Est. 2017
The costume designers of Hollywood handed out their awards this week. It was the mixed bag one would expect at an event where people try to be “fashion-y”.
Continue reading “Red Carpet: 2018 Costume Designers Guild Awards”
More black for the #TimesUp protest, and while I would miss color and patterns too much, I have to say almost everyone looks good when they stick to basic black.
Lupita Nyong’o in Elie Saab
Embed from Getty ImagesI love this. She’s been at the top of her game while making the rounds for “Black Panther”. The gold piping makes it interesting and the structural folds are beautifully done.
Saoirse Ronan in Chanel
Embed from Getty ImagesChop of the sheer veil at the bottom and you’d get a cute cocktail dress. Otherwise, this is just a half-finished idea.
Continue reading “Red Carpet: The BAFTA Nominees (Almost) All Wear Black”
Lots of looks from Christian Dior’s recent Spring 2018 show.
Jennifer Lawrence
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s interesting that J. Law is still wearing Dior since she is no longer contractually required to, particularly since many of the looks she wore during their partnership were universally panned. This is mostly good. It looks a bit like she’s about to pose for her 18th century portrait à la Martha Washington, but It’s good and different than her usual.
Continue reading “Red Carpet: Christian Dior at the BAFTA’s”
Listen. This dress is lovely and the jewels are truly stellar. It’s a dark green Jenny Packham and very similar to another Packham dress she wore to a St. Andrews fundraiser in 2014, also while pregnant:
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, the BAFTA’s decided to pick up the mantle from the Golden Globes and encouraged all attendees to wear black to bring awareness to sexual harassment in the entertainment industry and the #TimesUp movement. As you will see, almost everyone adhered to the suggested dress code. Kate got close – the dark green looks almost black in certain light, but she decidedly did not opt in to the protest.
I completely understand the Royal Family’s aversion to anything verging on the political, however, wearing black for Kate would have been such an easy and uncontroversial thing to do that it’s disappointing she chose not to. The #TimesUp movement toes the line between the overtly political, which Kate would naturally and understandably avoid, and the progressive social movements that the younger generation of Royal Family members have increasingly spoken out about. I knew it would be a toss up whether she chose to wear black or not, and I understand why she didn’t. But I think it would have been a good moment to garner some positive publicity for The Firm among younger Britons, while also being on the right side of history.
I have no doubt that Kate, Will and the rest of the new generation are privately supportive of women’s rights, #TimesUp, and thoroughly against sexual harassment. But speaking up is important. Will posed for the cover of an LGBT magazine; Harry has openly talked about his experiences with psychology; and they’re about to welcome a divorced, bi-racial American into the family. They’re modernizing quickly, and this would have been a simple but meaningful moment for them to support an important and long overdue cause. But they chose not to, and that makes me sad.
Plus, I can think of at least 5 black gowns that Kate already owns and could have dug out the back of some closet in Kensington Palace for the occasion…
Berlin tempted a handful of celebrities away from Hollywood during awards season for their annual film festival.
Elle Fanning in Valentino
Embed from Getty ImagesControversial opinion alert: I love this. She’s a modern-day Little Red Riding Hood, and while that story is exceptionally disturbing when you dig a little, Elle looks like she stepped out of a fairy tale.
Continue reading “Red Carpet: Berlinale International Film Festival”
I don’t usually like superhero movies. I just don’t connect with them. But Black Panther looks awesome and Lupita and Danai in particular are doing a spectacular job of promoting it.
Lupita Nyong’o in Cushnie et Ochs
Embed from Getty ImagesThe color and necklace are to die for, and as always she bring such a joy and radiance to everything she wears. She looses point for not tracking down the ever elusive Hollywood tailor though.
Continue reading “Red Carpet: The Ladies of Black Panther Continue to Slay”
I always love the amfAR Gala – typically populated primarily by models – because I usually pick up a few new fun model names. This year I learned of the existence of both Sharam Diniz and Larsen Thompson. Unfortunately, I was also reminded of the existence of Hailey Baldwin. You win some, you lose some.
Heidi Klum in Zuhair Murad
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowing Heidi Klum’s sartorial choices will give you whiplash. One day she looks like Big Bird, and the next she’s a convincing Supermodel. This really is super – although I miss the belt from the original runway version.
Perhaps the most colorful and joyous red carpet of all time.
Lupita Nyong’o in custom Atelier Versace
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is just EXTRA. The color is phenomenal, the hardware is amazing – like an amazon warriors breastplate, and her towering stalk of hair is so interesting and powerful. She’s carrying this all so well.
Continue reading “Red Carpet: Almost Everyone Looks Amazing at the Black Panther Premiere”
In the past I have declined to write about the Grammys, because let’s face it, they’re usually a hot mess sartorially. This year was a bit more tempered with some genuinely interesting and surprising looks.
Lorde in Valentino
Embed from Getty ImagesLorde was the only Album of the Year contender NOT offered a solo performing slot…and she also happened to be the only woman nominated. Couple that with the appallingly tone-deaf statement from the Recording Academy President that women needed to “step up” to get more parity in nominations, we have a major problem. Women released some of the best, most powerful, timely music this year. From Kesha and Cardi B to Lorde and SZA, they’ve stepped up. The problem is, the old white men in charge aren’t listening.
Anyway, Lorde wore a lovely red Valentino to NOT perform in, and sewed the following passage from artist Jenny Holzer onto the back: ”
“Rejoice! Our times are intolerable. Take courage, for the worst is a harbinger of the best. Only dire circumstance can precipitate the overthrow of oppressors. The old and corrupt must be laid to waste before the just can triumph. Contradiction will be heightened. The reckoning will be hastened by the staging of seed disturbances. The apocalypse will blossom.”
Performing or not, THAT’S a mic drop.
Fashion Wonk 
