The 2010 Grammy Awards - MY Best Dressed

DAHLINGS -


Deepest apologies from your faithful correspondent. Not only have I neglected to write about the first three episodes of Project Runway, it's taken until now for me to put together my best and worst dressed for the Grammy Awards. (I plead that my last assistant quit after we had a one-sided game of paintball in my gymnasium; she wasn't allowed a paint gun because I'm the one with a designer wardrobe, damn it.)

So, without further ado, my choices for the Best Dressed At The Grammy Awards. This is a far less stuffy affair than most award shows, so the participants are freer to express themselves. This can either be a good or a very bad thing. There was so much pure hideousness it was difficult to even put together this list! Forgive me if it is shorter than usual.

For best dressed, my first choice is singer Adam Lambert:



Not only does the "guyliner" work, his outfit reflects his persona perfectly: out and proud, with a style all of his own. I'm in love with the sparkles on this jacket and for some reason he can pull off spiky hair far better than most (are you listening, Rihanna?) Most of the male musicians were either in dark suits or country outfits, yawn.

Next, we have Keri Hilson. I have no idea who this young woman is, but the dress is a classic, and I tend to be a classicist. It is a mermaid gown by Dolce & Gabbana:



Mary J. Blige's choice of red carpet dress is faultless. This Gucci creation flatters her beautiful body and the color is stunning on her.



Pink entered in an uncharacteristically ladylike gown in ombre tones by Tony Ward. The subtle jeweled embellishment on the waistline and top of the bodice gave it that touch of femininity (which softens the effect that she'll punch your lights out if you don't like her dress).



During the awards show Pink did an acrobatic performance in which she did the most amazing imitation of a hotel fire sprinkler that I have ever seen. Since there was nobody on fire in the audience, I hope they did not mind getting drenched.

Gaby Sidibe looked sexy and youthful at the midnight after-Grammys party. This dress is perfect for her shape, quite an improvement from the Golden Globes!



And I have to admit, this dress was very near the top of my list--Lady Gaga!



Although the thing in her hand reminded me of Edward Scissorhands, your faithful correspondent loved the "lightness" of the dress (although it probably weighed a ton). One hopes she didn't cut too many other people on the red carpet. Although since it is red, perhaps nobody noticed unless their clothes were stained.

I could have done without the shoes, which in close-up looked like an unfortunate fungal infection:



So that is my Grammy Awards Best Dressed List. Feel free to comment, to agree or disagree, but bear in mind that I am always right.

(For the record--pardon the pun--I was bored by Taylor Swift's gown, and Jennifer Hudson, although in a pretty outfit, was so thin I was dismayed. It is always so sad to see yet another larger lovely buy into the Hollywood anorexia culture.)

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

The 2009 Emmys Worst Dressed

DAHLINGS -

The plane touches down soon, so I'll run through this list rather quickly. There was, shall we say, an embarassment of riches when it came to Worst Dressed. I like to break them down into Categories.

NO TASTE WHATSOEVER

Leading the pack was one of the Kardashian sisters--I confess, all I remember about their first names is that they begin with K. This cheaply made white dress has K Kardashian 1 channeling 70s Cher, but not in a good way. K Kardashian 2 opts for pregnancy yawn dress and breasts.

Blake Lively, who usually looks so lovely, opted for Bad Taste Times Two. First, this overly revealing red dress by Versace cut too low in the front and back and side:

For the HBO after-party, she chose to wear even less:

Well, it's got sleeves, anyway.

Anna Lynn McCord went for the almost-no-dress-at-all look. Pity, if the skirt was three or four inches longer and the top fit properly it might have worked.

MAGICALLY ADD TEN TO TWENTY YEARS

Even though Miley Cyrus was nowhere to be seen, several celebrities opted for oufits that added years to their ages.

The usually impeccable Tina Fey wore an uncharacteristically frumpy unflattering Gucci black gown and old-fashioned updo. She looked like someone's chaperone.

Hayden Panettiere acheived the same effect with a similar hairdo and a blah red dress by J Mendel Resort.

FOLIE AU DRESS

Christina Applegate, late of Samantha Who?, simply had to deal with too much dress, by Basil Soda.

Leighton Meester had the same problem, in this white pouffy nightmare:

As did Drew Barrymore, in this bland pale pink Monique Lhuillier tulle prom number. Her hair is drawn back to hide the black underlayer, which is a pity, because it would have added a much-needed pop.

As I wrote earlier, Kyra Sedgwick looked as though a fairy vomited on her dress:

Your faithful correspondent is definitely in the minority on Olivia Wilde's mint green chiffon over nude Marchesa dress, but I dislike the faux one shoulder look and there is a huge heavy back zipper. Plus the woman needs a sandwich desperately.

And finally, Jenny Garth wins the coveted WTF? Award for this strange black combination:

That is all for now. I still haven't finished writing about New York Fashion Week! Work, work, work.

Ciao,

Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

Fashion Week Fall 2009 Trims The Fat But Not The Big Macs!

DAHLINGS –

What a week, vénérable mes lecteurs, what a week! On Wednesday your faithful correspondent attended a luncheon at Bergdorf Goodman (one of my beloved childhood department stores…dear darling Mama used to let me play at the fine jewelry counters because she knew how I cherished sparkly things).


