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!

Oscar 2010 Gowns: Ahhhs and Nahhhs

This years Oscars gave us some of the most BORING dresses to date, nothing really stood out and and nothing was really jaw dropping gorgeous. But from the sea of gowns I was still able to spot some Ahhhs and some Nahhhs. Here's my Top 10 Choice for both. First the Ahhhs.

My Top 10 Ahhh Choices: Top Left and Clockwise

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa, Cameron Diaz in Oscar de La Renta, Diane Kruger in Chanel, Nicole Ritchie in Reem Acra, Vera Farmiga in Marchesa, Anna Kendrick in Elie Saab, Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel, Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries van Noten, Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan Couture, and Helen Mirren in Badgely Mischka.

My Top 10 Nahhh Choices: Top Left and Clockwise

Mariah Carey in Valentino, Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive, Charlize Theron in Christian Dior, Sigourney Weaver in Lanvin, Carey Mulligan in Prada, Amanda Seyfried in Armani Prive, Meryl Streep in Chris March, Tina Fey in Michael Kors, Molly Ringwald in Todd Thomas, Zoe Saldana in Givenchy.

• Mariah - your dress looked too small for you - like 5 sizes too small.
  
• Jennifer - you look like you're wearing futuristic bubble wrap and your hair looked like you are going through female pattern balding with that hairstyle.
• Charlize - what's up with the rosette boobs? Nice dress - but it looks like someone wearing lavender gloves hugged you from behind while holding two lavender loofahs.
  
• Sigourney - maybe you and Mariah should have swapped dresses - yours looked too big.
• Carey - the front should have been a little shorter or to the floor - it made you look Oompa Loompa short.
• Amanda - just plain boring.
• Meryl - it looked too matronly and it looked like the losing dress from a Project Runway challenge. It was not flattering.
  
• Tina - oh Tina...was dress suppose to be comic relief? The one shoulder isn't working for you and the pattern of the dress made you look thick...not a good thing.
  
• Molly - love the color, but again it looked a little to big - maybe with smaller jewelry it would have worked better.
• Zoe - I almost loved it - the top interesting but it looked like a blinged out ace bandage and the bottom would have been nicer without all that cabbage and kale. Too many concepts working against each other.
  

So there you have it my Ahhhs and Nahhs. Don't get me wrong I think there's some saving grace with the Nahhhs if they just adjusted a thing or two here and there.

Trends found on the red carpet: Lavender is hot and so is Fuchsia. Front slits are in and interesting details are hot.

What's Hot and What's Not

A friend of mine, who is getting married, came by the other day and showed me some stuff she wanted to do for her wedding...I don't know if she was joking or not, but seriously I was scared of her choices. She told me that these were her "inspirations" and wanted me to help her come up with something that was fresh but still had the same feeling. So she challenged me to turn her crazy inspirations pics into something that is well...a little more up-to-date.

This is my hot and not list for my dear friend...which I may have to rethink after seeing her choices. Her choices are the NOT pics and mine of course are the HOT pics. Here we go...

First the head piece. My friend wants to wear bling...

I realize that every bride wants to be a princess on her wedding day. But really gals...the tiara, especially ones that's only fit for royalty, is a little passe...it's very 2007. For an up-to-date look that still gives your up do a little flair, try some hair adornments that are placed towards the back or side of the hair for a fresh updated look.

Now the dress...she wanted to stand out...

Okay ladies, I also realize that pick me up skirts is another princess concept and the colored dresses was the sign of being the "un-bride" or "unique bride." But...do you really want to see those pictures 5, 10, 15+ years from now and think..."who in the hell thought this was a good idea?" Pick me up skirts are fabulous, but you really don't need that extra bling on the skirt. Next the color RED...okay I know "rebel bride" but it just screams...really cheap. Instead try for a hint or subtle color in blush, pale pink, champagne or for you bolder brides a faint sea foam. Trust me if you want to make an impact choose something subtle with just one or two unique details...people will scream WOW rather than OMG.

The shoes or can I say glass slipper...

Again, I get the Cinderella syndrome, but when it comes to shoes, do you really want your feet sweating inside plastic on your wedding day? It's not comfortable and when you get back to your suite that night, the feet may be a little too funky for the groom. Instead of taking the glass slipper literally, go for a shoe that hints that it's a glass slipper but still wearable and more comfortable. Unless you plan to leave it on a staircase during the evening, most people won't even see them anyway.

The multi-colored bouquet...

