Red Carpet Fashion: 2012 Grammys In Black and Gold

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards aired on CBS tonight, and while the performances were high energy, the Red Carpet Fashion were plain and underwhelming.  It is indeed unfortunate that those in the music industry tend to not have as many style moments as actors, but there were a few to stand out tonight in a good way (and by good way, we don't mean the visual representation of legendary "good girl"  Little Red Riding Hood portrayed by Nicki Minaj).

The best looks of the night had two things in common; Black and Gold.  Sexy, black dresses were paired with the sharp, clean accent of the precious metal.  Whether around Gwyneth Paltrow's waist, Alicia Keys' neck, or even Lady Gaga's disco stick, gold added the perfect touch of edge to the looks.  Rihanna, in a custom Armani gown from her collaboration with the brand, used the metallic color as a separate accessory with her bag and bracelet.

 Lady Gaga took gold to another level - as always - with a mast that makes anyone want to play a "Love Game." Gaga also drenched her nails in gold, a befitting color for the songstress who has a few gold Grammys of her own.

photos: Getty Images

Madonna in Givenchy and Philip Treacy for Superbowl Halftime Show

Madonna headlines the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show, and proved that she is indeed one of the true entertainers of our viewing generation. Not since the Prince performance in 2007 has a halftime show been as exciting and electrifying as Madonna's.  Featuring LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and the sequins-robe-donned Cee-Lo, Madonna performed some of her biggest hits, to include Vogue, Music, and Like a Prayer. If you're wondering who Madonna was wearing throughout the performance, she brought fashion to the Superbowl in Givenchy, along with that dramatic gold headpiece by Philip Treacy.  Below are photos from her performance, giving you a closer detailed looks from Madonna's halftime performance.

Photos: Getty

Red Carpet Rundown: 2012 SAG Awards

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was another impressive Red Carpet this season, with a very high level of looks that brought out the beauty of each celebrity.  We saw trends of black, lace, and form-fitting dresses, with a tasteful focus on jewelry to accessorize the looks.  Marchesa had the majority of the looks, and Lorraine Schwartz brought the necessary bling for the starlets' sparkle.  Here is a recap of the Best looks from the 2012 SAG Awards Red Carpet:

Best Fashion Moments - Tilda Swinton and Zoe Saldana

Tilda Swinton -Tilda Swinton will always bring a fashion moment to the Red Carpet.  This time, she wears a very ethereal custom piece from Lanvin.

Zoe Saldana -  Zoe took a big risk wearing this high structured gown on the red carpet, but thank goodness someone took a risk!  Zoe Saldana wears a piece from the Givenchy Spring 2012 Couture Collection; a collection of pieces we just saw in Paris last week - the only thing missing is the basketball and nose ring. 

Best Dressed Ensemble - The Help
Its only a coincidence that the best Red Carpet moments were from the cast of The Help.  Not only did the Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone win this category, the cast won Best Emsemble Cast in tonight's Awards ceremony.  Congrats!

 Viola Davis - Marchesa

Emma Stone - Alexander McQueen

Octavia Spencer - Tadashi Shoji

Best Dressed Couple - Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski added color to the Red Carpet; Emily in a green Oscar de la Renta gown, and John in a midnight blue Prada tuxedo. 

Designer of the Night - Jenny Packham
Jenny Packham designed looks for the most surprising and the most anticipated women in show business tonight.  Both in black, Angelina Jolie and Ashlee Simpson wowed spectators as they arrives to the SAG Awards Red Carpet. 

Sexiest Looks - Curves, skin, and natural sex appeal graces the Red Carpet tonight, with body-fitting looks donning the sexy silhouettes of these Hollywood Hotties:

Kyra Sedgewick - Emilio Pucci

Sofia Vergara - Marchesa

Naya Rivera - Naeem Khan

Amber Heard - Zac Posen

photos: Getty Images

Vivienne Westwoods Inspiration FROZEN PLANET Debuts on Discovery Channel (TRAILER)

The Fall 2012 Collection by Vivienne Westwood was influenced by FROZEN PLANET, a documentary by British naturalist David Attenborough, that details the lives of polar inhabitants.  From baby polar bears to caterpillars with antifreeze in their veins, the film gives you a educated perspective on how life manages the frozen parts of Earth. The short film put Westwood in the mind of the early explorers in the 20th century that may not have been equipped for true North Pole exploration. Tweeds, blue lips, and literal "winter bearding" frosted in ice portrayed a fashion-forward interpretation from Westwood in response to the vivid, graphically genius chronicle of polar life forms the film presents. FROZEN PLANET, a co-production between Discovery Channel and BBC, will debut on March 18, 2012 on the Discovery Channel at 8pm EST. Check out the trailer below!

