Oscar 2013 Fashion Hits & Misses

Like most, I was somewhat glued to my tv watching last night’s 2013 Oscars, caring more about whom wore what and why and just a bit about whom won what. Unlike past years, this year had more misses than I care to waste time on as you simply have to ask yourself, ‘Did they themselves NOT look in a mirror before leaving?’, but for the sake of argument I’ll mention a few. A for instance was Jacki Weaver (L) + Naomie Harris (R). As much as I like these ladies + think they’re great at their craft, Jacki’s dress, by lesser known Lebanese designer Rani Zakhem, did her a huge injustice. Although the top embellishment was pretty, the cumberbund across her bodice, strangely ended between her boobs + underarms in a stiff peak. Sadder even was how the dress seemed to have had an empire waist which chopped her body into weird proportions – the only curves here started at her knees, where her fishtail began. Naomie Harris, although beautiful, chose the wrong dress + in the wrong color, by Ghanaian designer Michael Badger – maybe it just doesn’t photograph well. When I saw Naomie come onto the red carpet, I shook my head at another attempt at the thigh high slit which Angelina Jolie did already + best, but I think in this case, it has more to do with how the slit just stays there permanently, in an ugly way.

(photos: Jason Merritt)

Another problem that is always a gamble at awards shows is attractive fashions for plus-size women. Granted, lately it doesn’t seem to be the case but unfortunately, one of my favorite comics failed gravely in my eyes + I blame the designer. The dress on Melissa McCarthy(L) by David Meister, although beautiful, it should’ve been altered a bit more rather than cinching here + there + hiding it all with embellishments. And her hair, come on – she looks so much older than she is! Octavia Spencer (R), in a Tadashi Shoji gown, never fails in getting it right but she played it safe – she needs to change her silhouette up a bit.

(photos: Jason Merritt (L), Kevin Mazur (R)

As for the hits, there were several. Naomi Watts killed it in her Armani Privé metallic number that for some, might be considered a risk (with a sleeve on one side + sweetheart strapless on the other) but not so by many. Jennifer Hudson looked like a dark blue snake in gunmetal-dark blue shine while Adele’s performance look, included a Burberry dress + silver glitter (Christian) Louboutins, that just highlighted such a beautiful + ultra talented woman. Speaking of which, Halle Berry in a metallic art-decoish Versace gown looked flawless.

(photos: Jason Merritt (L), John Shearer (R)

But my top looks were worn by Anne Hathaway + Charlize Theron. Anne Hathaway’s red carpet look, in a pastel blush Prada dress with back embellishment, just made her look like a dream. Then, when I saw her come on the stage with her custom Giorgio Armani gown in sheer silk mesh with all that sparkle, I gagged – anything that shines like that, is a keeper for me. Yet, I believe, had Anne been wearing different hair, she wouldn’t have made such an impact on + off the red carpet.

Whereas Charlize Theron, was perfection in stark white Dior couture.

Here’s Illustrator + Art Director Mat Maitland‘s fashion film promoting Kenzo‘s Resort 2013 collection. Called ‘Electric Jungle’, it’s pattern play at it’s best – especially love when the model’s face is covered with the projection of a pattern different from that of her surroundings + all the animals.

(via HIGHSNOBIETY)

Come Fall, Fainting For Fendi’s ‘Rereading Of Fur’ Will Be Automatic

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(photos: Giovanni Giannoni)

After the first slide of Fendi’s RTW Fall 2013 collection, then the second, then the third, my jaw dropped. My mouth was wide open for so long that flies used my tongue as their runway. I shook my head back + forth + thinking to myself, ‘How the f*ck does he do it?’ The ‘He’ in question is Karl Lagerfeld, whose talents surpass that of any human. Time + time again, the designer always manages to hold your attention, be it negative or positive. There aren’t many with the capability to design with a different POV for another brand or project, yet all still bearing his signature. So imagine my excitement when I saw Lagerfeld’s Fendi RTW Fall 2013 collection, with program notes describing it as ’a contemporary rereading of fur’, full of graphic shapes, bright color + lots of ‘tude.

Models appeared to take to the runway with non-chalant abandon, bearing pastel hued mohawks. Now, I don’t know if it was intentional on Lagerfeld’s part, but I thought it was kind of an oxymoron + quite funny, how head-to-toe (literally) luxe fur-clad models donned a do, popularized by punks, whom were anti-establishment + anti-rich. Anyways, Karl’s use of fur was unique + fun. There were fur patchwork looks (row 2) fashioned to look like knits and at times, prints, jackets with graphic fur front panels + fur sleeves, accompanied by pencil skirts + tapered ankle trousers (row1), but the best for me were the furry sunglasses + furry graphic booties.

