Recently in Red Carpet Category

Sarah Jessica Parker's pale yellow Chanel Haute Couture gown aside, where were fashion's risk takers Sunday night? If Maggie Gyllenhaal in a Dries van Noten silk duchess fifties print dress with overprint hand painted in bright blue brush strokes was as controversial as things got, then, fashion wise, this might be the most disappointing Oscars on record--or at least since Joan Rivers started her scathing critiques.

Without a doubt, my best dressed of the night goes to Penelope Cruz. The "Nine" actress kept it safe with a custom Donna Karan Collection gown that was cut in the most tone-flattering Bordeaux hue. Penelope knows what silhouettes work for her and kudos to her for sticking to her guns and for wearing a dress designed by a woman who designs with true sincerity for her gender. On the other end of the spectrum, I admire Jennifer Lopez for having the chutzpah to don a mermaid silhouette Armani Privé gown that not only accentuated her curves, but was constructed with a crescent-shaped bustier that cascaded into a dramatic side train accented by Swarovski rock crystals. It couldn't been a train wreck, but Lopez's risk paid off. My other top picks? Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta (retro glam), Tina Fey in Michael Kors (most improved), Diane Kruger in Chanel Haute Couture (so thin!), Demi Moore in Atelier Versace (very safe), and Carey Mulligan in Prada (although the shoes were a bit too chunky). Take note of Carey's dress: it features tiny forks, knives, bolts, watch gears and scissors covering the corset. In terms of kitsch, she's got this one won hand's down!

While I love every bit of Sandra Bullock, I found her Marchesa gown to be a bit mother-of-the-bride; I would've preferred her in a brighter shock of color. It was her night and I just didn't think that dress screamed "Oscar Winner!" (Kudos, however, to Georgina Chapman for fitting Gabourey Sidibe in a ravishing Marchesa number and proving all heavier-set women don't have to wear Tadashi). The same could be said of Charlize Theron's Dior Haute Couture: the color is divine and Charlize fits it like a glove, but was I the only one who couldn't stop staring at her chest? Perhaps that is the genius that is John Galliano's design, but it didn't do much for me besides make me want to buy a bra. As for high fashion, Zoe Saldana took a calculated risk with her Givenchy Haute Couture gown. The results were controversial to say the least, but I have to say I'm on Team Riccardo Tisci; I found it to be fascinating and equally fitting of a young ingénue as fine-featured as Zoe (that crystallized bodice was a work of art). It's no doubt a lot of dress, but fashion needs more risk takers. What's with all this vanilla on the red carpet--and I don't mean Miley Cyrus' horrid Jenny Packham gown. Also, Anna Kendrick needs a new stylist stat--one that can find her age-appropriate dresses.

Let me close my critique of the Oscars by asking: where were all the heavy-hitters? Angelina Jolie? Jennifer Aniston? Nicole Kidman? Cate Blanchett? Halle Berry? Am I the only one who thought there was a serious shortage of bold-faced names to walk that never-ending red carpet? Actually, nevermind the celebrities; where were the true red carpet gowns? Lanvin? Balenciaga? L'Wren Scott? My dream? To have seen someone try their hand at a custom leather gown designed by Phoebe Philo for Celine. But in this age of mediocrity completely devoid of personal style, I suppose it was too much to ask for.

Somebody get Justin Timberlake back in his Dior Homme tuxedo STAT! I did a double take--and not for good reason--when I saw him at the SAG Awards. This Dolce & Gabbana outfit is all wrong on him. While I love, loved it on the Spring 2010 runway, I think it's completely age inappropriate on Justin (he's no longer 20!). The blue denim ruffled shirt is great looking, but it's not black-tie appropriate--particularly for a mass audience event like the SAG Awards. The shirt would be right at home with a pair of cords on an off day--or if he was attending a fashion industry event. I actually at first thought he pulled it from his own William Rast line. As a designer, he should have just plain known better. But to play devil's advocate, I think both the tuxedo and bowtie were red carpet appropriate--a fitted white shirt would just have been 1,000 times better. Hey, at least the shirt matched his eyes. Couture Snobs: what do you think?

My girl Mariah finally got it right at the SAG awards last weekend (yes I'm a Mariah freak and know almost every song by heart). I'm not super crazy for the one shouldered red dress but at least all body parts are (mostly) covered up. Mariah-- we love you but we don't need to see your 'girls' hanging out at every turn! Let's hope she stays on the path of decency for future appearances.

Calvin Klein Collection is the preeminent house for masterful minimalism--and we continue to be reminded why: Michelle Monaghan at the SAG Awards. The actress was lucky enough to be the recipient of a custom-designed beaded single sleeve gown designed by Francisco Costa and I thought she was the best dressed of the night. While the dress had an exotic reptilian feel to it, it's sleek and refined--and Michelle pulled off monochromatic design amazingly in my opinion. I also love that her hair was side-swept to compensate for the purposefully naked arm. Chic! The pewter Louboutins platforms lent her height--not that she needs any--but didn't compete for attention. And in keeping with the anti-bling theme that the New Year seems to have ushered in, she kept her jewelry simple courtesy of Bruce Hoeksema of VBH (who also designed her clutch): a pair of 18-karat oxidized white gold pendant earrings and an 18-karat oxidized white gold ring.

