The Fashion Reporter
512 7th Avenue, 15th floor
New York, NY
ph: 866-947-9339

On the Red Carpet

Words by Features Editor, Akilah McMullan  

Photos Courtesy of Wire Image

Welcome to the A-list, a privilege that few achieve but many seek-out.  This list will serve as your fashion re-cap for all events that bring out the good, the bad and the downright “where is your stylist so I can slap them!”  Also, this should serve as your one-stop shop for monthly fashion forecasts, because everyone on the A-list reinvents themselves at least once a month. Thank the fashion gods that the writers’ strike has ended and we can now go back to judging those public figures that entertain us with new tragic hair do’s and those that delight us.
 Costume Institute's Party of the Year Gala at Metropolitan Museum, NYC
 
An entire cast of A-listers outfitted in Fashion Week's finest meaning, we finally get to see runway looks put together via each person's own sense of style. Some designer pieces can be a bit costume-like, but then again they were perfectly fitting for this occasion. Only question remaining is, where was Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, Eve, Mya, and Paris Hilton?  
 
    Anna Wintour in Chanel  Haute Couture        David & Victoria Beckham in Armani       Amber Valletta in Atelier Versace
 
             YES                       MESS                        YES                 YES & MESS

Chace Crawford in Calvin Klein , Emile Hirsh needed some tailoring but he is wearing Armani,  Jason Lewis in Dolce & Gabanna, Andre Benjamin in something different! 
 
KARL LAGERFELD , ZAC POSEN AND MATT WILLIAMSON POSED AS SUPERHEROES ON THE RED CARPET ALL IN THEIR OWN DESIGNS BUT ZAC NAILED IT. 

         Karl Lagerfeld                             Zac Posen & Kate Mara                                         Joy Bryant & Matt Williamson
                                                
SHEER ELEGANCE STOLE THE SHOW.

    Allesandra Facchinetti in Valentino               Dr. Lisa Airan in Rodarte                                 Stephanie Seymour
                  
              YES, YES & MESS                                         YES 
Christian Louboutin in Tom Ford along with Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen in DVF        David Bowie & Iman in Dolce & Gabbana  
 
 
CHOCOLATE AND STRAWBERRIES PAIR VERY WELL TOGETHER ESPECIALLY ON THE LADIES BELOW. 

 Beyonce in Armani Prive      Donatella Versace in Versace ofcourse    Lauren Remington Platt in Dolce & Gabbana    Michelle Monaghan in J.Mendel


           Diane von Furstenberg and her hubbie                           Kimora Lee Simmons & Djimon Hounsou in Tom Ford 
 
A PERFECT ILLUSTRATION OF BEING ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF FASHION AS LONG AS IT IS DONE WITH BLACK. 

Lauren DuPont in Valentino    Mary J Blige in Michael Kors   Kathryn Neale Shaefer in Alexander McQueen  Thandie Newton Chanel 
 
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, BABY GOT BACK!

Molly Simms in Versace          Eva Longoria in Marchesa             Tom Brady in Tom Ford  & Giselle Bunchden in  Atelier Versace 
 
  
Can we just take a moment to discuss how ravishing Heidi Klum looked at this years 80th Annual Oscar's in a red silk taffeta gown by John Galliano! Although the Oscars have passed, Heidi's dress should go down in fashion history. Hollywood Award season has come to a close but we can look forward to VH1, BET and MTV all giving us rep carpets to discuss in the very near future, and don’t think I’ve forgotten about the infamous Cannes Film Festival. March marks the beginning of Spring, which is a delightful season!  You can expect to see your average retailer releasing last year’s high-waist trousers and skirts and basking in the dated nautical themes of yesterday.  However, if you would like to be ahead of the crowd, here’s a few tips FOR TRENDSETTERS ONLY.
 
This spring your neutral colors should be: green, yellow, navy and red. Anything pastel can set you apart from the sand and gold hues that have dominated womankind for at least five years.  This isn’t to say that gold and bronzes are out but they’re definitely taking a sabbatical.   Thank your friendly designer stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom’s and Neiman Marcus for providing you a place to obtain the new colorful collections of Tory Burch, Ralph Lauren, Blumarine, Diane von Furstenberg and many more. 

