It is the night that sets the scene for the next 6 weeks, the BAFTAs are Sunday the 10th February and then the Academy Awards are on Sunday 24th. It’s go time in Hollywood.
This means I have a lot of films to watch before the BAFTAs, (Les Miserables, The Sessions & Beasts of the Southern Wild to name a few;) this is the very best time of year to indulge in weekly if not daily cinema trip. Of course with award ceremonies comes the red carpet, where we love, laothe and scrutinise every dress, shoe and clutch bag that walks the red carpet. With this being the first, what are the key trends that may move onto the red carpet in London at next months BAFTAs?
Let’s do this.
It is the column cut and simple line of this Chanel Couture design that makes it both modern and classic, the slight flare of the peplum gives Hathaway more of a curve; what more do you need that Chanel and a Hollywood smile? With Les Miserables storming the charts, I hope to see her in London for the BAFTAs…
My favourite red carpet dresses are always Riccardo Tisci, who designs pieces that make a loud statement without shouting, with strong colour (Zoe Saldana circa the 2010 Academy Awards) in different fabrics and finishes, and of course with beautiful detailing and embellishments. Here Seyfried looks angelic; that hair!
Amy Adams proves how elegant and sophisticated both pale skin and nude tones look when together, if anything I think more colour would ruin this look. The figure hugging body and dramatic tulle flair make a stunning silhoutte.
I love that the Grantham sisters have gone from Downton Abbey to Hollywood, via a cover for LOVE magazine. The lace detail dress works beautifully here; it has a touch of vintage but without looking too ‘period-drama.’ My only thing would be to accessorise with a different colour, a grey/neutral Bottega Veneta clutch would work here and tone down any brassyness.
She really does look pretty doesn’t she? Like an angelic colum dress embellished with sweeties and sherbet and plastic flowers. Always one to love our British designers, Sienna looks so charming in this Erdem S/S design; it definitely flies the British flag for fresh and innovative fashion.
I am DESperate to see Django Unchained and can only imagine that Kerry Washington is dangerously sexy/cool. You don’t often see Miu Miu on the red carpet; here the mix of sheer fabric and detailing is elegant, classy and sexy in equal parts. The embellishment is clever because it pulls you in to her chest and thighs, without losing its edge and dignity. But I have to ask, why is everyone insistant on matching their accessories to their dress and shoes? Drop the nude and champagne accessories – and add in simple and sleek sky-high black Saint Laurent or Givenchy heels.
Another Brit babe bringing one of our best designers onto the red carpet, Thandie goes rogue and chooses a cheeky short number from Giles. The Golden Globes are the younger sister to the Academy Awards, so stars do side-step the old school glamour and experiment more; I love the short-skirt-high-neckline balance and all over embellishment.
So pretty, Emily Blunt is one of my favourite actors, plus I always think we would get on very well ( arr – I know that sounds silly, but do you know what I mean?) Both Emily Blunt and Kristen Wiig wore Michael Kors’ cut-out designs, and I just can’t decide what I think. You can’t overlook Blunt looks gorgeous, but the fabric looks cheap and scratchy and although I love to mix textures colours and prints – I really dislike those gobstopper earrings.
How does she get that glow? Is it the latino lineage? Does that mean I could never look this good, or wear coral? (I am not too concerned about the latter.) Jessica Alba looks delicious but I loathe that pinky/orange coral tone, despite it looking fabulous with her colourings. The full, tiered-bustle skirt gives great drama, but what in the name of Oscar de la Renta is she carrying in her left hand?
This Dior look ticks the right boxes, bright, full, strapless with statement earring, a belt to cinch in, create and draw attention to a waspish waist and subtle corset-like detailing. But one thing bothered me, I wanted to run on stage and pull it up, I looks as if it is slipping and re-moulding her bust into a cone shape – c’est ne pas chic. However, Jennifer Lawrence did look like a true Hollywood starlet.
Claire Danes has graduated from, ‘was she Juliet in Baz Luhrman’s film?’ to full-on Homeland international star. This Versace number is in my red, I absoloutely adore bright red/orange tones but that is all; halter neck dresses look too sporty and nod to the 1990s, and why has she gone for boozey red shoes? This dress needs fiercely sexy killer heels I think. Danes did have a baby 4 weeks ago, so to be fair, she looks unbelieveable.
Eh? What? Why? I don’t understand? A shimmering asymettric, Grecian’ish dress? Of course she looks divine, she is divine, but this is lost on me. Yes it is different and a huge step away from Cotillard’s failsafe black Dior looks, but this head-to-toe block orange with matching pointies leaves me cold.
Kate Hudson gets serious catwalk-credits for this dark romantic/gothic design from Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Even though it only reveals her decolletage it is achingly sexy; proving that less is absolutely more. The mix of black velvet and opulent gold detailing is stunning; this is where Morticia Adams meets McQueen for dark glamour.
Helen Mirren is inpiring – just look at her! She doesn’t do mutton-dressed-a- lamb, and would never look frumpy in hiding her fantatsic figure; she knows exactly how to dress her curves for the red carpet. The gold detailing frames her bust and waist creating a clever hourglass silhouette. Black is not kind to ageing skin but this really works and is another nod to the gothic glamour trend.
Oh Rosie! Angelina take note, this is how you flash a bit of leg without becoming an immediate international joke. The hair and face and perfectly preened without being overdone, leaving the sexy, slinky, sleek Saint Laurent dress to take centre stage. The high neckline and thigh-high split ooze sex appeal, and the leather detailing adds in a touch of A-list S&M styling. It’s just amazing.
So, looking at the headline looks, red, white and black with a shimmer of metallic appear to be the key red-carpet trends so far, but what will we see at the BAFTAs? Remember, on the night of February 10th it will be asbolutely freezing, think sneaky thermals and hand warmers hiding behind the clutch bag. Watch this space.