Oscars 2011 Academy Awards: Red Carpet Winners and Not So Bad Losers

Jennifer Hudson was stunning in Versace

The Oscars, Hollywood's most GLAMOROUS EVENING, has once again come and gone. We congratulate all the winners of the coveted golden man statuette and we look forward to another year of magical movie making!

There were a lot of Highs on the red carpet and even the lows were not so bad. There really weren't many fashion tragedies. So I would have to say that they ladies really took their time to make sure they all looked fabulous on the red carpet this year, which was a little surprising.

What we noticed on the red carpet. Lots of red and oranges. Navy and tones of Purple were also big. Nudes, golds, silvers and sparkle were also a hit. Hair do's ranged from high glam to tossled mess. But all in all it worked. The men - you can't really go wrong with a classic tux - though Russel Brand needs some styling help.

So for this years Oscars Red Carpet I would give it an A-. Lots of great looks with just some misses.

Here's an overview of my Hots and not so hot.

LOVED IT

Michelle Williams in Chanel, Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier, Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein, and Melissa Leo in Marc Bouwers.

Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang, Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa, Natalie Portman in Rodarte, and Mila Kunis in Elie Saab.

Reese Witherspoon in Giorgio Armani Prive, Helen Mirren in Vivienne Westwood, Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott, and Annette Benning in Naeem Kham.

  LIKE IT

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana (wish she would have done something with her hair and maybe it would have pulled it all together), Marissa Tomei in vintage Charles James for Lily et Cie (Love the color and the gown, maybe again it was just the overall styling that didn't pull it all together), Erin Andrews in Kaufman Franco (This just looked a tad big on her, the fit was not quite right), and Celine Dion in Giorgio Armani Prive (I love the fit and the color but the lines and the sheen reminds me a little bit of packing tape. Maybe in a different color I would have loved it more).

NOT MY FAVORITE LOOK OF THE NIGHT

Busy Philipps in Douglas Hannant (it was just a tad to busy on Busy. If you lost the bow it might have made a bigger impact. The dress just made her look larger than she really is), Sharon Stone in Christian Dior (not so bad - it's the overall styling - she looked like a hybrid mix of Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous and Cruella de Ville - all she was missing was a vodka bottle and a cigarette holder), Helena Bonham Carter in Colleen Atwood (Oh Helena at least this was not such a wreck but again I think less is more), and Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior (usually one of my red carpet favs, but this frock made her look large through the hips and it was just  and just way too much going on).

HATED IT

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture (Cate another one of my red carpet favs - FAILED with this number. The chest part look like its framed by that circular number or it's a puppet show theater she is wearing. And the chartreuse beading - what is up with that?), Virginia Madsen in Romona Kevesa (So wrong in so many ways), Florence Welch in Valentino (I get it...but still it's just not flattering on you darlin'), and Jacie Weaver in Collette Dinnigan (just not flattering to your top half or the overall look - but congrats on the Nom).

THE MANY LOOKS OF ANNE HATHAWAY

in Tom Ford (One of my Favorite Gowns of the evening)

in Giorgio Armani (LOVED THIS DRESS)

in Givenchy (not so fond of this dress but Anne worked it out)

in Atelier Versace (my least favorite dress of hers that evening the scarf things ruined it for me)

in Vivienne Westwood (loved the nod to Black Swan)

in Oscar de la Renta (Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous)

in Valentino (Red Carpet Stunner)

There you have it, my Oscar red carpet recap. We all have our likes and dislikes and this is purely my own opinion, but I do have to say that there really weren't many that went wrong this year. Can't wait for next years award season! Could we possibly seeing some of these styles on the White Carpet soon? I can see how some of these gowns can easily translate to the wedding aisle as well as for bridesmaids!

Rocks and Wrecks at the 2011 Grammys

Best Performance of the evening. Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow

The Grammys are all about Rock 'N Roll Style...the time for celebrities to pump up their red carpet style with some edge! We saw some ROCK it out, while others were just a total WRECK! The overall show was a little drab, but for the most part I enjoyed the performances!

Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow blew it out of the park with their collaboration on F$@* You - otherwise known as the song Forget You. Cee Lo, dressed like a cross between Elton John and the NBC Peacock, made the performance. He was backed by some Muppets - a memorable throw back to Elton John on The Muppet Show. Ms. Paltrow, in a plunging neckline cat suite, showcased her voice and made the song truly a Grammy favorite - I HATE YOU TOO!

Lady Gaga's performance was also memorable, though not the best that I have seen from her. The latex outfits a little odd, but what do you expect from Gaga. The number by Bruno Mars, B.O. B, and Jenelle Monae was also memorable and great to see these relatively new artists showcase their talents! Eminem was also wonderful...that's one angry white boy...but the emotions and performance electrifying!

Worst moments included Christina Aguilera doing her over the top vocal mishmash. Thank goodness Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride and Florence Welch were there to save the tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. RiRi had a bad night vocally but her second performance with Drake was far better than her collaboration with Eminem. Bieber, Usher, Jaden Smith...odd performance, but I guess I just may be too old to get Bieber (even though he is talented, Smith not so, and Usher - stick to dancing though I live the song OMG).

Here's my picks for best and worst dress for the evening!

Rockin' it out!

Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gautier, Miley Cyrus in Roberto Cavalli, Lea Michele in Pucci, and Julianne Hough in Catherine Malandrino.

Jennifer Lopez in Pucci, Jada Pinkett-Smith in Amanda Wakeley, Keri Hilson in Basil Soda, and Eva Longoria in Ashi.

 

Jennifer Hudson in Versace, Heidi Klum in Julien Macdonald, Florence Welch in Givenchy Couture, and Janelle Monae in Ralph Lauren.

Now for the Wrecks - these outfits totally crashed and should be burnt!

Willow Smith in a custom outfit including Louis Vuitton shoes...looks like Scary Spice incarnate, Toni Braxton in unknown looked way too matronly and the dress looks too big, Leanne Rimes in Reem Acra, not so bad but the dress looks a little too big, Ciara in Pucci, - less is more Ciara - way too much going on.

Nicki Minaj in Givenchy - BAPs revisited WTF?, Rhianna in Jean Paul Gaultier - looks like you took the fur trim off Mrs. Claus' dress and sewed them together - not flattering, Haley Williams in Jeremy Scott - so wrong in so many ways - looks like you took it out of a dress up box of a 6 year old, Katy Perry in Armani - the disco ball bra is so 1990 and the skirt looks like curtains from a funeral home.

Ultimate Wreck Lady Gaga. I get it you are an original, but can you do something normal for once. I realize that you were born this way, but we didn't need to see you in your egg.

Now for the men...just a mashup of what they were wearing.

Rockin' It

Ricky Martin - love the silver jeans and combat boots - now that's coming out, Lenny Kravitz - rocker chic and he can pull it off, Adam Lambert - safe and hip with a little bit of glam, Justin Bieber - age appropriate and stylish.

Wreckin' It

Usher - homeless chic never chic unless your homeless, DJ David Guetta - did you and Usher shop at the same thrift store?, Sean "Diddy" Combs - is 90s revival in style? Lose the outfit, the grills, and the sunglasses!, John Mayer or is it Johnny Depp - John or Johnny? Mayer you don't look cool.

Well there you have it, my rock and wrecks for the 2011 Grammy Award Red Carpet.  Enjoy!

Anthropologie Launches Bridal Collection called BHLDN

BHLDN exclusively at Anthropologie

If Vera Wang announcing that she is doing a line called White for David's Bridal wasn't enough, ladies hold on to your hats or whatever is available! Anthropologie (a subsidiary of Urban Outfitters), one of the modern woman's favorite store is launching a bridal line called BHLDN on Valentine's Day, yes FEBRUARY 14. Women across the country are going to be swooning after seeing these ultra fabulous gowns that is priced between $1000 and $4000. The gowns are modern with a touch of glam and classic with a nostalgic twist! All of them GORGEOUS!

In addition to the fabulous wedding gowns that Anthropologie will be selling, BHLDN has also created accessories, shoes, and wait for it...bridesmaids/event dresses too! Completing the whole Anthropologie wedding story! I am pleased to share with you the fashions Anthropologie has for the bride and her maids and her guests!

Enjoy!

Bridal Fashions by  BHLDN exclusively for Anthropologie

Event Dresses by BHLDN exclusively for Anthropologie

perfect for the bridesmaids and her guests

I personally am not so fond of the event dresses - they come off a little dated for my taste, but it does fit in to the Anthropologie woman's lifestyle story of retro, hip, cool, and chic fashion. On the other hand, I am absolutely loving the bridal gowns!

Have Passport will Travel! Passport Inspired Save the Date Cards

Save the Card Passport Suite (Last name removed for Privacy)

I am so excited to have the save the date cards (STDs) for my client's Riviera Maya wedding in September complete and out the door! Jocelyn Chan-Style, the paper stylist, is INCREDIBLE. She really took the concept of this destination wedding and blew it out of the park.  My clients are ecstatic beyond believe on the outcome.

Her passport inspired save the date cards came out incredible and the details are mind-blowing. Everything from the Manila paper envelopes to the coding on the bottom of the passports is pitch perfect. She incorporated the wedding colors perfectly too! Jocelyn hand assembled and finished all the detailing, such as the rhinestones, herself.

This is the first time I have worked with Jocelyn and I have to say it won't be the last. The amazing part of this is that, Jocelyn, is not doing this work professionally; she actually has a different career...that I think she needs to reconsider PRONTO. From the start, she had a vision of what the concept should look like and the end product not only captured all that but she also executed it flawlessly. She is really flexible to work with and easy going, so the experience of designing this custom invitation was a treat. In the end, she produced one of the loveliest STD cards I have seen in a long time. I think that any bride or couple looking for an inspired, custom, tailored, and hand made invitations should contact Jocelyn NOW before she becomes big time...that won't be too long judging from this gem!

She is currently working on the bride and grooms' boxed wedding invitations that will include original watercolor artwork. From the prototypes I have seen...they will be MIND BLOWING! I can't wait to see the final version.

Here's a look at Racquel and Lynn's save the date cards for September 2011! Enjoy!

Bride and Groom Information page (Last Names removed for Privacy)

Front and back of envelope

Detail of one of the 8 pages inside the invitation

Invitation cover

For information regarding Jocelyn's pricing and how she can create your ultimate wedding invitation, contact her by email at miss.joce@gmail.com