I love the use of colors in a bouquet...but only if it's done correctly. It could turn a joyous full burst of color to one big hot mess. When choosing a multi color bouquet, plan on going more with less. Choose interesting flowers with bold colors but keep the styling simple...all the other dodads and things popping out of the bouquet are not necessary. You want it to be pleasing to the eye and not an eye sore.

The cake...did she seriously say she wanted to have a satellite wedding cake (multi-tiered mess)...

The satellite cake was very popular in the 1970s and though it's not at all modern or pleasing to the eye...some people still like to have this set up. In modernizing and making this cake wreck concept go away...one can do multiple, small, multi-tiered cakes in the same color palette with different designs, it gives a throwback to the satellite concept without having to go there. Additionally, it will lend a beautiful visual to your dessert bar.

Hopefully my friend sees the difference between what she thought she wants and what I know she wants. There's a fine line between hot and not, but when it comes down to it...remember the saying, "Less is more!"

Stay cool!

-Percy

Photo Credits: "Not" photos from various websites on the Internet, "Hot" photos from Brides.com except for "Hot" Shoes which was from Zappos.com

Wedding Gown Designer to Watch: Rosa Clará

Rosa Clará is the designer to watch and I would not be surprised if she was the go to wedding gown designer in the next couple of years. I'm in total awe after seeing some of this designer's gowns.

Rosa Clará has been in business since 1995. Her designs are known in Latin countries and on the European circuit but have not quite made an impact here in the US. She currently has some gowns being sold exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal in NYC and some select styles can be found at premiere bridal boutiques throughout the US. A list of local retailers can be found on the Rosa Clará Website. Rosa Clará is based in Barcelona, Spain.

Rosa Clará designs are absolutely modern, gorgeous, and it transcends time. She states that her '09 collection is, "Inspired by two trends: One, simple lines with close fitting gowns. And the other, spectacular volume." All I can say is that her gowns are like none I have seen in recent years. You also need to check out the Rosa Clará '08 line and you will notice that things she was putting out last year are now being presented by other designers this year. She is definitely "wedding" fashion forward.

It seems as if she has taken aspects from different cultures and made them her own. You will see gorgeous draping on Grecian Gowns, Kimono inspired wedding dresses, Modern Princess Gowns and of course...an ode to Barcelona, Spanish influenced gowns.

Additionally, many of her pieces can morph into a second look by adding or removing lace jackets that she has designed to go with certain gowns.

Here's a sampling of the gowns I love.

Style #213 Languido - Organza dress with beading and a Chantilly lace jacket with hemstitch decoration. A lovely dress with two looks. When you take off the full-length lace jacket, you are left with a stunning strapless gown, perfect for the reception.

Style #248 Lua - Beaded bodice with a silk brocade skirt and train. This dress reminds me of a modern Kimono. The train detail is so wonderful with its multiple tiers. The dress is so simple yet so stunning.


Style #159 Lyla - Halter dress with floral neck embellishment and embroidered flowers on a full skirt. The ultimate playful princess dress. I love the embroidery on the skirt; it gives the gown a little spunk, but keeps it elegant at the same time. Cinderella would have been proud to wear this gown.


Brides...you need to check out the Rosa Clará line, there are so many wonderful gowns to discover on her site. Additionally she also a second line that is more affordable called Two by Rosa Clará and a link to her Complements line of veils, tops, shoes, and headdresses (used by Karl Lagerfeld in Chanel's Pre-Fall 2009 Collection Fashion Show).

I hope you will love this designer as much as I do. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in coming years.

Jo Vull Rosa Clará!

-Percy

Photos from Rosa Clará

Trend Thursdays: What's Hot in Bridal Gowns

Every bridal season we are wowed by the designs that are created by fabulous designers. There's always a handful of trends that is a must have for that year. In the past we have seen colored ribbon sashes, Swarovski crystal embellishments, the mermaid dress phenomenon, and even colored wedding gowns. So what's the must have look this year?

Here's my trend alert for the remainder of the 2009 bridal season, which will carry over to the early part of 2010.

1) Empire (ŏm-pîr') Waist

from left to right: Vera Wang, Priscilla of Boston, Jenny Packham, Alvina Valenta

2) Flower Power

from left to right: Carolina Herrera, Angel Sanchez, Anne Barge, Jim Hjelm

3) Over the Top Bows

from left to right: Amsale, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Vineyard Collection

4) Sleeves

from left to right: Le Spose di Gio, Manuel Mota for Pronovias, Monique Lhuillier, Reva Mivasagar

I hope you all like my trend report. Regardless of the trends, always pick the gown that you feel the prettiest and happiest in. I have heard from many brides that you will know the right one for you. Happy dress shopping!

-Percy

Photos from Brides.com and top shop photo from Morrirom's Photo Stream on Flickr

Trend Thursdays: The Look at The Met Costume Institute Gala

It's always fun to see what celebs wore to The Met's Costume Institute Gala. This year's gala was held on Monday, May 4, 2009. It's the time of the year that I hold with bathed breathe on what made it down The Met's red carpet. I realize that it is sort of a costume party, but isn't it also a way to show off your best "costumes" or "couture?" Maybe even start the next trend or look?

This year's theme was "Model as Muse" and we all know that at one time or another, designers have had their muse for creating their lines. Here are some of the more famous pairings:

• Bob Mackie and Cher
• Halston and Jerry Hall
• Anna Sui and Naomi Campbell
• Louis Vuitton and Madonna
• Marc Jacobs and Anne Hathaway
• Chanel and Nicole Kidman

Well the outfits and costumes did not disappoint, some made us gasp in awe and others just made us gag in disgust. I will present my top 4 in the red hot and the hot mess categories.

First the Hot Mess of The Met's Costume Institute Gala

All four of these fashion icons, just made odd choices...was this truly their intention to look somewhat odd, crazy, dowdy, and dated?

Rihanna in Dolce & Gabbana; Madonna in Louis Vuitton; Kirsten Dunst in Chanel; and Kerry Washington in Louis Vuitton.

Would you recommend any of these looks to your bridesmaids? How about wearing it to a cocktail party? I hope not, especially Madonna's rabbit ear headpiece.

Now for the Red Hots at The Met's Costume Institute Gala

These four style icons hit the mark. Not only were their outfits fresh, but they didn't look out of place either. I mean really...Ashley's Olsen's dress could have come off very Golden Girls caftan, Renee's color choice could have come off as pea soup, Kate Moss' gold lame dress with matching turban could have come off dated, and Anne's zippered dress meats Brigitte Bardot do could have been a big flop, but all four just sizzled. Now these outfits are trends I could live with.

Ashley Olsen in The Row (Mary Kate's Label); Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera; Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs; and Anne Hathaway in Marc Jacobs.

Can't wait until next year.

-Percy

BTW I loved Katy Perry's dress best. The mixture of material with metal was hot! Especially loved the Wonder Woman cuff...Can't believe it was made by Tommy Hilfiger.

Photos from Pop Sugar and OMG! Katy Perry dress by Tommy Hilfiger

Inspiration Monday: Hello Kitty

I've been seeing a lot of blogs about Hello Kitty weddings lately and I thought wow...there are some people who literally take the Hello Kitty theme to heart. So as I pondered...what would I do if a bride insists on designing a wedding around the theme of Hello Kitty? I thought about it all day and came up with the above inspiration board (click board to enlarge).

I am inspired by Hello Kitty's simplicity and versatility. I am inspired by the color pink...all shades of it. I am inspired by the quirkiness that fans of the cartoon icon seem to possess. I'm inspired by Japan. So in designing my Hello Kitty inspiration board, I have mixed the classic with the wild and have added a touch of the famous pink.

My inspirations (top left and clockwise): Wedding Gown: Alvina Valenta; Pink Dyed Crinoline (for under the gown): couturesantrash (ETSY); Flowers: fleuretica; Bridesmaid Gown: Jenny Yoo; Bracelet for bridesmaids gifts: Sanrio; Cotton Candy Bar: Martha Stewart; Chandelier: GSPN Crystals; Ceremony Site: One Source Weddings; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman; Centerpiece: InStyle Weddings; Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes; Ring: Gumuchian

I hope this inspires the little girl in you.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites

Fantastic Fridays: Gown Sketches

If you were wondering, Friday's are generally for guest bloggers, but I haven't been able to secure any guest bloggers lately, so I am going to flip flop between Guest Blogger Fridays and Fantastic Fridays. Fantastic Fridays will showcase something truly fantastic. It can be celebrity wedding news, political items I feel passionate about, or something I came across that I think is truly FANTASTIC!

