WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival 2017 Day 1-3: Top 10 Best Dressed

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival 2017 Day 1-3: Top 10 Best Dressed

Belle of the Cannes Ball: Bollywood Diva and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at 2017 Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet "Okja" Screening, Cannes Frances

This week is the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival and you know what that means: RED CARPET FABULOUSNESS!!!! The Cannes Film Festival--and its very long red carpet--has always been a Fashion Extravaganza--but lately, in the last few years with the advent of Victoria's Secret Supermodels and random international actresses/fashion influencers, the Cannes Red Carpet has become the equivalent of the Academy Awards-meets-The Met Ball when it comes to Couture. Maybe there's something about being in the South of France...or that it is after all, Cannes, but...it has gotten the reputation of being a Red Carpet Heaven when it comes to actresses/models displaying extraordinary style.

Prom Queens: Dakota Fanning in Vivienne Westwood Couture, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Michael Cinco Couture and Araya A. Hargate in Olivier Theyskens--70th Annual Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet, Cannes France

For this 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, there seems to be a main Style Trend: 90's Prom-a-Licious. Lots of BIG BALLGOWNS, lots of late 80's/early 90's silhouettes, lots of POUF's (where's Christian Lacroix when you really need him??) long gloves and Prom-like necklaces. Here are my Top Ten Red Carpet Goddesses of Day 1-3:

Aishwayra Rai Bachchan in Michael Cinco Fall 2017: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan dropped the COUTURE Mic with this stunning baby blue silk organza/applique gown from Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco and his Michael Cinco Couture Fall/Winter 2017 "Infanta Maria Theresa" collection...

Gown Fab: If there was ever a moment to wear this--and wear it for free (as opposed to the $100,000+ it probably costs to order it!), it would be the Cannes Film Festival so...Kudos to Aishwarya and her Stylist for choosing this for her. #Love

Deepika Padukone in Brandon Maxwell: Styled by  A-list celebrity stylist Elizabeth Salzman (who styles Gwenyth Paltrow and Uma Thurman), Denmark-born Bollywood Indian actress and L'Oreal Global Ambassador Deepika Padukone, wore this green gown from Lady Gaga favorite designer Brandon Maxwell on Day 2 of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. The one shoulder gown was daring, sexy and column fabulous, featuring a high side-front slit opening, and beautiful back drape "fall" detail. One of the BEST LOOKS from 2017 Cannes Days 1-3.

Araya A. Hargate in Olivier Theyskens Spring 2017: British-Thai actress--and recent Red Carpet Darling--Araya A "Chompoo" Hargate, was very much on the 90's prom Trend Vibe when she delighted the 2017 Cannes Red Carpet Paparazzi in this black strapless gown from French designer Olivier Theyskens--formerly of Nina Ricci,  Rochas and Theory. He has his own namesake line now and Araya seems to be the perfect muse for it--at least for one day at Cannes. I thought she looked quite elegant, sexy and 90's Prom Retro--the gloves, the shape of the gown...the necklace...it was all On-Trend!

Araya A. "Chompoo" Hargate in Ralph & Russo Spring 2017 Couture: Araya landed in my Top Favorite 2017 Cannes Red Carpet Looks of Day 1-3 TWICE, and here's my second pick--this look of a white gown with white silk cape covered with crystals and ostrich feathers--from British design line Ralph & Russo and their Spring 2017 Couture collection. She's got a bit of a baby bump and looked quite beautiful and dare I say sexy-appropriate! Love the Cannes Drama of that cape. This is how you show up to Cannes darlings!

Sara Sampaio in Zuhair Murad Spring 2017: Portuguese model--and Victoria's Secret Angel--Sara Sampaio--dazzled at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival in one of my favorite gowns so far--this fire-red design from Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad and his Spring/Summer 2017 Couture collection. The ballgown featured "fireworks"-like hand sewn sequins over a silk organza and crinoline tulle base with a full A-line shape skirt and semi-plunging neckline. As you can see, the silk satin draped waist piece was removed and I think that was a good idea!

Fan Bingbing in Elie Saab Spring 2017 Couture: Next up on my Day 1-3 2017 Cannes Red Carpet Favorite Looks is this blue gown worn by Chinese actress and Fashion Diva Fan Bingbing. The gown is from Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab and his Spring/Summer 2017 Couture collection. I absolutely love this dress; the delicate torso hand pleating is gorgeous as well as the soft yet drama-fab look of the attached gathered neckline cape. She looks like the Empress of a country...at a black tie official dinner event! 

Elle Fanning in Vivienne Westwood Couture: Actress and one of the newest L'Oreal Brand Ambassadors Elle Fanning, looked marvelous and so on the 90's Prom Fab Trend with this white strapless ballgown from Vievienne Westwood Couture. The gown was custom-made for her and the artwork was hand painted, naturally.  Westwood's team said that it took 10 people to work on the dress and it took more than 300 hours to finish over the course of ten days. It was very pretty and so Grace Kelly-at-Cannes-like...for the 21st Century.

Julianne Moore in Givenchy Couture: American actress Julianne Moore looked like a modern fashion Diva, in this red gown from Givenchy Couture Spring/Summer 2017 that she wore for the 2017 Cannes Opening Night Gala and "Ismael's Ghosts" (Les Fantômes d’Ismaël) Screening. The gown--in its original form--was in a light peach color, but for Julianne , it was created in a strong Red Carpet RED! The dress featured hand applied feathered applique and if you look closely, she was wearing matching silk lace pants under it. I loved it! It was directional, fashion-fab and unique, in a good way! Moore would probably have never worn something like this in the U.S. (too "out there" for that market!) but I give her points for "going there" in Cannes France.

Uma Thurman in Atelier Versace Fall 2016: What U.S. actress Uma Thurman is wearing on the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival Opening Night "Ismael's Ghosts (Les Fantômes d’Ismaël)" Screening Gala is my 9th favorite Red Carpet look of 2017 Cannes Film Festival Day 1-3. Thurman chose a pink body-hugging gown from Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2016 collection. The pleated drape across her off-the-shoulder neckline was exquisite as well as in the front of the dress. The gown was fitted to a 1/4" of her life! She looked DIVINE!

Lily Collins in Johanna Ortiz Spring 2017: Lastly, I wanted to give "2017 Cannes Red Carpet Props" to the beautiful Lily Collins in this chic and fashion-forward ensemble from designer Johanna Ortiz which she wore for the "Okja" photocall in Cannes. Colombian designer Ortiz is known for her "Oscar de la Renta"-like poufs and ruffles and I absolutely loved this striped top and sequined pencil skirt outfit on the lovely Lily Collins at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. She dazzled and looked Muy Chic!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Episode Blog Photo Recap + Finale Thoughts and Who Should Have Really Won!

PROJECT RUNWAY RECAPS....Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Episode Blog Photo Recap + Finale Thoughts and Who Should Have Really Won!

Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale--My top looks from each of the four finalists--Season 14 Finale Episode "Project Runway"

Last Thursday was the Season Finale of Lifetime's Season 14 "Project Runway". Unfortunately I'm a little late with my BLOG PHOTO RECAP here because I have been out of the country, in Europe, for work..and a little bit of play. But, now I'm back and well, better a week late than never: Here are my thoughts on the final episode of the season, the final collections and WHO really should have won --according to the final collections shown by non-finalists (HINT: Swapnil Shinde).

To be very honest, I was a bit disappointed with the final collection designs--especially when compared to previous seasons. This was NOT a stellar season--and I said so in my Lifetime "Project Runway" Recap HERE (and at the end of this blog). I'll have much more to say if you keep reading so...here we go, one last BLOG RECAP for this season's "Project Runway":

Tim Talk: The episode began with Tim Gunn talking to the final four designers about the critiques they received from the judges during their 3-look preview runway session. Tim thought that the session went OK and proceeded to sum up to the designers what they needed to do to make their final collections better (in the two days they had!). Tim has recently been saying a lot of not-so-nice things about this season's designers and their design talent. So, now looking back, I would LOVE to know what he really wanted to say to these final four.

Nick Verreos judging at "Project Runway" Season 10 L.A. Castings--with Mondo Guerra and Abby Gardner (No Tim Gunn)

He also said that his lack of involvement with the castings might have been a problem, saying that this was "the first time he wasn't at the castings". I might have to call Tim Gunn on that one because I've been part of the auditions/castings for many, many seasons (to be precise: Seasons 3 through 13) and for SEVERAL years Tim was NOT at the castings. So on the Tim "Truth Meter", I call "Pants of Fire". 

During the Workroom Check-in's...

Designer Candice Cuoco realized she should take out this overblown "Scarlett O'Hara"-looking gown from her ten-look collection. This was supposed to be her "Finale Wow". And...

Instead it looked like an old Bob Mackie costume for Carol Burnett. 

Neckpiece Not: Candice also took out this neck/shoulder contraption that was somehow going to be part of a look she designed. But thank goodness she came to her senses (via the judges and Tim Gunn's advice) and put this thing back in the closet (or garment bag).

Glitter Gal: Kelly asked for glitter and Tim brought her 20 pounds of the stuff, so she could glue and bedazzle the heck out of the shoes, lips, headphones...for her final collection. Up to the final day of work before showing at NY Fashion Week, it seemed pretty obvious which designers were on the right track (Ashley and Kelly) and who was not (Edmond and Candice).

NY Fashion Week is Here:

September 11th: The Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale show at NY Fashion Week occurred on September 11th and therefore--as you can see on Edmond Newton above--Newton wore an American flag scarf in honor of the day. The judges also wore variations on the red, white and blue theme:

Americana Finale: (L to R) Judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and guest judge Carrie Underwood--Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Show at NY Fashion Week

Here are my "Nick Two Cents" on the final collections, beginning with Edmond Newton: 

Edmond's collection was a mish-mash of not cohesive designs, somehow being tied together with the black and white colors (didn't work). He had sleek column sheaths, big pouffy hi-lo tent dresses and "Big Bird" ruffle cray-cray gowns that looked like they went through a not so stylish "fashion tornado". He was the first OUT when it came to the judging.

The Good:

Simple Good: The first look out, this black halter column gown. Simple, sleek, elegant, clean. Stick to that my dear Edmond. Seriously. It's not innovative and certainly not the work of the next WUNDERKIND of Fashion but it was the best look from his collection.



The Not-So-Good:

Toga Newton: This draped toga-like gown was loved by Heidi (Oh Heidi, you're funny!). There was no reason AT ALL for this to be in his collection and it just came out of nowhere (along with many of his other looks) and it also reminded me of the design created by the first designer of this season to be Auf'ed--New Zealand-born Duncan Chambers-Watson (R).

Bebe 2013: These two were Las Vegas-club dresses from 2 years ago. Why would Edmond waste his design time--and money--on making garments that can be purchased in a mall RIGHT NOW (or two years ago!) is beyond me. These are great when he does the "Edward Newton for Macy's line" but not for NY Fashion Week.

Ruffle Cray-Cray: I don't even know where to begin with these two. Obviously, Edward thought these were going to be "The Stars". In the end, they were probably his worst looks. The one on the left looked like she was trailing toilet paper and the one on the right was cascade ruffle overkill.



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Candice Cuoco: Candice said she was inspired by the recent Met Exhibition "China: Through The Looking Glass". This could have gone well but she ended up getting TOO caught up in the exhibition and making way too costume-y creations. She was forced to take out all those extra "bells and whistles" and in the end, what was left was rather lackluster and certainly not material for "America's Next Top Fashion Designer".



The Good:

I loved the first look out, which in fact she created in her last two days in the workroom. This cherry blossom printed dress was chic, elegant, sexy. The funny thing is that her obvious "thing" is leather but this dress had none of it. And it was her BEST look. Second Runner-up was the strapless red leather gown. It fit nicely and looked great. It was too short in the front, however. Beyond these two, I wasn't a fan of most of the rest of her looks. They were very Elvira-Meets-North Beach Leather circa 1994.



The Not-So-Good:

The first one (far left) fit awkwardly (what is with the gaping sides?), the middle one looked Halloween-Witchy (she's missing a big pointy black hat) and the far right one was too Rapper hanger-on at the MTV Awards. Also, if you're going to make a leather bustier for NY Fashion Week, make one that is NOT straight out of a Patternmaking 101 Bustier book. Drape the leather huney! Do something different/new.



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Kelly Dempsey: I wanted to like Kelly's collection so bad. Mainly because I really liked KELLY; she was so wonderfully self-deprecating, so funny, so honest and I loved her own quirky late 80's/early 90's style. I think that Kelly's collection would have looked better within the setting of a "done-up" runway: the runway should have been a mock deli, the models should have been chomping gum and carrying big ol' boom boxes and well, you get the picture. Otherwise, it kind of looked like costumes for "Mamma Mia: The Musical" with a little of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert".



The Good:

Disco Good: Kelly's best look was the one on the left: wood printed Lycra knit with mesh dress, with matching fanny pack. Second Runner-up was this emerald beaded and knit dress. But after that, it was "Mamma Mia" zone...



The Not-So-Good:

Donna Summer Here We Come and Jerry Hall at Studio 54. The one on the left was too costume-y and the one on the right, looked cheap and the top fit oddly. They just didn't look expensive or refined.

