Red Carpet Roundup – 2013 Sag Awards

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.”

Nicole Kidman - SAG Awards 2013 Red Carpet

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.

 

Jennifer Lawrence, SAG Wadrobe Malfunction

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!

Amy Poehler & Tina Fey - SAG Awards 2013 Red Carpet

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

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

2013 Golden Globe Awards – Best & Worst

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?

 

halle berry golden globes 2013 red carpet 05

 

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. 

Jodie Foster - Golden Globes 2013 Red Carpet

 

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.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Golden Globes 2013 Red Carpet

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!

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

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

Ghosts of Golden Globes Past

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).

Amy Poehler, left, and Tina Fey get ready to host the Golden Globes

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!

Emily Blunt in Elie Saab | 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards

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. Michelle Dockery - Celebs on the Red Carpet at the Met Gala in NYC

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

2012 Red Carpet Fashion Fails

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

2012 Emmy Awards – Red Carpet Fashion!

The award ceremony is over, the gowns and tuxedos either sent off to the cleaners, returned to the designers or draped over the back of a chair. But, the fun has just begun, because the “What were they thinking?” portion of the program has taken over and it’s time for us to take a peek at the hits and misses at last night’s Emmy Awards.

I have broken it down into three categories; Belts, Boobs and Breathtaking

BELTS :

Julia Loius Dreyfus in Vera Wang; ditch the belt and you have a winner. Love the neckline.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Jessica Pare nailed it with this Grecian inspired gown by Jason Wu featuring a tiny black belt.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

 

Michelle Dockery looks as if she suffered a dramatic weight loss since her last fitting. The belt does nothing for this Loius Vuitton gown and the gown does nothing for her.

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Sarah Paulsen’s Reem Acra gown was jaw-dropping on her. The belt broke up some of the details in the shimmering lace appliques and made the dress more interesting.

Sarah Paulson

Boobs:

Actually Christina Hendricks falls into the Boobs and Belts categories. Can you guess why? The belt is too big and her bust is too enormous for this not-so-flattering Christian Siriano gown. When she said it was “Old Hollywood” I am assuming she meant Mae West.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Morena Baccarin need some more tape to keep things in check. In reality this gown would look best on someone who has a nearly flat chest, otherwise you appear to have “pancake boob”.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Kat Dennings posture was the most important accessory she wore last night. One false move and either one of ( or both) of her knockers would have come flying out. Not the right dress or maybe just a bad fit?

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Sofia Vergara was positively shimmery in her gown by Zuhair Murad. The problem? Aside from the fact that she looked like a Miss Universe contestant, there was too much side-boob. Plus, did she just jump out of the shower and throw on a beaded gown? Spend some time on your hair! You are gorgeous and you can wear anything but, you have been around long enough to know that you need to step it up. Next year- we all expect you to  bring it!

Sofia Vergara

Breathtaking:

Jane Fallon,  longtime girlfriend of host Ricky Gervais had the right gown for her figure, in the right color for her skin and a perfect fit. Love everything about it.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Julianna Hough was showstopping in a seafoam green beaded gown by Georges Hobeika. This gown was simply gorgeous; the cut, the detail, the color – LOVE IT!

Julianne Hough

January Jones took a serious fashion risk with the Zac Posen gown. Looking as if it was made entirely of horsehair braid, this gown is a work of art. Not like one of those  Lady Gaga ‘artsy’ gowns made of meat  but, a gown that is so well constructed and so well thought out that it almost has the opposite effect: to appear to be thrown together. Look at it again. Look at it again. It is a work of art and it fits magnificently. She dropped the ball by not accessorizing, wear clunky shoes and not doing something a little more deserving with her hair. When you wear a piece like this you have to go the extra mile.

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Who were you favorites from the 2012 Emmy awards?

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago