Golden Globes 2016

Only Nominees Please!

Welcome to Awards Season 2016!  I have been looking forward to this for a few weeks, and as many of you I have been trying to catch up on all the nominated films.  The best thing about the red carpet is it doesn't matter if you've watched any movies and shows . Ultimately it is about who wore it best.  Another exciting element about the Golden Globes this year are all the first time nominees.  Which brings me to the theme of this years GG's... Only Nominees Please! Not only are they vying for a statue, but they are battling it out for best dressed!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Metallics kept a presence at this years Globes and Uzo Aduba and Regina King battled it out in this category. Uzo takes the cake for bringing a bit of subtlety with the black blingey details, and the strength in the shoulder area.  Regina's cape seems a bit of an afterthought and the size of the sequins are a bit bulky for my taste.  



Tiffany blue is always a welcome hue in the winter and Queen Latifah went full gown while Maura Tierney added a pop of color on top.   Maura's look feels unfinished and a bit sloppy while Queen's dress feels full glam.  Simple and understated but very regal.  



Black Velvet if you please...  My top two favorites of this category went full glam and kept in season with the choice of velvet and movement.  Both gave it a sex kitten vibe with their slightly different choices.  Kirsten Dunst with her plunging neckline, and Lady Gaga with her Marilyn-esque coif.  My overall winner is Kirsten, giving me everything I look for on a red carpet — stylish and modern, with notes of old Hollywood   

 BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA



In the navy, on the red carpet.  Viola Davis sparkles in an exquisite tulle layered frock and Jamie Lee Curtis stays true to her style in her dress chosen for comfort.  Jamie steps it up slightly this time around, but I feel there is a need for a styling element, either a belt or having the flowers spill down more asymmetrically would give it a bit more flair.  The same goes for Viola. I generally like the dress but more detail in the midsection would make it standout a bit more.  



From the president; to the first lady of Empire Records, Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays it safe with black lace and ruffles, yawn.  Taraji P. Henson gives this mis-proportioned dress edge with her personality, but I feel that both beauties could deliver more interesting choices.  

 BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE

Jane Fonda and Alicia Vikander go white in sleek silhouettes with ruffle detail.  Fonda is larger than life and legendary and that is why she gets away with her ostentatious choice, while Alicia fails to deliver on all the buzz surrounding her two outstanding performances this year.  Kate Winslet is a tried, true award show veteran and stunning in simplicity.  She stands out with her color choice and her hair is flawless.  Perfection, but not memorable.  

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE



Brie Larson is taking advantage of her ingenue status and stuns us in a sexy split with sequins.  She looks fresh faced in minimal makeup and hair, a far cry from her on-screen appearance in 'Room'.  Rooney Mara however does the opposite.  After her slick styling in 'Carol,' reminiscent of a young Audrey Hepburn, she goes boho on the red carpet with her braid and washed out pink macrame.  



I love that the Globes give recognition to not only dramatic roles, but also to comedic roles.  It takes quite a bit more talent to be funny and even more so, have comedic timing, but, I digress. Amy Schumer, whom I was most excited to see on the red carpet, went with a disappointing choice.  It looked bland and felt like 90's Prom leftovers.  She would benefit much more if she experimented with a bold color.  Melissa McCarthy incorporated sparkle this time out, but it lacks form and femininity.  She got the makeup and hair going on, I think she would look better in something with a bit more sex appeal.  



Now on to "The Icons."  Jennifer Lawrence is spectacular in her dizzyingly designed sensation.  From the diamond collar, to the midriff peekaboo slit, and the daring choice to wear red on the red carpet.  This red however, is so rich and punchy, it actually stands out next to the similar hue on the ground.  The hair is powerful yet soft, and she creates a look that will be compared to in future awards shows.  I love when Cate Blanchett picks an art piece.  She is one of the few that has the grace and confidence to pull off this type of couture.  It reminds me of her selection at the 2011 Oscars (click here) with its draping and careful cutouts.  Both of these women stand apart as my best dressed of the night.  

NOT NOMINATED BUT WORTHY OF A MENTION



When it's your job to show up and present, it gives you the freedom to have some fun with your look. Case in point Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez.  I appreciate the nod to old school eras with the color choices of pepto pink and mustard yellow, and the Bardot bouffant on Katy has her looking very Priscilla Presley.  J-Lo almost nails it with this dress, which is a departure from her typical choice. If only the gathering at the waist had been tailored differently, I think this could have been a best dressed contender.  I like that she attempted to go full glam with the cape and I hope to see more of this from her in the future.  



Eva Longoria makes all the wrong choices here and I can't help to think she is doing it to promote her show 'Telenovela'.  The ribbon, the poor tailoring, and the flower placement are all a "train wreck."  She is so gorgeous and capable of so much more, but this is just awful.  My worst dressed of the night by far.  Amber Heard however makes great use of flower placement. It stays subtle at the collar line, and that fabric is decadent as it spills down, creating a defined waistline. My favorite detail is how the bottom half drapes all over the red carpet.  It is exquisite and romantic, making her my non-nominated best dressed of the night.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!  I invite any commentary and who you think wore it best. Just add your comments in the box below so we can create a conversation. Look for my next Fashion Blog after the SAG Awards on January 30, 2016.  Until then...

Cannes Film Festival 2014

Cannes Film Festival 2014

This is my first time doing a red carpet review for this particular event and what I found interesting about it is that you have multiple events from day to evening.  The stars and stylists really have the opportunity to showcase a variety of looks and do a mini fashion tour. The fact that it also takes place in the French Riviera lends more creative freedom in some choices in terms of styling.  

 We have all heard it said that we are our own biggest competition, and that gave me the idea for the theme of this red carpet review. I will be featuring each stars looks paired alongside each other and showcase how they changed it up for the whirlwind that is Cannes.   So without further ado, I hope you enjoy it!

America Ferrera

America keeps things light with a simple preppy look, side swept waves top off the glam polo. She goes seductive good girl gown with an upstyle that allows the vavoom of the opening to take center stage.  Both hit the mark and keep her looking like America's sweetheart.    

Blake Lively

Blake is easily today's style queen. She works that mane of hair to really amp up whatever look she is going for.  Legs are the focal point in her mini dress and the look has that effortless appeal.  She amps up the curl and volume to play off of the ruffled dress, which for me, looks great up top, but something about the bottom half doesn't feel right.  She goes sleek to match the drama of the crimson gown, but nothing comes close to the perfection that is her black and white winner.  It takes something this beautiful to make Ryan Reynolds an afterthought!  The draping, the lips, the formal up style, and yes, the arm candy all make this a look that will be remembered.  

Cate Blanchett

I have to hand it to Cate for really making some thoughtful choices that are very much like art pieces.  Her daytime look draws my eye in, but the proportions make me uncomfortable, though I think this was the intent with the blouse.  The pants on the other hand, seem a bit high and stiff making this one of my least favorites.  Cate keeps a theme of color with her dress and I find the top portion very intriguing.  I like this look better and I give her credit for taking risks as she always does.  

Jessica Chastain

             

Jessica gives us the blues and I love these colors on her skin tone.  I love how she subtly shifts a few elements to transition her day/evening looks.  A flowy daytime periwinkle dress pairs nicely with the red lips on her royal blue formal gown.  Both great choices, though for me the curves on her nigthttime choice make it her winning look.  

Jennifer Lawrence

J Law is tres chic in a jumpsuit for her daytime look with a shimmery gold belt and what I believe to be hair extensions?  I love a halo couture ponytail (now available at Brush Salon!) to really change up a short haircut.  She skips the pony and goes back to short and messy for her evening design with pops of blue peeking through the outline.  

Julianne Moore

Julianne did some heavy promotion for her upcoming role in 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay' showing up in a number of outfits.  Her first look with the pale lavender is a bit too plain and the upturned neckline makes her bust look non existent.  Her second look with the burnt brick leather and flared out black patterned skirt is outrageously hot.  Edgy without trying too hard, this is one of her best looks in a long time. Now her emerald toga, I'm not feeling as much.  It has no shape or form, and her hair bun up like that make it Pebbles Flintstone.  And then there's her pièce de resistance, her pearlescent slinky floor-length gown.  It's vintage and makes a statement.  I typically favor a more body defining dress, but something about it makes me really like it.  It looks like Sesame Street meets Rodeo Drive in the best sense so I will just leave it at that.  

