WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 7-9 Top 10 Best Dressed!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Days 7-9 Top 10 Best Dressed!

 Lace Queen: Actress Charlize Theron in custom Christian Dior Haute Couture at the 70th Anniversary of Cannes Event at 2017 Cannes Film Festival

Cannes isn't over yet...And Thank Goodness for that! I have discussed my Top Ten Favorites of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet Day 1-3 HERE and Days 4-6 HERE  and there's been LOTS of fabulous Couture to satisfy fashionistas, fashion watchers, bloggers and flood the Instagram world. 

Printed and Sequined: (L to R) Fan Bingbing, Elle Fanning and Praya Lundberg--2017 Cannes Film Festival

I have already said this but it bears repeating, it's been a very Haute Cannes Red Carpet year, definitely solidifying the film festival as one of the most-watched-for "Fashion Shows" on Earth (sorry Oscars but you're standing is probably losing your red carpet fashion grip!). So, now, continuing with my "Who Wore What?" Cannes 2017 Blog, it's now time for my Top Ten Best Dresses of Days 7-9. Let's see who made the Cannes Cut: 

Fan Bingbing in Christopher Bu at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: One of my favorite Fashion Divas of Cannes is actress--and 2017 Cannes Jury Member--Fan Bingbing and she has been ON-POINT throughout her time at the Film Festival. This time, she wore this printed silk gown from her longtime stylist, Chinese designer Christopher Bu. I loved this design because of its bold sequined applique "print" (yes kids, it's all paillettes, crystals and sequins!), sculpted silhouette (very old school Roma Alta Moda). The gown featured an attached "Watteau"-back like cape, turtleneck collar and...

Her diamonds were FABULOUS! That ring and bracelet were BEYOND darlings!

Praya Lundberg in Rami Kadi Couture at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: Half Swedish, half-Thai actress/model Praya Lundberg (nicknamed "Poo"), was one of my Top 10 Best Dressed from Days 7-9 of Cannes 2017. She wore a beautiful ballgown from Beirut, Lebanon based Lebanese-American designer Rami Kadi and his Rami Kadi Couture collection. The halter neck gown was perfect for Cannes, featuring a navy blue silk base with distinctive hand-sewn encrusted silver paillettes and feathers toward the bottom of the dress. Beautiful, entrance-making and on-point with the Cannes 2017 "Prom Fab" style trend.

Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Armani muse Jessica Chastain wore a GORGEOUS Armani Prive (naturally) custom gown and it was one of my Top 10 faves from Days 7-9. The golden silk satin gown was "inspired" by his latest Haute Couture collection shown in Paris in January...

Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2017

The collection featured lots of that Chinese lacquer-gold coloring as seen in this gown from the collection as seen in one of the photos above. I thought the color was impacting and right for red-haired Chastain. I also thought the fit and shape of her gown was perfect. I loved the simplicity and figure-flattering style. I would have done without the mini-pouf above the train/godet but that would be my only not-so-positive critique.

Fan Bingbing in Valentino Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at "The Beguiled" Film Premiere: Oh Fan Bingbing...how much do I ADORE you!! Bingbing has been the Cannes Film Festival Fashion "It" girl for years and this time as one of the Jurors, it's really her time to (Fashion) shine! I liked this red sheath of a gown she wore for "The Beguiled" Film Premiere. The gown is from the Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection...

The style- iconic "Valentino Red" seems simple enough but if you know fashion and fashion design, the simplest looks are usually the most difficult to pull off, technically. This red crepe gown is all handmade and features an "over-cape" hiding a sheath gown underneath. Bingbing looked UBER beautiful in this.

Svetlana Khodchenkova custom Alberta Ferretti Limited Spring 2017 at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova wore one of my other Top 10 Favorite gowns from Cannes 2017 Days 7-9: This gold lame plisse dress from Alberta Ferretti Limited collection; this is from Ferretti's Haute Couture arm of the business. The strapless gown featured dramatic volants cascading down the back of the gown. I thought Svetlana looked very 1930's/40's Old Hollywood Glamour-like.  The dress was "inspired" by a black silk velvet version shown on the runway:

Alberta Ferretti Limited Spring/Summer 2017

Jasmine Tookes in Georges Chakra Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at "The Beguiled" Film Premiere: U.S. model--and Victoria's Secret Angel--Jasmine Tookes looked gorgeous in this gown from Lebanese designer Georges Chakra and his Georges Chakra Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture collection. The lilac-hued crepe gown featured a one shoulder column design with over-the-shoulder draped details and dramatic back overskirt. Simple, elegant, gorgeous.

Izabel Goulart in Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2017 Haute Couture at the "Amant Double" (L'Amant Double) Film Premiere: Another model in my Top Ten Best Dressed of Cannes 2017 Days 7-9 is Brazilian supermodel Izabel Goulart. She wore this gold and nude gown from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The fitted dress featured hand-sewn gold sequined applique in a starburst design sewn onto see-through crinoline/organza. It also had a side cascade drape to add a little bit of drama. If you notice, the original runway look had pointed sleeves at the shoulders. This element was wisely removed (or un-pointed!). Izabel is a model so she may already be starting with an advantage (in terms of looking fabulous in Couture) but she did look EXTRA fabulous at Cannes 2017.

Juan Xiopong at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Juan Xiopong was one of my Top 10 faves because she just looked Red Carpet perfect. I have tried to Goggle her and for the life of me (trust me, I have spent HOURS!), I cannot find who she is, where she is from, why she is at Cannes, and most importantly, who did her dress. But...I still think she looked very pretty! I loved this hi-lo gown with pink/fuchsia, silver and light green sequins. The sequin work was exquisite and the finishing of the gown (the hand sewn invisible zipper on the underseam part of her sleeve) was superb! Beautiful gown, beautiful woman and gorgeous RING to top everything off! Let's hope one of my BLOG READERS educates me on who she is--and who did her gown!

Mystery Solved! A trusty reader (Kat from Portugal!!) let us know that Juan Xiopong's gown is Zuhair Murad Spring 2016 Couture. I LOVE my readers! Thank you!

Charlize Theron in custom Christian Dior Couture at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Next on my list is the gorgeous Charlize Theron. Charlize attended the 70th Anniversary Celebration at 2017 Cannes Film Festival in this black lace custom Christian Dior Haute Couture gown.

First off, we are starting with CHARLIZE THERON so as a designer, well, it's like "Done & Done!". This gown was very lingerie-like and ultra feminine with its soft, un-structured shape and fabrication. I thought the delicate hand pleated/gathered draping of the silk tulle'd torso was perfection (of course it is; it's HAUTE COUTURE!) and the fit was very flattering. The jewels were...OTHERWORLDLY! I wondered where the Jewel Bodyguards were because that ring--and those bracelets--LORD HAVE MERCY!

Elle Fanning in Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2017 at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: Elle Fanning also wore Christian Dior Haute Couture and this was one of my Top Ten looks. I loved this dress when I saw it on the runway and I thought it was a great choice for Fanning...

The gown featured a "festival" of sequined flower petals (all hand sewn!), over a tulle under-crinoline and fitted/boned Dior Corselette. This reminded me of those old-school 1950's Dior gowns and was perfect for the young and sweet Elle Fanning. If she was to wear a $100,000 costing one-of-kind hand made Couture gown, this would be it!



Finally...

Tilda Swinton in Chanel Fall 2017 RTW at the 70th Anniversary Celebration- Cannes Film Festival: I don't think I am alone when I exclaim my LOVE for actress Tilda Swinton--both for her acting talent and her fabulous fashion sense. At Cannes 2017, she wore this black sequined jumpsuit from the French house of Chanel which I ended up putting as my last "Best Dressed" in my Top Ten of Cannes 2017 Days 7-9. The look is chic, modern, directional and Oh-So-Tilda! I just wish she would have worn the boots (as seen on the runway). Besides this, she looked like a Couture NASA Pilot of a Mars Space Mission...in 2055!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries GOWNS: The OH DEAR List!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries GOWNS: The OH DEAR List!

Too-Mucheey Meets Disney Prom: Contestants who made "Uh Oh" Gown Choices--Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition, Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

If you are a Pageant Fan, you may know that it's Miss USA 2017 time! The finals are happening Sunday night, televised live on FOX. In my last post HERE, I wrote about my Top Ten Best Gowns from the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition, which occurred Thursday night in the Mandalay Bay Events Center in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas. So naturally, now it's time to discuss my Not-So Top Ten List of Uh Oh/Could Have Been Better Gowns of the night.  These ladies chose gowns (or had their "Pageant Glam Squad Team" choose these gowns for them...unfortunately) which for more than one reason, might not have been the best of choices.

Flame Retardant, Prom-a-Licious, Spanx-Revealing, Star Trek Flanges: "Oh Dear" Gals at Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition--Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

Once again, my critiques are based on a FASHION perspective, as well as the obvious knowledge that these gown should have some (and I am hesitant to highlight "some") "Pageant" qualities--in terms of stage presence, impact, etc. I want these ladies to move beyond the typical "Pageant Betty" gowns and 1998-looking dresses and well, be a little more stylish, directional, fashion-forward...Would Charlize Theron wear this to the Academy Awards is a question I ask in my mind. Well, the answer to all those questions were "Oh No!"...

Let's take a look at my Not-So-Top Ten Uh Oh Gowns of Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries:

Miss Kentucky USA Madelynne Myers: Oh Madelynne! She is so pretty and tall (5' 9") and she looks very sweet but...she chooses a 1992-looking "Prom-a-licious" gown that makes her look like a extra in a remake of "Wedding Singer". Three words: Bless Her Heart. The gown is a strapless dress with sequin bustier and satin taffeta pouf skirt. It's adequate for a Quinceañera but huney: NEWS FLASH!! It's MISS USA!! I could chalk it up to being a low-level state pageant but...it's MISS KENTUCKY!!! Surely, someone there can come up with $5,000 for a fab red carpet-worth stylish gown! Or maybe not. Score: 6.25

Miss Oregon USA Elizabeth Denny: Continuing with our Prom theme...I introduce you to Miss Oregon USA Elizabeth Denny. She wore this baby blue iridescent organza (two words that SHOULD NOT come near any Pageant Girl!) off-the-shoulder gown. Once again, she's such a pretty woman and it is a pretty dress...for a Disney Debutante Ball. But not for Miss USA 2017! The fabric alone looks so flammable that I am very scared for her coming close to any stage lighting apparatus! Score: 6.89

Miss Minnesota USA Meredith Gould: Here is another example of very pretty contestant...bad choice of gown. And I am using the term "gown" loosely, since this white flower applique design is actually a jumpsuit (yes kids, there are pants under there!) with an overskirt as well as some sort of sequined body-suit/leotard with neck-piece on it. Try and figure out all those words I just described. I am sure the designer was trying to go for a Zuhair Murad Haute Couture red carpet moment like this:

But it didn't happen. This was a mess on Victoria's Secret Brazilian Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio (above) and it was a mess on Miss Minnesota USA 2017. Score: 6.90

Miss Mississippi USA Ashley Hamby: Ashley Hamby wore this silver sequined gown on Thursday night's all-important Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries. The gown was sexy and "Jazz Hands" impacting but, it was two seconds from being Too Tacky-licious. More importantly, my eyes hurt from seeing the straps literally SQUISHING her "sistahs"/breasts. It was like "Don't look here but...yeah PLEASE LOOK HERE!!". I don't wanna look anywhere. Score: 6.98

Miss Iowa USA Kelsey Weier: When Miss Iowa USA walked out in this blue gown, all I could say was "FLANGES!!!" In case you might not have attended fashion school or know fashion terminology, a flange, is a piece of fabric/detail in a garment that projects out of the design. Usually, it is seen on shoulders and usually, it was a VERY 80's/early 90's kind of detail. And lo and behold, here it is. In a Miss USA 2017 gown. In addition to those very unappealing flanges on her shoulders, the dress has a plunging neckline, sequin applique and naturally, a crystal studded waist. This is a FLANGE mess. Score: 7.00

Miss Oklahoma USA Alex Smith: Miss Oklahoma USA has ended up in my "Not-So-Top Ten of Oh Dear Gowns from the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries mainly because of that stand-up Portrait Collar in her gown. When she came out onto the stage I was "Oh she's so pretty...but why does she look SHORT NECKED??!!" Why would anyone in their right mind want to make themselves look as if they had a short neck...or no neck at all?? This was a very late 1950's/60's Jackie O-like detail that never really translated into the aughts. This was a gown misstep on Alex's part. And it didn't help that the rest--the white Bridal-looking lace style--wasn't fashionable or impacting at all. Score: 7.15

Miss Pennsylvania USA Cassandra Angst: First off, Cassandra has to be one of the most beautiful contestants in this year's Miss USA. She gives a red-haired Stefania Fernandez Miss Venezuela/Miss Universe vibe. I was really looking forward to a fabulous gown but this wasn't it. She wore an off-the-shoulder iridescent white and see-through dress that featured a visible under bodysuit and jeweled sequins. I LOVED the jeweled sequins. And the shape of the dress was fine. But why all the see-through??? And then, those TACKY nude platform pumps. She went from Rita Hayworth Gorg to Hoochie Pageant...in a hot minute! Score: 7.25

Miss Maine USA Brooke Harris: Brooke ended up here in my "Oh Dear!" Gown List because this design she wore for the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries was inelegant. I get the whole transparent trend but...here it just looked as if I was seeing her Spanx. And I wasn't supposed to. I liked the whole golden/blush sequined gown style but it was the too-much see-through that did it for me. The fabrication is gorgeous but the design wasn't. That, and those tacky nude platform pumps. Such a pretty woman but she looked like she should be on a "Real Housewives of Atlanta" Reunion. Score: 7.28

Miss California USA India Williams: The gorgeous India Williams is SIX FEET TALL!!! And so beautiful...and she chooses this?? I just don't get it. This white sequined gown is OK but so dated and does not highlight her fabulous beauty and height. The criss-cross crystals are distracting and the crystal waist detail is too low and why is there a neckband?? It's too safe and not-fashion-y and looks (EEEK!) store-bought. At least it was the correct length. I would have DIED if she busted out in something like this:

Binibining Pilipnas 2017 contestant and Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2017 Elizabeth Clenci 

But, alas, she did not. And therefore, India and her gown are in my Bottom Ten List. Score: 7.35



Finally...

