The Oscars: Red Carpet Winners and Losers

The 83rd Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars, kicked off last night at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. I have to admit I stayed up until 2am to watch the red carpet entrance so I could spy on the A-listers and their gowns. Some say sad, I rather say 'committed' :) Committed to fashion that is, not to, y'know...

Anyway here are hit and misses from last night:

Amy Adams proved a nomination for best dressed as well as Best Supporting Actress in her navy sequined gown by L'Wren Scott.

Halle Berry in a nude and crystal encrusted corset gown with silk tulle ruffles by Marchesa.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein. So metallic and slinky, showing off her slender figure, love it.

Hilary Swank in ostrich feathers in Gucci. She looks positively feminine, an achievement for the Swankster.

Absolutely ADORE this Kaufman Franco dress Camila Alves is wearing. Combined with the Lorraine Schwartz earrings and elegant up-do is so vintage Hollywood chic. Always dreamed of a big dress like this.

Best Actress Winner Natalie Portman in Rodarte. Rodarte were the designers behind the costume in the film responsible for her win, Black Swan, so it felt appropriate to pay homage to them at the event. The first second I saw the dress I liked it but felt it a bit boring for one of the main winners, but upon reflection the colour looks stunning against her skin tone and the shape is flattering for her cute little baby bump. Also loving the side swept 40's curls and Tiffany's earrings.

Best Supporting Actress nominee Hailee Steinfeld looked gorgeous in a Marchesa gown which she, apparently, helped co-design herself! Limitless talent. Although some people are criticising the heels on the 14 year old, I say if you can't do it all at the Oscars, when can ya?

And then there are the not so great....

Ok I know everyone loves Helena Bonham-Carter and her literally flying the flag for Britain, but I'm just going to say it - her 'I don't care about clothes' is kind of boring me. Her dress is similar to many others she has worn, and is ill fitting. I think it is the John Lennon glasses that are starting to grate. I do love her but I am just getting a little bored. Still, going to the Oscars in a labeless dress is amazing, and in her defence, her statement that "Its about film not fashion" cannot be contested.

The Givenchy gown just doesn't work on Cate Blanchett. The bottom half is pretty but the bizarre circle panel has a lumpy effect on her torso, and the yellow back doesn't complement her skin. The dress overall is too quirky for the traditional Oscars, and the traditional Cate.

20-year-old Best Actress nominee Jennifer Lawrence looks BORING. The little known (before now) actress had a chance to make herself and her style known on this remarkable occassion but instead opted for this super-minimalist Calvin Klein number.

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana. Eurgh. Seriously do not understand the mass appeal with this woman half the time.

WINNER: BIGGEST FASHION CASUALTY OF THE NIGHT

Nicole Kidman. Ah Nicole, Nicole, Nicole. Obviously standing by Galliano in this Christian Dior polava, she looks like she wrapped herself in a carpet and threw on some tacky diamontes. Also what is with the tangerine orange heels?! Wrong colour for her skin, awkward shape, and looks unfinished. Take a bow Ms Kidman.

The Sartorialist Speaks Out

A video for our think tanks

Hermanos Inglesos feat. MeMe - "Wanderland" from Michélé De Feudis on Vimeo.

Look of the day:

Musician Marina Diamandis @ the NME Awards

I am LOVING this look by the Marina and the Diamonds singer at the NME music awards last night. She has mastered that perfect cross between modern rock sexy and a girly candy cute. I went through a faze where I used to wear outlandish bows on my head myself so I am channelling the tie-dye headpiece, which is complimented by the neon lipstick. Marina is so lucky to have that Mediterranean skin tone which only enhances the glow of the white dress, and she can actually match the dark accessories to her own hair. The split-thigh says sex appeal with the rainbow extras pinpointing her own eccentricity.

Down on Fashion Street

London Fashion Week drew to a close today. Here are some of the best of the 'normal' people gracing the halls of Somerset House in some street styles pics of the event.

I had to put this above one in purely because I need to point out that I don't think I have EVER seen a man with ankles as skinny as that. EVER. And I go to LCF...

Lol this man actually wrote 'Diva' under occupation.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these pictures.

Bonjour Monseiur

I am loving Monsieur Steve at the moment. No he is not a close personal French friend, (as much as I would like one), he is a t-shirt and accessories designer specialising in simple quirky takes on the big fashion house names. I actually discovered him a while back but he hs only recently started branching out his collections, with the newer pieces being witty and trendy. These are my favourites, the dirty and the dark:

Visit the store here.

Moving up in the world!

ETQTE BBY has a new address. I have lost the 'blogspot' detail and so...

the blog is now at:

www.etiquettebaby.com

spread the word.

The curse of fashion.

I want to be thin like the model.

I want to be successful like the writer.

I want to be creative like the artist.

I want to be pretty like the muse.

I want to be rich like the celebrity.

I want to be talented like the musician.

I want to be acknowledged like the icon.

I want to be fashionable like the stylist.

I want to be cool like the photographer.

I want to be happy like the person viewing, watching, listening to it all but doesn't do any one of these things.

Dragonflies fantasised

Thom Yorke us all a Valentine present this week when he along with the rest of Radiohead aka. best band in the world, gave us the new album EARLY.

Had to post this because this blog is about beautiful things and to be honest it doesn't get much more beautiful than this. In my opinion the best song on the album. Curl up and listen. Peace.

