RedPoppy's 2011 Oscar Red Carpet Review

Last night's 83rd Annual Academy Awards felt like Amateur Hour thanks to a stony faced James Franco, a Glee club cheerleading Anne Hathaway, and Kirk Douglas, who managed to extended an already awkward telecast by a whole 15 minutes. Boy, I have never, ever been that overjoyed to see Billy Crystal. Ever! Thankfully the Oscars ceremony ushered in the final curtain bow for Hollywood's overblown, pompous, self congratulatory, and always visually stimulating Awards season. Let's face it, enough with the multiple gongs for a teary (but very well deserving) Best Actress who keeps thanking her fiancee for impregnating her, enough with"It's your year Mr. Firth" (though I am undoubtedly one of his biggest fans), and even though he mesmerized me in The Fighter I wish that just once Christian Bale would shut up, eat a sandwich, and lose the beard. YES you ALL did a wonderful job pretending to be someone else, now it's time to go home. In the meantime let's talk about what's important: the Red Carpet Fashions. Unfortunately this year's dress parade was rather disappointing as I waited in vain for those WOW moments which never came. Instead the red carpet was littered with many purple-hued looks and a whole lot of boring dresses I've already seen before (Reese Witherspoon I'm talking to you). On RedPoppy's Best Dressed list? Michelle Williams in white beaded Chanel Haute Couture, 14 year-old Hailee Steinfeld looking beautiful and age appropriate in Marchesa, fashion risk taker Cate Blanchett in lilac Givenchy Haute Couture (we'll talk about that front circle panel later), Matthew McConaughey's lady love Camila Alves stunning in black Kaufman Franco, a gorgeous Annette Benning in rhinestoned Naeem Kahn, and Amy Adams in navy beaded L'Wren Scott (we'll talk about that neckline later). And let's not forget the winners for Best Gongs of the night (scroll to the end)....And without further adieu let's look at the rest...

Michelle Williams is gamine and chic in Chanel Haute Couture.

Hailee Steinfeld is picture frothy perfect in Marchesa

Cate Blanchett in Givency Haute Couture. I like this. I really do. Although I can't help thinking that circle panel is a perfect place for a family photo...

Camila Alves is resplendent in Kaufman Franco. And her boyfriend isn't bad either

Annette Benning's rhinestoned Naeem Kahn dress is a show-stopper. Now that's how it's done!

Amy Adams in navy beaded L'Wren Scott. Navy + Redhead - unattractive mock neckline = Fabulous

Best-dressed family: The Bridges

Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang. Loved the dress, even loved the color. Did not love Sandy's 'touch me and I'll punch you' face. Too much botox, not enough sleep, or just plain p.o.'d?

Near, far, wherever she was, Celine Dion is back! Looking sleek and tres elegant in Armani Prive

Marisa Tomei looks like a vintage eggplant

Natalie Portman in violet maternity Rodarte.
If I was a country right now, I'd be Switzerland...

Javier Bardem: Perfecto. Hola, que guapo eres. Penelope Cruz: Utterly glowing from recent motherhood but also wearing utterly ugly and unflattering dress from 1996

Nicole Kidman (and hubby Keith Urban with a better blowout than you) looks like she won a Christian Dior dinner napkin fight. Also looks like she botoxed her hair bun...

Helena Bonham Carter showing us her Union Jack garter. Well at least someone's having a good time!

Resse Witherspoon recycling Julia Robert's look at the 2001 Oscars. I'm so bored, I'm getting slee...........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Scarlett Johansson in Ggaaah! maroon lace Dolce & Gabbana. Lose the color, get back your hot ex hubby!

