Who Wore Oscar de la Renta Better?

Who Wore It Better?
Oscar de la Renta SS13
Striped Ballgown

When Oscar de la Renta's Spring/Summer 2013 collection hit the runway, there were two stand-out looks that immediately seized media attention. Firstly, this flashy pink look seen on Cara Delevingne, and secondly, a bold striped ballgown modeled by Frida Gustavsson, below. Whilst the first look was one not exactly red carpet material, this striped dress made one appearance too many around the world. And it's no wonder, as it truly is a timeless beauty.

Swedish model Frida Gustavsson walked the Oscar de la Renta SS13 runway in this striking white silk gazar gown with navy sateen stripes in a mix of stripes and chevrons.

1. The first celebrity to wear the stunning strapless gown was Chinese star Fan Bing Bing. Her event of choice to showcase the navy and white dress was the Vanity Fair Oscar Party held in February this year. Fan kept her hair up in a classic bun and wore statement drop earrings.

2. Second to scoop up this classically chic dress with voluminous A-line skirt was stylist Olga Stepanenko, at the amFAR gala held in Cannes during May 2013. Olga also styled her hair up and carried a perspex box clutch.

3. Serbian beauty Jelena Ristic donned the monochromatic de la Renta dress to a charity gala held in London in July 2013. She carried a navy satin woven Bottega Veneta clutch and elegantly styled her hair up. 

4. Finally, just last week, fashion-loving Anna Dello Russo put on the horizontally striped look for a stint at New York Fashion Week. She added a long round vintagey pendant to her outfit. Who wears a floor-sweeping ballgown in the middle of the day while out and about on the grimy city streets? Anna does, apparently. 

 

Who would have thought that something as seemingly 'straightforward' as a striped ballgown would cause such a fashion fad. Well simply...because it works. A dramatic silhouette crafted from a print that is usually attached to casual wear - it's ingenious! It's one of those looks that will remain sophisticated in years to come and never lose it's inherent elegance. 

As for 'Who Wore It Better?', I have to say Anna is working this look with her incredible confidence and sass. The impeccable tailoring of Oscar de la Renta is fully evident here, as I think the dress suits every girl pictured. Anna, Fan, Jelena or Olga?
Who do you think wore it better?

New York Fashion Week Fall 2012 - Part Two

New York Fashion Week
Fall 2012 Favourites 
Part 2

This is the second installment of designer collections from New York Fashion Week, where we are presented with brights, lights and prints.


Diane von Furstenberg 

Diane von Furstenberg enthralled with creative prints and vibrant colours for Winter 2012. There were alluringly wrapped day dresses, chain and puzzle print designs, elegant coats and pencil skirts, with long leather gloves and clutch bags to polish it off. Diane formed a harmonious alliance by brazenly marrying bright hues together. Plum and lime, chartruese and fuchsia, red and azure, all bound by wide leather belts.

Giulietta

Newcomer Giulietta sang a song from the 'Sound of Music' it seemed, in charming prim and proper frocks, with a hint of school-girl innocence. The lightness of fabric and softer shades in this collection was welcomed after the other 'heavier' ones shown at NYFW. Peter pan collars, the pussycat bow and square-buckled belts were a continual motif throughout the range.

Nanette Lepore

Nanette Lepore dipped her collection in a paint tin of festive colours for Fall 2012. Bright burnt orange, mulberry, fern green, cerulean blue and chartreuse. The designer cited "dandyism, a deck of tarot cards and Oscar Wilde" as influences. It is a gypsy tonic of trippy prints, skinny velvet pants, artsy blouses and floaty embroidered dresses. Glossy metallic loafers and satchel bags accessorized this beaded bohemian range. 

Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller introduces us to the haute hippie rock chick for Fall 2012, and I couldn't be more pleased. A more refined take on 70's fashion with floaty silk blouses worn under oversized vests, unmissable floral prints in vivid shades, cigarette pants and bell bottoms, all spawned from luscious velvets, furs and suede. Satchel bags, wide-brim floppy hats and circle-chain belts perfectly punctuated the retro look.

