Sunday, February 27, 2011

2011 Academy Awards Notable Mentions - and Vanity Fair afterparty Add-ons!

Here we go again!




Jennifer Hudson in Versace
It seems that this dress is photographing differently in various lightings.  Although the color does not seem to pop as much in this photo as it does in others, this dress is still a winner.  The peachy-orange color goes beautifully with her smooth mocha complexion, and the cut of the dress adds something to an otherwise stiff and rigid gala gown.  The V neck and asymmetrical detail at the hip give this dress some needed edge.  I'd have liked to see the color a tad on the more coral side for everyone else who'd like to wear it, as any other girl had worn it with a different complexion, it would not have worked.  This brown queen is fit for a throne in my book, and the crystal-white jewels accent everything perfectly.  A



Anne Hathaway in Valentino
The show isn't even over yet, and already everyone is fussing over how beautiful this dress is.  This may seem like true movie star glam at first glance, but I'm goin' against the grain on this one.  This was a huge disappointment for me.  First of all, it looks like a mediocre bridesmaid dress.  Secondly, the fit is not flattering her body at all- NOTHING like how flattering that gown she wore to the Golden Globes was - this makes her look stumpy, boyish and adds about 25 years.  Lastly, this bright red color in combination with her whiter than white complexion is completely washing her out, and the red lipstick is just completing this 50+ look.  Not that I have anything against 50+, I just don't feel its right for a girl in her late twenty's.  The floral bunching is what's saving this dress from being an F.  As of now, I'm going to give the entire look (ho-hum, middle parted bland hair and all) a D-.  I think it's terrible.


UPDATE 2/28/11:  Ok, everyone...please check out this link to see Anne in Atelier Versace at the Vanity Fair afterparty later that evening:  http://perezhilton.com/2011-02-28-anne-on-hosting


Now, HOW MUCH BETTER does she look there!?  She looks amazing in that dress!!  I'd give it an A.  The first red dress is completely heinous, and this gorgeous picture of Anne Hathaway that very same night in a different ensemble just strengthens my opinion on the first one.  Way to make a quick comback, girl!



Mila Kunis in Elie Saab Haute Couture 
I have been dying to review Mila Kunis all season!  She's been my steady favorite in most of the big awards shows this year, and this is no exception.   The ethereal, delicate feel of this gown on her is stunning.  I love the stark contrast against her olive skin tone and almost-black hair; it really balances out how feminine and girly the dress is.  Had it been worn by an equally feminine and delicate starlet (say, Reese Witherspoon) I don't think it would make the same impact.  Love it, love her. A



Amy Adams in L 'Wren Scott
This one is getting mostly negative feedback so far, however I think this is the best I've seen from Amy Adams ever.  Perhaps I'm being influenced by her historically lackluster, forgettable looks, but I think she looks great in this gown, and I don't think the sequins are too much, surprisingly.  The dress is slimming on her, and the at-bay dark blue color keeps the sequins subdued (similar to the nude sequins on Anne Hathaway at the Golden Globes).  Sequins are tricky - this wouldn't have worked if it was a brighter color.  I am however going to bring the entire look down to a B due to the random jewelry selection - I don't feel the green teardrop necklace or bracelet are adding to the look in a good way - more like making it look a tiny bit cluttered.  B


Hillary Swank in Gucci Premiere 
Ok, ok....maybe I'm just a smidge biased because I LOVE everything feathers....but I do really enjoy this frock on Ms. Swank.  I think her swept back hair is the perfect selection for this almost over the top dress, and the minimal (or nonexistant) jewelry as well.  She looks fierce!  B+



Michelle Williams in Chanel Haute Couture 
Man, I am tired of her borderline hipster looks this year.  The hair is killing me!  It's ruining every one of her outfits on the red carpet.  In addition, she wears dresses like this over and over and over again...come to think of it...check out this link...proof is in the pudding.  http://www.harpersbazaar.com/bazaar-blog/michelle-williams-venice-0910.  This is definitely a step up from the Valentino nightmare at the Golden Globes, I've got to give her that.  But...eh.  Underwhelming at best.  And PLEASE do something with the pixie hair.  You're a woman, not a child.  Such a gorgeous girl, such potential.  C-




Cate Blanchett Givenchy Haute Couture 
I knew the second I saw this gown it had to be from the amazing Spring 2011 Givenchy line.  This might be my best dressed pick of the entire show.  It's a little avante-garde, most people probably think it's kind of weird - and I understand why...but I think its amazing.  All of the other gowns from this line that have attempted to be worn have looked awkward and like art instead of fashion - this is the first time I've seen one of these dresses look absolutely stunning on someone in person.(i.e.- http://www.thefashioncult.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/florence-welch-wears-givenchy-couture-to-grammys-2011.jpg  - this dress from the same line that Florence Welch wore at the Grammy's didn't work.) The gown is a magnificent piece of work, and it fits Cate Blanchett exquisitely.  I love everything about her look here, and the bright yellow detail adds an unexpected punch. The details are actually "pearls" made out of leather - just stunning! However, I will admit that I'm giving the gown an A+, and not necessarily the person.  But, she did it well, and this isn't an easy dress to carry. A+


Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior
So, this is an example of an dress that wants to be like Givenchy that Cate Blanchett wore, but instead of being bold, intricate and sophisticated, it looks crafty, almost cheap and awkward.  It reminds me of those dresses you can get in Chinatown.  I hate the detailing, and the bright red pump is a cheesy touch.  Nothing else to say about it really.  Oh - the sharp, jagged sideswept bangs match the tacky theme of this dress as well. F





 Penelope Cruz in L 'Wren Scott
"Firey Latina" is what this is screaming.  Whoop-de-doo. Its unoriginal and I'm disappointed that she went for the typical and expected red dress that shows of the girls.  In addition, the sequin fire detailing is a bit tacky in my opinion.  I do give her major credit and props for wearing a risky and revealing gown only a month after giving birth, but the dress looks again, costumey.  She's very gorgeous, so overall she still looks beautiful, but this dress is at best a 3.  I'm thinking...Chico's when I look at this. C-



Celine Dion in Giorgio Armani Prive
This dress is buttery, creamy, silky...its a great look.  She looks fantastic!  I don't really see a lot of long-sleeved dresses on the red carpet and this is a fresh, welcome change. She looks like royalty.  The bold, yet not overdone shoulders add to her long and lean look, and her hair is a perfect accoutrement to the ensemble. I do enjoy the statement necklace as well.  In addition, the dress is keeping her body high and tight - and considering she also just recently gave birth, that alone is worth an A.  A




Melissa Leo in Marc Bouwer
This looks like a doily.  Her face and hair - A...but the dinnerplace napkin dress - F.  Averaging out to a D+.  AND, it's custom, too!  It's bad enough that it looks this bad, but to hear she had a role in creating this disaster?   What a shame. D+






VANITY FAIR AFTERPARTY:




Leah Michele in Roberto Cavalli
It's nice to see Leah Michelle trying to step outside of the box, but I'm still not a fan of her look here, sadly.  I'm starting to feel bad, because this is the third time I've given her a bad grade.  She looks engulfed in this dress - its a bit too much...and it really isn't flattering her body whatsoever.  I'm seeing too many bulges and lumps - which I don't even think really exist but rather the dress is making it look like it.  I feel like only a waif-thin supermodel would look OK in this.  In addition, I'm not really a fan of the dress itself - the pattern is not flattering, or pretty, or fierce...it's just kind of...strange.  In addition, I think the long sleeves with sequins are making her look overly buff.  Also, I also now see why she always wears her hair down...the swept back look isn't exactly flattering on her.  Sorry, Ms. Michele.  C-



Rosario Dawson in Diane von Furstenburg
I had to post this and give it an honorable mention. THIS is fabulous.  I love everything about the dress! The color, sequins, cut...it makes just the right statement.  The neckline actually plunges a little bit deeper than it appears in this picture (I think it's her posture that is making it look higher), which is the only critique I have for it. I'd wear this in a second.  It reminds me of the dress Angelina Jolie wore to the Golden Globes this year...and I love that one too.  Perfect!  She looks like a goddess.  A




Jessica Biel in Atelier Versace
This dress has been getting bad reviews.  I actually like it in a weird way. I think its very uncommon and different.  If a less pretty girl had worn this, it would have looked horrible.  However, I feel like the dress goes with her stunning beauty well...it's almost acting as an accessory to her beautiful face.  I think it was a risk, its a bit fashion forward, but it worked.  And her body looks amazing.  Side note: is it just me, or do really buff women always look like their wearing workout clothes no matter what they're wearing? Lol.  B+




Amanda Seyfried in Valentino 

Just a tip: spray-tan.  Your skin is blending in with the ashy-cream color of your dress. C-




Camila Alves in Marchesa
I'm in love with this dress, I'm in love with Marchesa in general.  This dress is reminicent of the tattoo-sleeve dress Katy Perry wore a while back that I featured in one of my blog posts.  I actually inquired about buying that dress because I loved it so much but it was unavailable to the public.  This dress is so original, and unlike anything else I saw at the Oscars.  I think her low, sleek bun is a perfect accompaniment to this dress because it is a bit busy.  She looks great.  I'd totally wear this one!  A-




xoxo,
Viva

2 comments:

  1. I agree that the Amy Adams dress got more bad flak than it deserved. It was actually one of my favorites! I thought the midnight blue with her red hair was just breathtaking :)

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  2. I agree with on most of your grades except for Cate Blanchett! That dress looks like a mirror frame missing a picture.
    A+ for both Swank and Kunis. -Joseph-

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