The collection was devoid of ‘sex appeal’, in the traditional sense, as a lot of the looks didn’t accentuate a woman’s curves, but, I think Karl redefined sex appeal with this collection containing strong statements that required confidence – now that’s sexy! My favorite look was a coat that looked like two different coats held together by a belt (row 3, look 1) + all the pointy shoes.

(via WWD)

Nothing like latex basics to get you in the mood, so early in the morning. In this fashion film for Meat‘s SS/13 ‘4D Fantasy’ collection, latex takes center stage in everyday designs / looks, that are sure to make this medium a lot more palpable + wearable, rather than it being just fetish wear. Meat designers Bo Claridge and Alis Pelleschi, make empowerment the key to the collection, as usual, while also reclaiming the word ‘slut’, (emblazoned across several designs) from it’s negative connotations.

Imagine if the First Lady wore one of their designs, whom by the way, is on Meat’s clientele wish list.

(via Kaltblut)

WAKE UP with one of this year’s entries to Warsaw’s Fashion Film Festival 2, hosted by 1960s fashion legend Barbara Hulanicki of Biba (killer logo) – music video for ‘Pass This On’ by Swedish sibling electronic duo ‘The Knife + directed by Swedish director Johan Renck. In it, we see a drag queen, played by Rickard Engfors (Swedish model, stylist + former drag queen) lip-synching to a playback of the song in the room. Both members of ‘The Knife’, lead singer Karin Dreijer Andersson (aka ‘Fever Ray’) + Olof Dreijer, are visible in the video where Dreijer is seen dancing next to Engfors + flirting with him while Andersson, is seen sitting at a table looking at them at the end of the video.

There’s no question I love the song, from the vocals to the production but I especially heart how odd the whole setting is as it’s a very unlikely place to see a drag queen perform, let alone for a crowd like that (reminded me of movie ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’). Gotta love the drag queen’s nude nails, Pucci print dress with back slit accessorized with embellished satin teal-blue ribbon-tied heel sandals (look like Badgley Mischka knock-offs) + her overall c*nty sex appeal (werq!). Now this video is a true testament to how effective using slow-motion is, when done right, giving the people dancing, more dimension.

The Warsaw Fashion Film Festival 2, runs from March 6 – 9.

(via WE ARE SELECTERS)

In celebration of Yoko Ono’s belated birthday, here’s some classic Yoko: (Pet Shop Boys remix) “Walking on Thin Ice” – As everything she does, the lyrics are killer!

Peacocking With Flair By Mich Dulce

How adorably clever are these hats from the SS/13 hat collection by Filipino fashion designer + milliner, Mich Dulce?! Using natural materials + working with indigenous tribal artisans, in the Philipines, you have to love her interpretation of petals, her own spin on bow placement + size, + her ability to make fascinator silhouettes less than simple. Loving the ‘Winged Bow Bunny Topper’ in row 1, look 4 – it reminds me of the Grecian god Aries from Greek mythology, except this hat has petals instead of wings on the sides.

Available online at Mich Dulce.

For April, With Color + Sparkle, Charlotte Olympia Pays Homage To Horoscopes

Two capsule collections, inspired by horoscopes + created by Charlotte Olympia, will let others know ‘what’s your sign’ way differently than with your typical pendant, necklace or charm. The ‘Birthday Shoes’ (ballet flats’) + the ‘Zodiac Pandora Clutches’ collections have 12 designs for each astrological sign. With hand-painted, Swarovski crystal embellishments, they’re sure to make you smile every time you wear them, even if wearing flats.

The colorways are fantastic: for Aries, she pairs olive with purple, for Taurus, salmon pink + red is paired with espresso, for Gemini, powder blue with pink, for Cancer, blush with green, for Leo, orange + gold of course, for Virgo, a dusty rose, for Libra, light celery with embellishments highlighted by blue, for Scorpio, electric blue + pink, for Sagittarius, golden yellow with a bow + arrow in sparkling bright red + green, for Capricorn, bright red with pink + green, for Aquarius, faint lavender with blue + finally, for Pisces, royal purple with teal. Now, as they are all so cool, you might just get yourself a few since they’re all too good to resist.

Come April, be on the lookout for these key pieces to any wardrobe at the Mayfair + Manhattan Charlotte Olympia boutiques, as well as online at charlotteolympia.com and at Net-a-Porter. Look at them – how can you resist not wanting them all?

(via Vogue France)

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