Bridal Expo

Please bear with me as I am still recovering from the Oscars. While I try to be concise with my fashion wrap-up, the best analogies and comparisons always come to me a couple of days later. So I thought I would share those with you, two days after the 2013 Academy awards…  in hopes that you might understand how my creative process works. Some people are more visual than others, we see things differently than most people, color is important to us.  We see repetition in shapes, designs, patterns and we can’t help comment. You want to take a visual person (like me) shopping with you because no matter how much it hurts, we will say to you, “Hey, Jennifer – don’t wear that purple gown with the ruffle thing in the back or you’ll wind up looking like Barney.”

Or in a kinder manner, delicatley let Nicole Kidman know that this dress is only a good idea if she plans on wearing it for Halloween as Cleopatra.  All she will need is a good headband. “Hello, Costume City?”

Or we may point out similarities bewteen fashion and architecture. In fact, it almost appears as if Stacy Keibler and Halle Berry were having a contest to see who could look  more like the Chrysler building. Or maybe the joke is on them and the designers planned this!

Even the sexiest mom alive is not immune to a little critique from a shopping pal like me. If I had gone in the fitting room with Heidi, I would have steered her more in this direction

and less in this direction. “No, Heidi, turn left  – that is the Forever 21 section”

Chubby, plump or (dare I say) fat women need to realize one thing: You are not a size 2 . A gown is not going to make you look any thinner or fatter than you already are. Lose weight or don’t – nobody cares…. we love your talent and charm.  It doesn’t have to be black but, it shouldn’t be this:

For the record, Melissa McCarthy ‘s hair and makeup – flawless.

If I were friends with Adele, I would tell her to do something about the creepy, pointy, vampira manicure and cut a smidge off her hair.  

Good vs. Not-so-much

For her dress, try to branch out a little because the 3/4 sleeve, black sparkly gown is starting to look like a uniform. Here is a clue: If drag queens can imitate all of your songs without a costume change, there might be a problem.

In the end, everyone needs a good friend to take shopping, someone to hold their purse and take a digital picture and to be the voice of reason. That person should be the most  discerning  person you know because they will make sure that your side-boob is not showing and that you do not look like a cartoon of  yourself (or anyone else).

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

There were very few surprises at the 85th Academy Awards –  including the red carpet appearances leading up to the show itself! The only surprise (for me) came from the lack of any real standout on the red carpet, with the exception of  Helena Bonham Carter. That’s not a compliment, by the way.

I thought Seth Macfarlane was a very good host and  his Lincoln joke was hilarious. Well, played, Seth. Maybe the boob song was a bit much for some – but not for me.  FYI it was a spoof  on how the Academy sent out a ‘side-boob’ memo asking everyone not to show too much of the body part made famous [in part] by the creator of “Side-boob hour with Peter Griffin”. I also knew he would not be deemed the worst host EVER since there are two words to prevent that from happening: James Franco.

Seth looked appropriately Oscar-worthy in his well fitted tuxedo that was neither too shiny or too tight to do a little dance.

Charlize Theron- For me, this Dior gown was probably the most understated and under rated gown of the evening. Perfect, flawless and I am not even a fan of peplums (hello? 1984 called) But, this one is sweet, slightly beaded and not overpowering. My favorite gown of the entire evening – hands down!

Amy Adams looked beautiful in this Oscar de la Renta gown but, her hair was way disheveled. Perhaps a pre-Oscar party? Or maybe she was trying to match her hair to the jagged, scrunchy effect on the tulle?

Jennifer Lawrence was considered (by everyone except me) to be  the best dressed at the 2013 Oscars in this beautiful gown by Dior Haute Couture. But, the fit is all wrong and frankly the brocade made the whole thing look even bigger than it was. Sorry, this didn’t do it for me. The dress needs some serious alteration and  the backward necklace was all wrong. Jennifer is darling and can wear anything but, this was not herbest look.

Jane Fonda continues to look amazing. She looked flawless. Her gown was brought to you by Sprint.

Anne Hathaway won for Best Actress in a supporting nipple:

“It doesn’t matter how you get knocked down in life, all that matters is that you’ve got to get up!” – Powerful words, Ben… really powerful words.

Best  Picture, Best Speech (ever), Worst tie – Ben Affleck.

But, seriously - where did you get this tie? It’s too square, it’s crooked, it’s awful.  Next time use a clip on – or have George or Bradley pick one out for you.

Jack Nickolson used to dress like this:

Now he dresses like this:

What is with the baggy, puffy suit that looks like it fit the ‘before’ picture of   weight watchers? You are super wealthy and super famous  so there is no excuse – get a stylist, and a decent suit…. now.

Did Reese Witherspoon’s gown come from the Prom Outlet?

Because  Helen Hunt’s gown came from H&M !

Of course, $700,000 worth of jewelry doesn’t hurt!

Overall, nothing for me was overwhelming. There was no standout, there was no showstopper and no one really made any kind of fashion statement other than the same lack of  ” Fabulous” we have seen over and over. For me – I think we may have jumped the shark with the pageant beading. Most of the women over 30 looked like they had just hopped off the plane from Atlantic City. Not mentioning any names. ( Catherine, Kristen, Heidi)

 …oops, looks like Heidi didn’t get the ‘booby’ memo!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Grammys are always so much fun to watch because musicians  seem to have so much fun with their fashions…. they don’t hold back – they have such a flair!!  Last night was a tad more high brow ( no one showed up in meat or laid an egg) but, rest assured there plenty of red carpet hits and misses!

Starting with the worst of the worst

10) Jennifer Lopez – Everything about this dress by Anthony Vaccarello is wrong, the slit, the fit and the overall boringness of the “I have to expose myself to be relevant” mentality. 

9) Adele wearing  floral draperies. This is a common mistake; your dress does not have to match your shoes excatly. She would have been better off picking one bright color to go with the floral shoe!

Kelly Clarkson wins big in the singing department but, unfortunately is a huge fashion fail. It seemed like a safe choice, a non-descript little black dress but, this one is not the right one. Blah and ill-fitting. Kelly has so much going on for her in the talent department,  but, girl needs some fashion advice…  badly!

7) Lisa D’Amato in a really strange dress fit for a hoe-down.I can’t stop humming Entrance of The Gladiators. I’ll wait while you google it…..

6)Florence Welch vs. Godzilla. Wearing a green sequined Givenchy gown is a great idea, unless it has spikes made of _______!  What?

5) Kimbra in Jaime Lee Major. In many ways , I think this dress is adorable…. Fun, sparkly, silly, youthful  and just a little of this and that. But, the color combination is all wrong. Seriously….. it’s the Grammys – don’t be shy!

4) Kelly Rowland in this unbelievably well-fitting and show-stopping gown by Georges Chakra.

3) Katie Perry is all grown up and very sophisticated in this beautiful Gucci gown. Top to bottom perfection.

2) Justin Timberlake has never looked better than in this Tom Ford suit.

1) Rihanna  is RED HOT, sheer perfection in Azzedine Alaia. It doesn’t get any better than this!

At the Screen Actor’s Guild awards last night, there were a slew of stars gearing up for the Oscars. But,  with a massive outbreak of the flu nationwide, more than a  few big names were left at home with the sniffles.

Did you see Justin Timberlake debut his professorial look?  Talented? YES! Funny? You bet! This suit is a moderate loser but, he is getting more and more adorable with age! Oh, wait – Jennifer Lawrence is in this photo with JT and Bradley Cooper? Let’s just think about how that feels for a moment….. nice.

In the Navy:
Amanda Seyfried rocked the red carpet in Zac Posen. Love the hair on one side, love the necklace, love the pose… “My hand on my hip says I’m sassy- but, my head is tilted (slightly) down so I am humble about it!”

Nicole Kidman in Vivienne Westwood. Love is a strong word and so is hate. This look makes me feel ambivalent, nothing particularly striking but not a  mistake. “I’m a mom, I’ve had work done – but, here’s my leg.”

Jennifer Lawrence – The best thing about this gown is that there is not one detail other than the cut and fit of the garment itself. Plain? Yes… but, beautiful because of or in spite of the fact! Although her hand is perched gently on her hip and her head is tilted in an ‘ever-so-sweet’ fashion, I would not want to get on her bad side. She exudes confidence and a badass quality I cannot even fathom.  ” I am posing, I am sweet ( see my head is turned ) but, do not make me mad. I will rip off this couture gown and chase you in high heels!”

ps – Not a wardrobe malfunction, the gown is made in layers to eliminate bulk. The underlayer is attached to  silk chiffon so,  when she walked/lifted the top layer to take a step/ caught her  heel on the gown,  the chiffon peeps through and it make the gown appear to have been ripped.

Jessica Lange wore a beautiful gown by  J. Mendel. Soft, flowing and her hair and makeup were flawless. Really a great look for a lady of her … (whats the word?)…. talent. 

Back in Black:

Sigourney Weaver, are you high on cold medicine?  I get it – you aren’t a size 2 anymore  and maybe you want something a little more loose fitting… but, this is a disaster. Who you gonna call? A stylist!

