#TIFF2015: "Born to be Blue," "Maggies Plan," & "Demolition" Premieres Wish List

Top 10 Looks from March 2015

 They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Well in regards to fashion that was surely not the case. The red carpets were ablaze all month long and it was hard for me to choose just ten looks for me to feature. Lily James shedded her princess gowns and Disney inspired looks to work a sleek modern custom Balenciaga grey strapless gown with gold button details for the "Cinderella" premiere in London. This was more on an iconic look for me than the princess statement that she made a the films premiere in LA wearing Elie Saab Couture because it was an unexpected choice. This will definitely be on my mind when I am crafting my Best Dressed of the Year list.

 Jessica Alba was spotted out and about running from meeting to meeting in New York City in early March looking impossibly chic. Jessica snatched up a peach head to toe ensemble from the Narciso Rodriguez Fall 2015 RTW runway collection that she paired with a Kenzo bag. I love that she took this head to toe runway look and owned it on the sidewalk runway. Christina Hendricks helped celebrate the finale of her hit series "Mad Men" ad the Black and Red Ball wearing a custom Zac Posen emerald gown with jacquard leopard spots on the hem. This gown also included a detachable ball skirt, that I was not a huge fan of. The red carpet didn't seem grand enough for a ball skirt, but the more streamlined silhouette featured here was perfection. The beginning of March ushered in Paris Fashion Week which had celebrity packed front rows. Hailee Steinfeld was the stand out of all the ladies who packed the Christian Dior Fall 2015 RTW presentation. I thought that her orange Christian Dior long sleeved dress, which she paired with Dior accessories including a white clutch, green knee high boots and stunning cat-eye sunglasses, was the perfect look for a front row. Hailee looked modern, youthful and incredibly chic taking her front row seat.

 What would a best dressed list be without a Chastain appearance? Jessica Chastain became the third person, behind Sienna Miller and Anna Wintour, to be dressed in the Oscar de la Renta Fall 2015 RTW Collection. The houses first collection since the death of the namesake and the take over by Peter Copping. What I love about this look is that the black and white floral tapestry inspired long sleeve gown is perfection on the red headed beauty. This look evokes the 1960s to me and I could see the likes of Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn loving this gown. Simple hair and makeup were all that were needed to finish this look off perfectly for the Jameson Empire Awards. For the first ever amfAR Hong Kong Gala, Hong Kong film star Carina Lau wowed in a custom gown version of a cocktail dress presented in the Schiaparelli Spring 2015 Couture collection. I quickly developed a love affair with this collection and so far every look that has hit a red carpet from it has been utter perfection. The beaded necklace detail with hands clasping in the back made this an avant garde take on a very classic look. A look that I believe that Mademoiselle Schiaparelli would be proud of. The fight for breakout star of the year is going to be a tough one. Carmen Ejogo has been making the red carpet rounds since the premiere of her Oscar nominated film "Selma," and has really been coming into her own. I loved her black and white Balmain sequined window pane long sleeved mini dress that was worn to BET's "Black Girls Rock." What I loved about this look is that Carmen took this dress and went for full glamour with the styling. From the bouncy pinned back behind one ear curls, to the matte red lip and the black black sandals just made this look perfection.

Only Charlize Theron, and of course Angelina Jolie, could don a simple black dress on the red carpet and still end up on my Best Dressed of the Month list. For the Parisian premiere of her film "Dark Places," Charlize wore a stunning custom Christian Dior Couture black beaded strapless knee length dress which she paired with a pair of black Dior sandals, a black Dior satin clutch and Jessica McCormack diamond jewelry. What made this such a major statement was just the air about Charlize. She knows how to own a red carpet and own this one she did. Kerry Washington continued to be one of my favorite red carpet ladies wearing a black, yellow and maroon Mary Katrantzou Pre-Fall 2015 mini dress for PALEYFEST LA presents "Scandal." I love how Kerry styled her look oping for complimentary yellow pumps, a nondescript black clutch, a berry lip and slicked back pulled up hair. All of these additions just made sure that this was a best dressed worth look. When I saw Kate Bosworth at the Fine Arts Museum San Francisco Mid-Winter gala in this red and white Christian Dior Spring 2014 Couture strapless gown I let out a little cheer. I have been obsessed with this gown since it was first presented in January of last year and I am glad that Kate really did this gown justice. The gown itself is just so detailed all of the circular details are made up by hand place sequin details. Toussled locks, a red lip and a white Christian Dior clutch made this look all about the dress which, as the work of art that this gown is, should have been the case.

The Best Looks from the Film Independent Spirit Awards

 I will say that I am slightly disappointed in the red carpet from the 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards. There was not a huge bustle of stars as per usual, but the stars that did show up really brought it. The lady that I always look forward to seeing on the carpet the most, Cate Blanchett, did not let me down. Queen Cate rocked a Schiaparelli Spring 2015 Couture long sleeve tea length dress with heart and cupids arrow print. I love how sophisticated this quirky ensemble came off on Cate. Many would have made this look tacky but not the red carpet queen.

