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| Halle Berry. |
In this day and age when information is exchanged at a dizzying pace, we instantaneously know what the latest quip from the Charlie Sheen Crazy Handbook is, as well as what any given “star” might have worn, here, there and especially on the red carpet. I guess it is satisfying to know that even if Lindsay Lohan is arraigned in court on shoplifting charges, she will not disappoint by wearing a tasteful ensemble. No! Quite the contrary she gives us a full-fledged impersonation of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct complete with inappropriately short white dress!
I know that even though most of us play the game of “I don’t really watch TV,” the reality is that we do get this dubiously important information such as it is through social osmosis. We Facebook, Twitter and blog about our favorite looks and celebrities constantly. Some things like the goings on of LiLo and Charlie are both amusing and downright pathetic, so unless you’re a psychiatrist or law enforcement official, it would be hard to justify serious commentary on their situations. But fashion presents an equal opportunity for us all to get into the act. It requires only our own taste and the simple act of watching, scrutinizing and then weighing in with our own opinion. I guess it all goes back to the idea that even though these birds of paradise lead much grander lives than we do, there is still a little feeling of superiority that comes with us regular folk recognizing a serious style misstep and then flogging them repeatedly for it.
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| Mila Kunis. |
I was given the opportunity recently to present my views regarding “Academy Awards” couture on WTMJ 4’s “Morning Blend” show the following morning. Along with Faye Wetzel of Faye’s, plus hosts Tiffany Ogle and Molly Fay, we four battled it out to champion our faves and diss our disasters. Preparing for an appearance like this is not all that simple. First you must actually watch all the red carpet arrivals, which can be a mind-numbing experience, but has been made palatable of late with E!’s addition of rock-star royalty Kelly Osborne as commentator. She sort of gives everyone a fair shake and seems to like most everything that comes her way on the scarlet rug. Once the arrivals are out of the way, which is where I usually form my opinions on the glamorous gowns, it is on to the tedium that is the show itself. This year the best thing about the show was the constantly changing high-end designer wardrobe of Anne Hathaway. Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe got paid a reported six-figure sum to pull the eight looks together for the hapless host. I must admit that she was close to on target for most of the gowns Ms. Hathaway wore on the show, don’t you think?
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| Scarlett Johansson. |
Sadly the beautiful dresses couldn’t help elevate the telecast to being even remotely entertaining. All the same, I dutifully took note of what the gals had on and whether I liked it or not. I am very visceral when it comes to this. Words just pop into my head the moment I see a gown on the red carpet or on the show. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like them, just that it is what I will remember about the dress. It is a sport after all, this fashion critiquing business. Thus I will give you my thoughts on the best, worst and the rest.
Nicole Kidman – Papal was all I could think. Add a Vatican hat, and she was good to go.
Halle Berry – The absolutely most beautiful woman there, hands down.
Mila Kunis – Lilac is a color that can go good or bad, but here she wore it without flaw.
Scarlett Johansson – Peekaboo bra never looks good no matter how pretty you are.
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| Sandra Bullock. |
Melissa Leo – This tablecloth had tin foil under it for sparkle. If she were to lie down, someone would have served lunch. Disastrous.
Sandra Bullock – You just can’t go wrong with red if it fits this well.
Penelope Cruz – You can go wrong with red if it looks like a leftover costume from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Helen Mirren – Over 60 sexy without being creepy.
Mandy Moore – Her gown was by Monique Lhullier, and I actually saw this on the runway last September. It is the first dress out on my video. She looked great!
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I had a great time, as I’m sure many of us here in Milwaukee did, creating our “Best and Worst” lists. The great thing about red carpet fashion events is that they do bring us all together worldwide, in our
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| Mandy Moore. |
appreciation for and detraction of what people wear to these events. I might even add that they inspire me to try a little harder myself at putting my best foot forward when out in public. All in all though, they point out the fact that fashion is important, and what we think is valid given our own background and point of view. Now, I just wish that more of us could practice what we preach!