Jane Lynch must have been taking the same cold medicine as Sigourney Weaver – this  looks like something that she might have found in the back of Madonna’s closet. She has a terrific figure but this dress is all wrong for this occassion. Maybe Halloween in the Village. Maybe.

Best of Black:

Tina Fey in Osacr de la Renta and Amy Poehler in Zuhair Murad, our favorite funny gals from the Golden Globes were spot on with their fashion choices last jnight. Wit, looks and good taste … those girls are on fire! Sizzle!

Did you have any favorites from last night’s SAG awards?

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

It’s finally here! Awards season is officially in full swing and I couldn’t be any happier. It’s like the playoffs for sports fans… just one delightful event after another! Much like sporting events - we have our favorites, there are clear winners and losers and sometimes the underdog wins. And sometimes the event just takes on a life of it’s own – like last night! My winners and losers are broken down into slightly different  categories:
“Most Adorable” - Amy Poehler. I give Ms. Poehler this title because a) the porn joke b) her side updo was infallible and c) her boobs were perkier than Honey Boo Boo at a county fair. ( Had to get that in before the Honey Boo Boo train left the station). Also, this little black pantsuit by Stella McCartney was darling, sexy, sassy and completely sophisticated, all at the same time. You GO, girl!

Strangest  Fit: These 2  piece outfits seemed to be a bit off for me, Sienna Miller’s weird pink ensemble by Erdem and Anne Hathaway’s chest flattening device by Chanel. Okay, whatever.

Best Color Statement: The critics are hating but, I am loving Lucy Liu in this print ball gown. Prints are risky, google ‘golden globes tye dye disaster’ and you will see why. But, I  think that Carolina Herrera nailed it with the right color, pattern and positioning of the floral pattern on the gown itself.  The wedgewood blue background was perfect on Ms Liu’s skintone… just magnificent!

The “Look at Me” award goes to Jennifer Lopez. Beautiful, sexy, and by all accounts one of the most talented ladies in Hollywood, Ms Lopez always turns heads with her provocative fashion choices and this see through lace number by Zuhair Murad is no different. I don’t think she would have it any other way!

Special Effects Award: Halle Barry and Jessica Chastain both had gowns with serious bosom challenges. Jessica’s Calvin Klein gown was saggy and perky at the same time. For future reference:  blouson halter is never a good idea.

Halle’s Versace gown was high and flat on one side, low and full on the other. Forget about the print, I can’t get past this odd bustline thing…..Huh?

Rambling Rose award goes to Jodie Foster who seemed overly giddy and oddly nervous at the same time. The Cecil B Demille award is a big deal – but save the rambling speeches for the retirement home. Unlike the off-screen persona she has spent a lifetime protecting, she was blabbering like a teenage girl at a slumber party.The giggly thing was way out of character for her. Although the context of her words may have been  emotional and heartfelt, she lost me somewhere around Honey Boo Boo. The gown – another odd choice, I think Ms. Foster who looks fabulous in nearly anything, appears more  comfortable in tailored, simpler gowns rather than pageant beading. The only thing missing was the empty chair. 

Best Trend Personified … It’s a three way tie! All three of these ladies rocked the subtle blush trend in their own way. Although none of them seemed to take home a trophy, they were all winners in my book.

Amy Adams in Marchesa

Megan Fox in Dolce & Gabanna

Hayden Panettiere in Roberto Cavalli

Favorite Actress in Everything – Julia Loius Dreyfuss is funny, charming and a knockout in this illusion over lace custom Vera Wang.

Best Overall Performance goes to Ms. Tina Fey. Channeling the late Rita Hayworth, Tina took the stage in va-va-va-voom fashion and never let up. She switched effortlessly between comedy and glamour and her Taylor Swift joke was not only the best one-liner of the night, she was dead right! “Take some ‘me’ time”… indeed!

Ladies, you have set the bar very high – hoping to see you back again next year!  This was my favorite Golden Globes in a long time!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Tomorrow the awards season officially kicks off with the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Both movie and television stars come together for one night of fun, fashion, frivolity and fierce competition to decide who wins, who loses and give us a hint of what to expect at the Academy Awards next month. And for the first time ever, the show will be co-hosted by our favorite female SNL weekend update alum.

The Hostesses with the Most: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will certainly be on cloud nine tomorrow night. According to all reports, they have promised a night of fun, frivolity and a certain amount of cynicism. Both beautiful and equally smart,  these two  pose a double threat (squared).

NOMINEES:

One of my Red Carpet favorites  is Emily Blunt. Last year, as  a presenter, she wore this  golden, shimmering,  Elie Saab Couture gown. This year as a nominee for Salmon Fishing In The Yemen, she will definitely bring her ”A” game … although I don’t know how it could get much better than this!

There are many red carpet looks of Jennifer Lawrence – nominated for her role in Silver Linings Playbook. You only need to remember this one from the 2011 Academy Awards, and that’s when hardly anybody even knew who she was. 

Julianna Margulies, consistently one of the most beautiful ladies on television is once again nominated for her role in The Good Wife. Note to Julianna:

More of this

and less of this

Nicole Kidman, nominated for her role in The Paperboy and for Hemmingway & Gellhorn, has a slew of jaw-dropping red carpet moments but, this pale pink Chanel from 2002 is my favorite!!!  It is soft, dainty, feminine and timeless. Since she is a double-nominee, expect her to pull out all the stops!

Meryl Streep, nominated for her role in Hope Springs, also has a slew of red carpet moments but, unfortunately for Ms. Streep, jaw- dropping isn’t always a good thing.  Where is the stylist  from The Devil Wears Prada when you need her? Meryl Streep is one of the most beautiful & talented actresses in the world. What gives?

Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey has really honed her red carpet style since last year’s Golden Globe disaster. Compare this  Ralph Lauren gown at the Met Gala later in the year.

to last year’s frumpy, wrinkled, blue, ball gown… yikes

Julianne Moore gave an incredible performance as the former governor of Alaska  in Game Change. Definitely my pick for best actress in a television movie!  Although she doesn’t have the best track record on the red carpet, there is hope. Maybe she picked a stylist who will give her a little better shoe advice than she had in 2012. This gown is terrific – the shoe is a drag.

Whoever wins or loses, there is always a lot to see on the red carpet before, during, and after the show. Check back Monday for our Best & Worst picks from the 2013 Golden Globes Red Carpet!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

No ‘End of Year’ blog would be complete without a fashion roundup. There were so many fabulous red carpet moments that it is hard to find a top five or even ten to highlight. However, the really, really hideous ones are not only less in number but, also really standout this year!

First, let me state for the record that bad red carpet fashion does not include outfits that are intentionally designed to shock or be a costume. Any Halloween outfit even for a charity ball is automatically excluded, any outfit by Lady Gaga or Niki Minaj or Madonna or Elton John is automatically excluded. This helps to level the playing field. Seriously – if you are trying to look ridiculous, it shoudln’t count.

My pick for the 5 Worst Red Carpet Fasions of 2012:

Stella McCartney in Stella McCartney. Really? There is really nothing nice to say about this puckered, weird, ill-fitting jumpsuit, so I won’t even try.

Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen. I get that she is an artsy actress and very intense and all….. but, yikes! Somebody buy this woman a full length mirror.

 Fantasia Barrino in a hot, sequined, mess. I wonder why I couldn’t find any name associated with the designer of this gown. Hmmm… Maybe nobody would admit they had anything to do with it?

Fergie in Jean Paul Gaultier. At home this may have seemed risky, edgy and really avant garde. On the red carpet it was absolutely hideous. The worst part is that she is really a total knockout. 

Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture. #1 – this is the Met Gala. #2 – the inner part is like a bodysuit made of sheer nude fabric that is puckered and bunched up in places. This is perfect for a Halloween gala but nothing else.

Make your 2013 New Years Resolution to read Bridal Expo’s blog every day and like us on facebook for up-to-date tips, trends and specials on all things bridal and wedding related!

Happy New Year

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The election season is in full swing, both parties’ national conventions have come to a close and now it is time to look at what’s really important: Fashion! Okay, realistically –  it doesn’t matter what the candidate’s wives wear before, during or after the election but, it is easier for me to debate fashion than policy with most people since one is a matter of personal opinion and the other is a matter of personal opinion… wait… it’s the same thing?

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to take a break from wedding planning and peek into the closets of the candidate’s wives.

Janna Ryan – She  may not be a household name yet, but, don’t mess with her because this 43 yr old former lobbyist is in good enough shape to kick butt and take names. With about 0% body fat from where I sit, she can wear literally anything she wants but, she opts for slim straight, ultra conservative looks straight from the Talbbot’s catalog. Don’t hold your breath for any trendsetting, just solid clean lines and simple silhouettes. Really simple. So simple that it is almost impossible to find any kind of style.

