83rd Academy Awards Red Carpet

Subdued, calm, respectful.  As the New York Times coined it – a “plain jane” red carpet.  And while yes, it was a very toned down Oscars Red Carpet, I found it quite respectful and appreciated the subtle touches of glamour.  There were a handful of favorites on my list, and it seemed as they each stepped out of their car, I was captivated, eager to see exactly who made the dress and what it looked like from head to toe.

While there weren’t a lot of risks taken tonight, another way one might critique it was that the women knew how to dress (or their stylists knew how to adorn them), so that they stood out instead of just the dress doing the talking. Gwyneth Paltrow has to be at the top of my list. To watch her Calvin Klein Collection dress move was enamoring and to wear it, from the audience’s vantage point, looked like it would be wearing silk-like gold, moving with your body with ease.  However, there were many stunning gowns.  Mandy Moore’s dress looked gorgeous on camera and the sheer fabric on her neckline was a beautiful facade (the image below doesn’t do it justice.) Below are ones that I’d like to share. I’d be curious to know what you thought.

Gwyneth Paltrow – Calvin Klein

 

Mandy Moore – Monique Lhuillier

(To see this dress on the runway, Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011 click here.)

 

Anne Hathaway – Valentino

 

Michelle Williams – Chanel

 

Jennifer Lawrence – Calvin Klein

 

Cate Blanchett – Givenchy

 

Mila Kunis – Elie Saab

(To see this look on the runway – Spring 2011 Haute Couture, click here.)

 

Jennifer Hudson - Versace

 

Halle Barry – Marchesa

 

Sandra Bullock – Vera Wang

 

Celine Dion - Giorgio Armani Prive

 

Reese Witherspoon – Giorgio Armani Prive

 

Hilary Swank – Gucci 

All images – People or InStyle

Memorable Battle

 

With the Academy Awards show just around the corner, I have been thoroughly enjoying the last few weeks on Turner Classic Movies channel.  It seems during this time each year I happen upon a classic movie that I either didn’t know about, or have heard about, but have yet to see.  And more times than not, I am thrilled with what I discover.  Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall in the 1957 film Designing Woman was no exception recently as I was enjoying a lazy Sunday morning.

This classic, yet comical battle of the sexes is engaging, not only because of the talent on screen, but because of the decor in Lauren Bacall’s apartment and the fashionable world she works in every day. The comedy is thoroughly enjoyable and the drama light-hearted, despite the fact that it involves an attempted hit on Mike Hagen’s (Gregory Peck) life. In other words you will have no problem going to sleep at night.  The co-mingling of their polar opposite worlds – Peck is a sports writer and Bacall a fashion designer - logically brings with it some hiccups, and there lies the comedy. And of course each of the characters’ former flames play a role, bringing an extra source of entertainment.  For example this line hints at one character in particular who Marilla Hagen (Lauren Bacall) isn’t necessarily a fan of:

Mike Hagen ............Gregory Peck

"So, what's for dinner? "

Marilla Hagen ............Lauren Bacall

"Lori Shannon. "

Mike Hagen ............Gregory Peck

"For dinner?"

Take a peek at the trailer to see if this film would be something you might enjoy by clicking here.  I couldn’t help but notice how much trailers have changed in the last fifty years, but never the less, the right message is shared with potential viewers.  I think you might just like it. Start popping the popcorn!

Dolores Gray playing Lori Shannon.

Marilla Hagen’s apartment

Images: (2) Paris Apartment (3) TCM (4) Film Posters (5) IMCDB (6) Habitually Chic