Golden Globes 2015

Yessssssss… Award season has begun, which to me means the red carpet’s Battle of the Dresses is ON good people of Hollywood!  The Golden Globes, a ceremony I have always viewed as the drunken, more entertaining version of the Oscars, gives us not only an early indication of the season’s winners, but also a welcome glimpse at the latest show stopping frocks (or sparkly jumpsuits, as the case was this year).   

It is worth mentioning, before we get to the fashion nitty gritty, that the glorious Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presented the awards for the very last time on Sunday (a total travesty, someone throw even more money at them, QUICK!) Their opening monologue (below) was, once again, my serious highlight of the night… These two ladies and their on-point humour shall be greatly missed. 

Right, back to the fashuuuuun and my Best Dressed of the night… With so many of the stars dressed immaculately, but oh so predictably, at these events, I will always be drawn to the women who choose not to play it so safely (or clevagey).  No one, in my opinion, looked better at this year's Golden Globes than TLC's serial red carpet winner, Emma Stone.  Wearing a bejeweled Lanvin jumpsuit, the actress oooozed confidence and cool, with just the right amount of quirk.  Diane Kruger looked every inch the blonde and icy screen siren wearing one of my favourite designers, Emilia Wickstead.  I also adored beautiful Brit Felicity Jones’ unusual, teal Christian Dior gown, which although divided opinion, had me at hello. 

Special mentions must go to Leslie Mann for her yellow Kaufman Franco sequinned dress/green clutch combo (and for just always being the sweetest, most cute-as-a-button thing I ever did see), Sienna Miller’s stand out Miu Miu dress worn with rocky, choppy hair, and Anna Kendrick in her Cinderella by name/role, Cinderella by nature/dress, in fairytale Monique Lhuillier.

It has to be said, shiny Golden Globes may have been highly sought after by many a Hollywood hand, but the real winners were these three dapperly dressed dudes, all holding super smokin' and strikingly dressed ladies in their arms;  Benedict Cumberbatch with his fiancé Sophie Hunter (in Erdem), Joshua Jackson with long-term love Diane Kruger (in Emilia Wickstead) and Jamie Dornan with wife Amelia Warner (in another of my favourite designers, Husihan Zhang).  High five gentlemen, we salute you.

Below:  When Bad Dresses Happen to Good People.  Ohhhh… There’s always one who lets the side down… ok, perhaps five.  I met Lana Del Rey in LA once, she was LOVELY, unlike her dress on Sunday.  Rosamund Pike was scarily good in 'Gone Girl,' ironically as her cutom-made Vera Wang dress was scarily bad.  Lupita Nyong’o, who topped EVERY best dressed list last season, clearly has decided to let everyone else have a go this year, wearing this Giambattista Valli 'thing.'  Michelle Monaghan wearing a 'Throwback Thursday' to the awesome nineties… except it was a Sunday, and this Jason Wu dress was not awesome.  Kate Mara in Miu Miu. Has the 'House of Cards' actress stepped in a puddle?  Do puddles even exist in LA?!  And don’t get me started on that belt... No Kate. No. 

For the full list and details of the evening's winners see HERE

HAWT: Blake Lively at Cannes 2014

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

Look, I’m not sure what Blake Lively was doing at Cannes either, but what I am sure of, is that I’m mighty glad she was - in all her blonde bombshell glory.  Blake does good Cannes.  From the minute Mrs. Reynolds stepped her long legs and ‘nudist heels’ (these are now ‘a thing’ apparently) off her boat wearing a Giambattista Valli SS’14 Couture white textured mini dress with pink embroidery and crystal detailing (right) I knew we were in for some serious fashaaan moments from the actress over the two day festival.  I was quadruple right...
 Right:  Blake next transformed into my childhood dream Barbie, wearing a stunning, 3D, iridescent Chanel SS’14 Couture dress with Sophia Webster (one of TLC's faves) heels at the ‘Mr. Turner’ premiere.  The dress made her already teeny tiny waist look teenier and tinier and I adore the pocket detailing. 