Jill Biden – When the Vice President-elect’s wife, a life time educator, showed up in January 2009 at the Inaugural festivities wearing knee-high boots, I thought this was someone I could relate to…. she has a fun side. Although still very conservative, she showed up later that night in a stunning red strapless gown by one of our favorite designers, Reem Acra, looking both youthful and stunning. Still not one to go all out glam, she can wear anything she wants with her with slim figure and great arms for any age.

Ann Romney – Mrs. Romney’s style might be best described as quiet sophistication. With abundant wealth and  nice figure, the world is at your fingertips, which is why her Oscar de la Renta convention dress seemed an odd choice to me. It was slightly dated, reminiscent of a 1950′s housewife; a simple shirtwaist dress in bright red. In any color or shape, she exudes class and style and knows exactly what appeals to her audience.

Michelle Obama – The First Lady is all over the map when it comes to style, mixing expensive pieces with vintage pieces with Old Navy. You never know what she will wear but, for the most part she hits it out of the park. Never afraid to accessorize, her style is way less conservative than her counterparts and she will occasionaly surprise with a quirky, chic ensemble that could never be described as boring.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

It is often said you can never be too rich or too thin. Personally, I am in no danger of being either one so I can only speculate on how difficult it must be to be both at the same time (insert eye roll). Some of the wealthiest, most beautiful women in the world are not high-profile celebrities and although they do have their share of wedding dilemmas,  it can’t compare to the pressure and burden of being Angelina Jolie during the planning of her eventual wedding to her equally high -profile (megastar) fiance, Brad Pitt. Especially since she is often critiqued about being too thin and probably too rich as well.

Of course she can hire planners to do everything, have stores closed down for shopping, visit designers showrooms and have all wedding attire custom designed and fitted to perfection. However, there comes a day (the wedding day) when all eyes are upon her and she has to find a gown that can stop the critics dead in their tracks… that is, if she cares at all. Critics (like me) who can be cynical and in other cases downright unkind.

The question remains, if you are Angelina Jolie, what will your wedding be like? My guess is completely toned down. Think of Kim Kardashian’s fairytale (staged) wedding and imagine the exact opposite. Not to the degree where people are eating off paper plates but you can bet that the wedding will not be televised unless the profits go to AMFAR or one of this power couple’s other pet projects.

Personally, if I were in her shoes, I would find a diaphanous gown of varying pastel shades, have all the children suited accordingly in matching pastels, find  a secluded spot in the English countryside, invite only close family and friends (and their kids) and have a charming afternoon event that is more about the ceremony than a lavish reception. If it were me, and I was thin and rich and high-profile, I would completely engulf myself in the Victorian/Antique theme that is so hot right now. I would do anything and everything to have  a casual, rustic, family gathering with Peonies, Hydrangeas,wildflowers  and antique china place settings. I would make it intimate, heartfelt, and completely understated. Kids? Yes. Foreign dignitaries? No. More than anything, I would make sure the vows are extraordinary and memorable.

Most of all (dare I say?) I would not have a strapless gown no matter how good I looked in it – just to protest the lack of options and being a super-powerful, mega-wealthy Hollywood star, you can do anything you want!

…..and what would you do?

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Last night was my Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, Winston Cup and Wimbledon all rolled into one. I have been watching the Academy Awards since I was a little girl and there is nothing on television I would rather see …. nothing. I am never disappointed even if the jokes are awful, even if the gowns are drab, even if there are protesters, streakers and a terrible host. The ultimate goal for me is to see clips of my favorite movies, watch as they poke (carefully scripted) fun at each other and see how the female star’s gowns stack up.

The 2012 Academy Awards was one of the best in recent years. Was it Billy Crystal? Maybe. Was it Angelina’s leg? Perhaps. Was it the fact that every single nominee went all- out this year? Definitely.  The fashions were hot this year and they came in all shapes, size and colors. From where I was sitting, there were some clear winners:

Bangs:
So many women are afraid to experiment with bangs but, when done right they can be their own fashion statement. Look how the mousy bridesmaid turned to sexy siren just with a glittery gown and red hot bangs.

 Tousled Hair:

Look how these ladies managed to have their hair down and still look dressed up. Trust me, taming tresses to look this good without having an up-do  is hard work for a hairdresser. Beautiful, natural and so sexy!

Diamond Chokers:

I imagine one of the best things about being a celebrity is being able to pick any one of these drop-dead diamond necklaces to wear ( for free) for the evening. The only thing better would be owning it and being able to wear it anytime you want… right, Oprah?

The biggest winner of the night? Uggie. This dainty dog from the Academy Award dominating movie “The Artist” stole everyone’s heart….. including mine. He was properly dressed, too.

Who were your big winners of the evening?

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago