Looks of the Week - 08/03/14

The weekly roundup of celebrity style, on and off the red carpet.

Red Letter Days

Jaime King puts on a pair of red buckled boots to brighten up her denim skinny jeans, white printed tshirt and striped Rachel Zoe jacket. 
Karlie Kloss gives us the red flag in this contemporary leather coat, worn with a striped polo-neck top, black leather leggings and ballet flats.
Taylor Swift clinches in her Asos hummingbird printed dress with a vivid red belt, adding a black Dolce & Gabbana bag and Bloch cross-strap shoes.
Nikki Reed teams her red tank top with a tailored black blazer and checked trousers.
Jamie Chung slides a red Reiss+Riley blazer over her Célfie tee and American Eagle boyfriend jeans, amped up by Alice+Olivia pumps and an Antik Batik clutch.


Jessica Alba's Parisian Closet

Jessica Alba was front row at Paris Fashion Week in a number of winning looks.
1. Jessica was decked in Christian Dior at the Dior FW14 show, wearing a navy trouser suit and coat from the label, with Christian Louboutin riding boots.
2. The actress brought a ray of sunshine to her black and white grid print dress via a snazzy yellow Kenzo coat, adding grungy black tie-up boots.
3. Jessica covers up in a powder blue, beige and black Chloé coat and trousers, along with DvF pumps and a trendy Chloé Baylee perforated leather bag.
4. The style icon looked polished in an ice grey overcoat, woolen sweater and pencil skirt by Nina Ricci, jazzing it up with a pair of pink Rupert Sanderson pumps.


Winter Check-List

Jessica Biel styles her blue and white checked Dosa Valerie shirtdress with a dashing navy blazer, wide brown leather belt and strappy sandals.
Chloe Sevigny was sophisticated at the Louis Vuitton FW14 show, wrapped up in a dark blue grid checked coat, with black tights, bucket bag and lace-up boots.
Blake Lively takes a dash out in the snow wearing a chic black and white houndstooth Smythe coat, teamed with a baby blue sweater, black mini skirt and tights. Blake added a petal pink Givenchy bag and monochrome Mary Janes to her city smart ensemble. 

Pastel Patrol

Lea Seydoux represents Miu Miu in this charming printed pastel pink blouse and sky blue vinyl pencil skirt, along with ankle-stap sandals. 
Lucy Mecklenburgh wears a lavender rose Oasis coat, with a buttoned up shirt & cropped denim jeans. She accessorized with a collar necklace, metallic purple clutch & printed pumps.
Elle Fanning delightfully threw a powder blue coat over her cute checked yellow top and blue pleated skirt. Her head-to-heel Miu Miu look was finalized by a white bag and printed pumps.
Rihanna brings back the fanny pack in this metallic lilac woven Chanel Couture dress with clinched in waist & sporty cropped top. Her outfit also features those famous runway sneakers.


UpTown Girls

Keira Knightley showed her support for Chanel in a black and white dress with fitted midriff and bow-tied neck. Metallic gold pumps fit her feet.
Reese Witherspoon wears a Giambattista Valli Couture design featuring a blue and black beaded top and printed silk tulip draped skirt, along with Louboutin heels.
Laura Vandervoort rocks the midi-skirt trend in this silk black number with pockets and a cropped glossy sleeveless top by Paul Ka.
Kristen Bell signifies chic simplicity in a strapless cobalt blue Reem Acra mini dress with black beaded lace side panels.
Ahna O'Reilly was attractively dressed in an ivory floral patterned top and languid trousers by Elie Saab, adding a pop of pink via her clutch.


The Oscars After Party 

Leslie Mann looked engaging in a primrose yellow Jenny Packham gown with beaded neckline.
Chanel Iman stopped traffic in this alluring electric blue sheer and sequined cut-out plunge-neck couture gown by Zuhair Murad.
Allison Williams was demurely dressed in a fuchsia long-sleeved and high-neck gown with A-line skirt by Emilia Wickstead.
Evan Rachel Wood lent retro styling to her exquisite emerald embellished Elie Saab gown.
Sienna Miller stunned in this cardinal red strapless Alexander McQueen dress with high-belted waist, beaded clutch bag and metallic gold cuffs.