Cameltoe Alert and Space Odyssey New Wave. I was not a fan of these two looks. I can't imagine a single girl--no matter how fun and quirky she is--wearing these...unless it was to The Burning Man Festival.

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Ashley Nell Tipton: Ashley created a plus size collection, the first one in "Project Runway" history. I applaud her for doing it. I just wish it was made better. I also thought the fit was off on several of her designs. I did like her flower headpieces. I'm sure lots of "Project Runway" fans want those. She better get to Michael's ASAP and start glueing!



The Good:

Lace Fab: Plum colored lace crop top and mermaid-shaped skirt. This was Ashley's best look, hands down. She made a variation on those Elie Saab/Zuhair Murad gowns but for a Fab plus size gal. And it worked! To me, this was the only true "Wow" of her winning finale collection.



The Not-So Good:

Frida Kahlo Flower Child and Romper Not: The one on the left was her finale look and it was a mess. She looked as if she should have been on a float--at NY Gay Pride or Rio's Carnival. And I almost wanted to strangle her when I heard she GLUED those flowers. Ayyy Dios Mio! Cheap, cheap, cheap. And the one on the right, while I liked the romper idea, it fit really badly; too tight and too much gaping. The crotch was too long and the top needed the sides to be taken out (notice the gaping). I also had issues with her poor construction...

Broken Zipper...

Hem coming off (photos above)--Did she just use "stitch witchery" tape as opposed to actually SEWING the hem??

In the end, none of that mattered. Ashley's collection was deemed the most "cohesive" and therefore she took the crown as the winner of Season 14 "Project Runway". Now, like I said: get to making them flower headpieces! 

Finally, I want to take a moment to discuss a collection from one of the designers who was eliminated before the Final Four--Designer Swapnil Shinde. Even though he wasn't a Finalist, he still got to show at NY Fashion Week (six total designers from the season showed, two being decoys). Well kiddies, after seeing all the final collections, I have to say that Swapnil's was BY FAR, the BEST of all of them. It was cohesive, chic, elegant, new, romantic, of-the-moment and made impeccably. it also fit well. He interjected his Indian heritage but not in a costume-y, heavy-handed way. I don't know what it says about the actual four finalists that Swapnil's was better but I guess, you can easily take a hunch. Such a shame that he was eliminated and didn't make it but in the end, he got the last laugh by showing a much better collection than even the actual winner.



The Collection That Should've WON--Swapnil Shinde--A HUGE Thank You to Blogging Project Runway for these photos!

Wow. Give him the unofficial Winner of Season 14 "Project Runway" title. Now, if you think that I'm the only one who feels this way, take a look at this photo of the judges' reaction when his collection came down the runway (remember, they knew he wasn't even a finalist)...

"Oh Dear God! His collection is better than the actual Top Four! What do we do now??!!"--Carrie Underwood, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum trying (badly) to keep a poker face--NY Fashion Week Season 14 "Project Runway" Finale Show

Photo courtesy of Caitlin Carpenter via Blogging Project Runway Facebook

Well, kiddies, here's my final Season 14 "Project Runway" Recap from the myLifetime.com Blog:

Season 14, Episode 14: Now
You Can Cry!

After thirteen episodes,
we’ve now arrived at the Season 14 Finale of “Project Runway." During this
season, we witnessed lots of crying, one too many smoke breaks, a trip to Los
Angeles, Tim donning an apron to make tortillas plus much, much more. It was
now time to see if the finalists rose to the challenge of showing an
outstanding NY Fashion Week collection and more importantly, which one did it
the best, or as it turned out, most cohesively. Time for one final recap.

The episode begins
with the designers feeling bruised, battered and bewildered by the blunt
critiques the judges gave them—except for Ashley. Even with just a three-look
runway preview, it was pretty obvious whose collection was looking the best.
The only issues Ashley had were fit and construction. Similarly, Kelly’s 
critique wasn’t too negative. They just said, "Amp it up!”

Edmond and Candice
suffered the most debilitating critique blows. Edmond somehow needed to bring
the sexy back (slash a slit or two, perhaps?), and Candice was told to tone it
down and rein back the bells and whistles…and the witchy hat. The designers had
two days to remedy what was deemed not-so-good. From the outside, it looked as
if they had a lot of work to do with no assistance from eliminated designers
this season...

Click HERE to keep reading my RECAP on the
mylifetime.com "Project Runway" Blog!