Today happens to be a Fantastic Friday and I am featuring something really cool I came across reading one of my magazines this month...Bridal Gown Sketches. Sure Princess Diana and other celebrity brides have had their gowns sketched by the designer or artist as a keepsake piece, but now you can too. So what that you bought your gown at David's Bridal or on the Internet at some online wedding gown store. Now you can get the same couture treatment that celebrity brides get when designing their gowns.

One fantastic sketch artist that I discovered through the magazine is Jennifer Angilello who owns All About the Dress. Her stylized rendition of the bride and gown are fantastic. Jennifer's portraits run about $425, according to InStyle Weddings Magazine, and from the looks of her portfolio it's well worth it. If you are looking for a less pricey version you may want to visit Dreamlines where sketches run at the $100 rate and is shipped from France.

Another option is to get the artist in the family to do a rendition of your gown, maybe as their wedding gift to you. This option will definitely have more meaning...as it is someone you know. But what ever route you get, I definitely think getting an artist rendering of your gown, with you in it or not, is definitely a FANTASTIC thing to do as a memento to your wedding day.

Here's sketching you...kid!

-Percy

Sketches from All About the Dress

Icon Bride: Grace Kelly

A new feature starting this week...Icon Bride. If there is a certain bride you think should be featured, let me know. I hope you enjoy it. The first to be featured is Princess Grace (Grace Kelly).

Princess Grace was such a regal bride. Married to Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 18, 1956, Princess Grace, known then as Grace Kelly, was the epitome of the Princess Bride. Grace was always known for her sense of style, but no one could have expected how ravishing the actress turned princess would look like on her wedding day.

Princess Grace's wedding gown was designed by Helen Rose, a costume designer who worked at MGM studios and who had dressed Grace Kelly in two movies. According to Grace Kelly Online, the Helen Rose designed dress, "consisted of a rounded collar, full skirt of ivory peau de soie, and a fitted bodice made from Brussels lace embroidered with seed pearls. The lace was over a century old and had flower designs in it. 25 yards of silk taffeta and 100 yards of silk net were used in the construction of the dress. Under her wedding gown, Grace's petticoats had tiny blue satin bows."

The gown, the woman, the event was memorable to all who witnessed it and the iconic dress has been imitated for many years. In updating this iconic bride here is how I see the Princess Grace of today.

(click photo to enlarge)

The Elements: Heather Gown - White Chocolate Label by Scott Corridan; Tiffany Drop Earrings - Tiffany & Co.; Feathered head piece (no. 38) - ban.do; Elizabeth Beaded Clutch - The Shop @ Percy Sales Events; Stuart Weitzman Springfling Wedding Shoes - The Shop @ Percy Sales Events.

Hope this inspires your inner princess.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites except for Heather Gown picture found at InStyle Weddings

Trend Thursday: My Favorite Dresses for Spring 2010

What wedding planner does not love wedding gowns? With a slew of designers showing off their Spring 2010 collection recently, I was salivating at the gorgeous creations that hit the runways. Sure there were some of the same ole same ole Princess gowns, Grecian gowns, empire, mermaid and a-lines, but folks those are the standards that people want and are staples to any bridal collection.

I was in bridal gown overload looking at all these gowns but than there were some that just stood out to me. Here are my top four picks for Spring 2010.

(left to right)

1. Carolina Herrera - This gown was just embellished enough and gave the whole look that extra "Ola senorita" feel about it. It was young, vibrant and the fabric looks incredible. The neckline is not too revealing and the ruching is just perfect. I particularly love the boating hat also. Work of art considering she based her inspiration on works of art this season.
   
2. Monique Lhuillier - I am a fan of Monique! This dress is so beautiful. The bodice is perfectly ruched and the ball skirt just reminds me of a bed of flowers. Perfect for a spring wedding. What I love about this dress is that it looks like its structured or has to many fabrics but it actually moves nicely, an almost ethereal feel to the whole dress.
3. Oscar de la Renta - Oscar is the master of classic silhouettes that still is modern. What I love about this dress is that it is such a throw back to Jackie O, but I could see a modern day first bride wearing it too. I love the ribbon belt, the embellished fabric, the 3/4 sleeves and the whole look of this piece. Perfect for a wedding at the courthouse or even in a lovely meadow somewhere. Pure bridal without being over the top.
4. Priscilla of Boston - This dress is perfect, from the silver-ish undertone to to the belted empire waist, to the detachable train. Elegant, regal and outstanding. It's so Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly meets Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I love it.
   

I hope these dresses have inspired you in your quest for the perfect gown.

-Percy

Photos from Brides.com