 While Emma Stone kept up her all back Awards Season run she looked beautiful in a hot off the runway Monique Lhuillier Fall 2015 RTW dress with a lace bodice and full skirt. I love how Emma can make a black dress anything but basic. I was really surprised by how much I actually loved what Carmen Ejogo wore on the red carpet. Carmen has not really impressed me thus far but this black Roksanda Pre-Fall 2015 strapless jumpsuit with its 3D color blocked detail on the top. I think that this look really put Carmen on the map and I am actually really excited to see what she will wear tonight. One lady I thought would be fighting Cate Blanchett for the top spot was Julianne Moore. She looked amazing in her Christian Dior Spring 2015 Couture shift dress, but I don't know I was expecting more. Julianne looked youthful and beautiful, and as always experimented with fashion, and still looked absolutely fabulous. And last but not least "Castle" star Stana Katic rocked a Chloe Resort 2015 textured maxi dress. Stana usually looks way over dressed, she wore a Carolina Herrera ball gown for the Peoples Choice Awards of all events, so I was pleasantly surprised that she was dressed perfectly for the events dress code.

2015 Independent Spirit Awards: Carmen, Emma, Jena, Jessica, Julianne, & Marion Wish List

Berlin International Film Festival: Carmen, Cate, Elizabeth, & Freida Wish List

The Oscar nominated "Selma" will receive a special screening at the Berlin International Film Festival, which kick-starts next Thursday. I am hoping we see red carpet newbie Carmen Ejogo on the red carpet for the films premiere. With couture presentations starting this week I am in this limbo situation where I want to feature all of my favorite looks from Fall 2014 Couture before Spring 2015 Couture takes over but I am afraid that many of the leftover looks will be lost to the archives. Carmen has been getting progressively better with her red carpet dressing with each red carpet that she has stepped out on. I would love to see her wear this amazing champagne silk tulle Elie Saab Fall 2014 Couture ball gown. I think that this is a major moment, and since Carmen did not receive an Academy Awards nomination, I think that this the perfect venue to make a major red carpet moment happen. Finish the look with a chic evening bob, a gold clutch, and a pair of gold pumps and I really think that Carmen will have red carpet critics eating out of the palms of her hands.

Queen of the red carpet Cate Blanchett will be premiering two films during the Berlin International Film Festival, "Cinderella" will premiere as an out of competition gala and "Knight of Cups" will premiere in competition. I will be watching the couture shows looking for a second look for Cate, which I will share in a wish list later this week, but one thing I would LOVE to see Cate wear comes courtesy of her go to red carpet brand Armani Prive. When this amazing red sequin cap sleeve sequin Armani Prive Fall 2014 Couture gown walked the runway in Paris back in July of last year it immediately went on reserve for Cate. Not many would be able to not make this look like a plastic mass on the red carpet, but Cate has the presence to be able to make this look as chic as chiffon or all over embellished beading. It is modern in its technique but classic in its style, exactly what makes for the best looks. Finish the look with a vintage inspired updo, a red lip, red pumps, and simple Chopard diamond to finish off another winning look for Cate the Great.

As I said earlier you will be seeing A LOT of the Atelier Versace Spring 2015 Couture collection on this blog over the next few months. Elizabeth Banks's film "Love & Mercy" will be screening at the Berlin Film Festival in the Berlinale Special selection as an out of competition gala. When this film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, Elizabeth wore a stunning Chloe floral printed suit. I am hoping that the modern choices continue through the films Berlin premiere. This electric blue Atelier Versace Spring 2015 Couture one shoulder gown would make for an electric red carpet moment for Elizabeth. It has been awhile since we have seen Lizzy wear a major Versace gown on the red carpet, so I think that this is the perfect time to bring one to life. This sculptural gown needs a sleek updo, a red lip, a pair of electric blue pumps, and am electric blue Edie Parker clutch would finish this look off for a a best dressed look for Elizabeth to make for the Berlin Film Fest.

Freida Pinto had an amazing red carpet run last year and I am excited to see what 2015 will bring for the Indian beauty. We will most likely see Frieda take to the red carpet when her film "Knight of Cups" has its big in competition gala screening. This film has been rumored to premiere since Cannes in 2013 so I am really excited to finally get this amazing group of women on the red carpet; Freida, Cate and Natalie Portman. While I figure Cate and Natalie will go for solid gowns I would love to see Freida rock a bold pattern like the one featured on this Andrew Gn Pre-Fall 2015 strapless ballgown. With such a bold pattern and bold colors making up that pattern the styling needs to be kept really, really simple. I would finish this look off with a pair of gold pumps, a pink lip, and slicked back hair to ensure that Frieda really stands out on the red carpet, for a good not for worst.