SAG Awards 2008
It may sound absolutely stupid, but I was beginning to have award-show-fashion withdrawal. I mean, I completely agree that the Writer's Strike should take precedent over anything else, but still. I need my red carpet looks in January/February/March. It's part of the year.
Needless to say, I was WAY too happy when the SAG awards rolled around, even though I have never watched it before. It wasn't surprising that most actors pulled out their A-game outfits for the show, since the rest of the season (including the Oscars) is still in question. The hits actually outweighed the misses, which is uncommon for these less-prominent award ceremonies.
Since I'm already being such a nerd for even mentioning all of this, it only seems right for me to post my favorites and not-so favorites! I doubt anyone will read this, but still, I had fun compiling this.
Favorites:
(l-r)
Kate Beckinsale in Luisa Beccaria: Many critics were ambivalent about this dress, but I actually quite liked it. The theme of the evening was neutrals, so for her to step out in canary yellow was such a breath of fresh air. Her hair was a bit messy, but it followed the trend of the evening (maybe too well).
America Ferrera in Monique Lhuillier: LOVED IT. I mean, I know I have an soft spot in my heart for chantilly lace, but seriously. The fit was perfect for her, flowing off her hips into a barely-there train. The dress was gorgeous, her hair was gorgeous, and it was all good. In fact she would have been my favorite, if not for...
Marion Cotillard in Nina Ricci: I tend towards dramatics, but. Guh. Perfection to the nth degree. The bodice is amazing on her thin frame, and the skirt is just full enough to add drama for the occasion. I'm still torn between the hairstyle she chose and the more romantic tousled look that many wore. It could have potentially unbalanced the beauty of the dress, so I'm not dwelling on it. And finally! Someone who realized that there's a middle ground between bare neck and clunky over the top jewelry. It was just amazing, really.
Questionable:
Sandra Oh in Kim Me Hee: This was a toss-up for me, because on one hand, I ADORE that she is representing her cultural heritage in a modern take of a traditional Korean hanbok. The lines were so vibrant against the red carpet, and the pink was a nice pop. Here's the problem. I hatehatehate the bow and the tube top in general. I understand the designer was trying to make a couture version of the tiny bow on the hanbok, but this was ridiculous. And the tube was completely unforgiving on her small chest, which could have been fixed by just adding more support and less binding. Awesome in theory, not so good in real life.
Not So Good:
(l-r)
Tilda Swinson in Prada: Just not good. I don't know what else to say. Okay, maybe I do: "Ma'am, you're wearing ten yards of gun-metal silver silk. As a SUIT." That pretty much sums it up for me.
Cate Blanchett in Balenciaga: To start, I usually love Cate Blanchett's style. It's always elegant and effortless. So I can't even explain how much it pains me to say that I hated her dress. HATED IT. She's pregnant and beautiful and should not be allowed to look sofa-esque when faced with two nominations. And to make things worse, fashion critics LOVED IT! I don't get it, really I don't. To me, the pattern's way too busy for that much material, and clashes with the ivory in her skin. If it were on anyone other than Cate, would critics still like it that much? I'll let you ponder that, while thinking back to Catherine Zeta-Jones' Oscar dress in 2003. Now that was an amazing maternity dress.
Jane Krakowski in Malandrino: Oh, Catherine Malandrino, how could you steer someone so wrong? I'm pretty sure this dress was from her disasterous 2007 Resort line, which already is a bad call for the red carpet. It should be about glamour and elegance, not Cabo. Add in the crazy colorful cottonballs around the neckline, and it's just so bad. If I had any snark left in me after all that, I would tear into the awful decision about rouching horizontally around the v-neck bustline, which is utter madness, but I don't so I won't.
Jesus.
Wow, it has been way too long since I've been able to hyperanalyze fashion. Now on to NY Fashion Week, which is shaping up to be ridiculously great. If I'm not bogged down by school and life in general, I may come and comment on a few of my favorite RTW lines. Yay Fall avant-gardeness!