Oscars 2011: Bolly in Holly

Amongst the blondes and the barrage of Brits at the Oscars last night, was a bona fide Bollywood contingent.

A. R. Rahman was going to be there to perform with Florence (she, without The Machine in this instance) – that we already knew.

Incidentally, Flo did butcher Rahman’s name in her red runway interview with Ryan Seacrest, calling him A. R. “Rukkhmunn”. I winced.

I opened my eyes only to wince again when Jennifer Hudson did the same thing in her intro and category announcement later that night.

Mr. Rahman humbly stays in the background on the Red Carpet with the woman who can't say his name properly, in front.

Rahman and wife, Saira Banu - in a class all their own.

Apart from the Rahmans, there were a couple of other notable Mumbai movie mavens further down the carpet…

India's answer to a Kardashian? Mallika Sherawat at the Oscars.

Anyone know why she brought the Bolly bling to Bev Hills? Is she in a movie?

And of course, there is this woman – who is no stranger to laal carpets the world over. But again, I ask, why was she there?

Bollywood's bronze babe, Aishwarya Rai at the Oscars, in Armani.

Images: NDTV, PinkVilla.com.

Oscars 2011: Roll the Designer Credits

If there was ever any doubt about the power of fashion in Hollywood, all rumours were put safely to bed after an almost eight-hour marathon of mode.

The Red Carpet, the Oscars’ broadcast, the party frocks post-show…it’s an endless parade of designs and designers that have become ubiquitous even for those of you who weren’t born with a Vogue subscription.

We are all used to the “who are you wearing” question on the carpet – many of us watch only for that reason.

However, this year a line was crossed – in branded shoes. There was no tip-toeing about it.

Along with the entourage that celebs thank in their speeches, there were two notable fashion designer mentions.

Natalie Portman, accepting the Golden Man for her Best Actress role in Black Swan, thanked Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, for the smattering of dresses they created for the film.

Portman accepting her award, wearing a custom-designed Rodarte gown.

When so many actors are contractually tied to a fashion house, Portman’s words seemed heartfelt (she is friends with the sartorial sisters).

Colin Firth, who never has far to reach for an eloquent word or few, emoted similarly of his friendship with Tom Ford.

Firth gave one of the loveliest speeches of the night.

The diamond studs on his shirt couldn’t out-sparkle the brilliance emanating from Firth, as he accepted his win for Best Actor in The King’s Speech.

Colin with wife, Livia on the Red Carpet.

And while Anne Hathaway wore numerous dresses on stage, she repeated this Versace gown at the after-party, saying  she felt “it didn’t get enough air time”.

The perfect colour for the stage vs. the red carpet.

That sound you hear? It’s celeb phones ringing off the hook for next year’s couture circus.

This isn’t the first time Colin and Livia or Natalie have shone on the red runway.

Image credits: BBC, BBC, NDTV, The Star Ledger.

Academic Achievements 5: Power Couple

One could argue that Harvey Weinstein had the best accessory of the evening at the Oscars: his wife, Georgina Chapman.

The power of two.

Chapman in a Marchesa gown of her own design.

Georgina could argue that it’s the other way around, given that last night was a celebration of Weinstein’s world – not to mention Weinstein’s wins, with all of the awards his company took home.

Images: AP, Getty.

Academic Achievements 4: The Other Queen

Helen Mirren gives good grace.

She wore charcoal Vivienne Westwood Couture last night, along with a few matching baubles.

Red Carpet reign...again. Auntie Helen wearing Auntie Viv.

A few Cartier carats can only enhance the couture, no?

Queen Cate also looked the part last night.

And this isn’t the first time Mirren dazzled in grey.

Images: Getty, JustJared.com.

Academic Achievements 3: The MC of Glam

Anne Hathaway couldn’t just pick one dress – she was the hostess with the mostest mode. I think the final count was eight, including her Red Carpet number?

Her girly gushing and cat-calling aside (ahem, you are the host, Ms. Hathaway and a paid pro), I thought she looked like an elegant lady in the following…

Just when I was starting to think - no one is wearing Tom Ford? Hathaway's last dress of the night.

Gushing over Givenchy (and just about everything else during the 3+ hours).

Hathaway wasn’t the only one in Givenchy Couture, by the way.

Swishing in ODLR - one of her best looks all night.

I could have done without the Swarovski-encrusted false eyelashes, though.

Images: The Star-Ledger.

Academic Achievements 2: HRH Cate

Queen Cate reigns again…this time in Givenchy Couture.

Nodding to her loyal subjects.

Stunning from all sides - and the bob looks belle.

She has always been one of my red runway faves.

Images: maggiered and Lucy Nicholson/Reuters via Guardian UK.

Academic Achievements 1: Pixie Dust

Uncle Karl may not have been on the Red Carpet himself, like his pal Valentino, but he sent an ambassador.

Michelle Williams looked gorgeous in a Chanel sparkling column.

The architecture of dressing: a classic column.

Simple sparkler - only it *is* haute couture.

There were far too many nude dresses with sparkles for my interest, but Williams opted for white and thus subtly, stood out.

It was simple but with the right amount of glitz for the occasion, for her personality and for her age.

