Everyone associates the Oscars with the ultimate in Hollywood glamor, in no large part because of the fashion. Here are some of the most recognizable and memorable looks.
Audrey Hepburn was a close friend of the designer Hubert de Givenchy, who created this white dress with a floral pattern and a tight belt for her for the 1954 Academy Awards. Time magazine voted it the most iconic Oscar dress of all time, Hepburn herself called it her "lucky dress" as she won for her work in Roman Holiday. Click through this learning for several photos of the dress from when it was up for auction, as well as more information about the actress and her famous dress.
In 1955, Grace Kelly stunned at the Academy Awards in an ice-blue satin dress and matching evening coat designed by Paramount studio costumer Edith Head--who attended the ceremony as Kelly's date. The dress was created for the premiere of the movie for which Kelly won, "The Country Girl," and was cut from a bolt of $4,000 French satin.
Barbra Streisand, 1969 (Scaasi)
This Arnold Scaasi bell-bottomed pantsuit was so sheer that apparently under the bright lights of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion you could see right through it! Streisand was lucky she thought to have it lined with nude-colored silk. Depending on how you look at it, this outfit was either a fun nod to the playful fashion of the era or a complete disaster. Regardless of personal preference it will always go down in history as one of the seminal Oscar looks.
For more from Edith Head, we fast-forward to 1970, when Elizabeth Taylor presented the Best Picture award to "Midnight Cowboy" wearing a violet gown with a plunging neckline. Considered one of Taylor's most iconic fashion moments the dress matched the actress's mesmerizing violet eyes. The 69- carat pear shaped diamond necklace, a gift from her husband Richard Burton, was originally purchased as a ring, "but even for me it was too big so we had Cartier design a necklace," Taylor explained. Click above to watch her presenting the award.
Cher, 1986 (Mackie)
Arguably one of the most provocative Oscar outfits of all time, this midriff-bearing Bob Mackie look featured a beaded loincloth, black cashmere cape and mohawk-style headpiece made of hundreds of rooster feathers. Apparently Cher had to sit on the floor of the limo on her way to the ceremony as to not damage it.
Although Kidman was notorious for playing it safe with earlier red carpet looks, she took something of a fashion risk at the 1997 Oscars. This stunning acid green Christian Dior gown (known as Absinthe) featured a high slit and Asian influenced embroidery. 1997 was also John Galliano's first year at Dior and it's safe to assume he, along with this dress, helped cement Kidman as a new icon of couture.
As one of modern-day Oscar's most iconic fashion moments, the year Paltrow won Best Actress for her work in Shakespeare in Lovewas also the year she catapulted herself onto the red carpet fashion scene. The simple ballgown design was created by Ralph Lauren from pink taffeta. References were made to Grace Kelly, and she was even credited for making pink cool again. Paltrow accessorized with her own jewels from Harry Winston, a 40-carat diamond necklace worth $160,000, that was a gift from her parents. The dress became an instantly recognizable part of pop culture and was spoofed at the following year's Academy Awards when Matt Stone (co-creator of South Park) showed up in a pink spaghetti-strapped ensemble.
Bjork, 2001 (Pejoski)
Eccentric Icelandic songstress Bjork arrived to the 2001 oscars in the now infamous swan dress designed by Marjan Pejoski. The design is that of a full body stocking that was covered with a giant swan wrapping around her neck. The dress has been referenced in popular media many times since then but at the time was received with mixed reviews.
Julia Roberts, 2001 (Valentino)
2001 was a year of firsts for Roberts. She didn't just pick up her first Oscar forErin Brockovich but she also was the catalyst to a new era of red carpet fashion- vintage couture. Her black 1982 Valentino gown with white ribbons and piping has a timeless beauty that is fabulous in any decade. Valentino himself has been recorded saying seeing Roberts in the dress was a highlight of his career.
In 2002, Halle Berry became the first black woman to win an Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role. She also happened to make history for wearing one of the most stunning gowns of all-time a burgundy Elie Saab number with a sheer bodice embroidered with flowers. Click through for a video of her emotional acceptance speech.
In 2005, Hilary Swank won Best Actress Oscar for her role in Million Dollar Babywhile wearing a navy blue dress by designer Guy Laroche. When viewed head-on the high necked dress seemed very conservative, but when seen from behind, it dipped dramatcally low. Conceivably historic, this navy number is also one of those dresses with its own Wikipedia page.
Reese Witherspoon found her vintage 1955 Christian Dior dress while shopping in Paris. When she put the dress on it fit so perfectly not one alteration was needed. With a classic V-neck design and stunning metallic embellishments, the shop owner was reluctant to part with it as it had once belonged to a princess. Though she says she will never wear it again she hopes to one day give it to her daughter Ava.
Penelope Cruz, 2007 (Versace)
This gown from the 2007 Oscars red carpet blew everyone away. Her blush Atelier Versace gown defined red carpet drama, and landed the Spanish actress on nearly everyone's best dressed lists. The bustier is made from silk chiffon and the dramatic skirt is silk chiffon, organza and tulle.
