Finally!

Kerry Washington lands a huge fashion mag cover 

(Kerry Washington causing a Scandal in Marc Jacobs on the cover, June 2013 ELLE) 

A HUGE hit show, a role in an Oscar winning movie and the latest Tyler Perry cash machine, a great sense of style and charisma for weeks... there's no reason Kerry Washington shouldn't be all over the place right now. 


Oh except that whole whitewash of fashion thing. Right. 

The Oscars in One Word: Dame Shirley Bassey

   

              

And that's all I gotta say about that. Love this B! 

My Latest Tuck

While folks are flippin' their lids for Prabal Gurung for Target, I got a little sassy tie neck Kirna Zabete for Target number on my online clothes swap page at Bib + Tuck









Don't let Oscar nominees have all the fun! 

Linky Link:   http://www.bibandtuck.com/items/3649

Project Runway All Stars: I Nanette Lepore You!

This week we learned about the math behind running a successful contemporary label (that would be the next great American designer's market) from Ms. Nanette Lepore


I was very happy that we at least mentioned after all these seasons, that fashion design is a business first. There is no magic envelope of money and a room full of free Brothers at your fingertips.


I was very disappointed though that it went right back to fashion fantasy with this girl just looking at designs and pulling a fabric allowance out her head

And everyone easily stayed within that budget? Really? Don't they usually bitch and struggle over the measely $200 they're given for less important dresses? Seems fishy and/or a missed opportunity to expose the compromises designers face

Anywho let's talk taffeta:

AUSTIN

Austin's coat is the perfect example of how fabric is the backbone of good design. This would have been spot-on in a more structured material, but given his budget restrictions he chose this wet noodle ish. Shame cuz the color was on trend saturation and the movement I'm sure made the judges teeter

And what girl doesn't want her "That Girl" moment? 

MONDO

Remember that year Jennifer Hudson was up for an Oscar for her throw down tour de force in "Dreamgirls" and everyone was like "if she doesn't win this..."? Mondo is the J-Hud of contemporary design. I long ago suggested he has an amazing career at the helm of Forever 21 or on team with one of the labels off Bergdorf's 5th floor, because given an established contemporary designer's aesthetic he nailed it 

No surprise. What is exciting is that we're at the finale and both our boys are "IN" 

Here's where we stand as we head into the homestretch

AUSTIN   5

MONDO  5

Hmm... would you look at that. We got two winners on our hands, although we all know there can only be one on top. 

Oh, and Angela? Still nailin' it! 

Sick Day Oscar Review

Ugh. Head hurts. Nose stuffed and coughing. Gross. But here's my Tussin soaked thoughts on Oscar fashion




The GOOD






Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

I gasped and grabbed my sister when we saw her in the audience stealing every shot she snuck into. This B always looks good and in my fantasy life we're BFF's throwing back brews in dive bar. Maybe she's not wearing Elie Saab in that fantasy. 

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Been killin' it all awards season long. And enough of 'she know how to dress for her shape'. B know how to dress! And I love a lady loyal to a designer. 

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

Love her or hate her (and God knows folks hate), Gwyn knows how to work a sleek look. This Tom Ford capsule style sheath and cape feels forward in a way that no Marchesa can.




The BAD


The Oscars this year were so neutral that something as simple as body placement wins a normal best on the worst


Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Weirdo. 

The UGLY


Melissa Leo in Reem Acra

Boy this was yuk. When she got up to present I shouted "a shirtdress? Really, girl?" The full view ain't much better. In her defense ML was never known for her style.

Dior Does Dovima

What does a house with a revered fashion reputation do after its new head designer's debut "Melancholy Mimes from Mars" couture collection was ripped to shreds? 

Revert to what you know works, and for Dior and Bill Gaytten, that fool proof course is "The New Look"

The nipped waist and dramatic skirt flourish shocked Carmel Snow (who famously coined the style's fashion forward moniker) post World War II and this level of sophistication is even more startling now when juxtaposed against so much bunk!

Personally each of these black and white wonders gives me visions of the one and only supermodel den mother and Avedon muse, Dovima

This retro refinement speaks to the well heeled and celebutante alike (that first dress should be top pick for Rooney Mara's Oscar look. You heard it hear first!) and the critics are already applauding. Go ahead Gaytten! Just furthering the mumblings that there's no need to rush replacing Galliano.

Adele Gives Good Face on British VOGUE

But that's about it 

(Rumor has it Adele is more than just a floating head!)

 Why is it, fashion magazines, when you choose to showcase larger beautiful women they always get the major crop? 

(Pre-Weight Watchers, you couldn't really get the full essence of Jennifer Hudson)

(Marie Claire glee-fully put Amber Riley on its cover, but not all of her)

(Only ONE of these one time multi-cover girls has been nominated for an Oscar....)

(But they chose precious little of her on the cover)

If you honestly don't want to fill your covers with these full figured ladies, surely you have Kate Hudson's number on speed dial!

Damn, Jennifer Hudson, "Where You At" ?