Red Carpet Review: 2012 Golden Globes

The 69th annual Golden Globe Awards aired tonight, and it poses as the first true evidence of the glamorous Red Carpet season!  Before the sadly anti-climactic hosting performance of Ricky Gervais, and the surprising win for Octavia Spencer ( in Tadashi Shoji) and Idris Alba ( in Ozwald Boateng), we saw Hollywood's finest strut the Red Carpet in a variety of designers, many of whom the celebs couldn't pronounce.  Overall, it wasn't an exciting moment for Red Carpet, as everyone went safe with fitting gowns and over 80% of the looks were nude in color. There were some key looks that created their own moments tonight, as you will see below:

 The Best Fashion Moments of the Night:

Tilda Swinton - No surprise here.  Tilda will forever bring the art of fashion to the Red Carpet, and did not disappoint us with this look from Haider Ackermann.

Andrea Riseborough - Though she was joined at the hip with Madonna (wearing a Reem Acra gown) all night, the leading lady of W.E. made a statement in Vivienne Westwood; a designer whom we don't see enough of on the Red Carpet.

Now, for the Overall Looks on the Red Carpet

Best Dressed:

Charlize Theron - Wearing Dior Couture, Cartier jewelry, and those legs, she was worth the anticipation of gracing the Red Carpet.  

Claire Danes - For an actress who has won every Golden Globe she's been nominated for, she wins in the best dressed category for this black and white gown by J Mendel.


Worst Dressed:

Sarah Michelle Gellar - This dress looks well on a hanger, but it did not work in any regard on Buffy tonight. The volume swallowed Sarah up and she didn't have any form of appeal to draw us past the fact that the print was too bold for a Red Carpet. 

Jesse Tyler Ferguson - It is very difficult for men to be unique on the Red Carpet; the smallest choice can go so far, since there isn't much creative direction for men's formalwear.  His attempt to do velvet and two tone the look made the Modern Family Star look more like a groom than a Golden Globe assemble winner.



Close, but no Cigar:

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Together; they look stunning.  Angelina's gown is immaculate.  Brad's execution of the three-piece formal look was spot on.  So why aren't they on the Best Dressed list?  First, the red purse is way too matchy with Jolie's lips and collar detail.  Brad Pitt from waist up is sharply fitted, as you look at the pants, you see they are too long at the bottom. His biggest mistake,however, were his shoes.  Nothing beats a broken-in pair of shoes, but not on the Red Carpet.  

Honorable Mention

Nicole Kidman - Its been a long time coming, but a change has come! Nicole used to be a no-brainer when it came to being best-dressed on Red Carpets, but she has fallen from grace over the last couple seasons.  Wearing a Versace beaded gown, she shows us that she can still wow us in a positive light.

Reductive and Redundant: Madonna vs Lady Gaga

Here's the point.  Both Madonna and Lady Gaga are freaks of nature.  Both extremely talented, outspoken and provocative.  The 20/20 interview tonight with Madonna shed a bit of insight into her feelings about Lady Gaga.. basically showing that there aren't that many thoughts about her.  She used a big college word, #Reductive, to describe Gaga, which means "Tending to present a subject or problem in a simplified form, esp. one viewed as crude."  I actually liked this girl fight, but we've seen it all before on SNL when both Madge and Gaga did a skit based on their media imposed rivalry.  Nothing new. The moral of the story is, don't pump up the Madonna/Lady Gaga rivalry too much, because neither one of them are losing money or sleep over the other.

Swank Moment: Madonna in DSquared2 for WE Premiere

Madonna promotes the new film W.E. in at the London premiere, wearing a fitting blue and black dress from the DSQUARED2 Pre-Fall 2012 Collection.  She adds even more edge to the look by pairing the dress with Chanel fingerless gloves.   The film, co-written and directed by Madonna, will start to hit cinemas in February.  If the film is as hot at her look, we can expect great reviews!