Oscar de la Renta

Pastel pink and powder blue had their moment in the spotlight at Oscar de la Renta's Fall showing. I had long forgotten the slew of black and white outfits after the first celestial blue dress hit the runway. Frothy little frocks with puffy skirts and 60's styling conveyed a certain girlish glamour. Jewel and fur accents added a more grown-up feel to the doll-house dresses. 

Sophie Theallet

There was a boho-vintage vibe at Sophie Theallet's Fall offering, with a prominence of silky upholstery prints in spicy cinnamon, fuchsia, rust and purple plum. In the mix were polo necks and vividly shaded pants. Long wrap dresses with thigh-high slits alluded to demure sensuality, while A-line skirts and clashing prints provided a more playful look.  

Suno

 Suno brings prints to the forefront of Fall 2012, valiantly mismatching them, coloring them in with an Autumn breeze and even naming them! Army-esque influenced blazers were structured, while dresses and skirts fell more freely. A jovial range will leave you wanting to wear stripes with florals and socks with high heels.

Thakoon

Thakoon pressed the 'Refresh' button on Fall 2012, quenching our colour thirst with cerise pink, cherry red and raspberry. Besides for a few bateau necks, paperbag waists and cut-out collars, he kept the silhouettes simple. Using visually interesting materials like PVC, silk, leather and fur, he gave new meaning to the word 'colour-blocked'.

Rachel Zoe

You always know what you're going to get with Rachel Zoe. Long, lean silhouettes, tailored pants suits, billowy 70's style maxi dresses, chic layering and the essential fur coat thrown in. She successfully blends her own personal style in with that of her clothing collection. Luxurious but still accessible.

For Part One of New York Fashion Week, see here. Part Three to follow.

Photo Credits: Style.com

Divas and Darlings - Baftas 2012

Red Carpet Fashion
British Academy Film Awards 2012

The Baftas were held in a freezing Covent Garden earlier this evening, where some starlets braved the cold and donned skimpy evening gowns. Here are the red carpet highlights. Stay tuned for all the fashion from The Grammys, which is yet to be held. It still baffles me why the British equivalent of the Oscars and Music's Biggest Night have been scheduled on the same date. 


My Favourite Frocks

Holliday Grainger looked ethereal in soft shimmery gold Valentino gown with organza belt and tulle skirt. Fearne Cotton may have been a red carpet presenter, but she outstyled many of the celebrities she interviewed. Fearne was gorgeous in a long-sleeved coral Moschino gown, with black bow belt and bejeweled high-neck collar. Shailene Woodley is forgiven for the casual top-knot bun, as her beautiful pale Dolce & Gabbana gown, which is scattered with floral appliqués, fully makes up for it.

Column Gowns

A trendy topic on the red carpet were column gowns. Tilda Swinton was simply chic in a white two-piece Celine ensemble, trademark hairdo intact. Michelle Williams defied style critics by wearing a custom-made monochrome H&M gown, along with scarlet red lipstick and book-shaped clutch. Bridesmaids' Kristen Wiig chose a strapless silky white Alberta Ferretti gown. Penelope Cruz was elegant in a wine red Armani Privé gown with sculpted bodice. Bond Girl Bérénice Marlohe also opted for white, in a side-studded round-neck gown.

Coloured In

Naomi Harris brought an optimistic shade of yellow to the event, in a billowy Emilio Pucci gown with cut-outs on the bodice and sleeves. Model Laura Bailey took a risk in a multicoloured abstract print dress with crystal beadwork and red heels. Nominee Viola Davis wore a bright pink one-sholudered and eco-friendly Valentino dress. Captain America actress Hayley Atwell went for a ho-hum cream and blue colour-blocked dress.