The occasion was for the House of Dior, with several top executives there. If you have been following this blog with half an eye, you know my vast love for Dior! The lobster plates and champagne were courtesy of Dior executive Delphine Arnault-Gancia. It was attended by the typical pack of undernourished socialites and a model or two. Thank God I did not have to sit next to Tinsley Mortimer.


Photo of Delphine Arnault-Gancia and Jim Gold
copyright Patrick McMullan


(J'ai presque écrit socialistes, mais c'est le contraire, n'est-ce pas?) I wore a red velvet vintage Dior “spider hat” in honor of the occasion. Lovely how in this dreadful economy we can still look forward to the Dior Spring Line!

Speaking of the appalling economy, Fashion Week Fall 2009 has scaled back to an unprecedented level: fewer runway shows, and top designer names opting for “presentations” instead. It is something like putting live models in department store windows or something like that. They have to freeze in place for hours while fashion editors pluck at them. (cf. my post of January 26 2007 ‘Dead Brazilian Models: A Suggestion’.)

The most shocking development to your faithful correspondent was that menswear designer Duckie Brown has inked a deal with (ugh) McDonalds—speaking of places where never a model has been seen actually eating—holding the food does not count—to produce the show and have a “Mc-Cafe” backstage. So instead of snubbing the fruit bowls, the models can snub Chicken McNuggets. Well, one supposes that when you’re simply not used to ingesting food, an apple is the same thing as a Quarter Pounder With Cheese.

The star power in the front rows has also been considerably dimmed, if my experience is anything to go by. Where hast thou gone, Ashton and Demi? And why are you not missed?

Friday night I passed on the AMFAR benefit (one had quite enough of that sort of thing in Washington, thank you) to go to the actual Mercedes Benz opening party, held at Shang at the Thompson LES. Other than being extremely noisy, it was quite fun. I spotted Christian Siriano (one swears he would easily fit into Bucky’s Gucci dog carrier!).



One dearly wanted to thank the little imp for not being overly snarky on the Golden Globes Fashion Wrap-Up Show. Christian has strong opinions, but not the pure mean streak that many of the other commentators have. That might be because Christian actually has a functional talent in the real world…oh, dear, did I just write that? Mes plus sincères excuses. (Debbie Matenopolous’s dress on that show still baffles me…two, two, two necklines in one!)

Fern Mallis graciously took the stage to thank us all for being there. Things being what they are these days, she should have been grateful anyone was there. Nothing against Fern personally, of course. After all, she is the only woman who is allowed to look faintly normal at Fashion Week, presumably because it is her baby.

Photo of Fern Mallis copyright Patrick McMullan

A very loud band, The Virgins, took the stage, and I hied myself to my limo, along with a handsome waiter I’d met. I think his name might be Jose, or Julio, I can never remember these things. He was gone before daylight, which was the important thing.

There will be a great deal later, including reviews of the shows, but I have been far too busy and I must get some rest. Tomorrow: how Yigal Azrouel rocked my world, and ever so much more!

Here's hoping you all had a joyous Valentine's Day!

Ciao,

Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

More Delectable Pieces for the Manhattan Vintage Show!

DAHLINGS -

I am taking a moment from my unending work (I'm nearly hoarse from screaming at my assistant, the fool), to put up a few pictures of some more of the goodies I will have on display at the Manhattan Vintage Show on October 10th and 11th here in New York City!

First, this wonderful Gucci travel bag, with the ORIGINAL sales tag inside! As you can see, poor Bucky has also been working his little paws to the bone (mostly nipping at my assistant's ankles if she doesn't move fast enough).




SOLD!

Second, a vintage wool boucle' coral-colored wool coat with huge pink novelty buttons, size XL:



Third, another amazing reversible coat! This swing coat, from the 1940s, reverses from a plaid double-breasted coat to a solid bright green clutch coat! (Forgive the photos, my assistant took them.) Size M:





This vintage 1980s Michael Kors wool dress, size 4:



And to end with Gucci, this beautiful Gucci lightweight wool coat, also 1980s, with a hidden button placket and impeccable tailoring, size 42:




Remember, dahlings, save the dates!

The Manhattan Vintage Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion
Booth #17/18 MATINEE NEW YORK & THE MAD FASHIONISTA
125 W.18th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues in Chelsea
New York City
Friday: 10/10 1-8 pm
Saturday: 10/11 11am-6pm
Admission: $20*

Ciao,
Elisa & Bucky the Wonderdog

*5 off admission if you go to the website, http://www.manhattanvintage.com/ !

Back To My Fabulous Life...

Dahlings –

To recover from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I spent yesterday lounging in the tub, and had a deep tissue massage, manicure and pedicure. Bucky also got a manicure, although on black nails it’s hard to find the right color, and he simply hates red. So I chose a dark glowing purple. I refused to answer the constantly ringing phone and without my assistant there, I locked the office. Let them all wait, say I.

The next two days will be spent at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Unfortunately Bucky cannot go with me, poor dear. I would carry him in my Gucci custom-made dog carrier. But once he got a sniff of the other dogs, well, let’s just say some purebred show dog muzzle confirmation would be irreparably damaged.

It will be such a pleasure to watch animals who are well-fed, even if they cannot eat chocolate either. Off I go!

Ciao until next time,
Elisa and Bucky the Wonderdog