CFDA 2016: BEST AND WORST LOOKS FROM THE RED CARPET

CFDA 2016: BEST AND WORST LOOKS FROM THE RED CARPET

On Monday (June 6) A-list fashion designers, editors, actors and models gathered at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to celebrate this year's top talents in the fashion industry. 

The so called Oscars of fashion, aka CFDA Fashion Awards, finally announced its winners: as we previously wrote Italy took home the International Award thanks to Alessandro Michele’s work at Gucci, while the late David Bowie was honoured with the Tribute Award.

2016 CFDA winners list

Womenswear Designer of the Year

Marc Jacobs

Swarovski Award for Womenswear

Brandon Maxwell

Swarovski Award for Menswear

Orley: Alex Orley, Matthew Orley, Samantha Orley

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design

Paul Andrew

Menswear Designer of the Year

Thom Browne

Accessories Designer of the Year

Mansur Gavriel: Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award

Norma Kamali

The Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert

Donna Karan

International Award

Gucci: Alessandro Michele

The Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award

David Bowie

The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard

Imran Amed, editor in chief of The Business of Fashion

One of the highlights of the night has to be Diane Von Furstenberg presenting Beyoncé with the Fashion Icon Award: the superstar took the stage in an eye-catching Givenchy outfit and made a touching speech about her family and the power of fashion.

Among the past Fashion Icon honorees we have Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Iman, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman.

Read Beyonce’s full speech:

“I feel so much love and I feel so proud right now. Thank you guys for this incredible honor. As long as I can remember, fashion has always been a part of my life. Its effect on me actually started before I was born. Most of you guys don’t know this but my grandmother was a seamstress. My grandparents did not have enough money and could not afford my mother’s Catholic school tuition, so my grandmother sewed clothes for the priests and the nuns, and made uniforms for the students in exchange for my mother’s education. She then passed this gift down to my mother and taught her how to sew.

When we were starting out in Destiny’s Child, high-end labels didn’t really want to dress four black, country, curvy girls. And we couldn’t afford designer dresses and couture. My mother was rejected from every showroom in New York. But like my grandmother, she used her talent and creativity to giver her children their dreams. My mother and my Uncle Johnny, God bless his soul, designed all of our first costumes and made each piece by hand, individually sewing hundreds of crystals and pearls, putting so much passion and love into ever small detail. When I wore these clothes on stage I felt like Khaleesi. I had an extra suit of armor. It was so much deeper than any brand name.

My mother — who’s so fabulous and beautiful and is here tonight, I love you — my grandmother, and my uncle were always with me so I could not fail. My mother actually designed my wedding dress, my prom dress, my first CFDA Awards dress, my first Grammy dress, and the list goes on and on and this to me is the true power and potential of fashion. It’s a tool for finding your own identity, expression, and strength. It transcends style and is a time capsule of all of our greatest milestones. So to my mother, my uncle, my grandma, thank y’all. Thank you for showing me that having a presence is far more than the clothes you wear and your physical beauty. Thank you for showing me to never take no for an answer. Thank you for showing me how to take risks, work hard, and live life on my own terms.

I want to say thank you to every designer who works tirelessly to make people feel like they can write their own stories. Y’all are fairy godmothers, magicians, sculptors, and sometimes even therapists. I encourage you to not forget this power you have or take it lightly. We have an opportunity to contribute to a society where any girl can look at a billboard or magazine cover and see her own reflection. Soul has no color, no shape, no form. Just like all your work it goes so far beyond what the eyes can see. You have the power to change perception, to inspire and empower, to show people how to embrace their complications and flaws and see the true beauty that’s inside all of us. Thank you so much for this incredible award I’ll never forget this night. Got bless y’all.”

These words are truly inspiring, we appreciate that she took that moment to thank all the people that worked hard to support her career. Isn't this a true Queen? 

Ok, let's not forget the purpose of this article: what about the red carpet?

Best Dressed

Beyoncé in Givenchy

Demure, elegant, classic, costumy...call it as you want it, but this look to us is a win.

We all were expecting the next sheer embellished gown, but Beyoncé surprised all of us in a crystals-embellished Givenchy suit.

The hat is a reminder of the Lemonade's era, as well as a smart advertise for her Formation World Tour.

Fashion as a communication tool: the queen slayed again.

Elsa Hosk in Naeem Khan, Shanina Shaik in Givenchy, Jessica Hart in The Row

Elsa Hosk stole our hearts wearing a custom Naeem Khan gold jumpsuit. 

This look could have easily looked messy, if overstyled: fortunately this is not the case, because at the end of the day it's not simple to deal with net, sheer patterns, metallic emebellishments and fringes at the same time! 

The new Victoria's Secret angel completed her look with statement earrings, light make-up and elegant waves.

Australian beauty Shanina Shaik opted for something less flashy, as she wore a light Givenchy dress. At first sight it felt too simple for the occasion, but it is impossible to not appreciate the proportion, the silhouette, the cuts and drapes of this beautiful design. Shanina styled her outfit with a dainty necklace, which matched the triangular shaped cut-outs of the dress, Tamara Mellon sandals with clear vinyl inserts and a fur Lanvin purse.

Jessica Hart was all about minimal designs last night, as she wore a three piece silk ensemble and Alexandre Birman 'Clarita' velvet sandals. 

Worst Dressed

Taylor Hill in Thakoon, Constance Jablonski in J. Mendel, Adriana Lima in Marc Jacobs

It hurts to see such beautiful women wearing expensive looks that do nothing for their figure: let's get a closer look...

First we have Taylor Hill in what we could easily describe as Granny-chic or Hamish couture: this Thakoon's design definitely needed a bit more drama.

Costance Jablonski seems to have borrowed Taylor's stylist for the night: just another beautiful design...by aprons' standards.

Last but not least one of the most beautiful models in the indutry, Adriana Lima, trapped in a Marc Jacobs suit, that simply does nothing for her bombshell figure.

Written by: Stella & MsD

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Worst of 2015: The Most "Oh Dear!/Ayyy Mija!" Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2015 List!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Worst of 2015: The Most "Oh Dear!/Ayyy Mija!" Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2015 List!

Oh No! Pageant Gowns of 2015--(Clockwise, L to R) Miss Oklahoma USA (and eventual Miss USA) at Miss USA 2015; Miss Croatia at Miss World 2015 Top Model/World Dress Designer Competition (center); Miss Sucre at Miss Venezuela 2015; Miss Croatia at Miss Universe 2014-2015 Evening Gown Website Portraits; Miss Guatemala at Miss Universe 2015 (far lower left)

In my previous post HERE, I discussed my Best of 2015 Pageant Gowns so now, it's time for my Worst of 2015 List. These gowns were a combination of Too Mucheey, UBER Pageant Betty, Too Hoochie (Slit-a-licious), or just a Gown Mess. So, let's get to the "Uh No!" Beauty Pageant Gowns...



Let's begin with Miss USA 2015:

Miss Oklahoma USA (and Miss USA 2015) Olivia Jordan--Yes, she won Miss USA 2015 and was the 2nd Runner-up at Miss Universe (good for her!) but...if
I was a judge at the Miss USA (and I guess there are reasons why I wasn't) I would have scored her very, very low on this gown. On a
good note: I liked the bubblegum pink color. But beyond that: NOT SO
MUCHEEY. This is a Quinceañera Hot Mess. It also reminds me of a "Gone With Wind" Costume...for Barbie!
Somehow the judges liked it but I was definitely NOT a fan. This is a
crinoline ball gown mess. But, obviously, that did not matter; she still won the pageant. Sometimes what gown these girls wear matters and...sometimes it does not. 





Rashontae Wawrzyniak Miss Michigan USA: GURL! That is A LOT of
Horsehair trimmed bell sleeve! I get the DRAMA of this dress but...it's
two minutes from a Fashion Students' Sophomore Runway Show creation--and
looking "Elvira Pageant". Definitely one of the Worst of 2015. Poor gown choice especially since she is so beautiful. It's one thing if the contestant ain't that pretty and she makes a bad gown decision, it's a whole other thing, when you are gorgeous and you have questionable taste. 



Miss Venezuela 2015--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Miss Nueva Esparta Genesis Saavedra: One of the most "Oh Dear!" gown offenders this year at the Miss Venezuela 2015 Pageant was this gown by Douglas Tapia.
It was definitely TOO MUCHEEY. Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the work and scroll-like cascades,
but when you combine that with the sequins, and those OVER-THE-TOP
earrings, the entire look is an "90's Disney Mermaid Princess Gone Wrong". It's like Disney and Sea World had a sordid affair in the 90's and the off spring ended up in a South American Beauty Pageant.

But there was worse...





Miss Sucre Maydeliana Diaz: Oh "Big Bird"! Talk about over
designed. This is a prime example of waaaaayyyyyy TOO MUCH: The sequins,
the applique, the feathers. Designer Hugo Espina must have been
on a "Let's put everything and the kitchen sink" kick when he came up
with this. While the audience thought it was a big hit, this would have
made very "Oh No!" headline in the fashion news. This had to be the Worst Gown of the Miss Venezuela 2015 Beauty Pageant--and therefore one of the "Uh Oh!" of my 2015 List. And I still cannot believe that someone felt it was really necessary for her to have those over-the-top earrings, in addition to this big ol' mess of a dress. Ridiculous. Fire the stylist. Ahora.



Miss World 2015------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Bosnia and Herzegovina Marijana Marcovic: Believe it or not, this cha-cha ruffled and pointed bustier mess was one of the Top 10 Finalists of the Miss World 2015
"Best World Fashion Designer Dress".  Not kidding, because I wish I was (what are those judges drinking??). This black and silver
trimmed black and gold trimmed hi-lo 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 to a major event. Speaking of pointed...

Miss 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.





Miss 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.

Miss 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.





Miss 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, the diamante trim on the dress...PLUS...the
mermaid shape...this is just beyond tacky-licious.

Miss 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.

Miss 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 is considered stylish?
Where? I don't even think the tackiest of the Kardashian sisters would
have worn this, even before they were multi gazillionaires. This has to be one of the worst of 2015 Beauty Pageant Gowns. Tacky as tacky can be.

Miss 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 inclusion here on my Worst Pageant Gown of 2015 List.



Miss Universe 2014 (which occurred in January of this year)---------------------------------------------

Miss Croatia Ivana Misura: There's no way around it, there is WAAAY
too much sheer. And the applique placements on the sisters and her
you-know-what aren't helping. I think the red sequin applique is
actually quite nice, I just wish that I could get some more of it and
cover Ivana up! She was competing for Miss Universe NOT Miss Hoochie!

Miss India Noyonita Lodh: Petite Noyonita (her stats said she's 5' 6"
but you know that means she's more like 5' 5" if not shorter)...anyhow,
Miss Universe India looks like a cheap stripper in this very sheer dress
with silver paillettes. It's not cute or tasteful and then there's
those too clunky nude platform heels! There's nothing that says I AM TOO
SHORT more than showing these kind of shoes. The whole look screams "Ayyyy Mija!".

Miss Guyana Niketa Barker: Not a fan of the "pick-up" peplum and
mermaid bottom section; it screams Prom-and-Pageant...and tacky. Plain and simple: NO PICK-UP POUFS, PLEASE!!!

Miss Lithuania Patricija Belousova: This dress looks as if her grandma--or first year fashion school
student--made it. Here's some advice to her: watch past Miss Universe
Pageants and what the Winner wore. Try and copy it. She looks like she's going to a Sweet Sixteen party in some remote village of her country.

Miss Mauritius Pallavi Gungaram: How could the very pretty Pallavi not
know this is a mess??!! While I like the deep fuchsia color and I can
(almost) like the skirt section--sans the big ol' sequined and applique
"bow"--the entire thing is a big ol' mess. I can almost hear the
photographers thinking "GURL! This gown is a DEFINITE No...but go ahead,
we'll take the photo nonetheless!".

Miss Argentina Valentina Ferrer: Oh Valentina! She is so sexy and
pretty (and her body WITHOUT this gown is SLAMMIN'!) but...this dress is tacky. This bugglegum pink velvet concoction just screams "AVN
Awards"; the scooped front slit/opening, the velvet, the fit, oh
and then the silver crystal trim. No Mija!

Miss Aruba Digene Zimmerman: Digene walked onstage during the Miss Universe 2014 Preliminaries and it was a "Oh No
She Didn't!". First, we saw that she was wearing a lilac printed dress
of sorts with a sequined bodice but then, she did this:

And I was like "OOOOOOHHHH!" I have to say that I give her
"At-a-Girl" points for even going there (and I am sure lots of Aruba
drag queens crowned her their next IDOL!), however...I just can't
believe she wore a sequined swimsuit with an attached printed chiffon
skirt! It was A) nervy but on a style level, a little Tacky-Licious. And
B) yes, therefore, she is in my "Uh OH!" List of 2015.

Miss British Virgin Islands Jaynene Jno Lewis: File under "Bless Your
Heart". I get that probably Jaynene and the Miss British Virgin Islands
Organization may not have the gown budget of the Miss USA, Miss Russia (Elie Saab Haute Couture!!), or Miss Ukraine (Zuhair Murad Haute Couture!!)
but this canary yellow poly satin mermaid silhouette gown is tacky-licious. The bust fit is bad and I cannot get past the ripply side
seams. I have to say, when you are competing on this level--at the Miss
Universe--there is NO EXCUSE; either spend the money or bow out
darling.

Miss Canada Chanel Beckenlehner: Chanel wore this bubblegum pink colored
strapless gown that yes, featured a peacock feathered train. Oh and if
that wasn't enough, it had a a slit/opening and naturally, that wasn't
enough so...she styled it with tacky too-high crystal Stripper Heels. I
don't even know where to begin with this. I feel bad for the birds
whose feathers were plucked for this. This gown would have been actually kind of nice if it was just a flared column all in the pink crepe satin
without the opening and definitely without the "National Costume"-like
feathered detail. It's almost garish bad.



Miss Universe 2015-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss British Virgin Islands Adorya Baly: Oh why is Miss British Virgin Islands almost always on my "Uh Oh!" List. I feel bad. Well, with that said, let me begin on a good
note--I love the canary yellow color. And I do like the flower-like
sequin appliques. Where it all goes a bit tacky is the sheer netting,
the center front plunging neckline showing her too-mucheey cleavage.

Miss Ghana Hilda Frimpong: Oh Hilda, it looks like you are
leaving the pageant world and walking straight on to the set of the next
Real Housewife of (fill in the blank). I usually discuss the "Slit
Happy" Pageant Gals but seriously, Miss Universe Ghana and this dress
took the Slit thang to another level; there are two slits and depending
on how she walks, you could probably almost see her you-know-what. There's
nothing cute about this. It's very "Oh Dear!"

Miss Japan Ariana Miyamoto: Miss Japan was one of the Semi-Finalists at this year's Miss Universe pageant. Until the judges saw this gown...It was Star Trek-Meets-Trashy AVN Awards. I
just don't know why such a pretty girl would do this to herself; or
make such a lack of taste level judgement. I just do not get it, the
real point of the Evening Gown Competition--besides having the judge see
their "poise" and "elegance", it is also to see if they have a level of
taste. After all, if you are the new Miss Universe, you'll be walking
many Red Carpets, and you don't want to end up on the WORST List. Here,
with this gold high side-slit pleather concoction with black and white
printed chiffon back details, Miss Universe Japan failed.

Miss Bulgaria Radostina Todorova: As they say in the South:
"Bless Her Heart", which really translates to "GURL, you are a Mess!".
This is sweet and cute, if she was 18 and it was a New Year's Eve Dance
in Missouri. But it ain't, it's THE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT! The dress
looks off-the-rack, cheap, it's too short...well, I'll just stop there.
I, at least, give her points for wearing strappy heels and not those
clunky platform heels.

Miss Venezuela Mariana Jimenez: This white gown worn by Miss Venezuela for the Miss Universe 2015 Finals was a big disappointment. I expected more--or at least something more sophisticated, slightly more sexy and certainly more "Red Carpet Couture"-worthy. This Raenrra-designed dress was none of that. She looks like a woman twice her age, at the wedding of her daughter! It wasn't Too-Mucheey and it certainly wasn't "Oh Dear!", it was just nothing extraordinary or outstanding and in fact, it was dated. And I haven't even begum discussing those awful sheer sleeves and torso/neckline...Ayyy Mija! I still can't understand why she didn't wear any of those other gowns from her year's Miss Venezuela pageant!

Miss Serbia Dasa Radosavljevic: This gold sequin dress is fine if
you are a background dancer at a Cruise Ship's Dinner Theater show, but
it looks cheap and tacky for Miss Universe. I could find this fabric
for $2.99/yard in Downtown LA. That's not a good thing.

Miss Hungary Nikoletta Nagy: I love canary yellow (as I have said previously in this blog) but the
combination of the bright cheap poly satin with the gold lace and then gold
sequins and the (yeah, there's more!), crystal straps in the front
torso...it's all a bit cheap-looking and Tacky-licious. It's also very
Quincieniera "Ayyy Mija!".



But the Award for Worst Gowns of 2015 at Miss Universe is...

Miss Guatemala Jeimmy Aburto: Miss Guatemala Universe wore two gowns--not just one--that were worthy of being on my Worst of 2015 List. The one on the left is what she wore for the Preliminaries. If
the rather garish fuchsia-pink sequins weren't enough, somehow the
designer decided that it needed more as in clown-like bias hemmed
ruffles at the bottom plus nude netting and then let's just do silver
diamantes to fill in the space....This would be fun if it was a Gay Pride Float for Drag Queen Mermaids. But it isn't.

And then, the gown on the right is what she wore for the Miss Universe 2015 Evening Gown Website Portraits. Pink stretch lace--and silver
crystals--plus the mermaid "lite" shape...well, they all add up to Pageant Betty Oh Dear! She is very pretty and that pose is indeed, impacting.
But, the gown...oh the gown: it's Too-Mucheey and Tacky. Can we please give the Miss Guatemala Organization some Fashion/gown help??!! Por favor?



So....the honor of Worst Pageant Gowns of 2015 Goes to...

It's a TIE:

Miss Sucre Maideliana Diaz at Miss Venezuela 2015 and her "Big Bird" Monstrosity of a Gown that was Too Muchey, Too  1987 and Too Chonchee...and her Co-winner is... 

Miss Guatemala Jeimmy Aburto at Miss Universe 2015 for this pink sequins and nude illusion clown ruffle trimmed "Pageant Mermaid". 

Let's hope that Beauty Pageant Contestants in 2016 learn from these ladies and do not make similar Gown Mistakes. Or...maybe pray that they do! So, we have something to write about!

Happy New Year!!!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Closing Ceremony Red Carpet

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Cannes Film Festival: Closing Ceremony Red Carpet

 Fringed Uma: Actress Uma Thurman arriving at Sunday's Cennes 2017 Film Festival Closing Ceremony, Cannes France

This past Sunday was the Closing Ceremony for the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival. Cannes 2017 was full of lots of film premieres and fabulous red carpet moments which I covered HERE, HERE and HERE. Now, it was time for the Grand Finale of Cannes 2017 when the Jury gave out the coveted Palme d'Or as well as other top awards, including the Grand Prix, the Best Actor and Best Actress as well as many others. And it was also time for one final Cannes Red Carpet...at least for this year. Let's take a look at Who Wore What...at Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony:

Uma Thurman in Custom Atelier Versace: The see-through "Naked Dress" is quite popular these days on the red carpet so it was not a shocker to see one on the very fit and statuesque Uma Thurman. Uma--who was the President of the Jury for "Un Certain Regard" selection of films at Cannes 2017--was giving her best Cher/Bob Mackie-like moment (even with the straight center-parted hair!) in this shimmering gold sequined gown filled with thousands of gold sequins draped over her body on a nude based gown. The "stars" of the gown were the shimmying gold beaded fringe that really made for an impacting entrance and red carpet walk into the Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony. I thought she looked quite spectacular. What was not spectacular were all the fallen gold beads that trailed her as she walked the red carpet...

This is a hand-sewn Atelier Versace gown, after all, so we know EVERY SINGLE ONE of those beads was sewn by hand so I am sure they were all, literally, hanging by a thread. As a designer I have been there, receiving one of my cherished sequined gowns back after a big red carpet event, and to my dismay, seeing how 1/4 of the beads ended up on the (red carpet) floor. I'm sure no one cared at Versace; it's just another day on the "Couture Carpet".

Fan Bingbing in Atelier Versace Spring 2017: Another Atelier Versace Diva was the Chinese actress, fashion muse--and Cannes 2017 Jury member--Fan Bingbing, who decided to wear one of Donatella's Haute Couture designs for the Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony. Bingbing wore this blue-gray tulle gown from Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2017 collection. 

