Tuesday, May 8, 2018

The Met Gala 2018

Fashion's biggest night has come and gone. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala has a different theme each year, and this year it was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. The Catholic religion offers much in the way of fashion inspiration. Popes, bishops and cardinals tend to spare no expense in the wardrobe department to show their devotion. Here are some of the stand out looks of the night, both good and bad.


Rosie Huntington-Whiteley 
Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Ralph Lauren
 This is one of my favorite looks of the night. The pale gold shade is so flattered on RHW, and I always love a cape. The saintly golden halo is the perfect touch to keep with the theme.  

Reactions to Rihanna at the 2018 Met Gala
Rihanna in Maison Margiela
 This outfit could have been so good, the jacket is incredible...but then there's the pope hat. This is a bit too literal of an interpretation of the Catholic theme. Although, I bet the pope wishes he looked this good. 


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Gigi Hadid in Versace
I love this gown. While the theme might not be as obvious in this look as some of the other ones from the night, it brings to mind the stunning stained glass windows that are often found in Catholic cathedrals and churches. Versace has had a serious comeback this year, and their gowns were all over the red carpet for this ultimate fashion event. 
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Katy Perry in Versace
Unfortunately, the wings are not the worst part of this look. The mini dress underneath is so terribly unflattering on her. Something about the fit looks very off to me. These boots are amazing though...but they would be way better with a black or a white dress.


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Kim Kardashian in Versace
 Before I even discuss the dress, I have to talk  about her face! She looks like a completely different person. I suppose it could be her makeup and high tight pony tail, but I have a feeling that it's more likely to be something more permanent, shall we say. Also, is it just me, or has her hip to waist ratio gotten even more extreme? The dress is okay, really nothing special or different though. 

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Amanda Seyfried in Prada
Prada always misses on the red carpet, and in this case the one weird sleeve ruined it for me. The mustard shade is really beautiful on her and I like the overall gown, save for the sleeve. I do love that she topped off the look with a crown. 
 
 
 
 
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 Kate Bosworth in Oscar de la Renta
 I am on the fence about this look. There is no denying that this is a beautiful gown, but the mantilla/veil thing I am not 100% sold on. It seems a little odd that she would dress up like a virginal bride, but I suppose those Catholics do like their virgins.
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Selena Gomez in Coach
This is one of the worst looks of night. At an occasion such as this it's much better to go way too far over the top with the theme (see Rihanna, Katy Perry and Sarah Jessica Parker), than to not even partake in the theme and look terrible anyway. If you're going to be rude enough to ignore the theme, then you should at the very least look amazing. This looks like a sad old nightgown without enough breast support. The whole internet has been wondering about her excessive spray tan, and I tend to wonder along with them...
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Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce and Gabbana
SJP has always taken the Met Gala very seriously, and stuck closely to the theme. This year was of course no exception. Apparently, the thing in her head is an actual altar. The gown is pretty incredible, but I think the shoulder ruffles and the bell sleeves are a bit much all together. 
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Jennifer Lopez in Versace
While there is no denying that she looks incredible, as always, this dress is not good. The feathered train looks like an old bearskin rug that she's dragging behind her. The aggressive pointed shoulders are a bit too 80s, and the cross is too literal of an interpretation of the theme. She should have worn a crown like the queen she is!



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Blake Lively in Versace
This gown is one of my favorite Met Gala looks of all time, so I felt is deserved to been seen from all angles. Blake Lively rarely disappoints me, and this stunning Versace number is truly a show stopper. I love her golden spiked halo, mimicking the rays of holy light emanating from the head of a saint in Catholic imagery. The pope I am sure would love the gold and regal red shades in the gown. I really wish I had a life where I could wear something this dramatic. 

Sunday, March 11, 2018

The 90th Academy Awards

The ceremony for Oscar's 90th year was an unfortunate let down. The only speech that moved me at all was Frances Mcdormand, the musical performances were forgettable at best (at worst they were off key), and worst of all, there wasn't a single dress that really wowed me. It seemed like in the wake of #metoo and #timesup everything was very restrained. The Golden Globes were much more lively and impassioned, but it seems like Hollywood has lost their steam. Or maybe they just lost their way without Oprah there. Either way, the ladies on the red carpet still had to wear something, so I will now dissect it.



