V-Style

Black & White Dresses on Zoe Saldana & Rooney Mara At Cannes Film Festival

Photo Credit: Graham Whitby Boot/Photoshot/AdM via Instyle

Apparently Cannes is not that great. Having just returned from the Riviera, where Antibe is stunning and Nice is quite nice, I would say the only reason to visit Cannes is for the Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival brings out some of the most creative films, shinning stars and fabulous outfits. This year I was drawn to Rooney Mara wearing a Christian Dior black and white dress. You could say it is a color blocked look as the top is a block of white stacked on the block of black skirt, but the term color blocking brings to mind trendy trends, versus timeless chic, and this dress will forever be beautiful.

Generally I am not a fan of black and white. It's trend driven, harsh on the skin, and costumey. Black and white always reminds me of Beatle Juice's suit; which my older brother wore for Halloween in the 90's and then I wore, just cause, to school in 7th grade. Yes, I  wore a black and white striped blazer to school and I felt innovative. Having felt innovative as a young girl in the 90's knowing little of what's been done and what has not, I can say with confidence, today black and white is very done, unless it is executed in a flourish of elegance, Rooney style. Keep this in mind as black and white rages like a forest fire in the stores. Don't be drawn in by the cheesy prints and pieces like Zoe Saldana's Cannes frock. While Rooney shows the Riviera how black and white is done right, Zoe arrives as a victim of trends in Emanuel Ungaro by Fausto Puglisi. Although well made with a stroke of theatrics, it still speaks of right now, or worse 1995, versus forever.

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News via Instyle

Will you be weaing black and white? Please share in a comment below.

Best Dressed At 70th Golden Globe Awards 2013

Anne Hathaway in Chanel

I go about my life as a workaholic and social butterfly. If I am not working, I am trying to be a good friend, but when the Golden Globes Awards come around, it reminds me that living life is great, but taking a moment to watch other people live their lives is essential to growth, education, and compassion. I resolve to watch more films. As for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards' best dressed, there are some tantalizing frocks from Julie Bowen's kaftan and Golden Globe winner Anne Hathaway's two piece Chanel, to Michelle Dockery's gold armored shoulders and Kristen Wiig's simplicity. 

Kristen Wiig

Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier

Julie Bowen

Julianne Hough

Jennifer Westfeldt

Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen

Best Dressed At People's Choice Awards 2013

Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren Collection

The People's Choice Awards was a bit of a mess in regards to fashion, but three stunning ladies stood out among the drab. Taylor Swift's look reminded me white and turquoise is a must. Naomi Watts in Alexander McQueen displays black and gold's power better than Sam Sparro, and Ashley Rickards of who knows what in her Art Deco inspired frock took my breathe. 

Naomi Watts in Alexander McQueen

Ashley Rickards

Top 3 Best Dressed at Emmys 2012

Leslie Mann in Naeem Khan

I may not watch TV, but I'll enjoy the Emmys. This year's parade of dresses at the Nokia Theatre were all good. From chic to daring, everyone's choice had redeeming qualities, but I didn't see greatness. There was no look that made my fashion heart beat faster. Nonetheless, I still have some favorites. The first of which would be Leslie's Mann's frock for it's stand out qualities in a sea of understated, yet over-the-top glamour.

When choosing my best dressed folks, I always take into account the outfit from head to toe. If I judged solely on the dress or other aspect of the look, there would be a lot more women up here, but it's easy to chose a beautiful gown or have the perfect make-up. The hard part is creating a look the flows perfectly from hair to dress to shoes. Had I been less picky, I would have Julianne Moore up here for her fabulous hair and color palette. Tina Fey would be up here for her personal best dressed moment. A handful of actresses would be up here for their daring prints and Kelly Osbourne would be up here for three quarters of her dress.

Who were your best dressed choices and why?

Sarah Paulson in Reem Acra

Jessica Pare in Jason Wu

Sneak Peak: Fashion Week Spring 2013

It's hot as hell in San Diego and the stores are trying to sell my clients cashmere sweaters. As fall and winter approaches, the weather seems less in tune with what's in stores and more connected to the spring garments featured last week during Fashion Week. A bummer we have to wait to snatch up the fabulous garments that crossed the runways, but at least we can take a peak. Here is what to expect, come March of next year.

