OSCARS FASHION WAR: Attendees VS. Celebrity Viewers

Every year, fashion lovers turn off their sewing machines and put down their fashion magazines to watch the ultimate display of designer couture arrive and make its way down the red carpet of the Oscars. This year was no different, except for the fact that the Oscar dresses didn’t capture the sole attention of the viewers. While watching the Pre-Oscar Red Carpet Special on television, fashion addicts blogged & tweeted about their most loved and despised dresses of the night. Not only were they talking about the dresses on the Oscars red carpet, but also talking about the dresses worn by celebrities attending the Elton John Oscar Viewing Party and the Vanity Fair Oscar Viewing Party. Both parties had big-name guest-lists; including stars like Selena Gomez, Kate Hudson and Heidi Klum. The biggest stars in Hollywood were at either Elton John or Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party.

The stylists of the Oscar nominees are all praying that the look that took them months to scout and put together will be the dress viewers and media are talking about for weeks. The problem I have found with the styling and dress choice for the Oscar nominees is that now more than ever, the stylists have tried to make such an impression that the look is either a huge success or massive failure. One conclusion I can definitely make from this observation is that the Oscar red carpet isn’t the only one to watch; the viewing party had just as many (if not more!) breathtaking dresses for fashion followers to gape at.

VS.

VINTAGES

Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Kate Hudson in vintage Versace gown.

Oscars Red Carpet.

Natalie Portman in vintage Dior Haute Couture.

VS.

MODERN SNOW WHITES

Elton John Oscar Party.

Dita Von Teese in Jenny Packman.

Oscars Red Carpet.

Rooney Mara in Givenchy.

VS.

POWER COUPLES

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes wearing Ellie Saab Haute Couture.

Oscars Red Carpet.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie wearing Atelier Versace

VS.

SECOND SKINS

Oscars Red Carpet.

Lilly Collins in Monique Luhillier.

Kristen Wiig in J.Mendel.

VS.

CLASSIC BLACKS

Elton John Oscar Party.

Nina Dobrev in J.Mendel.

Oscars Red Carpet.

Anna Ferris in Dianne Von Furstenberg.

What do you think? Are the dresses from the Oscar viewing parties just as stunning as those that attended the Oscars? Love to hear your thoughts!

All my photos are courtesy of justjared.com.

Stay tooned...

My next post will be on the dying of printed fashion magazines!

Jamie Duncan

@JamieLDuncan

Got Baggage?

Ladies, do your handbags qualify as carry-on luggage? Why do we need to carry around so much stuff? My suggestion: put your purse on a diet. Most of us are guilty of carrying around makeup, notepads, mirrors, energy bars, a change of clothes, water bottles, pacifiers, phones, and of course, your wallet. Have you weighed your purse lately? Lets do ourselves a favour and slim down this Spring.

Our small purses can even be painful. The really skinny straps might be digging you into a painful hole, the indentation along your shoulders from straps is never the best feeling when you're in the shopping mall or on your way to work. Break the habit of wearing your purse on the same shoulder, although it may seem uncomfortable at first- the results will be rewarding. Sometimes the repetition of wearing it on one side can lead to enough muscle and joint asymmetry to cause pain. Pain from purses can include neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, arm pain and even hand pain. Variation is key. Different purse, different shoulder, no purse, and a backpack are all various ways to break up a cycle of pain caused by a purse.

Or, you could keep your big painful purse, and pass it to your hubby to carry. If you read about the history of purses, you will find that men used to carry purses, too.

So, how did women end up with the heavy load anyways? The answer is fashion.

Dianne von Furstenburg Printed Canvas Backpack

Alexander Wang Rafael Structured Bag

Until next time...

Brittany Kaminski

@britkaminski

March 14th, 2012

Dressing out of Context?

The suburbs is known for being family oriented, having little traffic and noise, and lower crime rate but most definitely not for the trendsetters. So what is a fashionista to do if she decides to live in the suburbs rather than the city? It’s the most cost effective alternative, but not the most socially comfortable one. At first glance one might not think it would make a big difference, but then the awkward stares become apparent.

For instance, when shopping downtown Yorkville a fashionista feels inspired and at ease. Surrounded by beautiful clothes, people and the city make you feel confident and welcome. In comparison, while shopping in Square One a fashion forward female feels self-conscious and rushed. Picture a girl with chunky gold accessories, mint green Jeffrey Campbell’s, black sheer maxi dress and salmon coloured blazer lost in a crowd of Lulumen yoga pants and UGG boots. The stares all stem from confusion, ridicule, curiosity, and some interest. Feeling out of place in the mall, the one place a girl should fit in the most is when dressing out of context is the most clear.