Heidi Klum, 2008 (Galliano)
The Victoria's Secret model turned fashion TV host sizzled on the 2008 red carpet in a striking, fitted, red silk taffeta bustier gown with drape detail by John Galliano Haute Couture. The gown had a breathtaking high collar and sweeping train.
Marion Cotillard, 2008 (Gaultier)
Then still relatively unknown, the French actress chose a mermaid-like Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown to collect her Best Actress Oscar for La Vie en Rose. The dramatic fishtail shape with gold embellashiments in scale-like scalloping may have divided opinions at the time but is now considered the start of Cotillard's much loved red carpet style.
Anne Hathaway, 2009 (Armani)
Though she didn't take home the Oscar that night she did sparkle down the red carpet in a gorgeous mother-of-pearl iridescent paillette-laden Armani Privegown. The color beautifully illuminated her creamy skin and Hathaway gave the gown a personal touch by affixing an onyx and black crystal brooch to the back of the dress. It is now considered one of the best Oscar gowns of the decade.
Zoe Saldana, 2010 (Givenchy)
Wether you hate it or you love it Saldana's Givenchy Couture gown goes down as one of the most iconic looks from the 2010 Academy Awards red carpet. Featuring varying shades of lavender, intricate rosettes and a sequined bodice, this show-stopper was created by designer Riccardo Tisci.
Mila Kunis, 2011 (Saab)
Another bold purple number, Kunis choose this Elie Saab Haute Coutre gown when she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Black Swan.The delicate lavendar number perfectly complimented her dark coloring.
Angelina Jolie, 2012 (Versace)
This dramatic dark velvet gown by Atlelier Versace was instantly made popular by the pose Jolie struck throughout the night. Her right leg spawned a flurry of controversy over the internet, receving both negative and positive attention.
Gwyneth Paltrow, 2012 (Ford)
This Tom Ford white dress with uber chic cape was presented as part of his top secret Fall 2012 collection. A simple ponytail, barely-there makeup and silver jewels completed this flawless look.
Jennifer Lawrence, 2013 (Dior)
Everybody's favorite, Jennifer Lawrence, wore a stunning blush Dior Couture gown for the 2013 Academy Awards. She was awarded Best Actress for her performance in Silver Linings Playbookand although she tripped on her gorgoes gown while walking up to accept the honor she still looked flawless.
As the world continues to mourn the sudden loss of Fashion Police host Joan Rivers, no one is more torn up about it than the co-host of the hit show, Kelly Osbourne.
“She feels that it is pointless to continue on with the show,” the insider says.
“Kelly says that anyone that you try replace Joan Rivers with will fail miserably.”
Friends close to the Live From the Red Carpet star are concerned for her well-being after the death of Rivers, who was “like a mother to Kelly.”
“Kelly isn’t handling this
so well,” the source tells Radar. “She got so close to Joan while
filming and is just in a total state of shock. She is so broken right
now.” Fashion Police, hosted by Giuliana Rancic, 40, George Kotsiopoulos, 45, Osbourne, 29, and the late Rivers, who passed away last week at age 81, is a weekly talk-show on E! that dishes on the latest red-carpet trends of Hollywood celebrities.
E! has said no decisions have yet been made as to whether they will continue the series without Rivers.
When you strip it down, what more does a foot enclosure really need aside from a single stretch of material and thread to tie it all together. That is the idea behind this ultra-minimalist student design.
Gaspard Tiné-Berès made this flat-pack marvels while studying at the Royal College of Art. They assemble in a simple set of motions, after shipping in the most compact way footwear has ever been mailed.
Aside from being easy, green, and affordable, they could also be made universal not only through low-cost shipping but through remote distribution via 3D printers or just printable plans – all one really needs is two pieces of material and a pair of scissors to make these basic necessities.
And for anyone hung up on being different: the color choices are, of course, up to the end consumer – and various varieties of felts would also work if switching up your shoelaces seems insufficient.
Having your clothes made is an addictive business. No sooner is one commission finished than you begin to plan the next.
Whether it’s bespoke or top end made to measure, the knowledge that you can have your heart’s desire made real is a powerful temptation; and like Oscar Wilde ‘I can resist all things but temptation’.
As it happens I’ve already commissioned a second suit from a new tailor recommended by Adam Atkinson of CHERCHBI. This suit is rather pedestrian in comparison to the last, a simple single breasted navy suit with peak labels.
But before the cloth has even been cut I’m considering my next commission. There are innumerable options but I have rounded it down to a few basic concepts. The first is the weekend suit.
According to my father, when he and my aunt were children my grandfather would go to the football every Saturday afternoon without fail. The uniform for this occasion was suit and tie, raincoat and cap. He was by no means alone; this was the uniform for all the men of this era (1950s). Remarkable really, when you consider he was a toolmaker in the local car factory.
Since then society has increasingly moved towards the informal in its modes of dress. It is odd then that we still admire most those men whose wardrobe staple, at work rest or play, was the suit. The pictures of them we most keenly study almost always see them suited.
Of course, in those pictures the guises of the suit are more varied than we are used to seeing today. Who now owns a white flannel suit for summer? Few enough own even linen suits, or wear tweed suits in the countryside. But the point is that a suit need not be grey or blue and it can be worn with just as much casual aplomb as jeans and a shirt, to infinitely better effect.
