The past few weeks have been almost as exciting fashion-wise as awards season earlier this spring. We’ve had The Met Gala, Cannes Film Festival, and most recently the Billboard Music Awards. As always, there were red carpet hits and misses among the winners and losers. Here is my take on all three.
Met Gala
I thought Emma Watson killed it in this black and cream Calvin Klein piece…er pieces. The bustier, pants, and long train were not only distinctive and daring, they were made entirely from recycled bottles.
I also thought New Yorker Ivanka Trump was uh-mazing in this red Ralph Lauren silk crepe pantsuit. Haters gonna hate but the girl has style. Have you checked out her shoe line? And while you’re at it, check out her previous foray onto the Met Gala steps in a cobalt blue stunner. There’s a reason artists want to sketch her.
Cindy Crawford looked insanely good and showed them she still has it in this body-hugging, sheer-paneled Balmain sparkler. Love her simple hair too.
News anchor Megyn Kelly proved she has style to go with those brains and that beauty in a black Badgley Mischka gown that perfectly saved its party for the back.
I also think Amber Heard, also known as Mrs. Johnny Depp, brought the glam in this champagne hued Ralph Lauren drapey dream. Her long Veronica Lake-like locks and bold lip elegantly completed the look. And those sick gold pumps! I could die.
All the talk was about Taylor Swift’s bold new edgy look, platinum hair, her daring Louis Vuitton ensemble as well as Beyoncé’s “take this Jay Z” nude latex Versace. Yes, I said latex but no I didn’t love it. Still, hats off to both music legends for bringing it. The crowd went wild.
Cannes Film Festival
From New York to France we go for the Cannes Film Festival, the French Riviera’s annual film and fashion extravaganza.
I have no idea who Fan Bingbing is, but I loved her pale pink embroidered Ralph & Russo couture gown with a train. I’m still in awe of this its detailing. I also kinda like her name!
Yet another fun frock I favored was Cheryl Cole’s Naem Khan colorful body-con number. Usually way too eccentric for my more traditional taste, this Khan had me at hello. I mean, just look at it! Loved Cole’s slick ponytail and jewelry-free neck as well. This L’Oreal ambassador and girlfriend of One Direction’s Liam Payne most definitely has much to smile about. That dress is just one of them.
Okay, before I continue let me address the elephant in the room: Bella Hadid’s red satin “slit to there” Alexandre Vauthier. Did she look beautiful? Yes. Was her hair and make-up on point? Double yes. Were her shoes killer? Heck yes. Was it a little too much? I think so.
Don’t believe me? Check out this angle:
Hadid is the 19-year-old model daughter of Beverly Hill’s Housewife Yolanda Hadid and her ex-husband, gazillioinaire real estate developer Mohamed Hadid. She is also the sister of fellow “model of the moment” Gigi Hadid and is dating music’s current “it” man, The Weeknd. In other words, she does what she wants and she wears what she wants. I just wish she’d smile once in a while and stop trying to grow up so darn fast.
In contrast to Hadid’s risqué “look at me, look at me” dress, these three ladies showed everyone how to do red and do it right.
Even though Katy Perry looks a little like an emoji, I thought she looked flawless in her flamenco-inspired Marchesa. In fact, she’s never looked better!
And Kate Moss. Vintage Halston. One shoulder. Hair back. Black bag and shoes. Simplicity yet perfection.
Geena Davis looked radiant and beautiful in her red Rubin Singer.
I also really liked Davis in this playful daytime Dolce & Gabbana. Not one to make many a “best dressed” list, I thought Davis killed it at Cannes.
Someone else who killed it was fashionista Sonam Kapor who made jaws drop when she arrived in this stunning white and bedazzled Ralph & Russo caped gorgeousness. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wear this dress and look like this? I’d say her title is well-deserved.
Naomi Watts is usually one of my red carpet faves and she didn’t disappoint in this sparkly silver Michael Kors sheath.
The little black dress went big and bold with Kendall Jenner’s Roberto Cavalli while Karlie Kloss’ simple and slit Marchesa was one of my Cannes favorites. Loved it Karlie. Loved it. Again, sometimes less is more.
And speaking of black, how stunning does Charlize Theron look in this Dior couture take on a women’s tux? Perfection. Total perfection.
The pregnant and beautiful Blake Lively pretty much stole the show the whole two weeks of Cannes and I especially liked this little “I’m a cake topper” baby blue tiered Vivienne Westwood. I remember seeing Lively in “The Sisterhood of Travelling Pants” years ago and thinking “this girl is gorgeous and is going to go far.” It took her longer than I expected, but she has proven me right.
Last but certainly not least were the forever fashion flawless Amal Clooney and multi-talented Anna Kendrick, both of whom brought a little yellow sunshine to the red carpet. As always, Amal was straight out of a “how to do it right” fashion textbook in her pale yellow Atelier Versace while Kendrick’s canary yellow Stella McCartney was both bold and beautiful.
Billboard Music Awards
I wish I could say the Billboards brought out the glam, but that just wasn’t the case. I was in fact bored at the Billboards. So much so that my “best dressed” list contains only one entry: Priyanka Chopra in this lovely and slit blue Atelier Versace. Yes she’s an actress and not a singer, but maybe she could teach some of the songstresses a thing or two about style.
Instead, we got this…
Brittany Spears desperately trying to hang on to her 1980s persona. Girl, you are now a grown woman and a mom. Drop the trashy look and let your natural beauty shine. Besides, desperate doesn’t look good on anyone.
We also got this…
Demi Lovato wearing I’m not really sure what other than a hot mess, Heidi Klum once again giving us a red carpet epic fail (she is a super model, right?), and the usually reliable Jessica Alba pretending she’s younger than she is and pretending the Las Vegas weather was colder than it was.
Then there’s the gor-gee-us Ciara again trying too hard. Can you say Bella Hadid at Cannes? We get it Ciara. We know you’re beautiful and we know you have a killer body. We also know you and fiancé Russell Wilson have taken a pre-marital vow of chastity. You can’t have it both ways. You’re either a lady or you’re not. This dress, as perfect as your body looks in it, is anything but ladylike. Keep it classy Ciara. We like you better that way.
I didn’t hate Zendaya’s salmon midriff-baring ensemble, but I do hate that she is waaaay too thin. Not a good role model for all the young girls who look up to the Disney starlet.
Even fashion queen Rihanna disappointed. At a music awards show no less! Her olive green, double-breasted dress was pretty but it would be much prettier at a graduation ceremony or hometown awards banquet. The Manolos on her feet were beyond amazing though.
So, there you have it, another style wrap up. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed watching the red carpets and writing about them. Til next time!
Beyond Words 