SAG Awards. Sigh.

I didn't actually get to watch the SAG Awards last night so I've just spent the past two hours catching up on footage in any way I could find it. And, wow, I don't even know what to say. Seeing people who are not just committed to the definition of being a "star" but who are genuinely and sincerely devoted to their craft, no different from any author, artist or musician, is truly truly inspiring and remarkable. You can feel the level of honor that just radiates in it's separation from the Globes and the Oscars as the SAG's are actually given by peers in the industry. The SAG's are kind of the Grace Kelly of awards shows -- a little more royal. It excites me and inspires me to devote myself more fully to those things I want to be good at -- now if I could just narrow that down to say two? Yes, two to start would be grand.

But I'm not here to pontificate about that. I'm here to talk about fashion and apparently all of the stars were lined up in perfect order last night because I am just really stunned by the beauty of Hollywood, and that's a very rare thing for me to say. Nights like this act as a flashback to what Hollywood was in its heyday, the kind of night an old movie junkie like myself would have given up a lifetime of good shoes for. I am at once insanely jealous of the frockery and completely enamored. Well done, Hollywood, well done.


And speaking of Grace Kelly...Christina Applegate in Roberto Cavalli. This definitely wins for "Best Dressed" for the SAGS in my book.


While I was not entirely interested in the front of Kate Hudson's Elie Saab dress, I have to say the back of it was well worth the choice. She looks more like herself in this type of design as opposed to the Marchesa she wore last weekend. It's sexy and playful which is obviously a gene she inherited in spades.


Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen. This is a look that could have gone wrong very quickly on anyone else. It works for her not only because it's McQueen (drool, drool, salivate, drool) but she, like Meryl, has so much out pouring inner beauty that essentially she could wear anything. Take note, disbelievers, being beautiful is NOT just about looking cute.


I'm going to just put it out there...."Get on with your bad self, Jason Wu!" I'm sorry, it's just the first thing that popped into my head the moment I saw this photo of Diane Kruger (does she ever make a bad fashion decision?). What an excellent, amazing and draw-dropping design. And it's perfect for her, color and all -- and what a hard color to pull off.


So the jury was out on this "look" last I skimmed the internet about Vera Farmiga in this Jay Mendel gown. I have to say I love it right up to her perfectly coiffed 'do. She looks like Rudolph Valentino should be trailing right behind her in 1926. I love the draping, I love the color, LOVE the hair. It was risky, but if you look at it from that kind of cinematic historical perspective, you get it.


Carey Mulligan in Lanvin. The dress looks like satin curtains fell from atop the stage of the Opera National de Paris, someone grabbed a diamond encrusted brooch from the prop shop, swathed her in it, pinned it, and sent her on her way. And I mean that in a very, very, very good way. (I love you, Alber Elbaz, in case you didn't know).


Kyra Sedgwick in Vera Wang. I wish I could find a better shot of the train of this gown -- simply gorgeous.

There were a few questionable choices on the red carpet but I decided to leave those alone. Sometimes it's nice to just write, well, nice things. Besides, we are rounding the corner to the Oscars and I'm quite certain there will be plenty to talk about there (um, isn't there always?).

xoxo,
kvlm

Golden Globlahblah and other stories of no consequence

I'm going to try to keep this short and sweet because, hello, the Golden Globes? Boring. Quel snooze. This is my theory:

a) there was a HUGE sale/closeout on one shoulder dresses. (apparently, since EVERYONE had one on...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz).

b) all the dresses got thrown into a big room and the actresses were forced to "first dibs" it like, say, a girl looking for last season Chanel at a bargain basement warehouse sale.

c) sickly thin is the new skinny. (really, Jennifer Garner, eat -- that dress would have been so much more fetching on you IF you weighed about 10 more pounds).

Sadly, I will have to get out my pointer stick and make examples of a few of them before I get to the ones I loved, of which there are three.

Example 1: Kate Hudson:


She looks like fondant -- and not in a good way, not that there is every really a good way to look like fondant. White works on so very few people in any arena other than a wedding. And full-on boned, strapless white with a train is just a really good way to get yourself made fun of. And the shoes...oh the horror of the shoes. Take notice ladies, this is what the new trend of platform heels will do to you. For one, they take away the femininity of this frock and two, they make her feet look like clubs. It's Princess Di meets Ziggy Stardust. Not good. Not good at all.

Example 2: Julia Roberts


Never have I had a cross word to say about Julia Roberts' style. I've always admired her boho chic spirit and her ability to do classic and elegant all in a single bound. But, sister, you were nominated for Best Actress. While I totally respect the want and desire for vintage YSL and, granted, I'd give up chocolate for that necklace, couldn't you have rocked something a little more interesting than a cocktail length black dress? Something that says, hey, I'm so excited to be here and thrilled for the nom? I guess once you've won an Oscar, you don't have to go all Elie Saab on the red carpet but really...I'd wear this to get coffee. Ok, maybe a cocktail but certainly not to the Golden Globes.


I could probably pick a few more (Heidi Klum and Nicole Kidman you have fashion detention until further notice) but really, right now, who cares who wore what. It's old news and the world has much bigger problems. So, to lighten you up, here are three gorgeous dresses on three very gorgeous women, in order of gorgeousness. Gorgeocity? Gorgeandipity?...


Emily Blunt in Dolce & Gabbana. Fabulous color for her, the dress is romantic but still interesting. And wow, look at her arms! Or should I call them guns?


