Hooray for the Met Ball!

Hooray indeed as some seriously dramatic frocks finally hit the red-carpet this year. It is almost silly how excited I get about the Costume Institute Met Ball.
It's been an Alexander McQueen kind of week as the ball this year was ties to a Lee McQueen retrospective. This followed a frenzy over a certain Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding dress that someone may have donned last Friday (if you are remotely interested in my two cents worth, I thought it was a beautiful if relatively unexciting choice. Tom and Lorenzo have an interesting take over here.)
Meanwhile, here are my favourites rom the fashions night of nights.

Edgy: Saoirse Ronan in Rodarte is brave and beautiful.

Vintage: Nicole Richie looked gorgeous in a classic 1930s bias cut down while Ashley Olsen had me coveting voluminous sleeves in vintage Christian Dior.

One-of-a-kind glamour: Natalia Vodianova in Valentino haute couture (die) and Michelle Williams in a custom-made Miu Miu gown covered in bronze swallows. Michelle's hair and make-up are divine too. She may just be my favourite of the night.

Elegant sexiness: Emma Stone in Lanvin and Diane Kruger in Jason Wu. They both look immaculate from head-to-toe.

Bringing the pretty: Dakota Fanning in Valentino. When you are 17 you should be wearing dresses like this. I have a feeling some people might not like this, but I'm forever partial to floral appliques and tulle. It was very fairy princess ... in a garden.

Bringing the drama: Crystal Renn and Christina Ricci both delighted me in dark and deeply dramatic gowns courtesy of Zac Posen. It's these kind of Met moments I so look forward to.

And finally, SJP and Salma Hayek (who was one of the event hosts) saw fit to honour the late Lee McQueen. I thought that more guests would've mined the archives, but there is no doubt these two ladies did his genius proud.

Now bring on the red-carpets at Cannes I say.

Frock of the Week: Euro Chic

A German actress (Diane Kruger) wearing an Italian designer (Giambattista Valli) in the South of France. I'm loving the darkly dramatic bead work on the bodice and the contrast with the pretty pink mini-skirt. Nice pins too!
It is worth mentioning again that Diane doesn't have a stylist, which is almost unheard of in the film business. Even Cate Blanchett and the Olsen twins have stylists.
Diane is holding hands with French actress Ludivine Sagnier, with whom she is starring in a new flick called Lily Sometimes. I wonder if it will be showing at the Sydney Film Festival? Now that the Writers' Festival has finished for another year, I really need to check out the programme.
Thanks to Just Jared for the pic.

Frills and Sequins: My Best of the Globes

I seriously love awards season. I was truly excited last night at the thought of poring over the Golden Globes red-carpet, even though most actresses - armed with their stylists and ever fearful of bitchy bloggers - tend to play it safe these days. This was certainly true of this year's Golden Globes, where muted frills or tried and trued Hollywood styles were in favour. But there were a few ladies that managed to make me say wow.

Anna Paquin backed up her shining Victor & Rolf moment with a glittery gold Stella McCartney dress. In the past I haven't been a big Stella fan, so I'm surprised at how much I've been loving her most recent collection on the red-carpet. This dress is seriously sexy on Anna ... as well as the plunging neckline it also had a leg split which isn't apparent in this photo. This is a little bit of razzle dazzle 80s styling that I'd be happy to see more of.

I think Chloe's Valentino dress came very close to not working. It contains a mountain of frills which could have over powered, but I reckon her style confidence has helped her to pull it off. I also love the back of this dress. The loose bow and soft fall of the dress makes me sigh.

Versace on the catwalk doesn't fill me with the glee that Dior or Chanel or McQueen does, but then January Jones went and blew me away in the label at the Emmy's last September, and now Christina Aguilera did the same in this gown. This looks like it was made for her; her figure is WOW and the contrast of the futuristic bodice with the peachy pink fabric - which almost looks like jersey - makes this gown very unique. Loving her bob too.

Christian Lacroix's haute couture outings will be sorely missed, and Diane Kruger demonstrated why in this ensemble which shouted perfection.

And yes, I've deliberately chosen a pic with her BF Joshua Jackson because I think he is looking mighty fine himself. Who needs a clutch when your man bag is this gorgeous?

