2013 Grammy Awards: LBDs Rocked the Red Carpet Again

At the 2013 Grammy Awards, the dress code put forth in the infamous memo was notoriously overlooked – thank goodness!  LBDs, meaning Long Black Dresses, dominated the red carpet but there were a few breaths of fresh air by women strutting to their own beat.  Queen Bey herself wore a pantsuit.  A pantsuit!  She strictly adhered to the guest code in a mod black and white ensemble by Osman Yousefzada and still looked so chic.  Adele also kept her bare curves hidden and thankfully ditched her regular black gowns in a fun tea-length vintage-inspired Valentino dress.

 

Katy Perry did not.  She bared her voluptuous curves in a mint green dress by Gucci that served as a distraction to all, including poor Ryan Seacrest.  Katy’s friend, Rihanna, also dared to bare in a sheer red Azzedine Alaïa gown.  Clearly going for bombshell status, this is the best I’ve seen Rihanna look in a while.  It was also the best I’ve heard her sing in an equally sexy black gown in one of the most flattering shapes.

 

As we go back to the black dresses, I’d like to point out the not so basics.  Kelly Rowland – Wow!  The strips of sheer panels in her black Georges Shakra gown left little to the imagination and she carried it with class.  Alicia Keys also rocked cutouts in the leather bodice of her eye-catching Azzedine Alaïa dress.  Karen Fairchild got a little wild in a strapless animal printed Dolce & Gabbana gown that I adored.

 

Among the other guests in strapless black dresses were Carrie Underwood and Carly Rae Jepsen, both in Roberto Cavalli, and Allison Williams in Kaufman Franco.  All three featured impressive handmanship – Carrie’s baroque embroidery, Carly Rae’s beading and Allison’s black diamonds.

 

There were more than a few who pushed the envelope with high slits and cutouts, but managed to kep it tame.  Taylor Swift looked like a contemporary Grecian goddess in J. Mendel with a deep V neck and high slit.  Natasha Bedingfield chose one of my favorite trending accessories: the metal belt.  It and her matching gold clutch add a little rock and roll to her red lace Emerson gown.  In a unique shade of pale yellow, Maria Menuonos shone wearing a Gomez-Gracia dress with a high slit and marigold belt.

 

Lastly, Jenna Jameson defied us all by covering her XXX curves in a full-length gold brocade gown by Michael Costello.  She looked gorgeous!

 

Congratulations to all of the winners!  Who was your best dressed? 

  

 

Photos courtesy of Getty, Huffington Post, Steve Granitz?WireImage

 

2012 MTV VMAs: Sexy & Sleek but Short?

The style at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards was characterized by sexy and sleek silhouettes.  But while the celebrities were chic, unfortunately the line of stars fell short.  Does anyone go to this thing anymore?   Luckily, I managed to find some inspiring looks and hints at evolving trends worthy for fall, so here goes…

[caption id="attachment_1415" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Photos courtesy of Getty and Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Rihanna debuted an equally sexy and adorable pixie cut with red lips and a back-baring white dress from Adam Selman.  While I wasn’t crazy about the shape of the front of the dress – it seemed a little sloppy – I adored her new hair, the simple and sultry makeup and her beautiful back.  I welcomed the more refined turn for the normally edgy pop star.

[caption id="attachment_1417" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photos courtesy of Getty and Matt Sayles/Invision/AP[/caption]

Also in white, Taylor Swift was Miss Sophisticate in a J. Mendel suit and strappy, metallic heels with her hair worn long and straight.  Ignore the old "no white after Labor Day" rule as winter white will be hot this upcoming season.

Both Taylor and Pink brought a change of pace when they stepped on stage in black shorts.

[caption id="attachment_1408" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic[/caption]

While Taylor’s red and white striped top and pony tail were much more youthful then her menswear-inspired suit, she kept the androgynous look with a pair of deep red oxfords.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Lester Cohen/Wire Image[/caption]

Pink’s pinup worthy getup of fishnet stockings and ankle strap stilettos also had a dash of masculinity with a pair of suspenders.  Menswear will also be on-trend this fall.  When wearing masculine attire, keep it sassy by choosing well-tailored pieces and tall stilettos.

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic[/caption]

The dress Pink arrived in with husband Carey Hart was a silver, long-sleeved number by Stella McCartney that fit her slender post-baby body immaculately.  Her cropped wave of hair topped the glamorous, rock star style.

[caption id="attachment_1399" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Reuters/Mario Anzumi/Landov[/caption]

Miley Cyrus rocked a similar look from the hair style to the dress silhouette.  But her long Emilio Pucci dress was low cut and had sheer panels.

[caption id="attachment_1394" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Rihannna’s BFF, Katy Perry, looked especially pretty in a black floral Elie Sab dress with sheer skirt.  I loved her long, wavy black hair, which had a slight retro feel, and smoky eye makeup.  Her sexy look was less playful, more “Hey, boys,” than usual and she looked adorable whispering to RiRi during the show.

[caption id="attachment_1395" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Kirkland/Picture Group[/caption]

I was most impressed by Ke$ha.  She looked the best I’ve ever seen!  She looked beautiful with sultry makeup and a retro wave in her long peroxide blonde hair.  Her lace dress with “some glitz on [her] bits” was more subtle, yet still sexy, than usual.  Black lace continues to be chic, especially since an updated spin on gothic style is gaining popularity.

[caption id="attachment_1396" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo courtesy of Getty[/caption]

Lastly, I must mention the lovely, limber U.S. Gymnastics team.  McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, Gabby Douglas and Alexandra Raisman looked gorgeous and so happy to be there.  I adored the light pink dress McKayla, aka my lookalike, wore by Erin Fetherston.

[caption id="attachment_1392" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Gabby was on fire when she graced the stage alongside Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj.  America's Golden Girl lept, flipped and smiled during Keys' inspirational song "Girl On Fire" in a sparkly top and leather-like leggings.