WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 4-6 Top 10 Best Dressed/Best Dresses!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 4-6 Top 10 Best Dressed/Best Dresses!

 Red Carpet Goddess: Thai-British actress and L'Oreal Paris Ambassador Araya A. Hargate in Alexis Mabille Couture Fall 2014

This year's Cannes Film Festival has been OUT OF CONTROL FABULOUS in terms of the COUTURE that has been on display on the red carpet. I've covered my Top Ten Best Dressed (or Best Dresses!) of Cannes 2017 Day 1-3 which you can read HERE, so now it is time to continue my "Red Carpet Report" and discuss my Top Ten Best Dresses of Cannes 2017 Days 4-6. Lots of $100,000+ costing gowns to discuss. Oh, and on a side note: Why actresses don't look THIS COUTURE FABULOUS at the Academy Awards is beyond me and very, very frustrating but oh well. It seems the red carpet mantra is...Oscars: Safe. Cannes: Go For It!

Gown Divas: (L to R) Araya A. Hargate, Sonam Kapoor and Aishwrya Rai Bachchan--2017 Cannes Film Festival Cannes France

Let's begin with one of the Red Carpet Divas of the Cannes 2017 Festival--Thai-British (and slightly pregnant) actress Araya "Chompoo" A. Hargate. I must admit that I had no idea who she was until this year's Cannes Film Festival--even with her (as of writing this post) 7.2 MILLION Instagram followers! But now, darlings...she is my new favorite STYLE MUSE...

Queen Araya: Araya A. Hargate at "The Meyerowitz Stories" Cannes 2017 Premiere--Araya wore this entrance-making gown from French designer Alexis Mabille Couture Fall 2014. This style may be from a 3-year-old collection, however, it is still SO NOW, and SO RED CARPET FAB! The strapless design featured an off-white column gown with a gorgeous lipstick red "puffy" overcape attached in the bust line with volants and Empire-waisted bustier. All that stitching you see on the overcape was done BY HAND. It's Haute Couture after all. Araya sure knows how to make an entrance! Definitely, one of my Best Dressed of Days 4-6 Cannes 2017 Film Festival.

Fuchsia Araya: Leave it to Ms. Hargate to not just have one--but TWO--of my Best Dresses from Days 4-6 Cannes Film Festival 2017. This is another fabulous gown that she wore, this time to the Premiere of "120 Beats Per Minute" (120 Battements Par Minute). This UBER Princess gown is from Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture. The gown was EVERYTHING! Araya has learned that if there was ever a moment to wear SUPER HUGE ballgowns...it's Cannes! (Maybe Aishwarya Rai Bachchan taught her this!). 

The strapless gown featured an asymmetrically placed front bodice bow and multi layered silk tulle ballgown skirt all sewn by hand. How anyone sits in one of those small velvet movie theater chairs in this $100,000+ costing Couture gown is beyond me. But, she looked beautiful and Red Carpet perfect--at least for Cannes.

Sonam Kapoor in Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 to "The Killing of a Scared Deer" Cannes 2017 Premiere: Bollywood super-actress and L'Oreal Paris Ambassador (naturally!) wore this golden gown from Elie Saab Haute Couture. The gown featured gold and crystal hand-cut lace applique over nude tulle column gown with overskirt with a plunging sweetheart neckline. She looked DIVINE.  The gown was the finale "Wedding Gown" look of his most recent Haute Couture collection shown in Paris in January of this year. The gown--as seen on the runway--was a tad bit more "revealing". For Sonam, there were more golden appliques added to cover her up and the sequin work was changed so it didn't look so much like palm trees in a Dubai dessert oasis.

Sonam Kapoor in Custom Elie Saab Couture to "The Meyerowitz Stories" Cannes 2017 Premiere: Yes kids, Sonam Kapoor is now TWICE on my Best Dressed of Days 4-6 of Cannes 2017 List. In other words, this Bollywood Diva is SLAYING it! I loved this pink sequined-and-organza-crinoline gown from Elie Saab Haute Couture. The gown had a gorgeous column base dress with a soft silk georgette overskirt. It was belted and she accessorized it with...