Red Carpet Review: 2011 American Music Awards

Judging from tweets and other social media channels, the 2011 American Music Awards wasn't as exciting as expected.  Aside from the AMA's being a giant Fiat commercial, and the total upset of the night when Adele didn't win artist of the year, the show had pretty regular, average performances, and even more underwhleming style.  Perhaps because the headliners we would all anticpate seeing - both musically and style-wise - were nowhre to be found.  Beyonce? Rihanna? Kanye? Lady Gaga? Thus, the Red Carpet was barren and didn't leave much to analyze.  Here is my review of the best and worst of whatever it is we saw on the AMA Red Carpet.

Read more after the jump:

X Factor Hopefuls Channel Watch The Throne Fashion

 It looks like the contestants of X Factor are just as inspired by the Watch the Throne fashion that those who went to the concert. First, Rachel Crow is dressed like Kanye West from the Watch the Throne Tour in a leather pleated skirt and leather leggings, and now Chris Renee is wearing the controversial Rocawear tee on air. Jay-Z got negative reviews for gaining revenue off of the sensitive subject without any record of donating proceeds from sales, but it seems that Chris Renee and the producers of the X Factor didn't get the memo. Chris Renee wear's the  "Occupy Wall Street" (Occupy All Streets) tee shirt which was once on the Rocawear website, but as since been taken down after much backlash from the public.  While the shirt isn't vulgar or controversial, and its a creative take on the Occupy Wall Street phrase it goes to show that there wasn't any research done before letting him wear the shirt.

Janet Jackson Covers Harper's Bazaar Arabia

What do you think about this look for Janet Jackson's Harper's Bazaar cover?  Looks like the detailing around the chest will help prevent any future "malfunctions," but its very appropriate and sexy for covering an issue in a country where women have to be modest about their garments.  Her face is amazing though, beauty seems to be getting better with age!

Music from How to Make it in America Episode 1

HBO's How to Make it in America debuted its second season tonight, and my new Sunday nights have now been made complete again.  Being a guy in fashion, I'm naturally going to love this show, and I have been a fan since last season.  Produced by the team who brought us Entourage, its only natural that the soundtracks are going to be amazing.  During the pop-up shop launch for Crisp, they were playing this song, Baby I'm Yours by Breakbot.  Here is the YouTube video by the artist.  Enjoy!

Eddie Murphy Will Host 2012 Oscars

A quick congratulations to Eddie Murphy for honoring us with his comedic genius as the host of the 2012 Academy Awards.  Its about time!!  I can't wait until the airing of the show, and to see who designs his tuxedos.  I think a mix between Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford will suit him perfectly!

Lady Gaga Revisits Manhood for MTV VMA's

photo: Getty Images

Lady Gaga stayed in character all night, posing as a man that was accepting on Lady Gaga's behalf.  After an amazing opening performance, winning awards, and introducing Britney Spears, Gaga never broke character.  This is not the first time we have seen this particular character, as it is the same look as her photo spread for Vogue Homme Japan back in 2010.  Jo Calderone is his name.. maybe she will do a dual CD next time and let Jo have his own share of 9 songs.

Gwen Stefani on Cover of Elle Magazine

I love Gwen comebacks; they're always so fun, unexpected, and full of fashion!  Rocking a sick Givenchy dress from the Spring/Summer 2011 Collection, Stefani graces the May 2011 cover of Elle Magazine.  Kudos to Gwen for dressing the American Idol girls in her L.A.M.B. collection last night for the live show!

Moment of Swank: Helen Mirren in Lanvin for Arthur Premiere

photo: Getty Images

Helen Mirren is a true testiment that style is something you are born with, and it will never leave you as long as you fully embrace the evolution of the art.  She knows how to wear pieces that would even intimidate a fashionista in her twenties.. Wearing Lanvin to her premiere for the movie Arthur starring Russel Brand, she works every detail of the look, tackling every trend while still remaining classic.. now that's Swanky!