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

Calla Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

 Rachel Zoe Spring 2013 - Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Jenni Kayne Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

Donna Karen Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

J.Crew Spring 2013 - Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Temperley London Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

Matthew Williamson Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2013 - Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Lela Rose Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

Catherine Malandrino Spring 2013 - Photo Courtesy of Style.com

Celebrity Style at Comic Con 2012

Living in San Diego, hours from the entertainment industry's major cities, can put me at a disadvantage as a wardrobe stylist and blogger. I don't have immediate access to major style houses, certain clientele and easy attendance to noteworhty events, expect of course Comic Con. The fabulosity of Comic Con was a quick bike ride away from my lady condo in Banker's Hill. 

When it comes to Comic Con fashion, you think extravagant costumes, technie nerds and fantasy mongers. This is all accurate, but something wonderful has happened to nerd-a-palooza. It's not just nerds anymore. Standing next to the lanky Halo lover is Emily Blunt in Christian Dior. Next to Spock and Queen of the Damned is Mila Kunis in sleek jeans and a black blazer. Well, maybe not right next to each other, but you're with me. The age range is endless and the celebrities run wild in their chic red carpet casual frocks and slacks with trolls and witches underfoot. In between these two extremes are San Diego natives in board shorts and sandals. There has never been a more wide range of style at an event.

I attended Friday night parties, took on a couple hours of the actual convention on Saturday and made some decisions that will make you mad at me. I know you would want me to regale you with stories of Lea Michelle's Stella & Jamie's tweed ensemble, and Naya Rivera's neon colored pumps, but instead of sitting in on Glee's discussion panel of fashionable ladies, I sat down with the least stylish gentlemen of Comic Con... Kevin Smith in his uniform moo-moo King's jersey and William Shattner in his usual Hawaiian shirt. I adore fashion, but sometimes heavy comedians take precedence.

Later I attended, the Costume Designer Guild's discussion and enjoyed seeing their concept to reality comparisons with Hunger Games, Madonna, Iron Man 3 and the Dark Knight to name a few.

Fashions At The Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala in New York

One of the biggest events for the fashion industry and the city of New York is the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute Gala. Held this Monday, the event's red carpet arrivals were live-streamed to the public for the very first time on Vogue.com, Amazon.com and the museum’s own website. Social media and fashion lovers world wide went gaga over the immediate viewing of the eccentric fashions the Met's feature exhibit inspired. This year’s exhibit, Elsa Schiaparelli & Miuccia Prada: Impossible Conversations, explores the “striking affinities” and surrealistic approach taken by the two designers from different eras.

Numerous guests embraced the creativity and shocking qualities that Prada and Schiaparelli weaved into their designs. In fact, Prada dressed more than 40 attendees of the ball, including co-host of the event Anna Wintour, hoards of shinning stars, fashion editors and brand ambassadors. As for Prada's partner in crime, vintage Schiaparelli was worn by actress and muse Farida Khelfa, who was named spokeswoman for the brand. One versus forty, but that will no longer be the case. Diego Della Valle, chairman of the Tod’s Group, quiet owner of the Schiaparelli brand rights since 2006, revealed that Schiaparelli will be relaunched in March 2013, with the opening of Maison Schiaparelli on the Place Vendôme in Paris. This will be the brand’s first collection in nearly 60 years. I was shocked at the news and filled with anticipation. I cannot wait to discover the designer behind the relaunch and the modernization of Schiaparelli's 1920's eccentric aesthetic. 

Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren

Solange Knowles

Carey Mulligan  

Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu

Emma Stone in Lanvin

Gwyneth Paltrow

Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney

Joan Smalls

 

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe

Simon Fashion Now Runway Show

 

Maxstudio

I live at Fashion Valley Mall, but it felt a bit odd on Friday heading there for the Simon Fashion Now event and not a client. Instead of racing around, I was able to relax with the PR manager of Bloomingdale's and a few other girlfriends. A nice change of pace.

When we arrived we were impressed with the newly added water fall installation and the great turnout. The outdoor mall was crowded with spectators at every angle. On a dissapointing note, the beverage dejour was a minisucle orange cocktail and the eats consisted of a peice of plain bread. No cheese. No meats. I felt like an orphan in the depths of a historical Revoltuion.  "Please sir, may have some more."

Once we accepted our thirst and hunger would be left unchecked, we took a seat and enjoyed the show. The fashions of the evening included Custo Barcelona, Hugo Boss, True Religion, Betsy Johnson, Karen Millen and more. 

Juicy Couture

Hugo Boss

Ted Baker

Karen Millen

Betsy Johnson