FABULOUS jewels including those incredible finger-to-wrist bracelets. Oh, and by the way,  did I mention that her gown was CUSTOM?. So, yeah, not just Haute Couture but really, really, really...made JUST FOR HER. For free! (This would be beyond the $100,000 price tag). Kapoor has 10 MILLION Instagram followers so I am guessing the Elie Saab P.R. crew is hoping some of those followers might buy an Elie Saab perfume or pair of sunglasses the next time they're in at Duty Free or a high-end department store! Irregardless, Thank You Sonam for being Two-For-Two in the Fab Cannes Red Carpet Moments!

Andie MacDowell in Roberto Cavalli at "The Meyerowitz Stories" Cannes 2017 Premiere: Model/Actress Andie MacDowell looked gorgeous at Cannes in this black and violet gown from Italian fashion brand Roberto Cavalli. The gown was elegant, chic, and sexy! And MacDowell looked AMAZING in it. I loved the shape, the dramatic bow, the draped bodice and side front slit. Andie is almost 60 years old (You GO GIRL!) and seriously, she could teach some of the 20-year-old's a lesson in red carpet fabulousness!

Aishwarya Rai in Ralph & Russo Spring/Summer 2017 Couture at the "120 Beats Per Minute" Cannes 2017 Premiere: Oh yes...everyone bow down to Queen Aishwarya. I love that she basically has showed up to this year's Cannes Film Festival to show everyone in the world why she was crowned Miss World many, many years ago. This gorgeous actress/model/Bollywood Diva has still got it (not that anyone thought she lost it!).  I loved this strapless red ballgown (Aishwarya loves a ballgown!) from Ralph & Russo S/S 2017 Couture collection.

The original style--as seen on the catwalk--featured a less-structured bustier (mainly because it was for the super teeny 32" bust measuring model!), and for Rai Bachchan, the bustier was constructed with a little more, shall we say, support. I thought Aishwarya looked like a Red Carpet Goddess...in Red! One of these days, she just needs to bring out that "Miss World" crown and just wear it on the red carpet. It would make A LOT of gays very, very happy! (i.e.: Me!).

Eva Longoria Marchesa Pre-Fall 2017 at "The Killing of a Scared Deer" Cannes 2017 Premiere: Miss Eva gave you some Cannes Red Carpet Realness in this blush colored sequined-and-applique tulle gown from Marchesa Pre-Fall 2017. This is such a beautiful gown, a beautiful 30's-like silhouette, but updated with the nude/blush coloring. I especially loved the capelet detail of the gown and her styling was perfection. Muy bella Eva!

Lana El Sahely in Ralph & Russo Couture Fall/Winter 2016 at "The Killing of a Scared Deer" Cannes 2017 Premiere: Freelance stylist and founder of LArmoireDeLana Blog, Lana El Sahely wound up wearing one of my Top Ten Best Dresses from Cannes 2017 Days 4-6. I have no idea who she is but she was important enough to get a free Ralph & Russo Couture gown--at least for a night. And it looked gorgeous! The style featured white silk crepe gown with pale blue silk organza overskirt hand appliqued with ruffles and embellished with China blue silk thread-work, crystals and glass bead embroidery.

Barbara Meier in Alexis Mabille Spring 2017 Couture at "The Meyerowitz Stories" Cannes 2017 Premiere: German fashion model and actress--best known as the winner of the 2nd cycle of Germany's Next Top Model--wore one of my Top Ten Best Dresses of Cannes 2017 Days 4-6. This royal blue gown was from French designer Alexis Mabille. His Couture creations have been getting some exposure at Cannes which is great; I ADORE his designs. This dress featured an off-the-shoulder style with sequined godets highlighting the neckline with a beautiful simple belted column gown. I also loved her center parted chignon hairstyle.



Last but Not Least in my Top Ten Best Dressed of Cannes 2017 Days 4-6...

Naomi Campbell in Atelier Versace Spring 2017 at the Cannes Fashion For Relief Fundraiser Gala: Leave it to Miss Naomi Campbell to make it onto my Top Ten Best Dressed of Cannes 2017 Days 4-6. She wore this super sexy Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2017 gown at the "Cannes Fashion For Relief" fundraiser event. The blush colored silk georgette dress featured an intricate Swarovski crystal encrusted web over the base of the gown, as well as side front slit to show off Campbell's iconic legs. This was a perfect choice for Naomi and she, naturally, wore it fabulously.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" Part Two: My Choices for Good and Cray-Cray!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" Part Two: My Choices for Good and Cray-Cray!

Can You Guess Which The Good and Which are The Cray-Cray?--Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" event--Miss World 2015 Sanya China

All photos courtesy of MissWorld.com

In my last post HERE, I discussed the announcement of the Top Ten (according to the Miss World Organization) Designer Dresses in the Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" event. I was skeptical and slightly questionable of the choices so...I decided--after looking at all the designs--to give MY Top Choices that should have been there. Because it is the "Miss World" pageant and this is the "World Fashion Designer Dress" event, there's always a bit of Cray-Cray and Oh Dear! creations. So, in addition to my choices for good, I've also added some of the Cray-Cray. Let's get started:



The Good:

Honduras Gabriela Salazar: I thought this was one of the best gowns from the "World Fashion Designer Dress" event/competition. I loved the fit and the length was just right (no sight of platform heels! Yeayyy!). I also liked the sequined red criss-cross details layered over the black colored gown base. The design was impacting and gave a slight nod to the red color in China being such an important color in that nation--which is hosting this year's Miss World.

China PR Yuan Lu: Speaking of China, the host nation's representative, Yuan Lu, wore this wonderful navy blue with green sequin detail strapless mermaid style gown. I loved the draped petal-like flourish in the front and the dress was dramatic in a great red carpet way.

Venezuela Anyela Galante: Anyela wore this violet blue knit gown featuring long sleeves, a raised mock-neck and thousands of glittering sequins. The design was simple and arguably, not so directional or Haute Couture-like exciting but I loved the heavy-to-light effect of the sequins, reminding me of a midnight sky with falling stars. I also liked her slicked back hairstyling.

Philippines Hillarie Parungao: Hillarie's gown choice (just like Venezuela's) may not have been so "exciting' in terms of design but I thought it was beautiful. The pink fit-to-flare style featured silver sequined applique leaf-like scrolls as well as straight-line crystals on the diagonal throughout the body of the dress. Feminine, delicate, and very, very pretty.

South Sudan Ajaa Monchol: Ajaa looked like an actress on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in this black chiffon with sequin applique gown. The style was elegant, had enough interest with the detail and made the over six foot tall beauty look almost regal.

Malta Katrina Pavia: I loved Katrina's one shoulder gown. How this didn't make the actual Miss World Organization's/Judge's Top ten is beyond me. It reminded me of a glorious Indian sari as well as an updated version of something we would have seen Elizabeth Taylor wear to a gala or awards show in the 60's or early 70's. The sequined embroidery looked well done.

Guam Aria Perez Thiesen: One word--WOW! One normally wouldn't expect a representative from Guam (sorry Guam!) to 'bring it" in terms of a quality gown, but they did this year! The sequined emerald dress was definitely an entrance-maker. The jeweled bead work in the front torso was very impacting as well. If I had any complaint, it would be in the over-the-top styling: the Pageant Bouffant, the Too-Mucheeey accessories/jewelry...all that was so unnecessary, especially when the gown is so "Jeweled" already. Loosen the hair, ditch the earrings...and you are good to go!

Australia Tess Alexander: Tess' gown was definitely a stand-out amongst the 100+ contestants. It was one of the only true "ball gowns" and I thought it was both fun and glorious. The fit was great, it didn't look like a top of a wedding cake and I liked how her hair was relaxed, modern and young. She looked like a young aristocrat at the Paris Crillon Debutante Ball.



Honorable Mentions for Good:

Nicaragua Stefania Aleman: I liked this "different" style worn by Miss World Nicaragua. The blue coloration was impacting and elegant but what really got my attention was the fabulous guipure lace hi-lo "cape/coat".

Zambia Michelo Malambo: I was impressed by this gown worn by Miss World Zambia. The regal purple color looked amazing against her skin color and the design--albeit a tad "Pageant Betty" was still well done--I liked the folded front peplum with lace overlay as well as jeweled front torso details.



Fab Hat Gal:

Lesotho Relebohile Kobile: Three words--Go On Girl! I loved this entire look. She literally is giving "Lesotho Flag Couture"! Love it.

Panama Diana Jaen: I gotta give Miss World Panama points for Design Chutzpah! She decided to go all out Asiana Queen with what she wore for the "World Fashion Designer Dress" event/competition, paying homage to China, the nation where Miss World 2015 is being held. Normally, I might have put this under the "Cray-Cray" but A) wait until you really see THE CRAY-CRAY (below) and B) this was well-done and styled from head to toe; she looked like the Queen of a Macau Casino. And I loved that!

