Celeb-rate: The 2008 Oscars Red Carpet

I wish I could have come here today and reported on how happy I was to see Marion Cotillard win the Oscar for best actress for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, but alas! After a busy day of moving my sister's furniture back down from Philly, I was too late to catch the red carpet, and simply too tired to watch the ceremony. But I woke up this morning, checked the winners, and was very happy to see that Cotillard did in fact win! Congrats to her, and to all of the other winners last night!

Just now, I finished looking through the red carpet looks last night, and was overall unimpressed! Nothing really caught my eye, but this could all just be bad photography and the fact that the dresses did not photograph well. Maybe once I watch "Fashion Police," (tonight on E!) I'll change my opinions, but as of now, these are my thoughts.

My beloved Marion. After that stunning Nina Ricci dress at the SAG awards, I was expecting so much better. That being said, I thought this dress wasn't necessarily a horrible choice. She still looks amazing, like old Hollywood royalty -- which she is undoubtedly sure to be.

I haven't yet seen Atonement, but I thought this dress was worth posting. In a world where young girls look more like prostitutes with each passing second, a young girl dressed as Saoirse Ronan was last night is so refreshing. She looked age appropriate, adorable, and aside from the embroidery at the bottom of the dress, I think this was definitely a great pick for her.

Everyone calls George Clooney this generations Cary Grant. I could not agree more. His classic tux, his impeccable coiffure, his gorgeous date -- it all screams old Hollwood. Definitely one of my best picks for best dressed man -- not necessarily modern and edgy, but perfect in every sense of the word. Now, if only my hair could look that good (you'd think it's easy, but trust me, it takes forever!)

Let me just state here how much I loved Juno and Ellen Page. I think she's a gorgeous young woman, and usually her clothes are so fitting for her personality (and most of the time, without forsaking elegance or class). This dress, however, I thought was a disaster. It looked so aging on her. She should have been in something a little closer fitting, without the long string of beads on her neck, or the clutch in her hands. As much as I love her, Ellen gets a no from Anthony.

The Juno clan simply got it wrong last night. Pictured here is Diablo Cody, screenwriter for Juno. I thought the animal-print looked a little out of season and too loud for last nights festivities. The hair is entirely too dark, the lips too red, and the jewelry just didn't stand up to the dress. Finally, one can't overlook the gold flats. If you weren't aware, Stewart Weitzman offered to let her wear a pair of One Million dollar shoes to the Oscars (which he apparently does each year), and for some reason, she was offended and chose not to wear the shoes. She instead went with a Payless gold flat. How utterly disappointing. For any of you who are interested, here are the million dollar shoes.

Finally, one can't forget about the color du jour last night. It seemed as if anyone who was anyone was wearing red! I thought these red dresses (for the most part) were elegant, classy, and timeless! Good job, ladies!

Miley Cyrus. As much as I dislike this girl and her awkward red carpet smile, I will admit she looked gorgeous last night. I tried to think of a cute Hannah Montana reference, but couldn't, for which I am sorry.

This color looks amazing on Heidi Klum, but I thought it was just plain awkward. It doesn't necessarily look BAD, but personally, I wish the collar/neckpiece wasn't there, so it would look a little more classic. Sorry, Heidi, you're out! (I couldn't help myself!)

Lets just be honest. There is a little too much going on with this dress. The off the shoulder peices, the draping, the train. Combine that with the simple hair, makeup, and jewels, Anne Hathaway could have done a better job. Again, I don't necessarily hate this look, but it just looked a little messy and overworked for my tastes. Since Anne Hathaway is wearing it, however, I may let it slide.

I am just going to put it out there. I can't stand Katherine Heigl (so much that I'm not even going to check if I spelled her name right). I don't see why everyone is so infatuated with her, or why they all go on about how sweet and kind she is, when to me, she looks like she would be incredibly rude and mean in real life. Putting that aside, I thought she looked beyond amazing last night, and is probably my choice for best dressed female. Everything, from the dress to the jewels to the hair -- it was perfection. I may just have to give her a chance after seeing her in this dress. (edit: I don't think she is a bad person. She just doesn't have a friendly face to me)

So that's it! I could go on and on, adding photographs of other amazing dresses (Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner) and some not so good dresses (Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz), but I think the ones I chose were just enough to wet your palette, readers. Again, I've spared the pregnant women, cuz I understand it is difficult to dress a pregnant woman! That being said, they all looked amazing and glowy! So what do you think? Do you agree with me? What were your favorite looks, and which ones did you hate?

Photo Credits 1 2

Celeb-rate: 2008 SAG Award Red Carpet

Thanks to the god-awful writers strike that has put all of our favorite shows on hold (Desperate Housewives, anyone?), we were denied our right to judge red carpet dresses at the Golden Globe Awards this past January 13th. And while we don't usually hear as much press for the Screen Actors Guild awards, I suppose the lack of award shows this year made the SAG's a little more significant this year. So the stars donned their best and hit the red carpet, ready to be peeled apart by the fashion police (on E! tonight at 8/9c), and by style mavens such as yourself. Here are some of my favorite (and least favorite) looks of the night!

Marion Cotillard was by far my favorite look of the night, and it has nothing to do with her amazing performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose. This Nina Ricci dress fit her impeccably, and other stars can only hope to look this elegant to future events and award shows!

Okay. To be quite frank, I don't understand the hype over this Nina Ricci dress. Everyone seemed to be in love with it, but I just can't seem to bring myself to feel the same way. It gives the impression of crushed velvet, and the folds on/below the bust just don't sit well with me. On top of all that, the metallic silver color just screams too loud. Everyone else, however, seems to disagree with me! I just don't get it.

Needless to say, Sandra Oh was my least favorite look of the night. I don't know who designed it, and while I'm sure it may have looked... somewhat okay on the runway model, it tragically did not stay on the runway. I am always a little perplexed by Sandra's choices, and this is no exception.

Terri Hatcher in Badgley Mischka. I don't know how I feel about this dress. Several people have expressed their dislike over this dress and it's floral print, but I think it suits Terri quite well. It looks fun and youthful without making her look like she's trying to live in the past.

I don't quite know what Viggo Mortenson was trying to achieve when he put on this ensemble. It looks so awkward among the hundreds of immaculately dressed stars at the event. Men are best dressed when they stick to traditional suits and tuxedo's. A little color never hurt anyone, but the long blazer with the pinstripes combined with a blue shirt, red vest, metallic red tie, and red scarf, and black shoes just made him look like a mess.

America Ferrera looked gorgeous in this dress. She looks elegant, and chic, and positively stunning. This is definitely one of my favorites of the night. As horrible as she looks on Ugly Betty, America always looks beyond amazing at all these award shows, and I think many people could take a tip from her closet.

Is she or isn't she?! That's the question on everyone's minds. And Angelina's dress last night did not serve to disprove the rumors that she is pregnant. I think the dress looks alright, but of course, if she is not pregnant, she could have done much better. Brad, on the other hand, I thought looked quite bad. I am not a fan of their coordinated outfits -- the black and brown combo. And I hate the fact that his hair and his goatee don't match! Usually he does so well, and this disappointed me. Angelina, however, gets a yes from me!

I thought Eva Longoria looked amazing in this dress last night. It's a little too wedding-gown-like for me, but I think it was pulled off very well, and she looks as beautiful and elegant as she always does.

I think this was a great dress for Amanda Bynes. I do, however, have one issue. Her posture!! In every picture I saw of her, her head looked like it was being pushed foward. If she had stood a little more presentably, I think she would have been towards the top of my list!

These housewives really know how to kick the competitions ass. Marcia Cross looks amazing in this dress, and that teal color is absolutely divine on her. After Marion Cotillard, Marcia may as well be one of my front runners for best dressed of the night!

* The ladies featured in the photograph at the top of this post, and my opinions on their dresses (had they not been addressed already):
Cate Blanchett - I can't argue with a pregnant woman's choice in clothing, so I will let her go for this one.
Debra Messing - Not her best choice. The color washed her out a little bit, and I don't think it fit her perfectly.
Marcia Cross, Ellen Pompeo, Angelina Jolie - See above
Jamie Lynn Sigler - I don't like this combination of colors, or the dress itself.
Marion Cotillard - Best dress of the night!

