Known for his bright colour combinations, full skirts and beautiful embellishment, Oscar de la Renta’s romantic and ladylike designs, regularly worn by socialites and starlets, captivated all our imaginations.
My favourite Oscar de la Renta moment? Carrie Bradshaw at MacDonalds…
“Oscar de La Renta sleeveless silk, full-skirted dress with black patent-leather bow belt… Now THAT is pure poetry.”
The Oscar de la Renta SS’14 show at New York Fashion Week was, as we've come to always expect from the patriarch of American fashion, utterly breathtaking. Filled with show stopping princess gowns and striking statement shades (supermodel Joan Small in that yellow dress – totally knockout!) had the audience of this ultra feminine collection apparently gasping with delight.
I'm not usually a fan of thematic manicures but I loved 'The New Girl' actress Zooey Deschanel teaming her red silk taffeta Oscar de la Renta gown and Kwiat jewellery with her quirky retro film strip nail art at this weekend's Golden Globes. ADORKABLE.
I have made no secret that I LOVE award shows. I am thrilled that people from all areas within the film industry are annually rewarded for their often extreme and valiant attempts to entertain us… But mainly, I just freaking love seeing all the pretty frocks on the red carpet. The fashion at last weekend’s 70th Golden Globes may have seemed a tad disappointing to some in comparison to last year’s more glamorous turn out, but I for one actually really appreciated the more fresh-faced actresses wearing simpler, cleaner silhouettes giving the typically bejeweled and fishtailed crowd a run for their money.
My two favourite looks of the night were those of Thandie Newton (above, in Giles Deacon teamed with I'd-sell-my-granny-for-this-pair-of bubblegum pink heels) and Marion Cotilard (below, in custom-made Christian Dior by Raf Simons accessorised with a leopard print clutch). Both actresses wore unconventionally shorter cut dresses than we are used to seeing at these Tinseltown ceremonies , and both looked beautifully modern, unfussy and surprisingly natural in a sea of Veronica Lake hair and embellished tulle.
Several red carpet trends (which in turn, usually indicate what will be 'coming soon to a cinema high street near you’) were very clear for us to see – alongside a bizarrely large amount of black dresses (luckily made more interesting with varying degrees of pretty gold embellishment, as seen below) I noticed the following styles having their moment;
1) Peekaboo Cutaways
As seen in abundance on the SS’13 catwalks, cutaway styles and peekaboo detailing is a mehejour trend for this year, one that was shown in all it’s glory a the Golden Globes. Below (L-R): Peepo! Emily Blunt sparkling in Michael Kors, Nicole Kidman and Kate Hudson looking utterly regal in Alexander McQueen and Kristen Wiig in Michael Kors.
2) Fifty Shades of Red
From scarlet to ruby, from ox-blood to tomato, all the colours of the red rainbow were well represented on the matching carpet. Below (L-R, Clockwise): Ben Affleck's Argo-rgeous wife Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood, Clare Danes in vibrant Versace, Zooey Deschanel was fairy-tale cute in Oscar de la Renta, girl-of-the-moment Jennifer Lawrence dramatic in Dior, Naomi Watts in Zac Posen and Marion Cotillard looking aDiorable.
3) It's Just, A Little Blush
The Red Carpet made many an actress blush last night, with a bevy of beauties choosing nude tones. Below (L-R): Kerry Washington Wow Wow’s in Miu Miu, Meghan Fox in Dolce & Gabbana, Anne Hathaway elegant in Chanel, Amada Seyfried ethereal in Givenchy.
4) Backless
Rather than strapless, this year's red carpet was all about backless... Just perfect for that 'looking over my left shoulder' pose. Below (L-R): Naomi Watts posing in Zac Posen, Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein and Julianna Margulies being Pucci Perfect.
5) Fishtailed Fancies
There was lots of swishing and wiggling with beautiful mermaid tails a'plenty at this year's Golden Globes. Below (L-R): Taylor Swift looked amazing in Donna Karan Atelier, Amy Adams in Marchesa and the always perfect Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta.
6) Brits Abroad
Say what you want about their outfits, and a couple of these choices have indeed had some critics on the fence, but the Brits are all about non-traditional, fashion-forward style. Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the… Carpet. I salute you ladies. (Below L-R): Dotty for Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton, cream of the crop(tops) Sienna Miller in Erdem, Thandie Newton in Giles Deacon and a lady(Mary)like Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier.
7) Jolie-ing
An odd trend but a trend nonetheless! Angelina’s awkward right leg thrust at last year’s Oscars obviously had a resounding effect in Hollywood with several actresses at the Golden Globes also putting their best foot (far too) forward for the cameras. Below (L-R): Eva Longoria in Pucci, Lea Michele in Elie Saab , Halle Berry in Atelier Versace, Rosie Huntington-Whitely statuesque in Saint Laurent and Heidi Klum in Alexandre Vauthier.
When Bad Dresses Happen To Good People...
Unfortunately there are always some ladies who just… get it wrong. This year, I think the worst dress was worn by Jessica Chastain (below). Usually on all the 'Best Dressed' lists, the Golden Globe Award winning actress wore this saggy light blue dress by Calvin Klein.
Jessica's style travesty was closely followed by Halle Berry (in Atelier Versace - very nineties J-Lo), Lucy Lu (this Carolina Herrera dress is too big with too complicated a print for the red carpet) and Eva Longoria (just too chesty and too leggy in Pucci – pick just one).