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Below:  Blake's two-toned bordeau Gucci Premiere gown, with it’s bold slit worn and halter-neck, worn with the actress' favoruite style of bed-head fish plaits to the ‘Grace of Monaco’ premiere, won red-carpet high fives all round.  Well played Blake, well played. 

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Below:  Blake’s final look was a fifties-inspired, dramatic, white and black stapless Gucci Premiere gown, which she wore accompanying her utterly infatuated and beaming husband (who could blame him?!) to the premiere of his latest film, ‘Captives.’ 

The Oscars - 2014

With surprisingly less ‘stand out’ frocks on the red carpet this year than the last (what were these drably dressed women thinking, that we cared about their actual films?!) the uncontested best dressed ladies at the 86th Academy Awards were Cate Blanchett andLupita Nyong’o.  In a sea of black gowns and (we’ve seen them all before) nude-toned dresses, both these actresses dressed to impress and with every intention of walking away with those golden statues… which they did.  

Best Actress Cate Blanchett wore a flesh toned, delicately embellished and very romantic Armani Privé dress which almost looked like her own beautifully pale skin.  As faultless as she always dresses, and this was no exception, I’d have loved her to have worn a brighter, red or coral lipstick to really perfect the look.   Best Supporting Actress Lupita Nyong’o, who hasn’t put a (well heeled) foot wrong during the lengthy awards season, wore a custom-made ‘Nairobi Blue’ Prada gown (the colour reminded the actress of growing up in Nairobi) with a plunging neckline and sparkling embroidery.  I wasn’t entirely sold on the actress’ Fred Leeighton diamond headband, but hey, who am I to judge a girl for having her Cinderella moment?!  The award winning actresses, who we are more used to seeing wear bolder (Lupita) and quirkier (Cate) designs, both looked elegant, super-feminine and timeless.

A special mention must also go to Kate Hudson (above), who was presenting an Oscar on the night.  Wearing a stunning, low-cut Atelier Versace dress with amazing caped sleeves, the gorgeous actress evoked an old Hollywood glamour, accessorizing with an Art Deco inspired clutch.   Also, Angelina Jolie’s make-up (below) deserves a special mention. Neutral, earthy and simple, Angie's thick lashes, soft smokey eyes and nude lips looked subtle and flawless. 

Below:  Ummm... déjà vu much?!  Clumsy Best Supporting Actress nominee Jennifer Lawrence, wearing Dior (like last year) and a Harry Winston back-necklace (like last year) fell over (like last year) on the red carpet at the start of the evening.  The loveable clutz then hid behind a giant Oscar statue.  Ellen Degeneres later mocked J-Law by saying if she were to win an Oscar that night, they would bring the award to her... Safety first.

Below:  Singer/Rapper/Producer Pharrell Williams arrived at the Oscars wearing schoolboy-like Lanvin Tuxedo Shorts… Please tell me this is not going to become ‘a thing!’  Come back Vivienne Westwood Canadian Mountain Ranger Hat, aaall is forgiven!! 

Below:  A big new red carpet trend at year’s Academy Awards was… Photobombing!  Jennifer Lawrence’s love of the red carpet photobomb has gloriously caught on andBenedict Cumberbatch’s magnificent airborne photobombing of U2 was worthy of anOscar in itself! Other note-worthy photobombing was achieved by Jared Leto to Anne Hathaway, who then in turn photobombed Jessica Biel. Boom!!  

Below:  ​Pharrell Williams (thankfully out of those shorts) performed his song ‘Happy’ from ‘Despicable Me 2’ (catchiest song EVER?!) and shared short, impromptu dances and shoulder shimmies with nominees Lupita Nyong’oMeryl Streep and Amy Adams.

Below:  Jared Leto, with enviably perfect ombre hair, won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as transgender AIDS patient Rayon in 'Dallas Buyers Club.'  Jared is 42 years old... HOW did that happen?!  He doesn't look a day over Jordan Catalano. 

