V-Style

Black & White Dresses on Zoe Saldana & Rooney Mara At Cannes Film Festival

Photo Credit: Graham Whitby Boot/Photoshot/AdM via Instyle

Apparently Cannes is not that great. Having just returned from the Riviera, where Antibe is stunning and Nice is quite nice, I would say the only reason to visit Cannes is for the Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival brings out some of the most creative films, shinning stars and fabulous outfits. This year I was drawn to Rooney Mara wearing a Christian Dior black and white dress. You could say it is a color blocked look as the top is a block of white stacked on the block of black skirt, but the term color blocking brings to mind trendy trends, versus timeless chic, and this dress will forever be beautiful.

Generally I am not a fan of black and white. It's trend driven, harsh on the skin, and costumey. Black and white always reminds me of Beatle Juice's suit; which my older brother wore for Halloween in the 90's and then I wore, just cause, to school in 7th grade. Yes, I  wore a black and white striped blazer to school and I felt innovative. Having felt innovative as a young girl in the 90's knowing little of what's been done and what has not, I can say with confidence, today black and white is very done, unless it is executed in a flourish of elegance, Rooney style. Keep this in mind as black and white rages like a forest fire in the stores. Don't be drawn in by the cheesy prints and pieces like Zoe Saldana's Cannes frock. While Rooney shows the Riviera how black and white is done right, Zoe arrives as a victim of trends in Emanuel Ungaro by Fausto Puglisi. Although well made with a stroke of theatrics, it still speaks of right now, or worse 1995, versus forever.

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News via Instyle

Will you be weaing black and white? Please share in a comment below.

Best Dressed Actresses Oscars 2013: Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron & Stacy Keibler

Applause for the best dressed actresses for this year's Oscars. There were so many fabulous and original gowns on the red carpet, it was a joy to go through the photo albums. As each photo displayed a woman loving her look, the best dressed was easy to spot for the drama and exquisite structure of their modern elegance. 

Charlize Theron got my eye first with her stark white Dior peplum dress with train. Cropped hair, fringed eyes, subtle jewels and encrusted skirt had her  at the top of the list immediately. 

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan is a pewter dream in this beautifully embellished frock. The addition of the black belt sealed it. 

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive also wowed me with her pewter sparkle and inventive cut-out. When a dress fits this perfectly, recognition is necessary.

Best Dressed At 70th Golden Globe Awards 2013

Anne Hathaway in Chanel

I go about my life as a workaholic and social butterfly. If I am not working, I am trying to be a good friend, but when the Golden Globes Awards come around, it reminds me that living life is great, but taking a moment to watch other people live their lives is essential to growth, education, and compassion. I resolve to watch more films. As for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards' best dressed, there are some tantalizing frocks from Julie Bowen's kaftan and Golden Globe winner Anne Hathaway's two piece Chanel, to Michelle Dockery's gold armored shoulders and Kristen Wiig's simplicity. 

Kristen Wiig

Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier

Julie Bowen

Julianne Hough

Jennifer Westfeldt

Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen

Who Should Wear Round Sunglasses?

When I was young, I felt things sharper, focused easily, everything had meaning and time went by slowly, especially when waiting for my Instyle Magazine to arrive. Once in my hands, I would sit in my room and take in every image and word of the publication. Nowadays, my fashion magazines sit under my coffee table for months before I get to them. I realized the other day I was reading a July issue... from last year. 

A lot has changed in sixteen years, especially my personal style, but I have to admit, I would still wear my "Meg Ryan" looks inspired by her characters in Addicted to Love and French Kiss. In my teens, I was in complete adoration of these characters' style, and in some cases I directly copied her outfits and accessories, including her blue tinted round sunglasses. For most people, round sunglasses conjure up the sixties and the image of John Lennon sporting the circular dark shades, but for me, it will always be Meg Ryan. 

To my delight, round frames are creeping up in stores and Tom Ford sunglasses has designed a fabulous pair with an aviator flavor. I know Ford's version is not tinted blue and although I still love the light shade of Meg Ryan's pair in French Kiss, they don't actually keep the sun out of my eyes. It wasn't a problem when I was fourteen, it's not like I was driving, but now that I am all grown up with a vehicle, I need dark sunglasses to keep the sun out of my eyes and my car on the road.

Circular sunglasses work best with strong jaws and defined cheek bones. Round faces with soft lines will be overwhelmed by the additional roundness. Also, keep in mind that there are some overly large round sunglasses out there and they are not flattering on anyone. They make you look like a bee. Best to get the round glasses on the smaller side.

Top 3 Best Dressed at Emmys 2012

Leslie Mann in Naeem Khan

I may not watch TV, but I'll enjoy the Emmys. This year's parade of dresses at the Nokia Theatre were all good. From chic to daring, everyone's choice had redeeming qualities, but I didn't see greatness. There was no look that made my fashion heart beat faster. Nonetheless, I still have some favorites. The first of which would be Leslie's Mann's frock for it's stand out qualities in a sea of understated, yet over-the-top glamour.

When choosing my best dressed folks, I always take into account the outfit from head to toe. If I judged solely on the dress or other aspect of the look, there would be a lot more women up here, but it's easy to chose a beautiful gown or have the perfect make-up. The hard part is creating a look the flows perfectly from hair to dress to shoes. Had I been less picky, I would have Julianne Moore up here for her fabulous hair and color palette. Tina Fey would be up here for her personal best dressed moment. A handful of actresses would be up here for their daring prints and Kelly Osbourne would be up here for three quarters of her dress.

Who were your best dressed choices and why?

Sarah Paulson in Reem Acra

Jessica Pare in Jason Wu

Sneak Peak: Oxygen's Girlfriend Confidential LA

The most television I watch is around 11:00am, after my run and before my first client of the day. I sit down with a tuna sandwich, turn on my limited cable and tune in for fifteen minutes of Frasier or a movie on the IFC. Periodically I get to watch an America's Next Top Model rerun on the Oxygen channel. I am not a fan of reality TV, in fact, I despise reality TV, but fashion is another story. I never tire of fashion. Nothing makes my tuna salad more interesting than catching an America's Next Top Model photo shoot. As soon as the models' bickering begins, I switch back to Frasier. It is this bickering or extended non-sense that drives me away. I see enough immaturity, anger and whining in line at a bar or on the streets. On my television, if reality TV is on the menu, I want to see high style, talent and good business. My requests are being attempted by Girlfriend Confidential LA starring America's Next Top Model's Eva Marcille and three of her close friends. These fashion conscience friends are going to show their audience how they balance their careers with their personal life. At first glance, it looked to me like another reality show I won't watch, but after reading through the transcript of a Girlfriend's Confidential LA conference call, I am interested. These women aren't dumb and they made me believe they really care and respect each other. Denyce Lawton confirms that there will be no throwing of things. 

"When we deal with our conflicts or our disagreements or our issues in life, we handle them like adults, the way mature, adults should and how women should, no matter how angry you are or how upset or how emotional we can all be. There’s no drink throwing, there’s no fist punching."

Although their promo has two one-second clips of irrational behavior, I get the impression, and the hope, most childish antics are wiped from the plot. Instead the focus will be on career women working the business in style. The side dish is friendship, and there is nothing I support more than putting friendship at the top of one's list.

Girlfriend Confidential airs tonight, Monday September 3rd, at 11pm on the Oxygen channel.

Book Review: Dressing Marilyn

Quentin Tarantino's Mia Wallace said, "There are only two kinds of people in the world, Beatles people and Elvis people." Yes, you can like them both, Mia says, but no one likes them equally. Playing in the limited confines of this kind of statement, I suggest there are Audrey Hepburn people and Mariyln Monroe people. Although I am an Audrey Hepburn kind of gal, I am loving Dressing Marilyn: How a Hollywood Icon Was Styled by William Travilla by Andrew Hansford.

Available in time for the fiftieth anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's death, Dressing Marilyn devles into the costumes William Travilla created for Marilyn Monroe and the relationship between the designer and the icon. Including never before seen material, the hardcover book is filled with detailed photos, sketches, stories and quotes that flush out even more of the Marilyn Monroe story.

The sections of the book are divided by each of the famous dresses Travilla designed. My favorite part of each section is the inclusion of construction details. Of course, I enjoyed learning the back story, and seeing the outfit that was almost worn for this scene or that, but I adored reading about the materials used for each garment, the techniques involved and why everything was done the way it was done. For example, in reference to Marilyn's purple dress in How To Marry A Millionaire (not pictured in this post), Hansford explains...

"When you first look at [the dress] the bodice appears to be straight across the bust line, but it is not. In fact, it is considerably lower on the right side, which is where the sequin strap starts, and higher on the left side. This is because of the strap coming diagonally across the neckline... if it had actually been cut straight across the bodice, the sequin detail would have made it appear lopsided." 

When dressing yourself and others, it is vital to understand how and why a garment fits the way it does. I can never get enough of  this kind of knowledge when it is packaged in such an attractive and tantalizing manner, as this book has done. If you're a Marilyn Monroe fan, enjoy old school Hollywood glamour or know someone who does, this book is perfect to get or give.

My product reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I never accept payment for product reviews although I am given the sample to keep. If I am sent something that is unimpressive or boring I don’t write about it.

Personal Stylist San Diego On Camera

 

Always one to keep up on my marketing, I recently commissioned the efficient and talented gentlemen of Our Troubles Are Over productions to create a promotional video for my business. Our Troubles Are Over have officially made me a fan of video marketing. Often potential clients read the services page of my website without being able to picture the process. With this three-minute video, they get an eye opening peak into my world of personal styling that they couldn't have gotten from simple verbage.

Joining me in the video are two of my favorite clients, Christine and Rob. They were more than excited to participate and an absolute pleasure to work with. When the producer, Dominic, and I arrived at my clients' home for their cameos, Christine opened the door with a grin, looking fabulous in one of our usual outfit creations, and ready to share her experience with the world. To hear what she and Rob have to say, press play.

Familiar Face Fashion: Jennifer Lopez in Lanvin

I don't watch American Idol and Jennifer Lopez is not a fashion favorite for me, but I love, nay, adore her Lanvin maxi skirt ensemble she sported on the American Idol stage this week. The combination of a dressy metallic piece with a clean cotton top shakes that little spot in my chest that flutters whenever I see fashion perfection. And that hair! And those legs! Brava! I do believe it deserves a twitter account.

Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé, Olivia Palermo in Victoria Beckham

Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé and Olivia Palermo in Vcitoria Beckham really wowed me in these bold colored, structured silhouettes. The similar scoop of the top's hem are relatively unique and even though the skin coverage and structure borders on conservative, these dresses feel extra fresh. Perhaps because I am a little "Been There" with a lot of celebrity looks of late. Not right now. These looks have a very new born vintage feel. And those colors! May I mention again how hit-in-the-heart these hues are? These hues are hit-you-in-the-heart fabulous.