ON TO THE BEST DRESSED

Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci

Rooney Mara: Edgy cut-outs in black.  That seems to be Rooney’s M.O., so it’s expected.  At least the dress was interesting.

Photo Credit: Zimbio

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren:  Love the color on Helen, and the fact that there’s a different texture on the bottom.  Sophisticated with just the right amount of bling, at the waist, no doubt.  I really like this dress.

Paula Patton

Paula Patton: Paula looks gorgeous in this classic mermaid silhouette, in the happiest hue of yellow.  I don’t hate it.  #winning.

AND ON TO THE WORST DRESSED!

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Angelina Jolie: I don’t know.  No, I can’t.  It’s just wrong.  The fabric looks cheap, the slash of red at the neckline isn’t a pleasant surprise, it’s an eye sore.  For once, I paid more attention to what Brad Pitt was wearing.

Amanda Peet

 Amanda Peet: Unfortunately, I think I’ve seen something like this before.  And it was a very unflattering wedding dress.

Missi Pyle

 Missi Pyle: The color’s not bad, but that’s the only good thing about this frock.  This dress looks like it came straight from Windsor.  Actually, Windsor has better looking dresses than this.

AND MORE FASHION FAILS

Natalie Portman, Repeat Offender

 Natalie Portman: I love Natalie Portman.  She’s known for her intelligence as well as her talent.  But I don’t understand why she repeated last year’s Golden Globes red and pink fiasco this year.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

AND IT GETS BETTER.  I MEAN WORSE.

Zooey and Emily Deschanel- Worst Dressed Duo, Double Fail

Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel: People seem to like Zooey’s zany fashion sense and I have to admit I don’t completely hate her dress.  I’m just having trouble articulating what I don’t like about.  But Emily, Betty White called and she wants her dress back.

Ok, that’s enough.  The rest of the week will be more positive, I promise!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: New York Times

Dear Fashionistas,

The weekend is finally here!  I’ve been recuperating from a minor surgery (all four wisdom teeth were removed on Wednesday- good riddance!) and while sipping on soups and apple sauce, I came upon this story about Holly Golightly’s party pad in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  One of Audrey Hepburn’s most memorable and celebrated roles, Holly Golightly embodied the quintessential It Girl, hosting the most unbelievable parties at this chic brownstone on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Holly Golightly and Hollywood aside, can you imagine the non-fictional  fetes hosted there?  Well, if you’d like to throw your own parties there, the brownstone’s yours for a mere $5.85 million.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: Zillow.com

(Video Credit: Zillow.com/Youtube.com)

Photo Credit: TMZ.com

Dear Fashionistas,

Now that the New Year is officially underway, and some of you may still be recovering from welcoming in 2012, I figured this story would be apropos.  Another lawsuit is on the rise, one that pits the fashion industry against the movie industry.  Louis Vuitton is suing Warner Bros. over the appearance of an allegedly fake LV bag used in Hangover 2 (an airport scene with stars Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms to be exact- see photo above).  Furthermore, LV wants Warner Bros. to pull all copies of the movie that contain the scene featuring the infamously “fake” bag.  The fashion house is also requesting triple damages stemming from the profits Warner Bros. made by using Louis Vuitton’s trademark, plus attorney’s fee and court costs.

I’ll do my best to keep you posted on any developments.  For more information, check out this article on FindLaw.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Sean- Awesomely 80's

 This ensemble is sooo Breakfast Club.  I have to say, Sean looks more like clean cut Andrew Clarke (Emilio Estevez, 3rd from left), but his clothes seem to be channeling bad boy John Bender (Judd Nelson, far left).

Kendra- Subtle colors, bold patterns

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: SyleBlazer.com

 Alright, my fashionist-O-s, here’s one for you!

Tom Ford, the man of mystery himself, is coming to the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) October 23rd.  Ford is featured in this week’s installment of “Visionaries: Inside the Creative Mind.”  Once at the creative helm of Gucci, Ford’s eponymous line has forever earned him a place in fashion history and the hearts of fashionistas the world over.  And perhaps, best of all, he’s a Texan.   (Born right in Austin : )

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: wwepw.com

I think fashion should be fun, bold, expressive and personal.  Having said that, this sentiment might well be the reason I favor the trend of color-blocking.  Although born of subjectivity, such sartorial exuberance is rarely achieved without the subject looking as though he or she is trying too hard.  Which completely defeats the purpose of color-blocking: celebration.  An unabashed, unapologetic, in-your-face saturation of colors that scream “I AM ALIVE, I AM FUN, and I don’t give a FLYIN’ FLIP what you think about my outfit!” 

