Farewell Oscar

With a career in fashion that spanned more than 50 years, it's impossible to name all of the ways that Oscar de la Renta has had a positive impact on the world of fashion. His talent was unparalleled and he was known for being a warm person and a true gentleman. He died yesterday at the age of 82. He will be missed but his art will live on forever.

Carrie's Dress from the Russian

Shirt Dress from Fall 2014

Emma Watson's Premiere Dress

Oscar was a favorite of Jackie Kennedy

He designed gowns for many First Ladies

and Amal's dress for her wedding to George

photo credits: HBO, stylebistro.com, Getty, AP, White House, VOGUE/Annie Lebovitz

Inspiration - Dresses and Suits

My sister and I sat down recently to talk wedding stuff. She's my Maid of Honor and she's got a much more practical and methodical brain that I do.  She offered to help me with the budget and logistics for the wedding. She's really good at telling me what I need to hear not just what I want to hear. In short, she's the greatest sister ever. Because of this talk, my brain is back in crazy wedding mode and I'm going to show you some of my thoughts about our wedding attire.

My Honey isn't girly and hasn't worn a dress since she was a teen.  She wants to look chic and polished but not stuffy.  She's a jeans, t-shirt and jacket girl but wants to look dressier on our wedding day.  My Mom is making my dress so my options are only limited by the fabric we can find and afford and the pattern we use.  I'm leaning toward a dress that is partially black or all black. All of these couples provide great inspiration.

photo credit: Emily Scannell Photography

photo credit: Jessica Claire Photography

photo credit: Sarah Tew Photography

I've read that Sarah Jessica Parker regrets wearing a black dress in her wedding to Matthew Broderick.  I think she looks great and so happy.  

photo credit: Hudson River Photography

photo credit: my wedding photographer

photo credit: People Magazine

photo credit: Whitney Lee Photography

Cynthia Nixon wed Christine Marinoni on a New York roof top.  I love Christine's suit but I'm more in love with the dress that Cynthia is wearing in the picture on the right from an event. I love the water color effect and I think it would be a fantastic and unique wedding dress.

photo credits: (left) Laurie Rhodes, (right) unknown

Thanks for indulging me again.

Fashion Risk Taking - Met Gala 2011

Though usually impractical for daily life and always off the charts in the budget department, I love a beautiful gown.  At most awards shows the gown choices are beautiful but many times safe. Starlets are terrified they'll end up on the worst dressed list.  The annual Met Gala gives the middle finger to the worst dressed list. It's why I love this event. Designers and attendees pull out all of the stops, go for the avant garde and over the top. Here are some of the most memorable ensembles from Monday night's Gala.

I am obsessed with this dress by J. Mendel. The detail and deconstructed look made me swoon. I would have toughened it up even more with some rocker type accessories.

Taylor Swift in J.Mendel

Love the train and the sparkle.

Ashley Greene in Donna Karan

Beautiful lace. Leave it to Rhianna to make a lace dress look tough and rocker cool.

Rhianna in Stella McCartney

This is a love it or hate it dress. It's suits Christina Ricci and it fits her flawlessly. I love the fishtail.

Christina Ricci in Zac Posen

I want to wear this dress for my wedding! The sheer silver over white and the pleats and gathers are classic Vera.

Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang

Sweet and very age appropriate.

Dakota Fanning in Valentino

Bright colors were standouts among the neutrals at this year's Gala. The pleating of Eva Mendes' royal blue Stella McCartney dress is beautiful.  Gisele looks stunning in Alexander McQueen. The detailing of January Jones' YSL and Jennifer Lopez's Gucci gowns are show stoppers. However, I never like the choice of a short dress for this event and I would like the Gucci dress much better without the unkempt flower/ruffle like shrug. While we are on the subject of unkempt, would someone teach Tom Brady how to style his hair or hire him a better hair stylist?  I love long hair on men but it needs to look "done" not like he just got out of the shower and used too much gel to slick it back, but I digress.

L to R:  Eva Mendes in Stella McCartney, Gisele Bunchen in Alexander McQueen,
January Jones in YSL, Jennifer Lopez in Gucci

The award for the night's best mix of high and low goes to Ginnifer Goodwin in her Topshop dress!  The combination of bright colors along with her eye catching necklace is great. I also love her short hair. It really tempts me to go out and cut mine that short again.

Who are your favorites from this year's Met Gala?

  
 
  

Moment of Lust: Atelier Versace Spring 2009

Today my moment of lust is a design house and not just a specific dress. I was just looking over photos from the Atelier Versace Spring 2009 collection when I came upon this stunning creation.

photo credit: nymag.com

I wish two things. One, that I could afford this dress and two, that I had an event to attend where I could wear this piece of art. Then of course I'd also need a closet large enough for storage.

I am in awe of the craftsmanship, design, and beauty that is Atelier Versace. This house is also responsible for the gown that Marissa Tomei wore to the Oscars and the gown that Carrie wore in her Paris hotel room while waiting for Aleksandr. Carrie's gown has 1,000 layers. I remember reading somewhere that it weighed 60 pounds!

photo credits: wireimage and unknown

Normally, I would post a less expensive version of my lust. I don't really think that is possible. This type of craftsmanship can't be duplicated cheaply. I'll keep looking but I doubt that I will be successful.