Below:  ​John Travolta introduced the performance of (award winning song) ‘Let It Go’ from the Oscar winning animated film ‘Frozen.'  The actor however, some how introduced the song’s singer, well-known Broadway star Idina Menzel, as Adele Dazeem… Car crash.  You had one job John… Just one.  Believing that you’re nobody until you’ve had your name mangled by the actor, Slate immediately created its own widget allowing you to “Travoltify” your name (mine is Kirsty Edians!) Pleeeease next year can he introduce Benedict Cumberbatch and/or Chiwetel Ejiofor?!  ('Travoltify' your name HERE)

Below:  In the most memorable moment of the entire night, a tearful Lupita Nyong’o accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress and became Kenya’s first ever Oscar winner.  Eloquently and humbly, Lupita dedicated her award to Patsey, the brutalized plantation slave she so powerfully portrayed in ’12 Years A Slave,’ "it doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s."

Below:  After losing out on Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘American Hustle’ pranksterJennifer Lawrence jokingly tried to steal Lupita Nyong’o’s award. 

Below:  Love was certainly in the air at this years Oscars.  Bradley Cooper lost out on Best Supporting Actor but does he look remotely phased or disappointed? Hell no, he was too busy canoodling with his gorgeous girlfriend, the British model Suki Waterhouse! Likewise, after winning  Best Actor for his standout performance in 'Dallas Buyers Club,' Matthew McConaughey told reporters that he and his beayoooticul wife Camila would not “stay at the after-party long – I want to go home and make another baby!”

Below:  When Steve McQueen's modestly budgeted slavery odyssey, based on Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir, ’12 Years A Slave,’ won Best Picture, the joy and excitement amongst the cast and crew was almost tangible.  After leaping for joy, British filmmaker Steve McQueen poignantly dedicated the award to all those who had suffered, and still suffer, from slavery, saying “everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live."

Ellen DeGeneres took the ‘selfie’ to end all ‘selfies’ mid-ceremony, which later broke all Twitter records (and even Twitter itself momentarily!) for the most retweets (3 million times and counting!), a record previously held by President Obama.  The EPIC picture included Brad PittAngelina Jolie, Jared LetoChanning TatumBradley CooperKevin SpaceyMeryl StreepLupita Nyong’oJennifer Lawrence and… ummm… who? Ohh hi there Junior Yup, Lupita’s brother Junior made his way into the most Hollywood of Hollywood ‘selfies’ and I personally think he MADE this picture.  I can imagine his Christmas card is sorted for the next few years/forever...   

Golden Globes 2014

I look forward to the Golden Globes every year.  Like the more louche and drunk cousin of the Oscars, this ceremony provides us with an early indication of the award season’s winners and, more importantly, our first glimpse at the latest SS’14 show stopping frocks and red carpet trends… #ClothesOverShows!  My favourite three dresses were worn by (*drumroll...) Lupita Nyong'o, Cate Blanchett and Caitlin Fitzgerald.

Above:  Lupita Nyong’o...  I am a BIG fan of cape dresses and ‘12 Years a Slave’ newcomer Lupita Nyong’o looked the bomb in this dramatic Ralph Lauren gown which was reminiscent of Gwyneth Paltrow’s striking Tom Ford cape dress at the 2012 Oscars.

Above:  Cate Blanchett... As always, the graceful ‘Blue Jasmine’ actress gave us a masterclass in red carpet dressing.  Always elegant yet quirky, Cate Blanchett looked both gothic and regal in her black tulle and lace Armani Prive high-necked, backless dress. 
Starlets take note. 

Above:  Caitlin Fitzgerald...  'Masters of Sex' actress Caitlin Fitzgerald looked incredible in her gorgeous powder blue, Emilia Wickstead step hem dress.  I do wish she had styled her hair a little more in keeping with the high neckline of the dress (a slick updo would have been perfect) but I think her accessories and make up were divine.

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Three major red carpet trends stood out at the 2014 Golden Globes; Red, Nude and… Bumps! Yes, amidst the crimson silks and blush tulle were several glowingly pregnant lead actresses posing for two.  I also noticed that, unlike last year’s ceremony, there were less glossy limbs and cleavages on show (perhaps a Miley backlash?!) as a welcome return to higher necklines and more demure dress lengths were favoured. 

Above:  Ladies in Red (L-R):  Lupita Nyong'o in her scene stealing Ralph Lauren cape dress and Emma Roberts in the backless scarlet Dior Couture dress she paired with navy trousers. Amy Adams looked sexier than usual in a ‘70’s inspired, two-tone burgundy/red halter-neck Valentino dress and singer Taylor Swift wore cherry-red Carolina Herrera.

Above:  Pale and Interesting (L-R): Naomi Watts wore a metallic, white gold Tom Fordcolumn dress and Margo Robbie flashed emerald green heels from under her cream Guccidress.  Zooey Deschenal looked as kooky cute as always in a glittering ivory Oscar de la Renta skirt and embellished crop top (with a daisy mani naturally!) and similaily, Sally Hawkins wore a beautifully embellished Dior ensemble.  Michelle Dockery looked every inch the lady (Mary) in strapless Oscar de la Renta.

Above:  Battle of the Bumps (L-R):  Olivia Wilde (who is expecting her first baby with Jason Sudeikis) looked bumpalicious in this body-skimming, long sleeved, emerald-green sequined dress by Gucci.  'Scandal' star Kerry Washington bumped beautifully in her, albeit quite mature, Balenciaga silk crepe gown with diamond pin designed by Alexander Wang. Drew Barrymore wore a petal-embellished Monique L’huillier bumptastic gown which I don’t think would have suited anyone else other than her.

As expected there are always a selection of dresses which cause debate and others which outright have us all united in mutual shock and horror...

Above: Marmite ('you either love it or you hate it...') L-R:  Jennifer Lawrence’s white Belle Epoque-inspired Dior (who else?!) gown with black ribbon detailing sparked a series of internet parodies (pugs in rubber tubes, kittens in coffee filters…) I don’t find the dress to be particularly inspiring but I do find her talent, attitude and punk-like hair is able to make any outfit notable.  The more I look at Emma Watson’s Dior Couture outfit the more I love it.  The actress looks modern, fresh and youthful, and even if I am in the minority, I am a big fan of this look.  Zoe Saldana consistently takes high fashion red carpet risks and once again the actress divided opinion in this this Prabal Gurung cocktail dress.

Above:  When Bad Outfits Happen to Good People (Clockwise L-R):  eece Witherspoon looked particul.... zzzzzzzzzzz... I'm sorry, wha... um, she wore a really dull dress by Calvin Klein. I was more than excited to see Julia Roberts back on the red carpet… I was however, less enthused about her outfit especially when imagining how many designers must have been clambloring to dress the supporting actress nominee.  Whhhhy oh whhhhy did she wear this peculiar, drab and unflattering Dolce & Gabbana ensemble?!  White shirts under gowns should only ever be seen on Meryl Streep (mainly because Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep and can do whatever the hell she likes... Fact).  Sandra Bullock started the awards season so well, but this Prabal Gurung colour-block gown makes the actress look a Licorice Allsort, albiet one with immacualte hair and makeup.  As Tom Ford only dresses one star per awards show, Hayden Panettiere bought (yes, actually paid for) her dress by the designer for the night... is it too late for a refund?!  Very 90's... and not in a good way.  Lena Dunham’s canary yellow Zac Posen strapless dress totally wore her and I am yet to see one picture of the actress from the night looking remotely comfortable. 

 

British Fashion Awards 2013

Celebrating their quarter century, a whole bevy of British beauties descended upon theLondon Colliseum on Monday night for the much-anticipated 2013 British Fashion Awards.  What I love about the British fash pack, is that they never arrive at awards show looking too over done.  This year (with the exception of Rita Ora and Rosie Hunting-Whitely who perhaps tried a bit harder) the fashionistas arrived ready to let their dishevelled bed head hair down (rose-gold ombre hair in Sienna Miller’s case!) and wearing couture and designer gowns with the perfect nonchalance. These are some cool cats. 

