The Oscars 2014 Did Not Disappoint

Many nude ladies.

I really wanted to try to post this last night, but I just haven't had the chance. I will start off by saying that I was generally pleased by the Red Carpet Fashion of yesterday. There were not a lot of surprises, and perhaps too many played it safe, but on the whole people were beautiful and the night was very satisfying! There seemed to be a general trend of nude colored gowns with embellishments. There wet cute pregnant women. There were some horrendous choices and some jaw dropping beauties. I will start the list with the best of the evening, and then descend from there. Hope you enjoy:


THE BEST

Oh Lupita! You really made my night! This soft light blue, Grecian gown was complete perfection! And I love what she did with her hair. Plus, her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress was beautiful!

I'm pretty sure Emma Watson could wear anything and I would love it. This has just the right amount of youth, edge and sparkle to make it one of my favorites of the evening!

This elaborate gown on one of my favorite red carpet women was a huge risk. When I first saw it from afar I was skeptical. But as soon as I saw a close up, I was sold! The interesting neckline and chunky sequins were so unusual and utterly gorgeous!

Some might think that this should go in my "pretty but boring" category, but there is something about the cut and simple folds on this dress that really gets me! Amy Adams looks flawless!

I was undecided at first on Charlise's dress, but the more I looked at it, the more I loved it! That crazy neckline is so interesting and I love the subtle detail in the skirt.

Aside from the fact that this dress did Julia Roberts' bust no favors, I still loved it. Yes, it borders on Granny a little, but I love that lace detail at the neckline, and the skirt flounce somehow works.

THE PREGNANT

That soft, flawy purple looked so perfect on Kerry Washington. I'm not so crazy about the one in the middle, but I love the simple, black dress on Olivia Wilde.

Aw! What a cute couple!

THE PRETTY BUT BORING

Sandra Bullock certainly looks beautiful, but I just find that this dress is too average looking.

I do not like what Jennifer Lawrence did with her hair, and like Sandra's, I just find her dress to be meh.

THE BOYS

I'll take the one in the tux.

I think I liked Benedict Cumberbatch's look the best. Classic and sharp!

I thought Will Smith looked great, but I abhorred Jada's pink/peach dress!

THE NOT SO GOOD

As much as I like Anna Kendrick, I just thought there was too much going on with this dress. Me no likey!

I kept wanting to like this, but at the end of the day, it made her look frumpy and old.

I really hated the shape of those sparkly accents on this dress! I felt it made her chest look droopy.

In comparison to Lupita's Grecian-style gown, this one was a poor attempt. I hated the uneven belt and the strange wrap around train. I honestly thought that she might be trying to hide a cast under there.

Oh Kristin Chenowith! She looked pretty, and this extremely bold dress certainly matches her personality. But ultimately, there is WAY too much going on, and I really hate that scoop front neck line.

Finally, I leave you with one more view of the overall, landslide winner. Goodbye until next year. Parting is such sweet sorrow!

What the BAFTA?

Lupita Nyong'o is flawless in this simple, vibrant gown!

Lately I have been crazy about plaid, so I'm not surprised that this dress makes me swoon. It's just the right amount of rebel without losing the elegance. 

This gown fit Cate Blanchett to a T (also pictured below), and I really liked this huge, silver pendant!

I just wanted to do a quick recap of the fashions at the BAFTA awards which took place a few days ago in the UK. I missed seeing them televised, but have looked up as much of the red carpet looks as possible. In general, my overall opinion is a big giant question mark. I know that the Brits pride themselves on being free thinkers and non conformists (leave all that to Hollywood). And I love a lot of fashion that's on the fringe, but on the whole I just felt that many of the looks were either too casual, too crazy or just inappropriate. Nothing seemed original or exciting, just a few stunners and a lot of crazy.

I'm on the fence about these two. I kind of like the scale-like quality of the skirt, but maybe it's the colors I don't like.

I almost like this dress, and maybe if it was on someone else I would get pushed in one direction or another. But it's just weird to see Michelle Rodriguez all dressed up.

As a side note, American Hustle won for best hair and makeup while The Great Gatsby won for best costuming. For some reason I was a little surprised by that. Only time will tell if the Oscars will follow suit.

For realz?

Oh Emma! Words can't express my love for you! I just wish I could equally love your fashion choices.

OK, so Edith's dress is quaint, but it isn't exactly red carpet worthy, and it makes her look like she's 14. As for Maggie Gyllenhall, there are a few too many hot gypsies thrown in to this number.

I'm sorry Helen, you're usually flawless, but I just can't like this dress.

Lily Allen!!! What on earth were you thinking?! That is all.

NO, NO and good try.

I have no response to this.

This "suit" is an absolute abomination. It makes her look fat, the pants are too short and that material is just all wrong!

Sachet into lingerie

1930s lingerie advert.

What could be more appropriate for Valentine's Day than a post about lingerie? Lingerie as we now know it is a relatively modern invention. The underclothing pictured below is not provocative at all. Indeed, historical underclothing was more about providing layers to keep your outer garment clean, and also for providing the correct shape for your clothing.

Stays (corset), petticoat and sleeve puffs, 1830s. ALL this went underneath your dress.

One of the pioneers in lingerie was Lady Duff-Gordon, who wanted to eschew restrictive corsets in favour of more natural and revealing under attire. She's also credited with starting the runway, and employing live models (called mannequins in the early days). The company she started, Lucile, has recently been revived (due to the popularity of Downton Abbey!). Though she didn't get rid of corsets right away. The two pictured below are designs of hers, from the late 1910s.

The 1920s certainly saw a new look in underclothing and the birth of lingerie as we know it today:

A Coles Phillips advert for Holeproof Hosiery showing a woman in her lingerie.

A vintage wee 1920s robe affair. 

When taking a look at 1930s lingerie, all I could think of was Jean Harlow, who seems to me to be the queen of 1930s lingerie. What do you think?

From "Dinner at Eight". Those feathers!

Black lace works too!

The hey-day of lingerie, though, is surely the 1940s and '50s. Enter pin-up girls (I know there were pin-up girls before the 40s, but, you know what I mean!), crazy bras (those pointy 50s ones?! Eek!), etc.

The 1940s version of Jean Harlow's ensemble? 

The scary pointy bras!

A vintage 1950s bra.

Lingerie is with us still, of course. Stores like Victoria's Secret are alive and well. The posh Lucile offers a somewhat vintage (and very expensive) range. I love the bed jackets:

A few of the items offered by Lucile.

I hope, even if you don't get or give any lingerie this Valentine's Day, that you will enjoy this little peek into the history and travels of lingerie.

Oscars and Costumes 2014

I thought it might be interesting to some if I were to give a summary of the five films that are nominated for an Academy Award this year. I do my best to see as many of the nominated movies as possible, but I have only seen three of the five. So, for those of you who are interested, here is my summary and, also, my inevitable opinion.

12 Years a Slave

The costuming done on this film by Patricia Norris was definitely good. It was, however, heavy on the male costuming, and light on the female. I think this makes it unique as far as period pieces go. And I also feel that, because of it's lack of flashy ball gowns, it might lose the race because of it.

American Hustle

Michael Wilkinson did the costuming on this wild romp of a movie (his most notable other credits include 300 and Man of Steel). I honestly don't know where to begin. First of all, I love how they decided to embrace all things 70's! It seems like, more often than not, when Hollywood produces a movie set in the 70's or 80's, they always try to downplay the style as much as possible. They did exactly the opposite in this movie with enormous success! 

Patricia Norris (12 Years a Slave) said that if you don't notice the costumes then they're good. I couldn't agree less with that statement. A costume, in and of itself, is something made that contrasts with the overall normal fashion of the current day. So that should make the style noticeable right from the start. Furthermore, I believe that if the costumes are truly spectacular, they will take on a character all their own. They transport, delight and captivate. And most importantly, I also believe that they can help a good actor give an even better performance.

This is all true when it comes to American Hustle, and that is why it is my personal vote for best costuming. I was blown away by the costuming! Plus, as crazy and often comical as the costuming was, Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams have never looked better! That being said, I am sure all of the nominees deserve a win, and I will not be disappointed if American Hustle loses. But I thought it was phenomenal!


The Grandmaster

William Chang Suk Ping did the costuming on this most current telling of the legendary Ip Man (who famously trained Bruce Lee). I haven't been lucky enough to see this yet, though I'm dying to do so. Tony Leung is absolutely one of my favorite actors! And from what I can tell of the previews and pictures, the costumes look wonderful! But I can't really offer an opinion any further than that.

The Great Gatsby

The costuming, done by Catherine Martin, was definitely lovely. But, for some reason, I wasn't overly impressed by it. I can't really put it into words, but I just expected more. I loved that white frock pictured above with the lovely hats though.

The Invisible Woman

Michael O'Connor did the costuming on this film (he also did The Duchess for which he won an Academy Award). Unfortunately, I have not seen this movie either, but from what I can tell, the costumes are very impressive! Plus, Ralph Feinnes looks absolutely astonishing, doesn't he?! I have no doubt that O'Connor is worthy of another award.

And my honorable mention goes to:
Catching Fire

I wanted to give a quick shout out to this movie because I thought the costuming on it was done so well and I was shocked it didn't get nominated (especially because it was such a popular movie). The first movie was so boring, as far as the costuming goes, and Trish Summerville managed to infuse just the right amount of crazy into the second. As with American Hustle, I felt the costuming really added a lot to the overall theme and feel of the movie.