The Oscars are the pinnacle of all award season fashion and consistently bring us the crème de la crème of red-carpet gowns. From Gwyneth Paltrow's pink, princess-perfect Ralph Lauren gown to Reese Witherspoon's elegant vintage Christian Dior, we're counting down the 10 best Oscar dresses of all time.
The dominant trend at the Independent Spirit Awards may have been the blazer. Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, and Jessica Chastain suited up in three very different ways. Kirsten was short and flirty with her Dolce and Gabbana black minidress and white blazer, while Michelle went for a crisp boys look in her Louis Vuitton shorts suit and buttoned up white shirt. Jessica appeared in a black skirtsuit, which seems to be making a comeback for Spring. What's your favorite rendition of a dressed-up blazer look?
While the Oscars may get most of the attention (they're tomorrow, are you watching them with us?), the Independent Spirit Awards attract a bevy of stylish celebrities who make the independent film industry an ongoing success. Some of our favorite indie actresses — Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams might be the young queens of the genre — walked the purple carpet today in fashion-forward ensembles. Click through now to get the full breakdown of these chic stars' looks at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Kate Winslet often goes super simple on the red carpet, but at the Cesar Film Awards in Paris, she brought a little sparkle to her look, literally. She chose a black and gold sequined Jenny Packham dress with a plunging neckline that showed off her decolletage and more. The dress fit perfectly, and she accessorized with Cartier earrings and bracelet and an Anya Hindmarch clutch. It's a timeless look that is as elegant as it is sexy, and it's the right amount of shine for a red carpet.
Love Jenny Packham's dresses? Then her Fall 2012 runway show is a must-see.
At last night's Women in Film event, some of Hollywood's most established actresses and up-and-comers — hello again, Shailene Woodley — came out for one very stylish pre-Oscar party. Gwyneth Paltrow looked incredibly sleek in a Boy. by Band of Outsiders black jumpsuit, while Jessica Chastain glowed in hot pink, and Selena Gomez worked the metallic and nude trend. Click to see the actresses in chic cocktail attire, and tell us who you think worked the best cocktail look in the comments!
Let Gwyneth Paltrow be our latest example of the jumpsuit trend done right. At last night's Women in Film pre-Oscar event in LA, Gwyneth donned a black Boy. by Band of Outsiders tuxedo jumpsuit. The plunging neckline is a risque touch, but notice how she tempered the sexy silhouette with one strong statement necklace and black and gold Jimmy Choo platform sandals. The result is a modern, yet sultry evening ensemble. Read on to see how you can achieve the same look, then shop similar items below.
The World Wide Web can be a daunting place and with so much clicking at our fingertips, it's easy to overlook some pretty amazing e-finds. After a bit of cyber roaming and unearthing a whole lot of covet-worthy designer lineups, we've got 10 ultracool online boutiques you may not know about and most definitely should be shopping at already. From a one-of-a-kind curation site and a chic jewelry resource, to a superluxe London-based shopping destination and a Japanese designer-filled mecca, there's an online outlet for every kind of trend and fashion fancy. Click through to see our latest online boutique obsessions — and if you have an under-the-radar favorite to share, leave a comment below!
Peter Dundas showed off his signature sex appeal for Emilio Pucci's Fall 2012, crafting a decadent line in fur, sheer, and rich leather detail. It was a little like sensory overload at Pucci — that's not to say that it wasn't all done with perfect precision — there was just a lot to take in. When Dundas isn't honing his craft on ultrasexy evening wear — full-length, figure-flaunting gowns with sheer cutouts or embellished detail — he offers up brilliant prints on both slouchy suiting and drama-inducing frocks. Nearly everything gets the luxe treatment; if it's not a fur tossed nonchalantly over gowns and metallic suiting, then it's skirts and shifts finished in textured croc — and a leg-baring slit went with practically anything. Still, to sum it all up in red-carpet glamour would mean missing the menswear-inspired coats and tuxedo jacket paired with smart cropped trousers and finished in sharp white and black or soft powder blue. Dundas zeroes in on both the supersexy and the smarter stuff here — and with all things, he stuns.
With PETA protesters outside and six-by-six model formations on the runway, it was a chaotic scene at Emporio Armani's Fall 2012 show. The collection, described by Armani as "animated by fun, ironic touches, alluding to the roaring '20s, made all the more unpredictable by the addition of Bermudas," was just as exciting. Whimsical was the name of the game; knicker-inspired trousers were layered under the majority of the looks, paired with velvet dresses, beaded peplum skirts, and fun rose petal vests — all while paired with oxfords and slippers. The extravagant delight didn't stop there; hot pink velvet jackets, camellia-embellished dresses, and louche multicolored sequined jackets also made an appearance on the runway. While the styling may look busy at first glance, it worked because every piece was ultimately beautiful on its own. More details from Emporio Armani's charming collection below.
For Bottega Veneta's Fall 2012 collection, Tomas Maier showed us his take on wearable luxury, highlighting sleek suiting, sharp coats, and an impressive batch of evening wear. “The look is covered up and the materials are virtually impenetrable, yet the effect is powerfully physical,” said Maier. Day wear focused on tailored coats, cropped trousers, and skirt suits featuring brooch-adorned jackets, refined blazers, and knee-length pencil skirts dipped in purple, black, and navy hues. Meanwhile, '40s-inspired shift dresses were injected with a modern touch via sliced leather insets and statement prints. The latter was featured on a striking cap-sleeve dress with a bold corset belt. Evening wear honed in on Maier's love for texture; velvet and feathered cocktail dresses and peplum gowns emoted the perfect sense of opulence, with just the right amount of mystique. For his die-hard bag ladies, Maier provided a range of reptilian-print satchels and leather clutches featuring the brand's iconic woven intrecciato technique. More details from the collection below.
