Billboard Music Awards 2011: Best Dressed

After a four-year hiatus, the Billboard Music Awards returned last night with a star studded red carpet fashion bang.  Our favorite divas made their dazzling debut on the white carpet to enter the competition for best dressed.

    Taylor Swift gets my vote for 3^rd place. Not that it’s a surprise to anyone anymore, but Taylor Swift hit the red carpet, in an uber embellished light colored floor grazing gown from the Elie Saab Spring-Summer 2011 collection. She added red lips to her blush-toned, beaded strapless gown and donned elegant wavy hair. Though it’s a habitual look of hers, she still looked absolutely beautiful.

    Selena Gomez may still be signed with Disney but she walked onto the white carpet looking sexier than she ever has in a black Dolce & Gabanna floor length dress. She boasted a low cut top, a thigh-high slit, and side cut-outs which exposed her hips. Adding to the sultriness of the look,  Selena wore her hair long and  straight and paired her outfit with Neil Lane jewelry, red Giuseppe Zanotti heels and a Judith Leiber clutch.
 

    At the top of my best dressed list is Rihanna, who usually dresses provocatively for awards shows. However she toned it down last night by opting for an elegantly tailored and sophisticated white Max Azria suit and nude Christian Louboutin pumps. Her white, button less silk blouse was open down to her navel where she showcased a gold fringe Solange Azagury-Partridge tassel necklace. Her red hair really popped against the white suit and it completed the whole look.

Royal Wedding Recap

     When Catherine Middleton stepped out of the vintage Rolls Royce Phantom, she stepped straight onto the pages of fashion history, revealing for the first time her wedding dress to a world audience, estimated at around two billion people. She carried a small bouquet of flowers which bore a secret love message to her future husband.

     The wedding dress was a model of luxurious simplicity, perfectly suitable to the sweet and serene style of the woman who is now the Duchess of Cambridge and is destined to be the future Queen of England.

The dress was designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen. It was made of ivory and white satin gazar. It features English lace and French Chantilly lace throughout the bodice and skirt. Kate also wore a veil of ivory silk tulle held in place by a Cartier “halo” tiara borrowed from the Queen.

     Kate walked up the aisle and every eye was on her. “You look beautiful”, Prince William whispered as his bride reached his side and the two billion royal wedding watchers around the world including me would definitely agree. Kate was a vision of true beauty and the gown wasn’t one of a woman aspiring to be a fashion icon, but rather one who was supremely secure in her sense of self.

Wrist Art

      Remember that old charm bracelet you got in 7^th grade? And those piles of bangles you’d stack up on your wrists? What about that old scarf you  never seem to wear? Well combine them all, and you have an armful of glamour waiting to happen!

      Once upon a time, the trend was to wear one simple tennis bracelet, or a large cocktail ring. Well that was before, and now the look du jour is wearing all your finest arm candy at once. Charm bracelets, cuffs, wrap bracelets, stacked bangles, and watches worn together; the more colorful and diverse the texture and material of your arm-wear, the better you will look. The trend is a collage of multiple bracelets and watches on one arm consisting of different metals, textures and shapes. Think of it this way- its art for your wrists.

      Don’t be afraid to mix large items with smaller pieces! Just make sure they don’t pile up on each other so you can’t tell them apart. So push your sleeves up, throw on everything you have, and hit the streets in one of the hottest trends of the spring!

Tye Dye To Die For.

The new Brooklyn-based brand Upstate makes one-of-a-kind dyed scarves, handkerchiefs, and vests. But don’t assume this is your typical DIY project. Instead, designers Kalen and Astrid use the Japanese technique of shibori, which binds, folds, and compresses the fabric into a million different intricate patterns. The result? These wear-everywhere pieces are high fashions take on the summer camp classic that we’d actually want to wear.

2011 Vanity Fair Oscars Party : Best Dressed

The 2011 Oscars red carpet was just the beginning. Nominees plus dozens of other young celebs slipped into their cutest cocktail dresses for the Vanity Fair Oscars Party later that night. For those not invited to the main ceremony, this was their opportunity to shine, and there were some definite hits last night. Much like the Academy Awards, reds and nudes stole the show. 

Despite that fact that it feels like Déjà vu every time Taylor Swift hits the red carpet, she did look good at the 2011 Vantiy Fair Oscars Party. She was glowing wearing a Zuhair Murad Spring 2011 dress. Her gold and silver beaded strapless dress with corset back is nothing I haven’t seen from her before though. In fact I feel like I’ve seen this exact head-to-toe look at least twice. But, I guess her motto is, “if it aint broke, don’t fix it." It's not like, this look isn’t appealing, it's just time for her to change up her style a little bit. A wavy updo, red lips, Jimmy Choo platform sandals and a Jimmy Choo clutch completed her look.

I feel kind of bad saying this, but i had absolutely no idea who Mia Wasikowska was. All I knew is that she looked absolutely fabulous on that red carpet. I then looked her up and realized she was Alice, from Alice in Wonderland.  Anyways, Mia dazzled, wearing a Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2011 dress. The black guipure lace cap sleeve dress was ravishing and complimented her skin tone great! The detailing on it was exquisite and I loved the full-skirted silhouette. She paired the dress with black Brian Atwood peep toes. Can't say I like the shoes, I think a nude heel would have looked better, but I’ll let it slide.