Diane Kruger in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture. Lacroix, darling, Lacroix!


And my personal favorite: Meryl Streep in a Chris March (of Project Runway fame) gown. It's not just that I like the dress, it's interesting but certainly not show-stopping. It's that I love Meryl and she is so absolutely beautiful from the inside out and back again. You inspire me, Meryl; where would we be without you?

In Other News:
Having been sadly disappointed by the McQueen line for Target and at least a good 5 years to old for the Anna Sui AND the Rodarte line, I'd just turned a blind eye to "Targ" related news. And then I saw this little shimmer of light as the Zac Posen Lookbook made it's way around the Internet. And I actually loved it all. ALL OF IT, I tell you. It's diverse, edgy and classic all rolled into one. And then, as if the heavens heard me rejoice in excitement at my renewed love for all things Targ, the announcement of Jean Paul Gaultier's line hit the news this week, too. I liken this excitement to me standing in Harrod's between (not in front of or off to the side of mind you, but BETWEEN) Galliano gowns nine years ago. Gaultier, darling, Gaultier!!!

insert silly schoolgirl squeal here

I smell a lawsuit:
And I should be pretty good at picking up on those given my past work experience. Newport News has ripped off Prada. Does Prada know? Does she even care? I wouldn't be so "whistleblower" about it if it were, say, pretty? But it's not. So I will. Behold.



It's patent leather. And it's white. And it's patent leather. Shame on you, Newport News. Shame...on...you.

No more news to report for now; thank you for letting me unleash the fury from my shiny brain. I have been neglecting the fashion blog lately to focus on my house and all things domestic. It was temporary; we now return to your regularly scheduled program already in progress.

xoxo,
kvlm

Hell Just Froze Over

Karl Lagerfeld, hater of the fat, shot a plus size model for V's size issue. I am not entirely sure that I am not in shock; someone get me a blanket.

NY Magazine Article

Project WTFWay?

Sorry for the crass title, but this past Thursday's Project Runway is probably the first EVER (and yes, I've watched every episode, every season) that really just left me speechless. And, yes, I know I'm 4 days late but having just watched episode ten of season seven in the wee small hours of the morning, I really feel my late vent may very well be worth it.

Killing me softly...

I hate, I mean really hhhaaatttteee to post on this particular person because I'm not even really sure she deserves discussion. I've been very slack as of late as I've been waiting for the resuscitation of my laptop to get back to this very necessary outlet (and I've subsequently missed covering all the shows...boohiss). But this, THIS, people is the new face of artistic direction at Ungaro:




The fashion world should be ashamed of itself.

I'm a Fall Fashion Fanatic

And these minor winds of autumn that keep blowing through the South are really making me anxious for my favorite month of the year, October. Add to that the fact that I am completely engrossed in the Twilight novels, there are Halloween wares on all of my favorite websites, and August will be coming to a winding halt on Tuesday, and I'd say I'm really ready to ditch the tank tops, sundresses and sandals. But then I'm pretty much always ready to ditch those things. If I could live in boots, jeans, dresses, and vintage rocker chic jackets all the time, I would be one very happy girl. Until then, I'll dream a bit and take you with me...

I love the vintage and gothic feel of this Erdem dress. And the color is divine.


So I found this website that housed this amazing coat via another site not realizing it was taken me to Moscow. Still, I had to share. It may be a little over the top for where I live, but can't you just picture with the new boots of the season, strolling around NYC at the dusk of night? Dreamy...

This whole look from Alexander McQueen kills me...well, pretty much his whole fall collection kills me. Gorgeous, every bit of it.

I am completely in love with this dress by Boudicca at Elizabeth Charles. It would be so great with a (faux) fur collared wool coat and a pair of clunky round-toed Mary Janes. Very feminine, very early century.

more later...

xoxox, kvlm

Yeah, no.

Does anyone else find this kind of disturbing?




When I stumbled out of my heels from a long, hard day at work, I was super pumped to find my first September Fashion Issue -- each year I look forward to those ten pound glimpses into what the next year of fashion will hold. But this is a little too much a little too soon, don't ya think?

I'm starting to become quite disillusioned with all fashion mags which is something I never thought I'd say, having been a regular reader since the age of at least nine. But between the reality tv shows, the movies, the bad publicity and the sell-out covers, my favorite fashion rags are starting to rival the likes of In Touch and US Weekly. What the hell?

This cover is, unfortunately, not the first time I've questioned Bazaar's rationale as of late. As a subscriber, I get "the good" covers, but the newstands get some other spin of the decades old magazine which is usually covered in multi-colored headlines over the headshot of some big-shot actress making it look more like the cover of a glossy tabloid than a high quality fashion magazine. And how exactly do they justify the production of two different magazine covers per month in these economic times anyway?

I don't think paying respect to The King of Pop so shortly after his sudden demise with a happy, shiney faced Agyness Deyn donning his look circa 1983 was the way to go. Maybe if we were celebrating his birthday or the anniversary of his first triple platinum, then I could see it. But sudden death does not equate little skinny white girls with big smiles plastered on their faces to generate magazine sales.

Dignity anyone?

Fashion magazines get a bad wrap as it is for superficiality and feeding the consumer monster. Maybe if they upped the humanity factor, and focused more on the substantial contribution fashion makes to art, philanthropic endeavors, and, quite simply, the global economy, they'd sell more issues? Just a suggestion...