A Golden Evening: Take Two

So, you saw my least favorite outfits of the night in the last post. But are you ready for the ones that didn't disappoint? Well, even if you're not, I'm ready to tell you!

Here we go...

Ginnifer Goodwin in Vionnet and Neil Lane jewels. Do these photos just look like they could have come straight out of an advertising campaign? The dress, the makeup, the hair... Even holding that umbrella. All of it works beautifully. I don't usually love any kind of draping that gives you those artificially large hips, but I think it works on this dress.

Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani Prive and Chopard jewels. Helllooooo old Hollywood glamour! I'm not even sure what I can say aside from she looks beautiful! Her figure looks amazing and the lace at the top just adds an extra touch of femininity that I adore. Soft waves and makeup finish off the look perfectly.

Diane Kruger in Christian Lacroix, Sergio Rossi pumps, and Chanel jewels. I cannot say enough glowing things about this dress. The top half just looks like a work of art, and the color is absolutely my favorite of the entire night. The fabric looks like it's just floating on air, even if the cut of the skirt isn't my favorite. I love the light makeup and simple hair, too. It really let's the dress be the star.

Also, let's talk about her best accessory...

The most adorable umbrella-holder ever, and Diane's longtime boyfriend, Joshua Jackson! Le sigh. Yes, that is my high-school heart doing flip-flops over my love for Pacey.

Christina Hendricks (AKA Real-Life Jessica Rabbit) in my favorite Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano. How gorgeous is she? I like the giant ruffle, and I think the whole effect is so great that I'm ignoring the slightly wrinkled fabric. Those earrings are gorgeous, as well. The makeup is my favorite part. I haven't figured out how she manages to have the most amazing skin on the planet, but also how she manages to always wear fabulous red lipstick as a redhead. I'm truly impressed. Can I also say how nice it is to see her owning those serious curves? You go, Christina. I can't wait for Mad Men to come back!

Drew Barrymore in Atelier Versace, a Roger Vivier clutch, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels. Okay, I'm completely ignoring those weird pouffy things coming off the side and on her shoulder. I love the rest of the dress so much that I just don't care that those things are there. The champagne silk chiffon is so pretty and it fits her perfectly, I think she looks amazing.

Christina Aguilera in Versace. Can I hand out a "Most Improved" award? Because, let me tell you, I have not seen Christina look this soft and lovely in a long time! I'm actually really excited about it! The hair and makeup is perfect, the dress is girly and floaty while being a little edgy with the silver bustier... I just love it all around.

Okay, I have one more person to talk about... I debated with myself about whether or not she belonged on the worst dressed portion of my post, but in the end I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt since I love her as an actress and she made up for her Red Carpet FAIL by an awesome after party dress.

Chloe Sevigny in Valentino and a Roger Vivier clutch. I don't know... It's not bad at this angle. At some angles, though, it just made her look huge. I do like the way it flowed as she moved. It's a very pretty color, too. Unfortunately, an usher stepped on her train as she was on her way up to the stage to accept her award. Big no-no. Thankfully, she had a backup for the after party.

I love it! I wish she'd worn this on the red carpet! It comes straight from the Christian Lacroix Fall 2009 Couture show and it just looks fabulous and fun. Congrats, Chloe, on the Golden Globe and on that fabulous party dress. Hope you had a blast!

So, that's it folks. My favorites of the night.

What do you think? Am I crazy? Did I miss someone you absolutely adored? Let me know!

[photo credits: people.com, justjared.buzznet.com]

My Dearest Christina...

This is not okay.

What in the world were you thinking? Was it something along the lines of:

"Oh, hey... I'm hosting a New Years Eve shindig in a trendy club in Las Vegas, let me whore it up so I can compete with all the other skanks trying to take my spotlight?"

Cause, uh, that's definitely what it looks like.

That Moschino slip dress is just... Well, it looks like a nightgown, okay? I'm pretty sure it's been more than a decade since this look was in. Get with it.