Nicole Kidman in Armani Prive

I know this look topped a lot of best dressed lists, but I am not a fan. The fabric looks very stiff to me, which gives the dress a bit of a dated look, and all I can think of when I look at her chest is a pair of Mickey Mouse ears. I am not and never have been much of a fan of the deep sweetheart neckline. As well, I am not into bows. This one is particularly offensive. A hard pass for me.


Margot Robbie in Chanel

This is one of my favorite looks of the night. Impeccable fit of course, and I really like how this is bit of a different take on the off the shoulder trend. The trailing crystals really make this a special dress. I also just LOVE her bag!


Lupita Nyong'o in Atelier Versace

I really wouldn't have minded this dress at all if it weren't for the horrifying black shoulder sash thing. It looks like she ran out of time and just swiped something from the costume department on the set of her new superhero movie. Someone involved in the design of this was like "hmm...it really needs something extra." Well it didn't need anything extra and in adding it, the whole thing fell apart. Sometimes more is not more.



Gal Gadot in Givenchy

This is one of my favorite looks of the night. I love some sparkle and fringe, and this is the right way to do it. We all know how wrong sparkle and fringe can go (think Vegas showgirl), but this has more of a vintage vibe. The key to pulling this look off, aside from impeccable tailoring, is having a small chest. The lariat necklace (Tiffany, and valued at more than my condo probably), which is simply stunning, perfectly compliments the gown. This is a winner!



Sandra Bullock in Louis Vuitton

I really like this dress with the high halter neckline and ombre scattering of gold sequins, but her hair and makeup made me really sad. The flat long hair takes away from the dramatic neckline of the gown. I would have loved a high ponytail, and the eye makeup is way too heavy. Hair and makeup can really make or break an outfit, so this is very disappointing.



Jennifer Garner in Atelier Versace

YAAASSS! This might be the best that Jennifer Garner has ever looked! Sexy, classy and timeless perfection. The colour of the gown is simply stunning and her hair and makeup are on point. Although this gown is nothing we haven't seen before, I love the classic Versace Greek goddess vibe we're getting here, and the shoulder scarf accent adds the perfect amount of dramatic effect.




Zendaya in Giambattista Valli

I truly hate this dress. Brown might be the ugliest possible colour choice for a red carpet gown. In fact, brown is a pretty ugly colour overall. Aside from the hideous colour choice, the cascading piles of fabric almost swallow this poor girl up!


Emily Blunt in Schiaparelli Haute Couture

This is not a good dress. For starters, the colour is terribly unflattering on her and completely washes her out. What completely ruins this dress for me though, is the little pouffy cap sleeves. Why were those even part of the design? Take those away and it's a cool halter style. Another gown ruined with too much pouf...



Jennifer Laurence in Christian Dior

Jennifer Lawrence usually tops my best dressed list, but this was a miss for me. Something about this look reads as a bit trashy to me, and I can't quite put my finger on what exactly it is. The makeup for sure is a bit heavy, and I think it would have come across better if her hair was up. Something about the hair is off. I think it's too soft and casual looking for this dress. While I don't hate the dress itself, I do think it would be better without the line of darker sequins across the hips and the tiny spaghetti straps.



Salma Hayek in Gucci

Worst dressed alert! Yikes. This looks like the result of a drunk trip to Fabricland and Michaels followed by unsupervised access to a glue gun and/or Bedazzler. There is far too much going on in one dress and all of what is going on is pretty tacky. Her tiny stature combined with her enormous bosom does not create a canvas conducive to tiered layers of lilac sequins and a crystal harness. This is just a terrible terrible mess, and a true red carpet tragedy.



Samara Weaving in Schiaparelli Couture

This was one of my favorite looks of the night. The soft chiffon-y fabric is perfectly offset with the metallic belt. I love the orangey red colour, and the flowy seventies vibe. It reminds of a dress that Lauren Hutton wore to the Oscars in the seventies, but hers was done in pastel shades. I would lighten up her eye makeup a little though, less black and maybe more gold shimmery eye shadow would look prettier.