Photo Credits: 1 2 3

Celeb-Rate: Katie "Mother-of-Suri" Holmes

Katie Holmes is apparently taking style pointers from Victoria "Posh" Beckham these days. The former Dawson's Creek star has been looking much more her age recently with a shorter, cuter new hair-do as well as some age-appropriate stylish clothing. I mean, Holmes has always been pretty cute although she's had her "what-is-she-thinking" days as well, but with the arrival of the fashionable Beckhams in the U.S. this past summer, she started turning into a Posh clone.

At first, I was a little amused at how much Katie Holmes looked just like VPB and then a little annoyed by that same fact. It seemed that Holmes had lost any resemblance of her own personal style and was transitioning into a Posh replica. As time progressed, Holmes learned how to incorporate the two styles so she had the best of both worlds - stylish outfits with that extra dash of pizazz to keep her looking fresh and sweet.

However, one thing that Katie has that Posh does not (besides knowing how to smile and a couch-jumping husband) is adorable Suri Cruise, also known as Katie's cutest accessory. If Tom Cruise was ecstatic over his relationship with Katie Holmes, I can only imagine how proud he must be of Suri.

Both mom and daughter have been looking rather excellent and these pictures are further proof:

Style-on Katie! You've been looking rather amazing of late and we know you can keep it up. Please - do it for Suri!

Meanwhile, Posh has intertwined herself with Marc Jacobs latest Spring 2008 campaign, which although quirky, has moved her further along the path of looking utterly and completely like an alien.

Celeb-Rate: Teri Hatcher

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of seeing the latest ad campaign by design team Badgley Mischka. The duo recently hired Teri Hatcher (of Desperate Housewives fame) as their latest spokesmodel. But it was after seeing these photographs and dissecting their latest designs that I thought to myself "Teri Hatcher?!" Let's just be brutally honest for a minute - Teri Hatcher is 42 years old. Before Desperate Housewives, every time someone mentioned her, you'd think "has-been," and as far as Desperate Housewives goes, Susan Meyer is easily the most annoying character out of the bunch.

In their Spring 2006 ad campaign, Badgley Mischka employed Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen as their spokesmodels. At the time, they were a polar opposite from the Teri Hatcher we know now. They were barely adults (only 19 years old), and at a peak in their fame. What exactly was the design duo trying to accomplish by hiring a washed-up, middle aged woman? Personally, I think they were trying to make a social statement. While the Olsen twins, with their multi-million dollar empire, might be seen as role models for the younger generation, Teri Hatcher is in many ways, a prime role model for an average middle aged woman. During the height of her fame, she played the romantic interest of Superman, but when Lois and Clarke ended, she dropped out of the radar for several years. For a while, it seemed that Teri Hatcher would never regain the fame she once had, but then she found her big break - Desperate Housewives. This simple primetime dramedy not only returned her to fame, but brought her fame that exceeded anything she had known previously. Any woman who thinks she's already passed her prime needs only to look at Teri Hatcher to realize that you can always rise again.

But Hatcher's former has-been status is not the only thing working against her. She's not exactly the face of blinding youth anymore. In a day and age where runways are riddled with teenagers barely old enough to smoke, and where celebrity blogs pretty much revolve around the lives of a select few party girls and heiresses, it seems impossible that a forty-two year old woman would be chosen to model for one of the hottest labels in fashion. I'm sure that someone so...mature, was not the obvious choice for what was surely a multi-million dollar ad campaign. No, I think that Badgley Mischka was making a statement when they hired Hatcher - that women of any age and any background can be total sexpots. Not only is the label trying to appeal and cater to an older clientèle, but they're trying to prove to the world that 40 really is the new 20, and that regardless of how many Mikimoto pearls they can buy, girls like Paris Hilton will never be as refined and accomplished as women who have several more life experiences under their belts.

What am I trying to get at? To sum it all up, although Teri Hatcher might have once been regarded as another typical has-been, now she is in the prime of her life. She is a perfect example of why the modern fascination with the extravagant, party-going lifestyle doesn't have a thing on the experience, the maturity, and the pure elegance that is a sophisticated grown woman. Personally, I'm sick and tired of turning on E! or logging onto Oh No They Didn't and seeing nothing but coverage over Paris Hilton's post-jail vacations, Lindsay Lohan's week long stints in Rehab, and Britney Spears' slow descent into has-been nothingness. It's women like Teri Hatcher, Angelina Jolie, and Julia Roberts who, regardless of a few more years under their belt, are the ultimate in sophistication and beauty.

Photo Credits: 1 2 3