The 80th Annual Academy Awards took place in award show capital of the world, Los Angeles and of course, we all look forward to the beautiful gowns from your favorite designers. This year everyone nailed it from the hair, makeup, accessories and amazing gowns with the exception of maybe one or two nominees. Nevertheless, we present to you our top picks for best dressed and the one who just never seems to get it right. 

YES 


        Amy Adams in Proenza Schouler                Penelope Cruz in Chanel Haute Couture             Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga



Cameron Diaz in Christian Dior          Faye Dunaway in Pamella Roland        Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta

 


         Hilary Swank in Versace            Marie Cottilard in custom Jean Paul Gaultier     Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera

 


                            Jessica Alba in Marchesa                        Jennifer Hudson in  Roberto Cavalli

 

MESS 

 Although we like the way the dress drapes on Tilda Swinton's body, she could have chosen another number from Lanvin's beautiful collection.

YES! LADIES IN RED
 Heidi Klum stole the show in John Galliano
  
The devil is certainly not wearing Prada, Anne Hathaway wears Marchesa.  
 
 
Miley Cyrus wears Valentino while Katherine Heigl wears  Marchesa.
 
 
OSCAR AFTERPARTIES

True divas change twice in one night at the same event or stop to change before the next one. That is exactly what Mary J. Blige (L) and Heidi Klum (R) did on Oscar night on their way to Elton John's Annual Aids Foundation Gala in Hollywood.

 

Here is your favorite celebrity just looking their best:

              Sharon Stone                                    Rihanna                        Lindsay Lohan

 

 

At last, another award show allowed thanks to the Writers Guild! A beautiful night indeed as musicians from various genres congregated at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. Designers from Reem Acra to Zac Posen and everyone in between, trampled down the red carpet. Of all the many talented musicians in attendance, it was rather difficult covering the style aspect which many viewers look forward to. The wardrobe was just darn right awful this Grammy season. It is quite apparent that artists chose to express their current state of mind or musical project. See who looked right or wrong.

YES  

             Natasha Beddingfield in Reem Acra                 Rihanna in Zac Posen                   Carrie Underwood in Badgley Mishcka  

 

MESS  

These two lovely ladies would have rocked the red carpet if Miley Cyrus in Celine (L) didn't have on so much makeup and if Keyshia Cole in Marc Bower (R) had on a more flattering dress or had this one shortened just a tad. 

 

PROM QUEEN  

Beyonce's makeup is always so flawless and refreshing however, this gown looks like something a local tailor made specifically for a senior prom. Nevertheless, she looks amazing and has a great body and carries the color combos very well.

 

While the 15th Annual Sag Awards was the only award show taking place this year, celebrities arrived in style sporting looks from Pamella Roland, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Monique Lhuillier, Cavalli and Christian Dior, or at least most of them did. Stylists, please make sure that you take pictures of your clients in at least three looks before you send your clients out on the red carpet. Remember, you are ultimately responsible for your clients look and criticism from other fashion experts, therefore it is very important to be strategic in selecting the right ensemble perfectly fitting for each individual occasion.

Celebs from Christina Applegate to Marcia Cross would've gotten an A+ on their report card however, Nikki Blonde and Tilda Swinton would've been sentenced to detention. 

YES

 MESS

Note: Long gowns and shawls work well on heavier set women. DO drape a shawl over your shoulders and arms to cover problem areas and show a little cleavage. Too much satin and sequin accentuate problem areas especially the midsection so be sure to select your fabric wisely. Androgynous looks are totally in, however either pair a metallic jacket with solid fabric or pair a metallic dress with a solid blazer, NOT both. DO select a gown that is age appropriate. Size 2/4, 20 something year olds should not fear bearing it all. If you've got the body, then flaunt it. Flaunting doesn't necessarily mean minidress or massive cleavage bearing numbers. Less is more in the sense that the less you reveal the more you will keep them guessing.  Eva Longoria best illustrated this in a gorgeous Dior gown tastefully selected by her stylist, Robert Verdi:

 

 

HAIR DON'T 

Why would wire image do this to Fantasia on

top of it all?  The hair don't is one thing however, capturing the braces was down right evil. Fantasia's awesome hair cut would have been just fine in all black NOT salt and pepper.

 HAIR DO
 

Immaculate healthy hair makes a big difference.  It is always safer to keep it simple.

 

 

 

 

 

The Fashion Reporter 

All rights reserved. ©2005-2008

  

 

The Fashion Reporter
512 7th Avenue, 15th floor
New York, NY
ph: 866-947-9339