I don't know yet what will happen to Betty Draper in Mad Men series 4, but it looks like January Jones is pretty assured of a gold star red-carpet career. Black often bores me but this Lanvin dress is very chic. I love her glamorous make-up and headband too.

Maggie Gyllenhaal took tried and trued and twisted it just a little bit. This pretty in pink dress is RM by Roland Mouret.

And I couldn't forget to include at least one Aussie, and who better than Golden Globe winner Toni Colette. She chose to run with the sequins trend in this Elie Saab frock which did wonderful things for her figure and skin tone.

I read on-line that Chloe's Valentino frock was torn on the night, so a quick change for the after party was needed. So I know this isn't strictly a Golden Globe gown, but I did rather love it. Tulle and sequins in a tea-length party dress is a recipe for happiness in Louise's world.

Funnily enough the betrothed and I recently watched the first season of Big Love and really enjoyed it. I know ... I'm terribly far behind. I might get onto Series 2 now, for another squizz at Chloe's character with her long braid and prairie styling.

Style Stayers in 2009

Of course best dressed lists are completely subjective, and one person's Alexa Chung is anothers Carla Bruni, but that hasn't stopped me having a super fun time coming up with my own top ten. I've picked those ladies whose style has consistently impressed me this year. Some celebs have had amazing red-carpet moments coupled with some serious shockers, so I've tended to eschew them (e.g. Eva Mendes, Marisa Tomei and Anne Hathaway) for those ladies who rarely put a put wrong, both day and night. I've included only photos that I haven't posted before.

Michelle Obama's look is innovative and colourful. There is a whole site devoted to chronicling this oft photographed style-meister, and a quick stroll through will confirm this online devotion is warranted. Her evening-wear is always elegant but youthful and the lady has a phenomenal collection of beautifully tailored, vibrant coats. I'd be happy to spend a day hanging out in her White House closet.

Cate Blanchett appeared on a couple of worst dressed lists again this year. Who is responsible for this madness! Cate's bold crocheted dress - which I blogged about here - seems to have blinded them to the perfection of all her other fashion choices this year. Because Cate is living in Sydney now and concentrating on theatre rather than film, she hasn't made as many red-carpet appearances as usual, but when she is snapped at events, or candidly on the street, she always looks impeccably groomed, lady-like and stylish. For my Cate, dressing is an art-form.

French actress Marion Cotillard benefits from a contract with Dior, but I'm still convinced that Marion's effortless glamour is very much her own. I couldn't find one appearance in 2009 where Marion looked anything but perfect and crazy pretty. So French, so chic.

Sarah-Jessica Parker continues to elicit fashion envy whenever she steps out her front door. She's adventurous while still remaining beautiful and her ability to accessorise is second to none. I might not want to wear everything she does, but I love her wearing it. While I'm not particularly excited about the SATC sequel, I am very excited about SJP's hitting the promo trail in 2010. Bring on more gorgeous head-wear, statement shoes and cute little party frocks please!

While I remain a little bemused by the level of fame Dita has achieved for taking off her clothes and marrying a musician of questionable morality and talent, I can't deny that the lady wears the socks off couture and vintage. Harking back to the glamorous film stars of the Golden Years of Hollywood, the lovely Dita is always 'on' and seems to love fashion body and soul. Her wardrobe is one I'd seriously be happy to inherit.

Thandie Newton loves vintage and colour so she is definitely a woman after my own heart. Feminine and fine without being too frilly, I'm always interested to see what this stunning actress is wearing.

Natalia has the advantage of being a supermodel, and one of the most naturally beautiful at that, but she eschews the usual model off duty uniform of band tees and denim for a romantic and feminine wardrobe that includes a whole lot of vintage. Gorgeous.

Everyone knows I love Diane Kruger. Muse to Karl Lagerfield, Diane styles herself, and never fails to impress whether she is wearing a statement making ball-gown, sexy cocktail frock or she is off duty in jeans and blouse. A real fashion original who just happens to have access to the best of the best ... although I'd love to see her in some vintage.

Carey Mulligan's acting chops have been seriously hyped this year, but her sartorial choices have impressed as well. Unlike other young starlets, Carey has realised that baring flesh isn't always best and has picked elegant but edgy ensembles that seriously flatter. Love her cute pixie haircut too.