It seems like Jessica Beil has been MIA for a couple months, but Sunday night she re appeared and she looked outstanding – the best I could remember she ever looked! Her Atelier Versace Spring 2011 gown is singing sweet music to me. The gold and silver fully beaded gown with thin straps and draping on the sides shows off her gorgeous body. I don’t think she could’ve picked a better dress for the occasion! Her make-up, her hair, everything is just flawless. She put many at the actual Academy Awards to shame.

Since landing her role in ‘Spiderman’ Emma Stone has become quite the fashionista, and I’m not just saying that because I absolutely adore her! She’s gotten an A+ all award season and she definitely deserved it. Of course it had to be hard to top her Golden Globes Calvin Klein gown, but Emma totally rocked in this colorful Chanel Fall 2009 Couture dress. She added complementary purple satin Salvatore Ferragamo pumps and a Van Cleef & Arpels cocktail ring. They both completed her edgy red carpet look. It’s was a risk, which totally paid off. It’s a shame I can’t say the same about her hair style though. 

Madonna and her daughter Lourdes both walked the red carpet that night. I think it's obvious that I favored Lourdes' dress over Madonna’s though. I know Madonna has got a great body for her age, but I don't think anyone- at any age should wear what she did. Lourdes on the other hand looked adorable and age appropriate in her AllSaints Aztec mini-dress.

The 2011 Academy Awards: Best Dressed

Award shows are all about the 3 G’s and no, I’m not talking about technology. I’m talking about the glitz, the glamour, and the gowns! Sure, the Oscars are technically about giving out awards, but I think I may enjoy the red carpet better than watching the actual show! The last couple of months have had no shortage of awards shows, but they were all a lead-up to the biggest night of them all: the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. I had been looking forward to the Oscars for awhile now, not only because I wanted to find out which films would win, but because it's the night celebs show off their very best on the red carpet. That means the gowns are more dramatic, the jewelry is more expensive and the hairstyles are even more sky-high then ever (aka, Reese's ponytail!).

Luckily, I wasn’t disappointed at all. Plus, I think anything would be a step up from the 2011 Grammy red carpet. Rodarte, Marchesa and Chanel were all in attendance and they all looked phenomenal (and so did the actresses wearing them!) While the designers varied, the trends were pretty noticeable. The carpet was flooded with sequins that left us dazzled, lace that showed just the right amount of skin and lots of nude and bright red dresses!  Last night’s Oscars marked the end of the award season, but before they roll up the red carpet, I need to crown the best-dressed ladies of the night!

Michelle Williams looked simply angelic in this form flattering, white beaded, short sleeved Chanel Haute Couture dress. She remains true to her vintage style in this gown which she pairs with Harry Winston diamond earrings and ring and Jimmy Choo pumps. Lovely is probably the best way I can describe her because when it comes to understated elegance, no one does it like Michelle Williams. 

Amy Adams is not usually known for being on the best dressed list, but she definitely deserves it this time! Amy wears double the sparkles in a glittering purple L'Wren Scott cap-sleeved gown, Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and $1,350,000 of Cartier diamond jewelry, including a bracelet and necklace, each containing more than 30 carats of emeralds (WOW!). Amy showed off every inch of her desirable frame, while its high neckline, and her elegant 1940s coiffure, kept the look on the sophisticated side of sexy. 

Cate Blanchett is always a fashion plate. While there is a lot of dispute over her dress, I think it was absolutely stunning! The actress walked the carpet in an elaborately beaded and pleated lilac Givenchy Haute Couture gown with Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry. This structured lilac Givenchy gown was a work of art. It was very detailed and highlighted two splashes of bright yellow on the collar. Her simple, sleek 'do is the perfect complement.

Mila Kunis didn't end up taking home the best supporting actress award, but it's ok, because she looked flawless in this gorgeous, flowing chiffon and lavender lace tiered Elie Saab Haute Couture dress. With a grosgrain ribbon waist and peekaboo detailing, which she pairs with Neil Lane diamonds and a pink clutch, Mila definitely tops this best dressed list, no if's and's or butt's about it! 

Best Dressed: Grammy's 2011

     As i watched The Grammy Awards Red Carpet, all i saw was disaster after disaster in terms of fashion. Apparently there was a competition over who could wear the most heinous dress. There were a few exceptions to the general heinous fashion choices though, most notably Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez and Leah Michelle.  But other then that select few, its was pitiful. Lets start off with my absolute fav of the night, Selena Gomez. Selena never really seems to disappoint does she? She is always on my best dressed list! Well anyways, Selena worked the trend of the night; metallic gold, wearing a J. Mendel Spring 2011 gown. She added a Judith Leiber embellished clutch and Lorraine Schwartz jewels. Selena looks age appropriate and fabulous! J-Lo is 41 years old, but damn, she still looks fierce as ever! Jennifer wore a long-sleeved Emilio Pucci mini with matching Christian Louboutins! Someone just tell me how many mirrors had to die to make this outfit? LOL, i still loved it though! Lea Michele once again proved she’s a pro when it comes to picking the right dress for red carpet events. This ruffled Emilio Pucci dress is sexy, demure and modern. Combining black lace with a thigh-high split, Christian Louboutin patent pumps, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels, Lea looks amazing! Thats my wrap up for the night, are there any other favorites of your’s that i am missing?

A few others i liked were:

Keri Hilson

Kathy Griffin

Jennifer Hudson

Nicole Kidman