If this video ain't one giant ad for Weight Watchers, Jennifer, girl. I hope to God you got a nice paycheck out them. Ugh.

However, the lighting and dramatics and dilapidated house feel very Lifetime movie in the middle of the day home sick from work. Careful, girl, or they'll take that Oscar back.

Joan Collins Knows You Can't be Comfortable and Cute

This purple number Joan Collins wore to Vanity Fair's Oscar party is a crime to more than the eyes. Turns out former Ms. Alexis Carrington's frock was too tight that she lost her breath after 7 hours of sucking it in.

She was rushed to the hospital but all was ok and the whole incident was wrapped up neatly like any hour long drama.

"The truth was, I made the wrong decision to wear a very tight dress and had something rather like a Victorian swoon"

Ooh, we've all been there, girl.



Original Article: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/232072/This-dress-is-killing-me-Joan-Collins-suffers-a-Victorian-swoon-Joan-Collins-suffers-a-Victorian-swoon-at-the-Oscars#ixzz1FS3ZTwpl

And Now for a Nice Palette Cleanser: Madonna!

Kids, I'm sorry, but after that hateful last post I NEEDED this! Once again Madonna has come to my aid. 

And while I'm not even sure this see-through, Mae West style from last nite's Vanity Fair Oscar party is appropriate to wear whilst holding hands with your teenage daughter, Madonna's sins seem so light right now, don't they?

Oscars 2011: My Take

Oscars. Fashion blog. Gay man. Fashion review. Hit it!






The Winners: 

1. Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture

Cate's a risk taker and has more style than you can shake a pair of chandelier earrings at. The portrait bodice and the stones and the pilgrim style squared off neckline are details no one else would dare. But she pulls them off and she can rock yellow like no other. Go on, now!



2. Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein Collection

I think this picture actually sums it up: in a sea of Marchesa style frills and frippery, Miss Sleek n' Shine looks like a modern day Paco Rabanne. Take note, Reese, this is how you do 60's homages without looking like a Barbie.



The "it's an honor to be nominated":


1. Reese Witherspoon in Armani Prive

Speaking of which, my sister and a lot of the press loved this. I thought she looked like an Austin Powers villainess and way too costumey.

But Mr Taurus had the best line of the nite with "what's with the obvious Sally Beauty Supply fall?"




2. Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott

I liked this cobalt crusted number and the emerald bracelet is a smart, glamorous pop. That necklace, however, should have stayed in the bottom of the ocean where the Titanic lady left it. Too much. A chic set of earrings would have been the right call here.




The losers:


1. Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana

Look I understand she's one of the faces of Dolce and Gabbana, but the face is what is in question here

She looks rushed. Like when you go to a friend's birthday party and you can tell the birthday girl planned the dress way in advance but then was running so late that the hair and makeup were slap dashed. Poor thing. Better luck next year.






2. Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior Couture

It pains me to say this cuz Dior and Nicole Kidman are like fashion no brainers, so how did this go so wrong? Could this look more like a cheap 80's chain hotel's plastic sconces masquerading as fancy light fixtures? What happened to the days when Nicole was fashion royalty? She's dropped the ball a lot lately.





The Upset:

1. Sharon Stone in Christian Dior

You just know Joan and everyone is gonna tear her to shreds, but I love this crazy B for all her insanity and diva bravado.

And that ring. What the hell is with that ring?

You just know she dug that into people's hands and backs without care. Ha. Crazy kook, I love ya!

30 Second Delay

Ok, 24 hours. But I don't subscribe to that typical "oh my god, the Oscars!" mentality. Nonetheless, here goes.





I found it most jarring that SJP, the new chief creative officer of Halston Heritage, wasn't wearing at least vintage Halston. What a vote of confidence there. And it's not like she sacrificed her own brand for a better option. oy.



















Mo'nique was repping Baltimore with this Billie Holiday homage. She can say it was for Hattie McDonald, but I know a Billie gardenia look when I sees one. Go Mo and Go B-MO!






Molly Ringwald, a key part of my youth, looked fantastic with this sharp red bang and genius purple Todd Thomas dress. I hope she's in the Clash of the Titans remake (and I mean that in the best way).


























This Vera chick looked like her Marchesa dress was made up of those pointless frilly cups that are in a bag of Pepperidge Farm cookies. Now I want a Milano, thanks a lot "Orphan" mother!






















Sherri Sheperd, the luckiest person ever to have a job in a bad economy, made my favorite comment of the night when she said Taylor Laughtner is "the most famous werewolf in cinema history".
















Oooh, spin Lon Chaney Jr., spin!

















And Meryl Streep wins the evening in my book for most MODERN take on Oscar appropriate. Not only is the design a much fresher take on the usual over the top, too long, cheesy prom dress option, but the crisp white and the sharp tailoring are the work of Project Runway allum Chris March! I love Meryl Streep, but how is this veteran actress the most forward thinking at an Oscars flooded with pre-teens?