Taraji P. Hensen in Vera Wang

This is just completely wrong and heinous on all levels. Especially compared to how fantastic she looked last year! What could have gone so wrong with her taste level in one short year? Too sheer, too many awkwardly placed cut-outs, too much of a slit, and when I saw her being interviewed, I am 99% sure that I saw a nipple. the shape isn't even flattering and I loath the weird arm bands. Vera Wang should be ashamed.



Viola Davis in Michael Kors Collection

This was a miss for me. The Pepto Bismol pink is really tricky to pull off in a gown, and it is especially tricky when it is done in a sequined fabric. It just looks cheap to me, and the seaming under the boobs doesn't help. I am not a fan of the neckline and the thick shoulder straps either. Adding to overall effect is the poor choice of hairstyle. Viola Davis usually looks really good, so this is a disappointment.


Allison Janney in Reem Acra

Definitely one of the best of the night. I am really loving red right now, and the shade looks great on her. Of course, the impeccable fit and tailoring is key. The simple diamond necklace and coordinating clutch are perfect finishing touches, because with an epic sleeve like she has here you don't need much more. I am getting strong Morticia Addams vibes and I love it!









Thursday, January 25, 2018

The Screen Actors Guild Awards

I missed doing a post on the Golden Globes this year, but everyone knows the main take away was Oprah's speech, which overshadowed everything else including everything on the red carpet. So instead, I will begin awards season with the SAG awards. I will save the best for last, so lets get right to the worst of the night, and wow, were there some real eyesores.



Kate Hudson in Valentino
I think that this is the first time that Kate Husdon has been on my worst dressed list. In fact, she is often on the best dressed list! To start, the haricut is not good, but we can't blame her for that since she had to shave her head for a movie role. A severe and less feminine hairstyle really looks best when offset with a sexier and sleek look. However, this Victorian-esque ensemble that Kate chose looks TERRIBLE with her new pixie cut. Somehow this gown manages to look both extremely dowdy and like it was meant for a six-year-old. Kate's 72 year old mother had a more youthful look for the evening.




Sally Hawkins in Dior Haute Couture
I am all about a good jumpsuit on the red carpet. However, this is not good. To me this seizure-inducing ensemble is only good for one thing: a clown costume. I cannot believe that this came out of the Dior atelier, it looks more like it came from somewhere called Bozo's House of Clowns. Be really careful not to look at this for too long, because I do strongly feel that it could permanently damage not only your retinas, but your brain too.




Saorise Rownan in Louis Vuitton
This looks like reject from Princess Leia's closet. It's ill-fitting, unflattering and unfashionable. A major miss, especially from an actress who is nominated.


Kristen Bell in J. Mendel
This is so bad. It's dated and uninspired. How many times have we seen something like this? A better question is why would we ever want to see again? It wasn't any good the first fifty times. The dress she wore for her hosting duties was 1000% better:





Lupita Nyong'o in Ralph and Russo
She somewhat resembles a silver mermaid and I love it. The gunmetal colour is gorgeous on her, and the fit is flawless. A straight across strapless style is tricky to get a really good fit, and so usually I don't like this style, but it really works here.


Mary J. Blige in Jean Louis Sabaj
This is so cool, it looks like Morticia Adams being caressed by an angel wing. I love the graphic black and white and the ombre effect in the feathers. The only things I would change are her hair and earrings. I think a really sleek and simple updo and minimal earrings would have been better with such a statement gown.


Mandy Moore in Ralph Lauren
This is my top look of the night. She manages to make the trendy slip dress look timeless and classic. The colour is stunning and I love that it has some shimmer to it. I like the coordinating clutch and her hair and makeup are perfect. The only thing I would change is to do more of a statement earring.


Tracee Ellis Ross in Ralph and Russo
I love a good cape and this all white ensemble does not disappoint. Keeping the whole look monochromatic save for a bright red lip really makes the whole thing pop.


Allison Brie in Dundas
I absolutely love that this gown is a bit of an homage to her role on GLOW as a professional wrestler. Red with a metallic lighting bolt applique could look like a literal wrestling costume, but instead she somehow manages to look edgy and sophisticated.


Yara Shahidi in Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren wins the night! I lied before because this look might just nudge Mandy Moore out of the top spot. As I said before I love a jumpsuit on the red carpet, but a jumpsuit with a train?? It's the best of both worlds. The big hair and earrings and bold lip perfectly compliment this high fashion look. She nailed it 1000%.