Gwyneth Paltrow is Country Wrong and tanorexic in Calvin Klein

James Cameron's Avatar: King's Speech Best Director winner Tom Hooper 

The Winners for BEST pair of GONGS:

Jennifer Hudson in Versace

Opraaaaaaah Winfreeeeeey in Zac Posen

Images courtesy of omg.yahoo.com
Camila Alves image courtesy of instyle.com
Last two photos courtesy of styleite.com

GRAND ENTRANCES: Brides and Celebs on the Red Carpet

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  Suddenly Fall is upon us, that exhilarating time of opening nights and colorful galas.  We all look to the red carpet for inspiration in putting our own looks together, especially if we have an up and coming  wedding or event planned.  Add paparazzi to the mix and we want everything to come together just right. To really understand life on the Red Carpet, we have to think of it similar to the coming of Christmas. Every year a woman active on the social scene has to recreate herself in a stunning way for say, the Met Ball, along with a few other glitzy functions.  An actress, has the Academy Awards for which she has to show up and look beautiful. Then, of course, the bride has the ultimate benefit of an entire event all to herself with masses of loved ones orbiting around her. 

RUNWAY VS. RED CARPET

So what's the difference between the whole fashion equation offered up to us via the  runway as opposed to red carpet?

Looking over the sometimes wakadoodle presentation of runway collections twice a year, models look 14, 40 lbs underweight and as if make up artists and hair people have run amok on them.  Red Carpet on the other hand is real women editing and adapting their own persona into a designer's blueprint.  Only when a woman steps into a gown, fully accessorized by her own hand (or a very talented stylist's), does that design really become a creation.  Thus, the designer has become the middleman between concept and reality.

With so many actresses strutting down the carpet these days, not all you may have noticed, rate style icon status.  Ever notice most have the requisite elements of chic but the picture isn't complete? the whole symmetry thrown off somehow? So, the question many are asking is, do public personalities and even brides need stylists to put them together for those occasions where there's a nanosecond to make a first impression?
You be the judge on that one. Stylist defined is, someone who puts you together literally from hairdressing, to the Manolo Blaniks on your feet. Many actresses, political figures and women on the social scene work with private stylists like Rachael Zoe, whose claim to fame is dressing stars like Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz.  A top stylist like Zoe can develop entire looks and wardrobes from sportswear to gala or simply work on premiere looks for clients who want to make that big splash at a toney bash.  Whether they lead public or private lives, some women do have a way of putting themselves together without anyone’s help, thank you. Did Jacqueline Kennedy really need a stylist?

We know during her White House days she had a retinue of hairdressers and makeup people around her constantly as well as the ever present  Oleg Cassini whom she kept busy  custom designing  her cutting edge wardrobe of the day.   But ultimately, Jackie was her own best stylist.   I’m finding the women who  really know how to paint themselves into the whole picture and make the grand entrances  have  years of fashion experience, the faux pas as well as accomplishments.  Then there are those who just plain get it.  The same way Paul Klee looked at a canvas or Mozart the piano and just . . get it. . .

WOMEN WHO  GET IT

Anne Hathaway: Actress

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This gown by Marchesa that actress and style icon, Anne Hathaway wore to the Oscars in 2008 was introduced to me via the designer of the floral swag on this gown.  Taking the actual gown fabric, each rose was crafted by hand.  Anne paired up this crepe creation with a 10-carat diamond earrings worth more than 1m.

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 And here Anne does it again in Versace at  the 2008 Venice Film Festival. Off the charts chic at its finest, accessorized with a gold necklace, simple matching gold clutch and Christian Louboutin stiletto sandals. Notice in both how minimally she's accessorized and the principle of less is more?

Cate Blanchett: Actress

 2008 had to be the year dubbed Gorgeous Gown with the Hollywood crowd.  Here Cate Blanchett gets it right at the 61st Cannes Film Festival even after giving birth just one month before.  She wears this pale peach ruffled Armani Prive gown.  Check out her exquisite hairstyling . . .

  

Deepa Pakianathan: Style Setter on the Social Scene

Drew Altizer Photography

 Recently at the 2010 opening of the San Francisco Opera, Deepa Pakianathan stunned us with this creation by Zuhair Murhad that had all the crucial elements of a grand ball gown while incorporating the time-honored and ancient art of silk screen.  Five layers of tulle underneath, the top layer of white silk skirt is bordered in tones of black and gray depicting a scene out of 18th century London. The final touch is an asymmetrically placed black bow and sash cinching the waist.  Again notice the accessories.  Clearly, less is more.