Miss Michigan USA Krista Ferguson: Speaking of neckband...and platform pumps...Oh Miss Krista. Yet another pretty girl choosing a tacky gown and in addition, who was styled poorly. The gown--a nude/golden sequined dress, featured sleeves (very popular), cut-out midriff , a super high side front slit, crystal neckband and (yes, there's more!), silver platform pumps! It was just TOO MUCHEEY and the taste level of the entire look would have made Nina Garcia of "Project Runway" scream obscenities in Spanish. Score: 7.40



Let's hope that if some of these ladies make it to the Top Ten of the Finals of Miss USA 2017, they change their gowns. We'll see!

MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet: The Not-So-Good and What Were They Thinking?!

MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet: The Not-So-Good and What Were They Thinking?!

Proms, Pageant Dresses, Pillow Prints and Pocahontas Platform Heels...With Good Red Carpet, there is inevitably the Not-So-Good...

Jessica Szhor: Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr does not get "Two Nick Pinkies" for this paisley print jumpsuit. Yes, I said PAISLEY PRINT & JUMPSUIT...all in one sentence. Poor thang. This was a mess. The fabric is better suited for a Gay Man's Pillow at his Palm Springs "Summer home". And the print--along with the jumpsuit is better suited for my "Imaginary 75 year-old Aunt from Boca". One Plus Point though: Notice how the fabric print matches and miters in the center back seam--now THAT'S quality fabric cutting!

Holland Roden: Teen Wolf actress Holland Roden wore a Jad Ghandour-designed "High-Low" gown that was a bit "I'm Going To A Prom in Glendale" and "Miss Universe Evening Gown Competition" rolled up into one. Now, to those two events, I can see this dress, but to the MTV Movie Awards? Maybe not so much. All that she's missing is a SASH and a Corsage on her wrist. Now, speaking of The Prom...

Crystal Reed: Fellow Teen Wolf actress, Crystal Reed also somehow thought she was going to her high school prom and not the MTV Movie Awards (did her and Holland Roden have the same Prom-obsessed stylist?). She wore a black and white taffeta satin gown from Ina Soltani and frankly, it was straight out of a bad Project Runway Make-A-Dress-Using-Discarded Prom-Dress Fabrics" Episode. What, in the name of Diana Vreeland, are those fan-pleated THINGS at the hem of the dress? And WHY are they there? They almost look like coffee filters! Am I wrong?

Skyler Samuels: The Nine Lives of Chloe King actress Skyler Samuels stepped onto the MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet in the look above. Now, I like the mini-paillette silver & nude strapless mini-dress, and I don't have anything against the platform strappy heels (maybe covered ones might have been a better choice, though). It's...

The HAIR!!! Momma got a bit Kay-Kay-Krazee with the teasing comb and the Elnett. PS: She's sooooo pretty! like a Doll!

Chelsea Handler: I love me some Chelsea Handler. Truly. But this shirred and cowl-necked intentionally wrinkled dress did not make me laugh, smile or want to do shots of Vodka. Gurl....you can do better than this!! I am sure you had many choices and this is what you decided on? Call me or my Fashion PR Company.

Romeo (or Lil' Romeo): OK, let me just say it right here and now--Your Red Carpet Role Model should not be "The Situation"! Lifting up your shirt to expose your abs on the Red Carpet is plain Cheesy. Even if the photographers are SCREAMING for you to lift up your shirt and "Show Us Your Abs!", DON'T do it. Just smile and keep walking. Seriously. I get it, you've got AMAZING abs and I'm jealous but still, tuck your shirt in huney. And BTW: What Louis Vuitton Clip-On accessory is that on his waist? And since when is that fashionable? Oh well, I should just be happy that he actually wore a tie.

Amanda Bynes: Oh huney, let me guess, it's Herve Leger! Of course it is! How, um, well, predictable. Ladies: There are OTHER designers and brands that make sexy skin-tight red carpet dresses. There are. No, really, there are. But I digress. My problem really isn't with the dress, it's how she accessorized it all: THOSE Pocahontas-Goes-To-Vegas shoes so DO NOT belong with this dress but more in a bad "Jersey Shore" event in Atlantic City. And then, that black (?) quilted clutch and white bracelet? It looks as if she went to THREE MTV Gifting Suites, got some stuff for free and decided to wear it all in one quick red carpet swoop. Too much of a mish-mash I think.

So there you have it--did I miss any? Let me know --and also, tell me what you thought of my "Not-So-Good" Picks above...