Fan Bingbing in Atelier Versace Spring 2017

The gown followed in the "Naked Dress" trend with see-through details juxtaposed with Swarovski crystal-encrusted boning that was strategically hand-sewn throughout the gown, forming a mermaid-like caged silhouette at the bottom...all covered in silk tulle with fan accents. That last part was kind of fabulous: Fan Bingbing wore a gown...with FAN accents! 

Jessica Chastain in Zuhair Murad Spring 2017 Couture: Cannes 2017 Jury member Jessica Chastain went 1940's Old Hollywood Glamour in this ivory silk gown from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017. The gown featured a sweetheart neckline, sharp cap sleeves, and side pleated cascade folds. Originally, when the style was shown on the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week runway (back in January), it was in black (or more like a "midnight blue").

Jessica Chastain in Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017

But for Chastain, it was customized and changed to the white color, which I do think was a wise choice, especially for the porcelain skinned/red haired actress. While the color was changed, the red sequins remained. I thought she looked beautiful (the lipstick color matched the red sequins PERFECTLY!) and I especially loved the open back of the gown and dramatic back overskirt/fall.

Diane Kruger in custom Jonathan Simkhai: Cannes 2017 Best Actress winner Diane Kruger, wore a black gown from U.S. designer Jonathan Simkhai. The gown featured a strapless-like silhouette with fitted bust cups, a fit-to-flare gown silhouette and billowy "Renaissance"-like off-the-shoulder sleeves. While it wasn't so much of a "Fashion" statement (in the likes of the Fan Bingbing's or Aiswarya Rai Bachchan's), it was on par with what "Best Actress" nominees have been doing lately at previous top awards shows...keeping it safe and not too Fashion With a Capital "F" (much to my disappointment). 

Peasant Sleeve Boy: Jonathan Simkhai Fall 2017

In case you might be wondering who designer Jonathan Simkhai is (not a red carpet "household" designer name, although he's dressed MANY celebs), he began his design line in 2010 and in 2015, he was the winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. And he's known for those off-the-shoulder Boho/Peasant Gal-meets-Renaissance sleeve details. It's kind of his "thang". Or at least, it should be now!

Monica Bellucci in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring 2017: The Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony host, Italian actress Monica Bellucci wore a black gown from Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring/Summer 2017. The Opera-inspired collection was shown in Milan back in January and is the Haute Couture arm of the Italian fashion brand. In other words, these are Made-to-Order designs, one-of-a-kind (unless several clients order it!), and prices begin at about $50,000 per dress and go up and up and up.

Elizabethan Bellucci: Mistress of the 2017 Cannes Closing Ceremony, Monica Bellucci in cut velvet hand-made Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring/Summer 2017

Monica's black handsewn cut velvet-and-sequins gown--as it was originally shown on the runway--was Tea-length and featured puffy sleeves...and yes, that Elizabethan ruff collar. For Monica, it was changed--the puffy sleeves were gone, and the length was made longer by adding a black lace tulle layer with gathered tulle crinoline under-petticoat, to exaggerate the Mermaid-like shape. La Diva Bellucci always looks great in black and figure-hugging shapes. And it was an Italian "Double-Double" to have her wear Dolce & Gabbana for this prime hosting gig.

Finally, I wanted to add French actress Eva Green--even though this wasn't from the Cannes 2017 Closing Ceremony...but she looked so chic and the dress was interesting enough to mention it here: 

Eva Green at the "Based on a True Story" Cannes 2017 Film Premiere in Alexander McQueen Spring 2017: Eva Green wore this intricate silver sequins and black and silver lace gown from Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2017 "Celtic"-inspired collection. Following on the Red Carpet Gown Trend of the "Naked Dress", the design featured the HOT HOT HOT see-through look, with an under-corselette featuring black boning, very elaborate--and exquisite--sequined applique over nude tulle work and puffy sleeves (with gathered tulle inside of it to "puff" the cap)...

Details of Eva Green's Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2017 gown--Cannes 2017

This is THE NEXT LEVEL of gowns. Stunning, modern-yet-Edwardian, with nods to the 20's/30's as well, and very red carpet fabulous. A work of gown art.