Plus, that little pixie do is the perfect accessory.

Pixie Dust

Images: JustJared.com, as noted – and NDTV.com.

What’s New Pussycat?

If Catwoman had a day job and had to give a presentation…

…this is what she would wear to keep the hounds on Bay Street at bay.

Cat's eyes by day at Erdem FW11.

The purrfect day dress for Catwoman...because doesn't every woman need to look great *and* feel comfortable?

Increase your net worth with this little number.

Images: Vogue.com.

Gucci’s Midnight Lady

If the ladies of Studio 54 stepped out of the club and into a Pantone-painted party today…

…they would be going ga-ga for Gucci’s FW11 glam-o-rama.

Hit play on the Marvin Gaye and browse a sampling of Gucci’s shady, Midnight Ladies.

 

That hat needs its own soundtrack. Bow chica wow wow...

Forget Puff Daddy - here's poufy mamma.

Technicolor topper!

Leather as silk, at Gucci FW11.

The siren call of a Studio 54 sultress.

Pimpin' in Pantones.

All images courtesy of Vogue.com.

Erdem’s Lasting Impression

Erdem Moralioglu is an expressionist, impressing us with his imprint on fashion over the past few seasons.

The Ryerson grad has gradually won this un-printed girl’s heart over with his patterns and colours.

Seeing his latest collection for FW11, I couldn’t help but think…if Monet and Van Gogh joined forces and painted silk and velvet canvases today…

…the results would look a little something like this…

The delight is in the details - Erdem's painted trench coat for FW11.

You really have to get your hands covered in paint and feel the canvas.

I have a crush on this velvet splatter.

A painterly party frock.

Like wearing a masterpiece.

As with any fine painting, you must get up close to see the brushstrokes!

Exshoesme, but do these elevators come in my size?

Whether it’s Impressionism, Post-Impressionism or a blur into Expressionism…Erdem’s penchant for painted masterpieces is evident.

Each hem, each sleeve is a brushstroke on this artist’s very human canvas.

All images courtesy of Vogue.com.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Preview

Six mannequins at The Ritz Hotel in London were dressed in McQueen yesterday morning.

Standing at attention for Mr. McQueen. AP photo.

They, and a smattering of images offer a glimpse into what will be Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty – an exhibition of the designer’s work to be held at the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in May.

Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute at the Met, and Samantha Cameron, wife of  Britain’s PM, announced details of the exhibition and annual gala, which will be co-chaired by Stella McCartney, close friend of Lee.

Alexander McQueen SS01 kimono coat and flower box hat.

Alexander McQueen FW09 dark angel.

Shalom's infamous robot-painted dress. Alexander McQueen SS 1999.

Always ahead of his time - the strong shoulder according to McQueen, FW 1997.

Alexander McQueen SS01 printed gown.

Tiers of joy - and sorrow, for SS03.

I saw this FW10 dress inside the store on New Bond Street in London, back in October and my eyes welled up at the sight of it.

The jacket worn by Honor Fraser, one of McQueen's favourite models, during the SS 1996 show.

Alexander McQueen SS01 feathered gown.

Veiled for FW06.

The pretty side of McQueen, SS07.

SS10 dress and armadillo shoes from Plato's Atlantis.

Gilded angels and demons from his final collection, FW10.

The jacket we will never forget - from Lee's final collection.

The exhibition runs May 4th – July 31, 2011 and the gala kicks things off, May 2nd.

I am not a gala girl, nor a social scenester, but this night is particularly poignant for me.

I wish I could be there to celebrate Lee, in the dress of my dreams.

It never hurts to put a wish out into that sweet universe, does it?

All photos by Sølve Sundsbø courtesy of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Happy Goth Lucky

If goth girls cheered up a bit…

Todd Lynn's FW11 goth girl by day.

…this is what they’d paint the town in…

Red, not dead - for evening at Todd Lynn FW11.

Yes, you read red at Todd Lynn.

Chalk it up to Lynn’s inspirations for the collection:  “The Bible, The Age of Enlightenment and Sid Vicious.”

Clear as claret now.

Sid. Enough said.

Collection images courtesy of Style.com. Sid image source.

Old Stories and Modern Tales

If 1940s Katharine Hepburn were telling The Philadelphia Story in 2011…

Ms. Hepburn in 1940, luxuriating in The Philadelphia Story.

…this is what she would wear.

Giles tells a great story for FW11. I can't get past this chapter.

Imagine the flounce of that skirt! Furrrocious!

Images: Kate image courtesy of Style Matters. Giles image courtesy of WWD.

Superwoman

If a modern-day superhero – a woman who juggles multiple work projects, nurtures her creative calling, heeds the needs of family and culture and still manages to balance a social life, friends and spirituality while donning stilettos – needed a shield of protection…

…this would be it.

Mr. Berardi's studded cape for FW11.

Those studs actually look like those push pins one puts on a bulletin board – say, to post a To Do list.

Must add a note to escape for an afternoon and pick up what is surely to be one of my faves for next Fall.

Photo: Elle.com

Winded

What Toronto felt like today…

McQueen's nomadic tundra FW03-04

You wind-some, you lose some.

…just not as fashionable.