In truth, no single item in a man’s wardrobe flatters the essence of manliness quite like a suit. If well cut and well made, it is nothing short of armour in which to take on the daily trials of life; in one swift stroke it hides, disguises, conceals, enhances and augments. Only a military uniform, I would imagine, could empower the wearer more. And yet like most men of my generation I am inexorably dragged kicking and screaming towards ever greater informality of dress.
But, having matured in years and feeling less and less concerned about the opinions, or approval, of others I have come to the conclusion that what I need is a casual suit.
I want something as natural to throw on of a weekend when going out as my chinos and jean jacket. I want something which I can where as comfortably to dinner or a bar on a Saturday night as I can to visit a shirt maker or fashion show; something which is a suit, but doesn’t necessarily feel like one. Of course I doubt I’ll ever muster the casual, easy aplomb demonstrated by Bryan Ferry. But hope springs eternal.
To that end it’s not so much the style of suit that’s important as the cloth. The basic rule of thumb for suiting is that the further away you move from plain grey and navy blue worsted cloth the less formal and less business appropriate the suit is. This provides many options including cord, cotton and linen. However, I’ve decided that my weekend suit needs to be a bold check and a wool cloth.
My feeling is that any plain cloth would still be a little too formal for my project, and while cord would be less formal it lacks seasonal versatility. Linen, even a check linen cloth, would have the same problem. But a wool cloth of around 10oz with some form of bold check would provide the seasonal flexibility I’m after – except on all but the hottest days - while checks have a natural informality. They also resonate with country tweeds and so seem a much more fitting material for a weekend suit. I have seen this concept of the weekend or casual suit done well and it’s one I’m desperate to get underway. But, as I have some equally pressing needs within my suiting armoury I’ve held fire.
In the next posting I’ll highlight two other concepts under active consideration.
Home > Designer Bags, man fashion > Man Fashion : Totes that You Don't Want to Miss Man Fashion : Totes that You Don't Want to Miss
2:46 PM Contributed by JW Email This Post Print This Post Save As PDF
Had my weekend shopping last week and noticed that more and more mens out there love to carry tote bags. All these can be explainable ans nowadays tote bags are no longer women's fashion, to men, their practicality and fashionable style too. Usually, tote bags are designed to be in large size, which can enable people to carry more things that you may happen to buy at the supermarkets apart from basic personal necessities. We are sure you will find totes are top choices to create trendy and fashionable styles in your daily life.
In the following selection, we have recommend these 4 totes that worth to consider.
Hermes Arion Hold All illustrates the French luxury house's strength in understatement. Sturdy leather webbing crafted from Hermes's signature Evercalf tobacco brown calfskin wrap around a navy canvas body, while discreet H shaped hardware hints at the brand's heritage.
Bally Macomer J Weekender bag sport refined leather trims, Bally iconic red woven stripes and embroidered crests for dashing old-world mien
Tod's Competition Shopping Tote This is a modern and sporty winner. Function-driven, this water resistant bag comes with a leather bound hook and a stud fastener which replaces common zippers.
Tumi Townhouse Wilton Messenger Bag This is ruggedly handsome, featuring a canvas body in smoky quartz, it is spacious enough for your daily knick knacks and gym gear while textured leather flap and straps underscore its machismo, perfect for tight schedule city boy like you.
Instead of showing on a classic runway, Kris Van Assche opted to present his Dior Homme Spring Summer 2012 Collection in a salon replica of the Avenue Montaigne Dior store. The designer’s idea this season was to transpose the House’s savoir-faire into real-world clothing. In short, make modern, everyday clothes while keeping to tradition. Following last season’s lines, minimalism was still en vigor.
“The same man evolves and yes he has the same hat” explained a smiling Kris Van Assche backstage. Pure lines and luxurious materials dominated the scene, with pieces made of silk, linen, and cotton looked both ample and comfortable.
But the color palette was not muted this go around. Instead, KVA offered a multitude of color tones, with shades of white, beige, blue petrol, grey jade, and black. The sleeveless shirts are draped in the back, highlighting the atelier’s work. The name of the collection “Less and More” defines the collection said Van Assche backstage. “You take the minimal but you create it with the maximum of luxury. This is what Dior is about” the keen designer mentioned to the press after the show.
Kris’ greatest asset seems to be his innate skill at making clothing that is both pragmatic, comfortable, and while remaining ever so simple; a point he drove home when he added , “I want real clothes, clothes that are made to be worn, more formal and relax while being luxurious.” But perhaps the best feeling a designer can ever come to experience is seeing his or her work being enjoyed by others; an idea not lost on the rising star of menswear as he mentions that “I find my ideas from the everyday life, I like the idea of the clothes being worn in the streets (smile) not only shown on the runway.” The perfect example of luxury is shown on the tee shirt, perfectly cut with amazing details such as the camel leather trim collar. The first five looks have a meaning, are made of the same patron fabrics that is use to create the clothes, and symbolize the know how of the Dior atelier.