And the hair? WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR? It looks like you let your adorable son, Max, take a pair of scissors and go at it. It looks kinda fried, kinda greasy, kinda uneven, and just... UGH. And I know you've been bleached blond for, like, ever, but for the love of God, have you ever heard of low lights?

As for the makeup... I never know why on Earth you feel the need to pile on the clown makeup. You don't need it! You're a pretty girl! I know you are! I've been a fan since your Genie in a Bottle days and I remember you telling everyone on MTV how "you think you know, but you have no idea." And honey, let me tell you, I really don't have any idea who lets you out in public like this.

Hasn't anyone ever told you to emphasize eyes OR lips, not both? Because if you do both you tend to look like a streetwalker?

No? No one has mentioned this golden rule to you? Well, that's very unfortunate because now you're constantly out in public looking like, well...a freakin' streetwalker.

I know you tried to be all matchy-matchy thing with your lipstick-nail polish-shoes-red carpet but it's really unnecessary. Or if you insist on the matchy-matchy, a simple cat-eye look would have been great.

Oy. Vay.

On a side note, I do have to give you props for the Stephen Webster jewelry. I'm really loving this necklace & ring combo.

And those shoes are fierce.

You're rockin' these Louboutins like it's nobody's business. Which is fab, because you definitely needed a little somethin'-somethin' to redeem this outfit.

So now that we've had our little chat, I really want to see you fire your makeup artist, find a new stylist, and please-please-PLEASE get a new hairdresser.

Love always,

Leelee

P.S. Even if you continue to run with this whole streetwalker thing? You can pretty much sing the pants off just about anyone on the planet, so I'll forgive you. And I'll keep buying your records and going to your concerts. If you ever do another one. *Ahem. Cough cough.* GET ON IT. It's been too long since your last album.

Capiche??

[photo credits: dailymail.co.uk, justjared.buzznet.com]

Project Runway Meets Moulin Rouge... Only Less Fun

This week's episode of Project Runway was a blur of sequins, feathers, and runaway beads. The designers seemed especially frazzled at the prospect of impressing fashion legend, Bob Mackie, and pop princess, Christina Aguilera (girl needs to lay off the bad haircuts/blindingly bright lipstick/orange faux tan), and it definitely showed in the end results.

The judges were having quite a night themselves, as they blasted one look after the other with some rather harsh (and mostly deserved) comments. I, for one, was highly entertained by the train wreck of an episode.

I was also, unfortunately, pretty disappointed with the final runway looks. This is supposed to be a stage look for Christina Aguilera, people. Have you all seen some of the crazy stuff that girl wears off stage, let alone on it? I can't imagine why people were so safe in their designs. I mean, black is all fine and dandy but where was all the hot pink/bright blue/gold/etc that you can actually use when you're creating a stage costume? There was some sparkle, some feathers, some metallics... But most of it was very blah to me.

Let's get to the runway, shall we?

"You're both thinking she comes out in a pumpkin and then pops out."

Tim Gunn sure hit the nail on the head with that workroom quip about Althea Harper and one of the other designers. What is this big reveal they kept going for? This gorgeous silver dress had a hideously-ugly-feathered-motorcycle-jacket-type thing on top of it when the model first stepped onto the runway. Why? Because Althea wanted there to be a "wow" factor"

Uhm... What? Shouldn't the dress itself be a wow factor? It's supposed to be a stage outfit, is it not? Ridiculous. I was so annoyed by that fuzzy jacket thing that I was hoping her dress (which I do like very much) wouldn't win.

"Irina is actually a really good designer. Her only problem is that she's a bitch."

Ding, ding, ding! Fellow designer, Nicolas Putvinski, was so right about Irina Shabayeva. But just we're clear, Nicolas, it takes one to know one.

Yes, she is a really good designer. Yes, she is really talented. Yes, she usually has great taste. But she freakin' knows it. That's the problem. She knows she's good and assumes no one else can possibly even begin to compare.

Newsflash, Irina. It's really annoying. Get over yourself.

Oh, and your oh-so-amazing dress? Not that impressive. Kinda cute. Kinda sparkly. Mostly it just looked liked upscale lingerie. Or a figure skating costume. Yawn. I'm disappointed. This dress is certainly nothing to write home about. Or brag on national television about. Keep that in mind next time you run your mouth, Irina.

"I just decided to toss it and start all over."

And this is what you came up with? Oh, honey...

As last week's winner, Gordana Gehlhausen certainly needs to thank her lucky stars that she had immunity this week. Otherwise, her massive meltdown in the workroom would have had her packing her bags and heading home. What the hell is this? Some weird crocheted sequin tunic over a flowy evening gown? I don't get it. It's just ugly and unflattering. And what in the world is going on in the boob area? Are those buttons or something? It just makes no sense. None at all. I'm talking epic fail here.

"This is by far the best Project Runway moment ever."

So, Nicolas, this is what you create when your so-called idol is sitting in front of you? Don't get me wrong, it's very nice. It's clearly well-constructed, the concept is very cute, and it looks great on the model and would probably look great on Christina Aguilera... But I'm bored. It also looks just like everything else Nicolas has produced this season. Is he aware that there is a whole broad spectrum of colors out there? You don't have to use white every time, dude. Try something new. It won't hurt. I promise.

And for the love of God, please step away from the flat iron!

Seriously. No flat iron necessary for this limp mess of hair.

"I wouldn't put that on a chorus girl, let alone a star." - Bob Mackie

"This is 1999 in the costume department." - Tim Gunn

"This was tasteless." - Nina Garcia

"You get a big E for effort." - Christina Aguilera (she was impressively sweet to all the designers)

I'm not sure what else I can say about Christopher Straub's poorly constructed, ill-fitting, sad imitation of Christina's Lady Marmalade costume? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Hey, Chris... This is what that costume is supposed look like:

If you're going for that look, go all the way, you know?

"It's a little cavewoman..."

Yes. Yes it is. That cut up fur thing is tacky, as are the chains all over it. The dress isn't tragic... It's a cute little shimmery mini dress and that side seam is kinda cool... But eh. I'm underwhelmed. It just doesn't seem like it fits her very well. I'm digging the metallic zebra print, though. It's definitely fun. I just don't think Logan Neitzel took it far enough. I'm also convinced that the judges keep him around because he's a really great piece of eye candy.

"I think you have a major wow factor here."

Really, Tim? Are you sure? Wow-factor? I'm not sure I would go that far. It's definitely a very nice dress. Unfortunately it's hard to see all the details in photos, but there was a ton of great detail work. Feathers and sequins and all kinds of fun stuff. It fit the model perfectly and really made her waist look teeeeeeeny-tinyyyyyy.

I'm still kinda bored. It's a beautiful dress, no doubt, but I just don't think it's a stage costume. It's a good beginning. Just not...enough.

Either way, the judges outvoted me and decided that Carol Hannah was the winner. Congrats, Carol! Awesome job, especially for someone who's never done anything as over the top as this.

"I just don't know why Shirin is still here. Her design sensibility is very bargain basement."

Actually, no, Irina, it's not. You're just a bitch.

Everything else we've seen from Shirin Askari has been quite lovely. She's won a challenge and been in the top 3 for many others. I'm really sad to see her go... Even though this tragedy of a dress was appropriately described by the judges as unfortunate and dowdy. Heidi refers to it as an upscale Halloween dress and Tim Gunn's assessment that it looks like Guinevere meets Vampira was pretty spot on. He also told her it looks like student work. Ouch.

So, it's auf wiedersehen to Shirin and I, for one, do not agree.

Come on, guys! Chris, sweetheart that he is, has been in the bottom two three times in a row now! This is the first time Shirin has even been in the bottom! What the hell kind of a decision is that? Not cool. Not at all.

So what did you think? Did the judges chose right? And who's super excited for what looks to be like a smackdown between Nicolas and Irina on next week's episode? I know I am!!

P.S. Don't forget you still have time to enter the Maybelline Big Chance Prize Pack! Check it out here!

[photo credits: mylifetime.com, movies.yahoo.com]