Red Carpet Inspiration: Jewels

Again, I loved Gwyneth Paltrow's dress, hair and jewels. 

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein via InStyle

I thought she radiated.  In fact when watching the pre-show with my sister I kept noting the man/intern/earring showcaser who relentlessly adjusted Paltrow's hair to show off these:

Louis Vuitton Earring via People.com

Those earrings are to die for, and I am fairly certain the originals fall under the category of "would kill your bank account".  But all hope is not lost. The idea behind the earring is a cluster of multicolor stones in an organic shape (not specifically round or square).

Here are my top picks for the look for much, much less:

From L - R: Rachel Leigh Nico Shooting Star Cluster Earrings at Charm & Chain; Gas Bijoux Faux Turquoise and Quartz Gold Plated Cluster Earringsat Ylang23; Wing Studs at Top Shop; Sorrelli "Wild Meadow" Earrings at Endless; Oscar de la Renta Multi Stone Drop Earrings at Net-A-Porter

A Night with Oscar

I will leave the review of the show, the hosts, the banter and the winners to someone else, today we are here to discuss the dresses.

Images via InStyle.com

At one point Anne joked that the great thing about this job (hosting - which, let's be honest no one really loves the host) is the dresses she gets to wear and the ability to share the stage with Sandra Bullock and Oprah.  Of all of the great dresses (and tuxedo) she wore, and they were great, my favorite was the burgundy Versace  gown at the midway point.

Not that I know Anne, but this seemed to be the most natural fit; highlighted her coloring, fit beautifully, and I am sure much to her mother's delight, no fidgetting.

Atelier Versace

Best black: Camilla Alves in Kaufman Franco.  She looks beautiful, sultry, not overly done.  I love this style of a dress, it reminds me of Salma Hayek on her wedding day.

Kaufman Franco

Best avante garde: Cate Blanchett.  I truly don't think anyone else could have worn this gown with such ease and grace.  Her hair, jewelry, and gown are stunning.  I love the hints of yellow on this light and airy lilac Givenchy gown.

Givenchy

Best use of structure: Celine Dion.  Celine is perfectly tailored and fitted in this structured and sophisticated gown.  During the Red Carpet telecasts the flashbulbs were highlighting the shine of the fabric.  She looked magnificent.

Giorgio Armani Prive

Best dress for your dream Bat Mitzvah: Hailee Steinfeld.  This was so sweet, so age appropriate, so Bat Mitzvah ready.

Marchesa

Worst use of poof: Halle Berry.  Halle Berry looked stunning, and I loved this dress until it looked like she was swirled through some tulle and tumbled out of Mood Fabrics onto the Red Carpet. 

Marchesa

Best use of sparkle: Mandy Moore.  Mandy looks wedding ready, and red carpet ready.  I love this dress.  It is sweet, demure, and beautiful of her.  She looks like a doll.

Monique Lhuillier

Best use of white: Michelle Williams.  With her platinum pixie cute and darker brows, the retro style Chanel gown was the perfect choice.  I thought this was just lovely.

Chanel

Worse use of white: Nicole Kidman.  Pass.  I don't like the hip bands, the embroidery, the orange shoes.  Pass.

Dior

Best use of a Red Carpet Moment, aka my favorite: Gwyneth Paltrow.  This gown by Calvin Klein was so modern and chic in the execution and was highlighted beautifully with the Louis Vuitton vintage-y earrings, brooch and rings.  Her pin straight hair and the liquid gold of her gown were a vision.

Calvin Klein

SAG Fashion Review

True confession: I did not watch the SAG awards.  I watched a political thriller filmed in the 1970's instead. 

Due to the magic of the Internet and the fact that my sole interest was the pre-show, I am convinced I didn't miss much, but I won't make this a habit come Oscar time.

I have a funny perspective about award show fashion.  I tend to think of the SAG Awards as Homecoming, the Golden Globes as Prom Night, and the Academy Awards as the Wedding Day.  The grandeur and the glamour increase dramatically between the SAG's red carpet and Oscar's.  With that said, I think the fashion that we see on SAG night is a bit more theoretically attainable (price tag not included) and so much easier to say "I love it, I wish I had it!".

On to the Red Carpet, shall we?  Images from Instyle.com

The best of the night:

Sarah Hyland looks as young as she is - and that is awesome.  Also awesome?  The color.

Sarah Hyland - Max Mara

I like that Natalie is sticking with simple shapes, and column dresses.  She looks comfortable and beautiful and is radiating in this dress, and still saying yes, I am pregnant, engaged, and will probably take home an Oscar in a month.

Natalie Portman - Azzaro

I included this dress in my Spring 2011 Runway favorites and I love it still.  I think this is the way for Lea to go - she already gets a bit of a bad rap for being a diva, so I think keeping her gowns simpler, and train free sort of diminish that "dressing for the part".  I love the shine and the shape, and her more relaxed hair.  The only thing I would change are the shoes which seem a little overwhelming with this dress.

Lea Michelle - Oscar de la Renta

Call me crazy, but I love this.  I love everything about it.  I am sure Julie Bowen will get dumped on for wearing a jumpsuit, but I think it is pretty close to awesome on her.  Also awesome the major diamond jewelry and girl next door hair.  Yes, if this was my jumpsuit, I would wear it.

Julie Bowen - Catherine Malandrino

I am not typically a fan of Tina Fey's sartorial style (or her thank you speeches when she wins, for that matter), but last night Tina Fey looked radiant.  I love the simplicity of the sheath, column dress instead of the more A-line, or retro fitting dresses she normally favors.  I love the texture and color, which has so much more pop and pizazz than her normal black, and her hair and makeup are beautiful.   

Tina Fey: you are the winner!

Tina Fey - Oscar de la Renta

In the Oops category:

Great face, great hair, wrong event.  I think Angie thought this was Oscar Night.

Angie Harmon - Monique Lhuillier

I've read quite a few interviews lately where Amy Adams (who just had a baby) has to feign laughter when the reporter asserts, "Who knew you even had sex, Amy?"  I suppose because Adams rarely plays the sexy leading lady role the press doesn't think she could be sexy in real life.  I think Adams is great, and I think this dress would be great too if it was a half size larger.

Amy Adams - Herve L Leroux

I just wish these two had switched dresses.  The gothic black lace on Nicole feels too hard, and the prim and proper gold lace on Jones feels too stiff.  Please call each other first.

 

 Nicole Kidman - Nina Ricci  January Jones - Carolina Herrera

Congratulations to all the winners!  And now we wait for fashion's biggest night, OSCAR Night!