The Cray-Cray------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Croatia Maja Spahija: Where do I begin with the design cray-cray. Maybe the pointed front bustier/torso "rabbit ears" might be a good start. I can only imagine this design in front of the "Project Runway" judges and we know Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum would have a FIELD DAY! And if the kooky pointed front wasn't enough, look closely, there's a candy colored tulled underskirt. Cray-cray for sure. On a good note, I do appreciate all the pattern and technical work that probably went into creating all those torso paneled sections.



Lace 90's Cray-Cray:

Aruba Nicole Van Tellingen: Will someone please tell Nicole--and whoever designed this--that it's not 1994 but 2015. The gold lace mini dress with the acid orange/red tulle overskirt reminds me of a cheap knock-off of a late 80's/early 90's Christian Lacroix creation. Maybe she was trying to be "Designer Retro"...who knows.

Netherlands Margot Hanekamp: On a good note--Margot looks like she would be fun at a cocktail party! On a not-so-good note--this dress is a big ol' tacky mess. The gold lace, the "Dynasty"-like shoulder, the too short front, her hair style, THAT one TOO-BIG earring...Who told her this was a stylish look? Poor thang.



Polyester Madness:

British Virgin Islands Sasha Wintz: Looking at this gown hurts my eyes. There's so much polyester here in the cheap satin and cheap lace that I am afraid if someone with a lighter gets too close to her, she might catch on fire! On the design front, the horizontal ruching and lace-and-diamante top and the diamante trim on the dress...PLUS...the mermaid shape...this is just beyond tacky-licious.

Germany Albijona Muharremaj: When I look at this dress, all I can think of is an episode from "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". There are so many things wrong with this: the cheap $2.99 a yard red stretch sequin fabric, the nude illusion with red sequin detail at the torso and then the poly chiffon back panels. She looks like the hostess in a very off-the-strip Vegas strip club.

Bridal Sale:

Namibia Steffi Van Wyk: This looks like a wedding dress one would find at a 70% end-of-the-year sale at David's Bridal. What was Steffi thinking? And that necklace??? Ayyyy Dios Mio!

Slovakia Lujza Strakova: Another bridal-like design that somehow was forced upon a very pretty contestant. On a good note, I can almost see something like this in a Chanel Haute Couture runway show but then again, it would be made of very expensive, very luxe, very beautiful fabrications and would look and fit impeccably. But this doesn't. It's A LOT, and A LOT of mess. And somehow, she thought that wearing this wasn't enough of a "look" so she had to wear THOSE feathered earrings. Please don't.



Sheer Hoochie:

Cyprus Rafaela Charalampous: Oh Rafaela. What were you (and your designer) thinking? OK, let's get this out of the way: it's a black netting dress black hot shorts underneath. And this considered stylish? Where? I don't even think the tackiest of the Kardashian sisters would have worn this, even before they were multi gazillionaires. If this is an example of Cyprus Fashion, I may have to question their taste level.



Do Not Focus on THAT Part of the Body:

Mexico Yamelin Ramirez: While I do like the top section with its interesting laser-cut lace, it's that twisted rosette detail that is quite HUGE and placed right in front of her you-know-what, that makes me put this design under the "Cray-Cray" section. I can't believe nobody looked at the placement of that skirt drape and thought it might look a bit awkward! This is a mess of a design.

Queen of Cray-Cray:

Sweden Natalia Fogelund: Just when you thought you'd seen a lot of Cray-Cray, in walked Miss World Sweden. Just take a look at this torn tulle black and white mess. It's like she went through a hurricane or tornado...or maybe a paper shredder. Wow. And for that, she gets my Top Cray-Cray prize for World Fashion Designer Dress award.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress": The Top Ten "Best" According to Miss World Judges...Really?

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress": The Top Ten "Best" According to Miss World Judges...Really?

World Fashion Designer Top 10: Maybe, Maybe Not--Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" Event, Sanya China

Photos courtesy of MissWorld.com

Events leading up to the Finals of the 65th Annual Miss World Beauty Pageant are occurring this past week. The Finals are December 19th but yesterday there was a "Preliminary" event for the Miss World--World Fashion Designer Dress Event, where all the 100+ contestants wore ensembles/gowns made by designers from their home countries. Tomorrow are the Finals of this event where the Miss World Top Model and World Designer Award fashion gala take place.