Drew Altizer Potography/Deepa's jewelry by Rosalina

Mingling with Joe Lacob and Nicole Curran at the SF Opera

THE RED CARPET BRIDE

 Chelsea and Bill/Vera Wang Rendering of Chelsea's Gown

On July 30, 2010 she was a vision in a whipped parfait of silk-white swirling organza.  Suddenly longer veils are chic again.  I have to say, Chelsea's right up there with Grace Kelly when it comes to rising to the occasion and creating the ultimate in bridal looks.   Of course, you can't go wrong with Vera Wang as your designer now, can you?

 

Chelsea at Derby

WHAT IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE AND LESS OF ON THE RED CARPET

more* HAIRSTYLING: Whilst the simplicity of slicked back hair and ballerina buns is tres chic in my book, wouldn't we all love a return to some real hairdressing like we had in the sixties?  Think Audrey Hepburn and her bouffant updos.  The intricate swirled chignons and buns of the 1940s were gorgeous too.

more* Going for more of a total look.  Albeit this is easier for some than others but it usually means clinching the look with something as simple as a particular piece of jewelry or great pair of sandals.

less*GLITZ and more couture.  Hollywood is getting better but stilll hasn't shucked the Jayne Mansfield kitch lingering from the 50s. Those who insist on gowns with a sheen or uber-bling might look to cinema designer, Edith Head for inspiration.  Also, Hollywood has more blondes than Sweden did back in 1055 AD.  Personally, I'd love to see a return of the Hitchkock Blonde a la Grace Kelly and 'Tippi' Hedren who really knew how to wear couture while practicing the art of being stylishly blonde.   

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Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gaultier.

A FEW LAST WORDS ABOUT WHITE

For me, white is the most powerful  and stunning statement a woman can make with a grand entrance.  The downside of this is, brides over the past few years seem to have have commandeered white as their very own.  Shucking the traditional high-collar and  long sleeved straight jacket designs of yesteryear, we’ve seen women marching down the aisle in backs so low and fronts a plunging, even Rudi Gernreich is turning in his grave.   Add to that ditching the veil for little  cocktail hats or gardenias in the hair, and this leaves women who want to sport a an all white  look come gala night, open to more than a few, “Don't you look as pretty as a bride,’ comments.  To all the actresses in Hollywood and women on the social scene who have sported an all-white look, I totally applaud you and encourage you from my little corner of this blogsphere to keep wearing the white satin/jersey/crepe proudly.    And believe me if white isn't your game, there’s room for every style and color on the red carpet.

Additional credits:

Obama photo  
Michelle in Naeem Khan

Jacqueline Kennedy
in Oleg Cassini

2010 Tony Awards

The fashions may have been a mixed carpet of Elegant and What The?? but the creme de la creme of the Broadway stage gathered in NYC's Radio City Music Hall last night to toast the 2010 Tony Awards. Among the Hollywood-heavy attendees were winners Scarlett Johansson and Denzel Washington, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, Idina Menzel, and Glee stars Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison.
Scarlett Johansson

ScarJo accepting her Tony award from presenter Katie Holmes

Lea Michele-Lose the bangs Rachel!

Idina Menzel

Kristin Chenoweth-A little too short there honey!

Laura Linney-ugh those shoes!

Ryan Reynolds

Ricky Martin

Cate Blanchett- a bit too shiny for the red carpet..

Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber

Winner Viola Davis

Lucy Liu

Catherine Zeta-Jones-What The???

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith-looking like Grace Jones' doppleganger...

Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas-looking worse for wear...

Photos courtesy of dailymail.co.uk, tonyawards.com

Cate Blanchett Feet

Cate Blanchett feet pictures, Cate Blanchett legs, Cate Blanchett toes, Cate Blanchett barefoot and shoes.

Cate Blanchett a magnificent talented Golden Globe award winning Australian actress, known for her role in the movie Elizabeth and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.