Above: (Clockwise) L-R:  Kate Moss (in Alexander McQueen) and Rita Ora (in Vivienne Westwood), Alexa Chung in Stella McCartneyLaura Bailey (in Roksanda Ilincic) and Rosie Huntington-Whitely (in Antonio Beradi).

Above:  My favourite look of the night was 21 year old Suki Waterhouse who wore a plunging lilac lace Burberry dress, accessorized with a Smythson clutch and a Noor Fares dangling necklace.  The model wore her ash blonde hair in a scruffy up-do.

Amusingly, having scooped the last three British Style Awards herself, Alexa Chung passed the style baton on to none other than Harry Styles!  I wasn't entirely aware that it was fashion that ol'Harry was known best for... Perhaps that's what the kids are calling it these days.  In any event, the award obviously must now be retitled the British Styles Award?!  

Above (Clockwise L-R): Lily Donaldson (in Marc Jacobs), Harry Styles (in Saint Laurent byHedi Slimane), Sienna Miller (in Burberry), Model of the Year Edie Campbell (in Louis Vuitton) and Poppy Delevingne (in Emilia Wickstead).

Above: Kate Moss, synonymous with British style, received a special recognition award celebrating her success in the fashion industry.  Discovered at 14 years old and turning 40 next month, this does beg the question,  why did this take so long?!  Congrats KM!  

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

        Womenswear Designer of the Year - Christopher Kane
        Menswear Designer of the Year - Burberry
        International Designer of the Year - Miuccia Prada for Prada
        Designer Brand of the Year - Burberry
        Accessory Designer of the Year - Nicholas Kirkwood
        Emerging Womenswear Designer - Simone Rocha
        Emerging Menswear Designer - Agi & Sam
        New Establishment Designer - JW Anderson
        Model of the Year - Edie Campbell
        Red Carpet Award - Erdem
        Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator - Lady Amanda Harlech
        British Style Award brought to you by Vodafone (voted by the public) - Harry Styles
        Special Recognition Award - Kate Moss
        Special Recognition Award - Suzy Menkes
        Outstanding Achievement in Fashion - Terry and Tricia Jones, founders of i-D

Above (R-L):  Agi Mdumulla and Sam CottonSuzy Menkes OBELady Amanda Harlech,J.W. Anderson with model Arizona Muse, Simone Rocha and Tim Walker.

Follow The Yellow Brick ... Carpet

This month there are three (great and powerful) women’s names on the tip of Tinseltown's tongue –Michelle WilliamsRachel Wiesz and Mila Kunis; the leading ladies of ‘Oz the Great and Powerful.’ 

Above:  At London’s European premiere of the movie, the red carpet was exchanged for yellow bricks with the actresses shining in their beautiful dress choices… Rachel Weisz looked every inch a classic Hollywood star in a champagne laceMichael Kors strapless gown, Mila Kunis wore a slate grey Alexander McQueen SS’13 ruffle tiered dress (my least favourite of the three as it slightly drowned her small frame, but she still managed to look gorgeous and hold her own) and the ever quirky Michelle Williams (a red carpet favourite of mine) in a peacock blue Burberry feathered cocktail dress from their SS’13 collection - cute. 

I must say however, I thought the outfits these actresses conjured up for the Los Angeles premiere of the film were even better - which lady do you think won in the style stakes?

Above:  Rachel Weisz looked HOT in this bright orange, floor-sweeping gown by Victoria Beckham with signature exposed VB zip.  Rachel let the dress do all the talking, opting for zero accessories and scraping her glossy locks into a chic bun.  Bond Girl Perfection! 

Above:  Mila Kunis looked adorable in a Dolce & Gabanna embroidered dress with peep-toe Louboutins, a Bottega clutch bag and STUNNING ruby drop Sutra earrings. 

Above:  Michelle Williams looking oh-so-demure from the front in a pretty, floral Prada gown but not-so-demure from the side, with a waist-high slit revealing her black pants!  Absolutely magical, and as unique as ever.  My cute-as-a-button winner.

'The Great and Powerful Oz' is out in cinemas now...