Who is your Favourite 'Look of the Week'?

Friday Frills

It may be easier to give up than it is to keep going.

It may be easier to say it's someone else's fault than to take the blame yourself.

It may be easier to make excuses than to offer apologies,

 But there's no guarantee that the easy way through life is the best way.

This road of life twists and turns,

No two directions are ever the same,

Yet our lessons come from the journey...not the destination.

So make your travels through time worthwhile.

Choose the roads that allow you opportunities to grow and change.

Look for adventures that challenge your abilities,

 And find mysteries in life that excite your sense of wonder.

Don't be so concerned about finding the easiest roads to travel, 

But follow the roads that lead you toward being the person you really want to be.

Quote by Deanna Beisser, edited.  Image via Pinterest.

Street Style - Paris Fashion Week Fall 2014

Street Style
Paris Fashion Week
Fall/Winter 2014

The whirlwind that was fashion week is sadly behind us, but we take from it many incredibly style memories that will inspire our closets for months to come.This is the final segment in my Fashion Week Street Style coverage where we head to the City of Lights and all things beautiful, Paris.  Throughout the last 4 weeks, we've seen the socialites, models, stylists and editors, but in my opinion (and I'm not being biased here), the bloggers honestly have the best style. Please click on the images for a larger view.

Cerise Breeze

Whereas pastel pink was all the rage in the other fashion capitals, Paris gave us a new saturated spin on the colour trend in a luscious cerise pink. Suit it, skirt it, shirt it or bag it, this shade is bound to make a striking statement in any way. It's one of my all-time favourite hues.

Checking In

It seems we have not seen the last of the checked print trend this season. Here we have some stellar coats, pants and skirts to end the plaid craze on a high note.

Leopard Loving

Leopard prints have become truly timeless in the past few years. Buy yourself one modish overcoat and you will be set for seasons to come. Even just a leo-printed bag or snazzy pair of ankle boots will add volumes of style to your outfit. I love how the Parisians have selected to pair it with red.

In Distress

Distressed Denim made many chic appearances during PFW, taking the lead from where skinnies and wide-legs left off. These nifty ripped pieces have been styled with oversized coats, chunky knits, trenches and heels.

La Bohéme

French Bohemia is beautifully narrated through a set of ethnic inspired looks in a luxuriant contrast of plush fabrics, engaging textures and baroque prints.

Scarlett Fever

The City of Love was painted red by a radiant cliqué of jumpers and jackets that require no elaborate styling.
A colour this loud certainly speaks for itself.

La Belle Vie

A feminine mix of feathers and midi skirts signify the glamour of Paris Fashion Week, with beautiful looks that can be taken from the sidewalk to nearest high society soiree in 0-5 seconds. 

Winter Whites

I was not there, so I don't know...but the weather must have been pretty great in Paris, as these winter whites honestly don't look very wintery. But even in a chilly 12 °C, all white is always impeccably elegant. Wear it chalky head to heel or break it up with snazzy bright shoes and accessories.

Print Palette

These graphic graffiti prints from Céline, along with vibrant stripes and florals brought an interesting splash of colour and spice to the dull grey-skyed city.

Leatherettes

There are so many ways to leather and not look like you belong in a hard rock band. These ladies have lent a ladylike touch to traditional black leather, with flaired skirts and slick leggings worn with metallic blazers. Append a leather biker jacket and grungy boots to your floral maxi dress for a boho rock effect or get pastelized with a pink leather quilted coat.

Suit Yourself

The suit trend we saw in Milan has journeyed with grace to the streets of Paris, seen with cropped tops, trousers and jackets and teamed with either sneakers or heels.

Parisian Chic

Parisian sophistication is conveyed by relaxed-fit silhouettes, refined layering and once-clichéd breton stripes in this effortlessly chic set of outfits.

Colour Pops

Using black as a foundation, these savvy fashionistas added a bold dash of pigment to their looks, rendering a modern and impactful slant on the formally outworn colour-block trend.

Which of these Paris Fashion Week Street Style Trends will you be wearing?

*Images found via Elle, Vogue France, Grazia, Harper's Bazaar and Vanity Fair.

Things I've Learnt About Awards Season

Now that Awards Season 2014 has finally wrapped up, we can look back and discuss the valuable lessons we have learnt from this glitzy Hollywood charade.

Things I've Learnt About Awards Season

1. We know that top designers lend dresses throughout Awards Season to all the actors and actresses. But what happens to all these fabulous dresses once they have been worn? Obviously, no other famous person will wear the same dress twice. I think they need to make a Fashion Blogger Donation Box and dump all those designer dresses in there. 

2. A guaranteed way to win a Best Actress/Actor Award is to look your absolute worst, act mentally deranged or gain/lose enough weight, so much so, that people begin thinking you have an actual illness.

3. Do celebrities get tired of being asked the exact same questions by the (exact same) tv hosts at every single awards show? 

4. Isn't it funny how the ERed Carpet team gush over every actresses outfit when they interview them live and tell them how much they love their look, but then go (not so behind their back) on The Fashion Police and trash them to pieces over the exact same dress. #TwoFaced

5. It baffles me that celebrities have access to the best stylists and designers, but yet some of them still manage to look like they have worn a scrap of un-ironed fabric that's been stuck together with staples.

6. Another thing, the designer has been kind enough to lend you the dress, so be courteous enough to at least remember their name when asked on the red carpet.

7. Stars always get their hair done by an expert hairdresser, but some of them appear on the red carpet with hair that looks like it's building it's own nest or hasn't been brushed in a week.

8. Stars spend hours having their makeup done only to look like they have on no makeup at all

9. The Oscars Swag Bag this year was filled to the brim with $85 000 worth of fabulous goodies including a Swiss watch, spa home system, a tour to Japan, a holiday in Hawaii and Mexico, a trip to Las Vegas for anyone wanting to reenact The Hangover and a train ride to the Canadian Rockies. Strangely enough there was also some horse shampoo thrown in. Seriously? All the nominees can obviously afford this lap of luxury...why are they getting it all for free?

10. The critics who vote on these awards shows would have to watch each season of all the nominated TV series (dramas and comedies), view every single movie and made-for-tv-movie (more than once) and listen to every album that's up for an award. Who has that much free time on their hands? Is that all they do the entire year?

11. Men can wear the same classic black tuxedo to every single awards show, year after year and no one will know any better.

12. Celebrities, please secure yourselves in all the right places because there are cameras EVERYwhere on the red carpet targeting every single angle you own.

13. Every nude shaded and sequined dress is starting to look the same to me.

Elie Saab Red Carpet Dresses

14. If you don't want to be on any Worst Dressed Lists just wear a plain black dress or anything by Elie Saab. Or a plain black dress by Elie Saab. It's always the safest option.

15. But if you want to be at the top of any Worst Dressed Lists, just get your styling advice from Ke$ha, Jessie J, Nicki Minaj or Lady Gaga.

16. Someone needs to stop inviting Miley Cyrus to these high society events. Either that or at least lend her some clothes. Actual clothes and not shreds of a fishnet stocking or teddy bear.

17. It's really unfair when the Award winners are announced and the camera immediately flashes to all the nominees that didn't win, to capture the image of disappointment/envy/fury on their faces. That's just mean.

18. Someone please give Amy Adams and Leo DiCaprio an Oscar, they have each been nominated 5 times before, and all under the age of 40. I think that's impressive enough to snag an honorary win.

19. I find it a little confusing that celebrities (like Leo, Bradley, JLaw) don't walk the red carpet with their significant others to avoid the gossip mills but then sit right next to them in plain view of the entire world during the awards show. We can see you, you know.

20. And finally, now that Awards Season is officially over, will someone please feed these skinny celebs loads of ice cream, hamburgers and fries. They deserve it.

What have you learnt this Awards Season? I'd love to hear your additions to this list.

*Images via eonline, People Magazine

Red Carpet - Academy Awards 2014

Red Carpet Fashion
The 86th Annual Academy Awards 2014

Whilst the rest of us this side of the Greenwich Meridian slumbered, Hollywood's biggest stars dressed up in their best at the Academy Awards held in Los Angeles last night. This is my roundup of the evenings must see outfits. Please click on the image for a full view.