What do you think, should she have saved this for the Globes instead of the Lacroix?

Snobbiest Dress Destroyed

Chloi Sevegny in Valentino
Such a great dramatic dress, especially sauntering up to the stage to collect her award! You know she's in love with her Valentino by the way she reacted to having her dress stepped on and ripped by the usher. But not to worry, she had backup for the after party - probably planned anyway. Most of their gowns got wet and we all know what that smells like. By the way, Dick Clark Productions couldn't afford to tent the arrivals knowing it was going to rain? Budget they say? Ridiculous. Cut the food, no none is eating anyways.

Snobbiest Understated Gown

Reese Witherspoon in Giorgio Armani Prive
Not the most ostentatious gown to wear to a televised event but everyone there appreciated her perfectly sculpted navy Armani Prive. It looked like it was poured on her.

Jump to see the rest!

Beyond the superficial color trends of Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards--shiny metallics and blush tones anyone?--one theme reigned supreme: texture. The lovely ladies who walked the soggy red carpet embraced one of two options--beads and lace (Penelope Cruz's Armani Privé, Olivia Wilde's Gucci, Jennifer Garner's Atelier Versace) or oh-so-feminine fabric manipulation (Maggie Gyllenhaal's RM by Roland Mouret, Diane Kruger's Lacroix Couture, Drew Barrymore's Atelier Versace, Marion Cotillard's Dior, Kate Hudson's Marchesa).

Was it just me or did in-your-face jewelry of years past not rear its ostentatious head this time around? Don't get me wrong; I love a Cartier, Bulgari, or Van Cleef & Arpels bauble as much as the next Couture Snob, but it was refreshing to see them whittled down this season as elegant complements not vying for attention with the dress (perhaps the unfortunate Haiti earthquake had one positive aftershock). I think two of the evening's best examples of texture and fabric manipulation came courtesy of Carey Mulligan and Chloë Sevigny--both by designers that look like they're making positive comebacks after much designer shuffling. The former's elegant Nina Ricci gown, designed by Peter Copping, featured what appeared to be a crater-cum-floral motif, which perfectly suited the actresses' sweetheart persona while the latter's Valentino gown, masterminded by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, fill both the dramatic and red carpet quotients to a tee.

I like girls who take risks and Olivia Wilde is one of the most bold and daring young stars today. Forget the pouf and the frouf, only the sinfully sexy Gucci will do for the House star. She rocked a fully beaded jet and silver sequined Gucci evening gown like nobody's business tonight on the red carpet! The dress features a plunging neckline with a cascading drape from shoulder to hip-- so glad she kept the jewels to a bare minimum. Gucci just announced they will gift the gown post-event to Olivia who will then donate it for auction to benefit the relief efforts in Haiti. Love it! What about you? What do you think of the plunging gown?

When I was at the Marchesa Spring 2010 Presentation, this gown was an obvious stand out as a red carpet gem. But I did not expect Rihanna to be wearing it. No disrespect whatsoever but I just don't see Rihanna as Marchesa girl. But let me tell you, total props to her!! This gown is nothing short of spectacular, all the flowers are laser cut in multiple layers, the concept and execution are mind blowing. She looked outstanding and her performance was incredible (the bandage outfit was questionable but hey, she has the body to pull it off!!).

For some reason, I was allowed to walk the red carpet at the AMA's (thanks to my BFF Cindy!), and the one person who got all the attention was Paula Abdul in her Temperely mermaid gown. She required an entire staff to walk down the carpet because her train was so long and the gown was so tight. From what I can gather from her PR crew, this was done on purpose. She literally walked 2 inches at a time. She was the first presenter to go on and she seriously slowed down the opening act, which was Janet Jackson. As for the rest of the show, it was very theatrical, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez having the most drama, although, her stupid Louboutin song is really really disappointing. And that's coming from a lifelong dedicated groupie.

Leighton Meester is a vision of old Hollywood glamour in Bottega Veneta's Bianco Chiffon Evening Gown and Carminio Crocodile Knot Clutch (to die!) at the 2009 Emmys. Her high drama make up looks amazing with the white dress and I'm loving the gold cuffs, too. I may be the odd girl out who loves this look but I think Leighton blew Blake Lively away on stage. I watched the pre-show on E! and Nene from Real Housewives said this dress was made for mountain climbing. Uh, when did Nene become a fashion expert? She kept saying she was waiting for the "BAM"; maybe she got the E! Red Carpet show confused with "The Girls Next Door". Nene, that show starts next week. As for me, I'll take glam over bam any day.