Marion Cotillard

Marion's pleats her way down the red carpet and in her daytime look those shoes completely overshadow the softness of her dress.  She redeems herself to an extent with the silhouette of her evening dress, though theres just that extra bit of fabric that seems misplaced, and the wrinkling with that color drives me crazy.  

Naomi Watts

Naomi keeps it super simple and pretty in pink, in the sense that it looks like she had Aniie Potts make it for her. It's as smooth as pepto bismol. But I am really loving the transitions of hairstyles, here in her day look it's loose and then it shifts to a more polished curl for her fantastic evening piece.  This dress is incredible.  The color, the layering of the fabrics and the asymmetrical neckline catapult this to one of my favorite looks of the festival.  

Nicole Kidman

Nicole cements herself as one of Hollywood's style icons with two mesmerizing dresses.  I love the open pops on the sleeves of her daytime wear, and the way it looks almost like a trenchcoat wrap at the bottom.  It looks smart, comfortable and timeless.  She goes futuristic for her evening gown, the detail is spectacular!  I love the juxtaposition of the tech-exposed hardware with the delicateness of the blue lace.  Original and fresh.  

Paris Hilton

Paris is my guilty pleasure, my Kim Kardashian.  I mean, to me she is the original sex tape reality TV star, but I digress.  She has moved away from her princess barbie looks and hired herself a good stylist judging by these two looks.  Her daytime look is entrancing and fun.  Her hair looks healthy and has moved into a more believable blonde.  Her evening gown is drama drama, and makes me say "That's Hot!"

Rosie Huntington-Whitely

There's no denying how gorgeous Rosie is, and I try to not include models into my red carpet reviews unless it is an event that pertains to them.  Technically she is a model turned actress so she makes the list.  Rosie is one of those lucky people that can look good in anything, and for that very reason, I don't like her black dress.  Just because you can, doesn't mean you should; it's a bit too much with the exposed brassiere feature and the open leg.  However, her silver garment is why she makes the cut.  It is superb.  That's all. 

Ryan Reynolds

Now for a little man break.  I am loving Ryan's new haircut, and slightly distressed but still chic style.  The brown jacket with the patterned shirt, and red kerchief is on par.  Anyone that knows me, knows that I love a vest, and his second look is so nerdy hot, 

I'm stealing this look.  Win win. 

Ryan Gosling

It's a showdown between the Ryans here and it is a close race.  I love his retro button down and slim pants, the combo of pale blue with brown looks great.  He takes it super sharp with his tux and though at first the no accessories jarred me, but it works with his scruff and unkempt hair.  

Sharon Stone

I love Sharon Stone and typically she wows on the red carpet, but at this festival she has a couple missteps.  Her daytime look is a bit too fresh from the pool, "I have a swimsuit on underneath this"and not stylish.  Her second look works but isn't exciting, and it feels dated with the jewelry choices.  

Sophia Loren

Sophia stays true to her italian style and though it's a bit too much red for my taste, it works on her especially for an event like Cannes.  Her champagne hued gown is classic and ageless, and showcases her beautiful jewelry. It's just a bit monochromatic, and I would change up the purse color or the shoes. I do love the tousled hair and layers.  

...a few other standouts

Jane Fonda

This is in my top 3 for this review, the detail, the color, the hair, Jane knows how to rivet the red carpet.  Superb from head to toe, every part of this look was fully thought through, she makes it look easy. 

Uma Thurman

She makes an entrance, this screams to slow down and take a photo.  I love the Kill Bill yellow, the sleeve/cape detail and the walk is runway du jour.  

Salma Hayek

Salma plays down the girls for a change in this fuchsia strapless dress. It's a simple look, and different for her, I like that she went carefree chic.   Her haircolor is St. Tropez gorgeousness with those highlights breaking up the dark brown.  

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Take Care!