Do you agree with me?  Tell the Ave if you think she rocked it out the part, or if she needs to be rocked (I am 100% behind the former)

Gaddafi, Sheen, Galliano: Triple Threat to Society and Themselves

These three men have a few things in common; infamous quotes, lucrative talent, and substance abuse.  Each of these men have been controlling the airwaves for negative reasons that even the best of PR reps can't undo.  Each are in trouble due to their own words and actions, and are likely influenced by the drug(s) of their choice.  These three (and no half) men have been known to be mentally unstable, despite their talent within their craft; a talent that places them among the wealthiest in their industries. Granted, of these three, there are more serious repercussions with the unrest in Libya and Gaddafi's power, than with Charlie Sheen's self-destructive behavior, and Galliano's anti-Semitic words that can't compete with smallest of sticks and stones.  In each case, their fall from grace is presently inevitable, however they need to seek help and cease their actions and dangerous life choices before death becomes the final consequence. 

Libya will go on, Dior will go on, but can Two and a Half Men continue without Sheen's tiger blood and Adonis DNA? 

83rd Annual Academy Awards Red Carpet Review

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards ended hollywood's recognition of actors, directors, and all things on the big and small screen, and wrapped up a very successful Red Carpet season.  Successful in the sense that for each awards show, including last night's Oscars, the list of best dressed took effort to narrow down, whereas the worst dress list too effort to identify a handful.  It may be because stylists and actresses decided against taking chances (except my Best Dressed, whom you will see below) and instead stuck to a safer, glamorous option.  Lucky for 90% of the Red Capret, it worked. 

Trends On the Carpet:

Shear Perfection:

Jennifer Lopez started the trend at the Golden Globes, and while the look was hit or miss (definite miss on the Ave), the trend caught on with other starlets, and changing the look from bolero to an addition of the gown made the look seamless and elegant.  Hailee Steinfeld, Mandy  Moore, and Michelle Williams demonstrated this look with ease last night, going with the nude color to add more of a floating illusion with the embellished overlay.

Red on Red:

A very sexy option for this year's awards season.  It takes beauty and attitude to make a red gown stand out on a red carpet.  Anne Hathaway in vintage Valentino, Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein, and Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang emcompass all the qualities needed to bring Red to life on the carpet. 

Liquid Luxury:

Metallic gowns have become an essential element to formalwear (Thank you Naeem Khan); this season, it changed from gold to silver.  Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein (best dressed nominee) and Celine Dion in Armani Prive give us all the precious metal we could ask for.  Simple, chic, dripping of luxury.

Sexy after 50:

Annette Bening, Helen Mirren and Sharon Stone show that you don't have to be "young Hollywood" to leave an impact on the Red Carpet.  These three ladies demonstrate what true Hollywood glamour should be; sultry, sleek, and effortless. 

Best Dressed:

Cate Blanchett - This look has seen the full spectrum of opinions.  Even I had to take it all in before I could truly accept the beauty in this piece of wearable art.  Only those who understand the true art in fashion can appreciate this cotoure gown by Givenchy.  Only someone as intelligent and fashion savvy as Cate Blancheet could wear this.  Perfection!

Hilary Swank - Not just that her name is amazing, but this dress is the best of both worlds; chic and dramatic.  And, a pro at Red Carpet looks, Ms. Swank knows how to pose to show off the details in the train. 

Florence Welch - This may be a surprise, but I am in love with Florence's look.  The Valentino gown is romantic and feminine; different from the unique, edgy vibe that Florence normally exudes.  The color of the gown almost washes her out, but she is saved by her red hair and the Red Carpet.

On the Fence:

Jennifer Hudson - Beautul color, beautiful dress from waist down... but the problem comes from the chest up to the hair.  Too much loose boob action, and way too much lace front wig caused a gawdy unfinished look on the songstress.  We are all proud of the transformation Jennifer Hudson has done, but that doesn't give a free pass to over expose the body in ill-fitting gowns.

Worst Dressed:

Both looks will induce the urge to eat dinner, as one resembled a lace table cloth, and one will bring cravings to eat at the nearest Japanese Steakhouse.

Melissa Leo - The Oscar win and the F bomb almost overshadow the dress, but it's not quite off the hook.  The fabric is so stiff that there is no flow factor at the bottom.  The dress is overbearing, heavy, and not fitting for an Academy Award winner.

Nicole Kidman - This should not be a surprise, as many have listed her on the worst dressed list.  She has become a regular on this list, and each season I anticipate her climbing back to her previous reign as best dressed.  Maybe next season.

**Photos Courtesy of Getty Images**