But at the Preliminary event, the contestants modeled their designs in front of the judges and the Top Ten "World Designer Dresses" were chosen. Here they are in alphabetical order (country-wise).

I'm not so sure these would have been my Top Ten Best Designer Dresses/Ensembles, in fact I would have probably put one or two in my "Uh Oh!" List. Not so sure what "Designer Dress" Kool-Aid the judges were drinking but here were their choices..

Miss Bosnia and Herzegovina Marijana Marcovic: Right away, I have an issue with this big ol' mess being named as Top Ten Miss World 2015 "Best World Fashion Designer Dress". This cha-cha black and silver trimmed design was created by Carmen Line according to the Miss World website. It is tacky and very "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". The pointed strapless neckline is not just obnoxious but would be ripped to shreds by any red carpet correspondent if this was ever worn at a red carpet event. It's BAD.

Miss Brazil Catharina Choi: Catharina wore this midnight blue lace gown designed by Olga Blanc. It's OK; nothing extraordinary. I've seen these styles in the back of an "After Five" Dress section at Macy's. I think that a gown worn at the "Miss World--World Fashion Designer Dress" event should be just a little more Haute and a little less department store-like. Maybe it's just me.

Miss Cote D'Ivoire Andrea N'Guessan: I actually like this mustard yellow jumpsuit with vest/cape design worn by Andrea. It's elegant, contemporary and makes a strong impact. I especially love her accessorizing; the gold earrings, gold belt, and THAT head-turban is EVERYTHING! I just wished that the top was a bit more interesting--an asymmetrical drape/pleat perhaps. The princess-seamed pattern to this silhouette is very "Design School 101".

Miss Guadeloupe Arlene Tacite: Arlene wore this ivory crepe gown with blue sequin applique featuring a strapless bustier designed by Jessica Jordan. I liked this. Once again, it's not very innovative--design-wise but it is quite nice; maybe that's the criteria I need to be considering. At least it fits well and the length is perfect.

Miss India Aditi Arya: I expected much more from a Miss World India. Seriously. This gold and ivory sequined column gown designed by Monisha Jaising is, again, just OK, but nothing spectacular. I could see this dress at a department store...or in the Downtown L.A. Garment District.

Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti: Maria wore this blue and ivory gown which evokes a possible "Ming Vase" inspiration. The gown was designed and created by private clientele designer brand Windy Chandra Couture. It's nice but certainly not on the scale of an UBER fabulous Guo Pei creation.

Miss Italy Greta Galassi: Greta wore this golden and silver/pewter colored satin-and-sequined gown from Erasmo Fiorentino. The design featured some cut-out's and peek-a-boo's. It had a hint of "Art Deco" but I just don't understand why this ended up as a Top Ten. The sketch was better than Greta wearing it. I think on a dark-skinned contestant, this might have had a bit more of an impact, but on her, it was a "meh".

Miss Mongolia Anu Namshyrin: Anu wore this white illusion, chiffon and silver sequin gown designed by Tserenlkhagva Khuyag-Ochi. It featured sheer sleeves, 80's shoulders, and a drop waist silhouette. This was a bit wedding gown vibe to the dress; too cutesy and too Mother-of-the-Bride--or maybe the father's Mistress(!)...at a Russian millionaire's wedding. Just saying.

Miss Puerto Rico Keysi Vargas: Keysi's black nude netting/illusion with black sequin applique gown , designed by Jose Karlo, was one of the better ones chosen in the Top Ten Miss World 2015 "World Fashion Designer Dress" event. I loved the architectural aspect of the design and sharp shoulder/front detail, as well as the contrast fabric knit long sleeve top section. I just wished the sequined lace applique would have started a little lower in her hips/thigh area; it was just a little too close to her "Uh Oh" regions.

Miss Vietnam Tran Ngoc Lan Khue: Not sure how this rather plainly-designed ombre-hued blood red-to-yellow gown ended up as one of the Top ten best. The off the shoulder dress was designed by Ly Qui Khanh. I think this was rather basic and not memorable. And certainly not "Best World Designer Dress" material.



*UP NEXT: MY CHOICES for BEST Miss World 2015 "World Designer Dresses"...and the OH DEAR!