And finally Ms Nicole Richie. While Nicole's style might not be my own, the way she works her luxe hippie chic consistently impresses. She was pregnant for much of this year and never looked less than glamorous. I give her big snaps for not being afraid to wear loud patterns, for working so much vintage into her wardrobe, and for having lots of fun with cute accessories too. This girl has come a seriously long way this past decade.

Thanks to Red Carpet-Fashion Awards, Just Jared and Mrs-O for some of the pics, and now feel free to shout me down in flames or tell me who your favourites where this year.

Chanel of the Week

Karl Lagerfeld's muse stepped out in this stunning Spring 2010 Chanel dress to announce the Golden Globes nominations this week. The original Chanel tweed suit of the 1930's appears to be a never-ending well of inspiration for Mr Lagerfeld, and whom are we to complain when it produces prettiness like this. I can never seem to get enough of pouffy skirts and floral appliques - in pink no lest - are virtually guaranteed to rock my world. Delightful.

Frocks of the Week

Eva Mendes and Diane Kruger lit up the night this week in their gorgeous sparkly gowns. Eva is wearing Chris Benz and Diane is, naturally, in Chanel from the 2010 Couture collection. Perfection.

Image © AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Janet Mayer / PR Photos

Cocktail Frocks of the Week

There were so many lovely cocktail frocks on the red-carpet this week, that I can't resist posting not one, not two, but three frocks of the week.

Demi Moore looked drop dead gorgeous in this black & white frock with bow accents from up-and-coming US based designer Prabal Gurung. She is nicely coordinated with her hubby too; this couple are too ridiculously good-looking.

I couldn't resist showing the back as well. A bow and a train - what is there not to love?

Jason Wu is another up-and-coming designer, and regular readers would know that I'm rather partial to his use of colour and his elegant shapes. I was excited to see two creations from his latest collection out-and-about this week, and on two of Hollywood's most fashionable actresses.

Diane Kruger looks flawless in this Swiss dot one-shouldered party frock.

And how cute does Leslie Mann look in this yellow mini with peplum and waist cinching black belt?

It is so nice to see pretty, feminine cocktail frocks making the rounds. I'm a bit tired of the hard-edged glam eighties inspired numbers.

Dress of the Week

I'm really missing Awards season. I'd start wishing for 2010 to roll on, but that would mean missing the beginning of summer and hurrying my wedding even closer, a thought which fills me with unmitigated dread. Wedding planning is by turns both fun and painful.

Having said that Diane Kruger was memorably turned out for the LA premiere of her new flick, Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds (it actually hurts me to write that, as deliberate misspellings are akin to fingernails on a chalkboard to me).

Apparently this unique Versace Atelier bejewelled backless dress was designed especially for her. I imagine the plunging back would have offended some but I think, in this case, Diane just manages to pull it off. There is something classically sexy about an exposed or sheer back. Love the cute capped sleeves and black platforms too.

Regular readers of my blog would know that I'm not a big fan of Angelina Jolie's style, but she was looking pretty sexy at the same event (supporting partner Brad Pitt) in a Michael Kors strapless leather dress. With her svelte figure, it is hard to believe she gave birth to twins last year.

The ever stylish Diane is on the cover of the current issue of UK In-Style magazine and in the interview she reveals that she does her own hair and make-up for the red-carpet. Very impressive ... if I was a celebrity I'd definitely be outsourcing ... though I guess she was a top model. Back in the early days of modelling in the 40's, 50's and 60's (before the lovely Diane was born) models generally did their own hair and make-up and were thus largely responsible for how their "look" evolved.

In-Style have a behind the scenes video from Diane's photo-shoot on their site.

The Antonio Beradi dress looks amazing and would look totally rubbish on me. I guess that is why I'm a mere mortal and not Karl Lagerfield's muse.
Oh well; such is life.

Frock of the Week

It has been a slow week in terms of celebrity frock spotting so, lo and behold, the only one that has caught my eye is this vibrant pink number Diane wore to Berlin Fashion Week. This was at an Escada party so likely the dress is Escada too.

She matches the wall and still stands out. Well done Diane.