But, if you’re not feeling that confrontational, either because you just realized that black, white, brown and beige do not a wardrobe make, or that there’s life beyond matching your belt to your shoes, it’s understandable that color-blocking my seem a bit bizarre to you, and therefore, off-limits.  I get it.  Baby steps.  But I promise you that all articles of clothing don’t have to match.  In fact, “match” is a f-o-u-r letter word in fashion.  I’d like you to instead focus on this concept: coordination. 

Great.  Now that that’s out of the way, I want to share with you another amazing trend: monochromatic looks.  That’s right.  An entire ensemble- in one color.  “But Nik,” you chime, “I thought you just said matching is a f-o-u-r letter word.”  Aha!  Monochromatic looks are not about matching, but coordinating different hues from the same color family.  Plus, if color-blocking seems a little schizophrenic to you, why not first test the fashion waters in a singularity of color?   

Let me assure you monochromatic looks are not boring.  If anything, it’s sartorial irony.  One color, but in a litany of eye-catching shades.  Done right, monochromatic dressing is youthful, without being juvenile, and fashion-forward without causing you stumble on your style journey.  For inspiration, look no further than Glee character Emma Pillsbury.  (Who do you think you’re kidding?  I know you watch the show.)  Emma has inspired an entire blog, devoted to her fashion!  If you decide to take up this trend, may I suggest you start with blue?  I imagine every fashionista has jeans, so blue should be a good jumping off point to test this trend.  Ready to take the plunge?

 Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: Sundance Channel

Happy Valentine’s Day!  This couldn’t be a more perfect day to discuss my new found love: the fashion history series Love/Luston the Sundance Channel.  Just so happens I was half-way watching a documentary about Kate Moss on the Sundance Channel and it seems that Full Frontal Fashion is premiering a 4-part series called Love/Lust.  Love/Lust, a show “devoted to exploring the origins and impact of iconic fashion,” is the perfect fix for fashion nerds like me.  The first episode explored the history of the LBD (Little Black Dress) in all its glory and this Tuesday, the bikini will take center stage.  Make it a date and don’t miss Love/Lustat 9pm CST on the Sundance Channel.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo Credit: dvdtown.com

For those of you who enjoyed it the first time around, TNT is bringing back ‘Dallas’ with a cast of new actors and old favorites.  Big clothes, big hair and big egos, you know everything’s bigger in Texas.  I just hope the modern ‘Dallas’ delivers.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Recently, I wrote about Natalie Portman’s Golden Globe win for Black Swan and mentioned Rodarte’s role in designing the amazing costumes worn by Portman.  As it turns out, Rodarte won’t receive the top credit as the costume designer for the movie.  That accolade will likely go to Amy Westcott, the “front credit” designer for Black Swan. 

Apparently Kate and Laura Mulleavy were able to get a “backend” credit for their contribution to the film, and have learned a valuable lesson: always negotiate your credit upfront before signing on the dotted line.  For further reading about Rodarte and Black Swan, see Fashionista.com.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Well, as I’m sure you know, the Golden Globes were last night.  Congrats to the luminous Natalie Portman for her win for Best Actress for Black Swan.  Portman was featured in this month’s Vogue, dishing about her dark and disturbing portrayal as Nina, a ballerina who destroys herself in the pursuit of perfection.  I have not seen Black Swan yet, because I first heard that it was a horror film, which I don’t do.  At all.  However, now it’s been categorized as a psychological thriller, which I can stomach, even though it’s not my favorite genre.  I’m looking forward to seeing Ms. Portman’s award-winning performance and I’ve always respected her talent, from her first role in “The Professional” to now.

Perhaps fittingly, dynamic design duo Rodarte was responsible for the creation of the tutusworn by Portman.  Rodarte’s signature is deconstructed garments, which display a dichotomy of both dream and nightmare, and embody discipline and passion, which I imagine parallels the movie itself.

To accept her award, Portman donned a pretty pink Viktor & Rolf dress, accented with an unfortunate red rose at the decolletage.  It would’ve been better if she had had a tailor completely prune the distracting and awkward flower.  On a positive note, Portman’s choice in roles has earned her the respect of her peers and fans worldwide.  She truly is one of the best actresses of her generation and very deserving of her award. So  congratulations toNatalie Portman, Best Actress Golden Globe winner.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik