entertainer of the Year, but the Best Stage Costume came from Pink wearing a stunning ruby slipper red Elie Saab Fall 2013 Couture ball gown with three quarter length sleeves and a deep plunging neckline to perform the classic "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz" at the 2014 Academy Awards. What made this look such a hit was the fact that it was soooooooooo unexpected from the edgy performer. I figured Pink would have worn something that incorporated leather and edge but this elegant offering left me speechless.