Salmon Blazer

Jeffrey Campbell

Suburbia needs to be shaken up when it comes to being different. The population tends to conform and is scared of trying something new. So its time to leave uncomfortable stares behind and pull out your brightest pants to flaunt!

Written By: Laura Suarez

Fashion females cursed with the “ditz” stigma

My love for fashion is something that has always empowered me and ultimately what lead me to pursuing it as a career; however, recent events have also made me realize that being a fashionable female also has its downsides.

I recently took a contract in helping a finance company rebrand themselves and during this project I was forced to interact with many different types of people. The common denominator in every situation when meeting my vendors was the shock on their face when they realize that the same person who they have been communicating with via phone and email is in fact a young female with an array of colours, layers and accessories. It doesn't take them long to make a comment, joke or question about my attire and background experience. Without hesitation I tell people that I specialize in fashion marketing and merchandising; however still having experience in the finance industry. Unfortunately it appears that the moment I throw in the word “fashion” I am immediately discredited as a marketing professional.

The common misconception about females in fashion is that they are dumb, lazy, superficial, and handed everything in life. With fashion and business icons like Anna Wintour, Anna Dello Russo and Jeanne Beker in our world, how can this stigma exist?

Jeanne Beker

Anna Wintour

In an industry that is over flooded with competition, requires constant multi-tasking, and little pay to start with, this is a business that requires a thick-skinned individual.

Standing out within the sea of grey and black polyester suits is an inevitable truth that fashion females will face when expanding into other fields however it should not come with the false impression that we are not smart.

Written by: Laura Suarez

Impossible Conversations

The MET has done it again. The new exhibition, “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations”, at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art pays tribute to the two designers exemplifying the likeness between their works despite being separated by centuries.

Unfortunately for those of use stuck in Toronto, the city that seems torn between winter and spring, we are a plane ride away from this exhilarating exhibit. But for the lucky few who will be passing through The Big Apple during its run time, May 10-August 19^th, this is one not to miss!

Paying tribute to two of the greatest fashion shapers of the twentieth century, curators Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton examined Prada’s archive, the Costume Institute’s collection, as well as several private collections, deciding on a final 90 designs and 30 accessories which draw parallels between the women's creations.

Having worked years apart, Elsa Schiapareli from the late 1920’s to the early 1950’s and Miuccia Prada from the late 1980’s until the present, fashion lovers alike will be astounded by the display. The pairings will be coupled with videos created and directed by the imagination of Baz Luhrmann, and will feature these “impossible conversations” between the two.

Don’t miss your chance to see this one of a kind exhibition!

- Laura Patriquin

Dare to bare

By:JeenaJean

We have seen the exposed midriff come and go throughout fashions

history. During the 80’s it was made famous by Madonna and in the 90’s by pop singers Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Now it has made its return, this Retro-Inspired trend has been spotted on the Spring/Summer 2012 runways with a new sense of class. This time around exposing the midriff is not about wearing skimpy bandeaus and low waist pants. Designers such as Dolce & Gabbana and Emilio Pucci channeled Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot, displaying a classy and understated way to expose the midriff by showing only

a peek of skin between high-waisted shorts or a closed blazer. Compared to the 80’s and 90’s the midriff trend of 2012 is quite modest, it has more of a grown up look to it while remaining sexy, without having to look like a Britney want to be. Now with winter on its way out and spring making its way in, its crunch time for those of us who dares to bare a little skin. It's time to get physical and work on your abs and remember to stay classy and dare to bare.

H and M Collaborations

The latest collaboration with H and M is with Marni. You can line up all night tomorrow to get all your goods!! I love the fact that they do this, even though I have yet to pick something up. I just don't have that time time or money. Maybe this means I am not a true fashionista, but I still love what I have and wear so judge me all you want.

I do just have one thing to say about the designer collabs. What happens when they run out of designers to use, will they join forces again. It use to be a yearly thing, but now it seems like it is more common. We all love H and M and we all love the chic designers, but when they have all been used are we going to ditch the Couture lines, and start pairing up with others like Cabbage Patch Dolls, or Sour Patch Kids. I am definitely interested in seeing where all this will lead too.

It is exciting to see designers you like teaming up with affordable stores such as H and M, and it makes you feel even better to see pop stars like Jessi J sporting the same Versace for H and M jacket that you have.

One this that is great is seeing David Beckhams face everywhere around the city. I know I am not the only who likes this. I heard that his line isn't that great. Anyone have thoughts on this from themselves or their boyfriends, friends etc.

But how long will thislast. Eventually it could lose it's glory, and not be so fun anymore. But I guess for now let's run over each other and be super stylish!

XX

Natalia Nikola