Long-Sleeved

Melissa George stunned in a lacquered black long-sleeved Victoria Beckham gown. Nominee Berenice Bejo looked a tad bit dowdy compared to her previous red carpet appearances. The Artist actress wore a two-toned Alaia ensemble under a black fur coat. Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright was cute in a vintage knee-length navy and white Prada dress, paired with black tights and bright peep-toe heels. Jessica Brown-Findlay kept warm in a long-sleeved black belted Alessandra Rich gown.

Gilded Gowns

Another big trend of the evening were gold shaded gowns. Christina Ricci arrived in a gleaming bronze Givenchy wrap dress with high slit. British actress Emilia Fox was darling in a gold Luisa Beccaria gown with tiered skirt. Gillian Anderson wore a strapless textured gown by Sybill Connolly/Vintage William. Jessica Chastain adopted a Grecian goddess look, in a pleated molten gold Oscar de la Renta dress with plunge-neck and criss-cross bodice.

Divas and Darlings - People's Choice Awards 2012

Red Carpet Fashion
People's Choice Awards 2012

Awards Season kicked off in style last night with the 38th Annual People's Choice Awards. Hollywood's favourite TV, movie and music stars came out to play, and strangely, not a Kardashian in sight. I look forward to bringing you the best of the red carpet over the next two months. Lets start with these sizzling looks.


Disney Darlings

Hats off to Demi Lovato for this impressive red carpet makeover. Her strapless peach dress with embellished bodice and bejeweled clutch is by Marchesa. She won the award for Favourite Pop Artist, beating out Beyonce, Lady Gaga & Katy Perry. Miley Cyrus opted for a sexy sophisticated look, wearing an ivory David Koma dress with mesh v-neck and holographic hem detail. Vanessa Hudgens wore a glamourous black and gold embroidered Jenny Packham gown with double halter and knee-high split.

 Green Light

Nina Dobrev looked sensational in an apple green Elie Saab dress with lace sleeves. She paired it with a nude clutch and heels. 'The Vampire Diaries' star won the award for Favourite TV Drama Actress. Comedienne Whitney Cummings glowed in green sequins, wearing an ASOS mini with black belt and heels. Emma Stone walked away with the awards for Favourite Movie Actress and Favorite Comedy Actress. She opted out of a party dress and wore a chic black and green Gucci ensemble instead. Chloe Moretz looked cute in a printed black and green tweed Proenza Schouler dress. The teen star won Favourite Actress Under 25.

Pretty Little Liars

The cast of 'Pretty Little Liars' won the award for Favourite Cable TV Drama. Ashley Benson looked charming in a white dress with frilly black hem and belt by Alice + Olivia. Shay Mitchell chose a black and white print dress by Naeem Khan, along with Jimmy Choo heels. Lucy Hale wore an 'interesting' (that could mean either way) asymmetrical dress with wrap around train by Cengiz Abazoglu. Her pumps are by Giuseppe Zanotti.

Black on Track

Ashley Greene represented DKNY on the carpet, wearing a lace and leather dress with Brian Atwood pumps. Elisha Cuthbert was all dressed up in a Resort 2012 gown by Vawk, with metallic gold bodice and full skirt . Beth Behrs from '2 Broke Girls' was simple in a mini dress with embellished waist by Mandalay. Her red Judith Leiber clutch added some colour. Castle's Stana Katic showed off her figure in a body-skimming, plunge-neck black gown.

Neutrals

Flipped actress 15-year old Madeline Carroll wore a two-tone champagne feathered frock by Jovani. Lea Michele won Favourite TV Comedy Actress for her role in 'Glee'. She was fully fringed in a white Marchesa number with sparkly Jimmy Choo sandals. Julianne Hough shimmered in a Kaufman Franco dress with open back. Jennifer Morrison wore a cream embroidered Oscar de la Renta dress with tasseled hem. Her hair and heels are too austere for this delicate dress.

Bright & Bold

Jennifer Lawrence was futuristic in a blue Viktor & Rolf dress with spiral mesh cut-outs. Ginnifer Goodwin stood out in a hot pink Roksanda Illincic dress with bell sleeves & lacey Jimmy Choo heels. Cobie Smulders stuns in a royal blue corset dress by Reem Acra. A gold collar necklace, leopard print clutch & strappy sandals complete her look. Kristen Bell was sweet in a scarlet dress leather & lace Valentino dress with gold tipped Louboutin pumps.

 The Hostess With The Mostess

The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco played host for the event, displaying some stunning wardrobe changes during the show. I love them all.

Menswear

Are you wondering what designer suits Matt Bomer, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley are wearing? Yup, me neither. Just stare and swoon ladies ;) P.S Thought that this may be interesting after my last post : Did you know that Paul Wesley is Polish?

Divas and Darlings - Emmy Awards 2011

Red Carpet Fashion
63rd Annual Emmy Awards 2011

Last night's Primetime Emmy Awards did not disappoint, with a vast range of gorgeous evening gowns worn by televisions biggest stars. It was exciting to see the multitude of different trends that emerged on the red carpet. No matter what's your style, I'm sure at least one of these gowns will enchant you as much as they have me. 

Romantic

Aubrey Plaza wears a beautiful white halter gown with ruffled neck and slight train, which is by Juan Carlos Obando. Jayma Mays is dreamy in a frilly rose-hued confection by Zuhair Murad. I like the girly combination of tulle and lace. Julia Stiles had me dazed with her stunning lavender lace couture gown by Georges Hobeika. Romantic side-swept waves completed her look. Rashida Jones is pretty in a pale pink strapless dress with belted waist by Alberta Ferretti. Cat Deeley is sensational in a gold flecked tulle ivory gown by Marchesa.

Red Haute

Kerry Washington strikes a pose in a scarlet couture gown with sheer sequined skirt by Zuhair Murad. Nina Dobrev is breathtaking in a fitted fiery red Donna Karan gown with origami upturned pleated skirt. With flawless hair and makeup, she is my choice for best dressed of the evening. Lea Michele radiates confidence in a crimson coloured Marchesa gown with rose-pleated sleeves.

Midnight Skies

Glee's Heather Morris donned a dramatic plunge-neck gown with ruffle-spun skirt. Her elevated upstyle is a tad much. Minka Kelly is poised in a navy blue long-sleeved lace dress with tiered skirt by Christian Dior. Reality star Kyle Richards takes on a modern Dynasty look in an extravagant blue pleated gown by Ines DiSanto. British actress Emily Blunt wore a textured inky blue gown with plunging neck by Elie Saab.

Embellished Earthy Tones

Mad Men's Christina Hendricks wore a curve-hugging silver Johanna Johnson gown garnished with Swarovski crystals and intricate beadwork. Mad Men's other leading lady, Elisabeth Moss opted for a nude illusion gown with ornate gold embroidery by Marchesa. Anna Faris wore a fully embellished bronze column gown. Dexter's Jennifer Carpenter glistens in a nude tulle embellished gown with thigh-high split by Tony Ward.

Simple Elegance

Bonnie Bentley is casual in a colour-blocked pleated gown by BCBG Max Azria. Katie Holmes chose a simple cobalt blue Calvin Klein dress with halter neck and metallic belt. Kate Winslet wears two major trends of the evening - red and a plunging neckline. Her dress is Elie Saab Resort 2012. Glee's Naya Rivera is sophisticated in a classic black fitted gown.

Beautiful in Black 

Game of Throes actress Lena Headey exudes elegance in long-sleeved belted gown with high round neck. I love how her unpretentious look trumps so many of the more elaborate gowns. Broadwalk Empire's Kelly MacDonald wears a fitted black gown with sheer print bodice and sleeves. Maria Menounos sparkles in black cap-sleeved sequined Emanuel Ungaro gown. She is another star who wears the side swept hair trend. Rachel Evan Wood wears a dress that's quite similar to Maria's. Her beaded gown with bateau neck is by Elie Saab.

Bedazzled

Claire Danes wears a sparkly tonal blue gown by Oscar de la Renta. Emmy Award winner Julie Bowen's silver and black beaded dress is also by Oscar de la Renta. TV anchor Brooke Anderson is dressed in a forest green one-sholdered gown sprinkled with sequins. Is that side swept waves yet again? Charlie's Angel's Rachel Taylor wears a dusky pink gown by Giorgio Armani, which is adorned in pearlescent sequins and beaded fringing. It's refreshing to see a star on the red carpet with a short bob.

Asymmetrical

Modern Family's Sarah Hyland is gorgeous in a salmon silk organza pleated gown with crystal encrusted waistband by Christian Siriano. The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco is cute in a Romona Keveza cocktail dress covered in sheer printed net. She added red accessories with Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toes and a Judith Leiber clutch. Sofia Vergara knows how to work a mermaid silhouette. The Latin beauty displays a stunning coral crepe Vera Wang gown with pleated draped detail. Aimee Teagarden's black silk shantung taffeta gown with asymmetrical neck and hem is by Romona Keveza.

Brights

Cobie Smulders stood out in a serene aqua gown with knotted sleeves by Alberta Ferretti. The How I Met Your Mother actress wears a major trend of the night - pleats. Olivia Munn's glaring green jacquard gown with matching leather belt is by Carolina Herrera. Dianna Agron's brazen blue silk dress with high draped neck and flowing train is by Roksanda Ilincic.

A Plum Affair

Friday Night Lights actress Jurnee Smollett is alluring in an aubergine Pamela Roland gown. She follows the night's trends by wearing side-swept waves and pleats. English actress Michelle Dockery wears a well-fitting long-sleeved eggplant gown with key-hole cut-out. Charlie's Angels actress Annie Ilondzeh chose a strapless silk gown in a luscious plum colour. She wears a popular designer of the night, Romona Keveza. Melissa Rauch from TV's Big Bang Theory dons an interesting violet ombre tulle gown. Kelly Osbourne's burgundy fishtail gown is by J.Mendel. A great fit on her but the lavender hair ages her by years.

Clouds Amongst the Stars

Paz de la Huerta - her peach chiffon gown could have been passable if you eliminate the extreme tan, disheveled hair-do, lilac lipstick and sinister stare. Padma Lakshmi - I would have liked to see in any other colour besides olive oil. Gwyneth Paltrow's dress feels like it's missing something - like a middle. This would have been a pretty look had it been complete. Julianna Margulies - I'd prefer her white column gown without the strategically placed crystal baubles, which somehow cheapen her look. Heidi Klum - I get that her dress is avant-garde but it looks like she's carrying a coral reef around with her.

Oscar de la Renta Winter Shoes 2011

Fall/Winter 2011-12 Shoe Collection

by Oscar de la Renta

The Dominican designer's Winter shoe collection is an exhibition of elegance and sophistication. All the pieces are wearable and somewhat safe, if not for the dash of leopard print. There is a richness to this range, provided by luxurious fabrics like fur, satin, tweed and lace, with a scattering of sequins. It's nice to see that flats and kitten heels stand their ground against sky high heels.

The violet satin heels will add a lovely pop of colour to a neutral coloured outfit. Tweed heels are embellished with feathers and beads. The lace peep-toes also come in nude.

These kitten heels are such a versatile height; great with jeans, dresses or skirts. Leopard print is a prominent theme, in every shape and style.

Tweed adds textural interest to plain black ankle boots. The tan tie-up high-heeled riding boots are a classic and trendy pair. 

I would really like to see the effect of black lace boot when its worn. A forest green suede boot is an unusual addition to the collection. The black leather thigh-high boots will bring out the vampy-vixen in anyone.