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!

Golden Globes 2011 - WOW Gowns Galore

I love watching the parade of gowns at the Golden Globes, because it gives a view of what we may expect at the Oscars. A lot of the gowns I saw Sunday evening could easily translate into wedding gowns as well as formal bridesmaid gowns. I was really surprised to see some trends continue, one shoulder gowns, while new ones begin, SLEEVES! I loved that many of the gorgeous ladies were wearing gowns with sleeves (full, long, cap). I predicted that the sleeves trend would happen back in 2009 in the wedding industry as well - so I was a couple years early, see my post here.

In addition to the sleeves, we saw lots of pinks in all kinds of hues. Emerald tones also seem to continue to be in fashion - though I think not everyone can carry this color. Other trends I saw last night halter gowns and not overdone hair. Lots of loose dos and ponytails...very charming I thought.

Below are my pics of my favorite gowns from the Golden Globes and some that I thought just didn't quite hit the mark.

My favorite overall look for the evening Claire Danes (main picture) in a backless halter dress by Calvin Klein in pink!

Hot: The Arms Have It

Eva Longoria in Zac Posen, Heather Morris in Lorena Sarbu, Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab, and Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka

Hot: Blushing Ladies

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein, Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta, Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf, and Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham

Hot: Emeralds are a Girls Best friend

Angelina Jolie in Versace Atelier, Catherine Zeta-Jones in Monique Lhuillier, Elizabeth Moss in Donna Karan, and Mila Kunis in Vera Wang

Hot: One Shoulder Bandit

Nicole Kidman in Prada, Julie Bowen in Tadashi Shoji, Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen, and Amy Adams in Marchesa

Hot: All that Glitters is Gold

Anne Hathaway in Armani Privé, Amber Riley in Oliver Tolentino, Olivia Wilde in Marchesa, and Carrie Underwood in Badgley Mischka

Hot: Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad , Christina Hendricks in Romona Keveza, Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang, and Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs

Warm: It was Just Off a Bit

Julianne Moore in Lanvin (would have been fantastic without that sleeve cape thing), Jennifer Love Hewitt in Romona Keveza (the crumb catcher top was way too big and the overall look was overdone), Kyra Sedgwick in Emilio Pucci (I think this would have looked better in a different color, the saffron color on Kyra looked off), Michelle Williams in Valentino ( I love the shape but hate the daisies - I think without those flowers it would have been a hit).

Not: Dated and Off A Lot

Edie Falco in Valentino (dress does not fit her right and it looks like her boob could fall out at any moment), Jane Fonda in George Hobeika (Barbarella it's time to retire those sleeves), Hallie Berry in Nina Ricci (looks like you just walked off the Broadway play Chicago and put a sarong on), Tilda Swinton in Jil Sanders (Sharon Stone did that look in the 90s and unfortunately this does not even come close).

Total Wrecks

Helena Bonham Carter in Vivienne Westwood (Girls Just Want to Have Fun), Jennifer Jones in Versace (Appendages are not in fashion) , Christina Aguilera in Zuhair Murad (stealing from the costume department of Burlesque was not a good idea) , and Tina Fey in L'Wren Scott (crushed velvet is so 1980's and so unflattering to the body).

There you have my reviews for the gowns of the Golden Globe red carpet. Hope you enjoy it.

AMA - Red Carpet looks more WTF than OMG.

I love award shows and seeing all the glamor and gowns and bling and fabulousness. But it seems last night's AMA (American Music Awards) were more about trying to out do Gaga's outfits (she wasn't even there) - which can't be done or trying too hard to make a statement - whatever statement they were trying to make. I thought most of the outfits were a big fail and quite disappointing. Here's a look at the parade of HORRIFIC outfits that came down the red carpet last night. Just seemed like an off year.

(Mike Nelson / EPA)
I get it, less is more, but it was a just a bit off Rhi Rhi. Maybe you should have taken a cue from Hallie Berry's 2002 Oscar Gown by Elie Saab - the same designer that did this number. Your asymmetrical green draped dress by Elie would have made a better impact on the red carpet.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Ke$ha, maybe you should replace the $ with a ¢ because this entire look likes like one HEFTY mess. It looks like a PR garbage bag challenge and you oddly are reminding me of the female version of Syndrome on The Incredibles. I hope this was not the junk junk you were talking about that boys wanted to touch.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Miley Miley Miley - maybe we should just change your name to Charmin because it looks like you forgot to check your behind before you left the restroom in this Marchesa gown. I think chopping off the train would have made this couture look much better.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Willow - you've got my hair whipping but fire your stylist now. This concoction that they assembled is a hot mess and has me shaking my head NO NO NO. Overworked couture on a preteen just looks odd and the fit not too flattering...if you were older people would be saying what's up with the CT.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Nicki Minaj there is so many things wrong with this. Let's just say, maybe you should get your money back from the metal yard - they'll buy back by the pound. Manish Arora the designer of this number just did too much - way too much. If he wanted his couture to be recognized in The States maybe he should of put her in one of his other and absolutely stunning colored frocks. Plus wasn't the skeleton thing already done by Lady Gaga last year on stage? A rehash of his (Manish Arora) carousel dress that Katy Perry wore to the European Music Awards would have been a welcomed site too.

Regardless of the train wrecks - and there were more of those than just the ones above, a few of the celebs were right on the mark. Here are three of my favorites from the evening.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Katy Perry is a teenage dream in this pale pink confection by Badgley Mischka. Simple, classy, dreamy.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Kelly Osbourne in Dior - absolutely beautiful. She looks old Hollywood fabulous, thinking Bridgette Bardot - sexy but classy.

(Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)
Taylor loving the bangs and this bang up dress by Collette Dinigan. You sure know how to light the way!

So that is my recap for this years AMA Red Carpet looks. Quite disappointing year - lets hope the couture for the awards season are better than these frocks.

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.

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