With the red carpet still warm after the biggest night in Hollywood (and gowns, after inaguration night) , the first reports by the fashion police have come in and the verdict has not been a good one for Hollywood glamour.
We can agree that it was Kate Winslet‘s big night, after the English rose won her first Oscar for Best Actress. Her YSL off-the-shoulder gown and uptight hairstyle, however, failed to win awards, and she was dubbed the “dominatrix” of the night.
Angelina de Vil
They were also spot-on, in my opinion, with describing Angelina as downright scary in her Cruella-esque Eli Saab. What is it with Angelina these days? In spite of having the hottest boyfriend around, an assortment of lovely, healthy kids and a kicking career, the Changeling star is rarely ever seen smiling, and is definitely going south in terms of weight. Sorry to be cliched, but I have to compare to Jen Anniston, who, was overheard backstage whispering adoring words of love to her man, John Meyer, “I really love you, every part of you”
On the lighter side, other stars donned white, cream and other saintly shaded gowns, some hitting and others missing in terms of fashion wins. Penelope Cruz was definitely a winner in my book in her gorgeously embellished Vintage Balmain, as was Anne Hathaway in her elegant shimmering dress by Armani Prive.
MC Hammer, Aladdin….yes, “those” pants, also known as genie pants made famous by the 80’s rapper and magic carpet enthusiast. While they were seen as early as last fall, most notably on the rather scary Naomi Campbell in her sparkly YSL’s, the Spring collections have definitely been awash by the poufy pairs- tapered at the bottom and seen in a variety of fabrics and lengths.
In the photo are some made by Ralph Lauren, who has managed to pull off a combination that I can’t see anyone else doing – Indiana Jones meets MC Hammer in Vegas? But hey, it works and looks incredibly chic to me even if I just don’t see myself wearing these harem pants however “IT” their status is.
If you do decide to take the plunge, shorter lengths tend to be more flattering when paired with a fitted top. Cropped tops also go really well with Harem pants if you are daring, or if you have killer abs to show off!
Yes, the world’s finances are in turmoil, so it’s a bit of a welcome escape that Paris Haute Couture week has begun. Instead of the usual Bois de Boulogne, it was lavishly held at Versailles no less, in the Orangerie. Which is, by the way, a sort of fancier conservatory or greenhouse, called so by the fashionable folk from the 17th to 19th century.
As it was Dior’s 60th anniversary, Galliano, resplendent in his Matador-inspired ensemble, went all out to express, or rather, show off his creative genius by a collection that was a tribute to his art collection – where the silhouette and embellishments echoed the inspiration and technique of history’s great artists. People expected him perhaps pay homage to Dior’s beginnings – the full skirted look of 1947, but instead he surprised and delighted the audience with his clever choice of theme.
“...A black-gloved Gisele Bundchen, with arched eyebrows and exquisitely judged beauty spot, represented Irving Penn; a model in a jacquard suit and black venetian mask referred to Picasso’s blue period. Angela Lindvall wore a Monet-inspired gown on which pale green leaves and pinkish white petals were stitched as lilies on a pond, while Degas was referenced in a simple ballet-slipper toned dress with tiny block shoes woven into the model’s hair….“
It’s been a momentous day for U.S politics and the world, and all eyes today were on the Obamas, especially on the First Lady‘s inaugural dress. There’s been a lot of speculation on what the now F.L Michelle Obama would wear on her husband’s big day, and even Isabel Toledo, the designer who created the lovely yellow ensemble, was in the dark until Tuesday morning. The American designer of Cuban heritage has dressed the F.L. before, at an event in October, and today has no doubt become a household name.
“The jewel-collared, pale yellow lace coat, sweater and sheath dress ensemble featured a clever hidden layer of tulle, Pashmina and Swiss wool lace to help the first lady stave off the cold. Obama accessorized with green Jimmy Choo shoes and green gloves from J.Crew.”
The fashion world have applauded her choice, and I have to say I agree with them. It takes fashion savvy and confidence to wear a golden sunny color on such a bleak winter morning.
And once again, the F.L. showed her love for being a budget-sensible online shopper by using her J.Crew gloves and dressing her stylish girls Malia and Sasha in colourful periwinkle and guava coats by the same shop.
In 2008, the words that spoke out in the world of fashion were Stars and Stripes, Saint Laurent and Sales. Stars because the fashion trends of the year almost always kick off on the 16th of January, also known as Kate Moss‘ birthday, where the erstwhile 30something waif partied like there was no tomorrow (and indeed there wasn’t as the party lasted 3 days) in her star-studded Chanel jumpsuit, with matching makeup no less. Needless to say stars, Chanel and jumpsuits were deemed stellar sellers for the year.
June saw the low point in fashion, with the passing away of Yves Saint Laurent, age 71, style icon extraordinaire, who pioneered much of what we see in fashion today.
The Stars made their appearance again, with Stripes this time, in the form American politics, what with a new fashion star on the rise, the then democratic candidate’s wife, now First lady-elect, Michelle Obama, whose statuesque figure and flair for style were a breath of fresh air in Washington after the boring Bush wives. Through the primaries (that seemed to last forever) and the interview where she charmingly said she fancied online shopping at J Crew to election night when she wore THAT red Narciso Rodriguez dress, the words Jackie O were on everyone’s lips, which in my book is the ultimate compliment.
And finally, one can’t deny the new depression-era feeling that is hitting the world, given the current financial crisis everywhere. If the past decade saw the words “excess”, “IT” and “luxe”, it looks like 2009 will be quite the opposite. Recyle, be thrifty and make the most out of the sales!