WGSN Trend Forecasts

I was lucky enough this week to attend a WGSN Trend Forecasting Lecture. WGSN is probably the most reliable source of fashion forecasting so I sat up, listened, documented, and then wrote it all down for you all to see.

They named 3 new trends from the coming year in fashion:

'Faux Real', '360 Degrees', and 'Your Space', all very interesting concepts that are extremely varied to satisfy all different genres of taste.

Please excuse the very low-res photos but my usual camera was broken so used a replacement at the last minute. You get the picture.

'FAUX REAL' Autumn/Winter 2011/12

The basics:

• Looking fake as fake becomes real, taking heritage values out of context.
• This trend is all about TEXTURE.

This outfit is by Custo Barcelona.

It is a tactile coat; the pink makes it look obviously fake, a kitsch luxury. Digital printing and matte black solidifying colours embalm the look together. Other fashion ideas to look out for with this trend are colour blocking and body panelling.

With formal wear, there is now a definite anti-sweet, anti-feminine, anti-floaty/boho ideology. It is replaced with tight, black, punky punches but also allow sweeter ideals, like pink hues, to soften the look if it is too much for personal taste.

Overview:

• Angular faceting is a flattering way to mould the female form.
• brash accessories are conspicuously fake.
• Matte black pieces provide a quiet backdrop for manipulated surfaces.
• Look for pieces which pay a playful homage to design icons.

'360 DEGREES' Autumn/Winter 2011/12

The basics:

• Futuristic technologies combine with ancient traditions.
• We take a 360 degree view of a garment.
• Movement and fluidity offer a 3D experience.
• Clever cutting creates a focus on SHAPE.

This trend is all about transition; looking at everything from future technological aspects to ancient rural. We need to see all perspectives and combine them. For example the necklace in the above picture shows a fusion between the stark simplicity of the rope and the contemporary connotations of the metal put together to create a well rounded style - a 360 degree style. SHAPE is outlined as the key aspect in this trend, as was texture with faux real, 36 degrees is all about contortion.

Fashion wise, the look is best when made to look fun and playful. Formal wear should have a healthy dose of eccentricity and very much pieces being styled up, though this is much more folksy where the last one was sporty. Casual wear should show patches of hap-hazard, fun, styling. Spicy construction whilst not forgetting sustainability. There is a mix between digital and spiritual moods. In essence, it is a creative trend that allows a lot of imagination to seep through.

Accessories to look out for:

'Statement' shoes, chunky knits, furs, capes.

This outfit is by Custo Barcelona again.

(ref: navajo coat, vagabond look)

Overview:

• Ancient spiritual patterning is reworked for a digital age.
• Rugged and cosy accessories have a wild folk feel.
• Comfort and movement follow through from casual wear to formal wear.

'YOUR SPACE' Autumn/Winter 2011/12

The basics:

• Clean up, organise, compartmentalise and focus on the essentials.
• Be inspired by uniformity and sartorial etiquette.
• Designs driven by functionality are fit for purpose.

This trend has a formalised look of the 1930's and 1940's but uses it in a unified and contemporary way; honing in on pieces that have longevity, classic and personal appeal. The silhouette differs from the traditional with boxy silhouettes for military - which is still very much an alive trend. The trend, overall, is unmistakably masculine with casual androgyny.

With regards to casual and formal looks and use of accessories:

Denim is still current, a return of tunics, capes, and even aprons. Anything with boxy shapes. The idea of having outfit for best will be prominent but everything should be simple and not over-styled. This does not mean ideas can't be mixed however as pieces such as negligee maxi dresses could be seen frequently. Outfits should 'speak' to you - conversational polkadots and floral prints, feminine nostalgia evoked.

Overview:

• Look at this as the new direction for military and utility looks.
• Think about pieces which are functional and versatile for your consumer's life.
• Hardwearing fabrications provide a rugged practicality.
• Pare back to the essentials and be restrained in editing collections.

WGSN ALSO LOVES...

After the fashion trend talk, WGSN gave a short speech about other ideas to watch out for over the next few years with regards to fashion as an industry, society, and innovation. Thoroughly inspiring and useful to anyone interesting in forecasting.

1. The humble vending machine. Sounds odd but the contraption has already started being used as a method of selling in the fashion industry. This picture in particular shows a vending machine by Katie Grand used for Selfridges. It poses a debate between what is disposable in fashion and what it sought for an unattainable. It also fuses extreme luxury with everyday needs. Also seen using the vending machine idea have been Zandra Rhodes and Commes des Garcons at Dover Street Market.

2. The new androgyny. Gender manipulation is back. Rising numbers of models on the catwalk are toning down the femininity and embracing male influence. Look at Lady Gaga's widely renowned cover for Vogue Japan.

3. The influx of 4d. Fashion film has been growing in popularity as an outlet of both advertising as well as inspiration. 3d has been done to the maximum and so now comes the next realm. Look at Ralph Lauren's show-stopping 4d show on both Madison Avenue in New York and Bond Street in London. The fashion label truly took fashion film out of the context of the internet, adding atmospheric perfume and a loud soundtrack to created a 4d sensory experience. Obviously a highly publicised example but 4d can also be done on a budget which is what makes it great; definitely something to look out for.