Scene Stealers

Eventhough none of these ladies were nominated, they stole the spotlight in their incredible dresses. Charlize Theron stunned us into a style stupor in a sculptural black Dior gown with sheer mermaid overlay. Chrissy Teigen brought a playfulness to the event in a pink and black abstract floral print strapless gown by Monique Lhuillier. Kate Hudson was ravishing in an ivory Atelier Versace plunge-neck dress with beaded cape.

Bridal White

Since when is bridal wear becoming a red carpet trend? Maria Menounos surpassed some of her celebrity peers in an exquisite fully beaded Johanna Johnson gown. Naomi Watts was demure in an embellished white cap-sleeved Calvin Klein dress. Tara Lipinski went out all out bridal inspired in this floral white Rani Zakhem ballgown. Calista Flockhart wore a similar silhouette to Naomi's, hers by Andrew Gn.

Blue Belles

Amy Adams wore an impeccably fitted navy blue Gucci Premiere look. Lupita Nyong'o was breathtaking in a baby blue pleated Prada gown with low-V neck and crystal headband. Sandra Bullock displayed poise in a navy draped Alexander McQueen dress.

Pale Veil

Sally Hawkins selected a modest gold and ivory embroidered Valentino dress. Julie Delpy went retro glam in an almond 20's inspired art deco beaded Jenny Packham look. Cate Blanchett looked ethereal in a nude tulle Armani Privé gown appliquéd with gold Swarovski crystals. Sarah Paulson gave into the champagne shaded dress trend, wearing a beautifully embellished gown by Elie Saab.

Tailored for TV

The red carpet was host to many tv presenters. Rachel Smith wowed in a black voluminous skirted gown by Sherri Hill. Ireland Baldwin was dressed by Burberry Prorsum in a burgundy lace frock. Brooke Anderson was bright in a cobalt lace David Meister gown. Nancy O'Dell brought on the glitz in a gold sequined dress.

Green Screen

Louise Roe elegantly represented Pronovias in a seamless emerald green one-shouldered gown with lace sleeve detail. Viola Davis wore a vivid green strapless look by Escada. Idina Menzel was graciously dressed by Vera Wang in a strapless hunter green gown with draped silhouette.

Mixed Metallics

Kristin Chenoweth got mixed opinions in her elaborate gold Roberto Cavalli gown. Jennifer Garner impressed in a silver fringed beaded Oscar de la Renta dress. Angelina Jolie struck a high note in a sheer gold embellished Elie Saab gown. Jessica Biel was refined in a pastel sequined column gown by Chanel Couture.

Lilac Whisper

Kerry Washington was wrapped up in a mauve satin sheet dress by Jason Wu. Kelly Osbourne ups her style ante in a classy white Badgley Mischka dress with embroidered cape and her signature lilac locks. Lady Gaga (I have no idea why she was at the Oscars) was rather subdued in a glistening silver Atelier Versace corset dress, styled with a long lilac neck scarf.

Black Out 

Anna Kendrick wore a complex sheer and beaded bodice dress by J.Mendel. Olivia Wilde was gorgeous in a simple black Gucci high-neck column dress. Julia Roberts donned a lace peplum look by Givenchy. Anne Hathaway's svelte frame is highlighted by this black crepe Gucci gown with crystal studded bodice. Margot Robbie debuted her new darker tresses in an elegant black Saint Laurent gown. Emma Watson was decidedly minimal in a two-tone charcoal Vera Wang gown.

Pink Parfait

Pastel pink seems to be trending on the carpet as well as off. Cristin Milioti looked pretty in silk corset Reem Acra dress. Camila Alves is elegantly draped in a blush pink Gabriela Cadena long-sleeved gown. Jada Pinkett Smith poses in a rose pink halter-neck Versace dress. Penelope Cruz embodied sophistication in this petal pink chiffon Giambattista Valli gown with black bow belt.

Simply Red

Olga Kurylenko interesting wore a sustainable hemp cut-out dress. Jennifer Lawrence continues her ambassadorial duties for Dior, standing out in a fire engine red peplum dress. Kelly Ripa was chic in a simplistic red & white dress. Shaun Robinson was decked in a red Romona Keveza cut-out neck gown.

Princess Diaries

Kristen Bell looked beautiful in an ice grey beaded bodice gown with ruffled mermaid skirt a la Roberto Cavalli. Jenna Dewan-Tatum was captivating in a taupe crystal specked gown and fluttery tulle frilled skirt by Reem Acra. Giuliana Rancic played princess in this imposing embroidered tulle dress by Paolo Sebastian.

Who is your Best and Worst Dressed at the 2014 Oscars?

Looks of the Week - 01/03/14

The weekly roundup of celebrity style, on and off the red carpet.

Rose Tinted

Sarah Jessica Parker launched her new shoe line in an avocado green pair that stood out against her rose pink and black Valentino dress. 
Zoey Deutch charmed in a pink high-waisted skirt & lemon patterned top by Christian Dior.
Kelly Osbourne looked her best at LFW in a trendy petal pink midi skirt, styled with a white leather House of Holland biker jacket, black top and pumps.

Rock Chic 

Peaches Geldof rocked a black leather biker jacket over her slinky white skirt & cropped top.
Emma Roberts was front row at Dior FW14 in a slick moto jacket and black midi skirt form the label, along with a glossy silver Lady Dior bag and Bionda Castana pumps.
Ashley Greene shows us how to style leather trousers, fitted in an RTA pair with a white Elizabeth & James chiffon-sleeved blouse, a TomTom necklace and red Brian Atwood pumps.
Olivia Palermo dons double leather in a button-detailed Boda military jacket and black Reiss midi skirt. Her plum heels are Christian Louboutin.


Urban Jungle

Caroline Flack looked chic in her tan and black animal printed overcoat and skinny jeans.
Samantha Barks clinched in her Roberto Cavalli corset top and animal print skirt with a metallic bronze belt. Her shoulders are laden with a chocolate coloured Cavalli coat.
Cheryl Cole displays her animalistic side in a mixed animal print Roberto Cavalli trench coat.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley stepped out in an army green and black zebra printed Balmain blazer with leather lapels and zipped skinny pants.
Rachel Zoe trends in a leopard print winter coat, hers featuring a leather buttoned front.


Minty Fresh

US actress Michaela Conlin was dashing in a minted green wrap-collared jumpsuit by Rachel Zoe, worn with strappy nude Lesilla sandals.
Jenna Dewan Tatum put her pins on display in a rolled up ivory blazer, matching blouse and lace scalloped shorts courtesy of Alice + Olivia.
Olivia Munn was elegant in a white and blush pink satin Bibhu Mohapatra strapless dress.
Eva Longoria is a classic beauty pictured in a white pleated Philosophy dress.
French actress Rebecca Dayan is freshly minted in a loosely cut cropped top and fluid wide-leg trousers by Vionnet.

Colour Crusaders

Laura Vandervoort went modernistic in a strapless hot pink draped cropped top and black pencil skirt by Rubin Singer.
Alison Brie added a pink, black and orange colourblocked clutch and cerise heels to her timeless white Salvatore Ferragamo dress.
Jena Malone wore an edgy look by Roksanda Ilincic, featuring a vivid orange cropped top with longer side drape and tailored black pants.
English personality Lauren Pope looked amazing in a cobalt blue Zara suit with cropped top, styles with a New Look necklace, oversized tan clutch and Nicholas Kirkwood heels.
Amy Adams found her perfect shade of pink in a fuchsia draped off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood dress, worn with nude Louboutin shoes.
Lupita Nyong'o stunned in an electric blue asymmetrical neck dress by Stella McCartney.


Glamour Shots

Miranda Kerr looked beautiful in a floral embossed black gown with crystal neckline.
Natalia de Molina shimmered in a nude Oscar de Renta dress with silver netted sequins. 
Vanessa Hudgens was radiant in a cherry red embellished Jenny Packham gown.
Paz Vega kept up her love of couture in a glitzy horizontally beaded Georges Hobeika strapless dress in shades of grey.
Nerea Garmendia opted for a ruby lace embroidered bodice and tulle skirt by Inas Couture.

Who was your Favourite 'Look of the Week'?

*Please stop by on Monday for my Oscar red carpet roundup.