Best Dressed: Golden Globes 2013

Roll out the red carpet and couture, award season has begun!

Katharine McPhee switched up her game a little with this sultry look. Stepping away from her typical sweet and girly appearances, Katharine was sleek in her black, revealing dress. Not only did she give Angie's left leg a little dress slit competition, but she was part of the few to break away from the bright color theme of the night. If you're going to basic with black during award season, you better make it a standout look. And with a fierce topknot like that, Katharine definitely stood out!

J'adore Dior! Ah, the power of the French. Marion Cotillard probably had the simplest appearance at the awards but still looked incredible. The coloring, the draping, even the lack of jewels - all looked effortlessly timeless! 

Continuing the trend of simplicity, Hayden Panettiere stunned in a Roberto Cavalli gown. White slash slightly pink? However you want to define the color tone, it was gorgeous and completely complimented her youthfulness.  In addition, that fit was perfect for her petite frame.

While the neutrals and natural looks were a pleasant change, it's still not a red carpet unless there's some high fashion show stoppers. For Emily Blunt, her fashion moment came in a Michael Kors cutout. The British actress looked elegant in her gold gown and unique texture (Shimmer? Flowery? What is it?). Emily kept it modern and classic. 

When presenters steal the nominees fashion moments (another theme of the night). This past year, Kate Hudson has been all glamour so it only made sense that she'd strut into the Globes like the epitome of Hollywood royalty. Only Hudson's bubbly persona could make a dramatic McQueen dress look sweet and sophisticated.

The Sound of Style

Singers and fashion can be an iffy combination. Sometimes they get it right, but usually due to over the top theatrical costumes, they get it wrong. Really wrong. Fortunately, two very classy ladies have been changing the unstylish face of music. And thanks to them, the Grammys red carpet might not have to be such a freak show after all.

Marina and the Diamonds

First, let's start with my queen - Marina and the Diamonds. Don't let the stage name fool you, this is one singer not a band. Marina Diamandis won my heart with her materialistic and self loving hit, Primadonna. How could I not adore someone who was singing about all my core values and making statements like "all I ever wanted was the world"! In addition to her incredible vocal talent and entertaining song writing, Marina has a quirky and girly style. Or as Marina would would put it, style that is inspired by Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, and Marie Antoinette. In her music videos, she's playful with her varying themes (See: American dream, HBIC Power & Control, and a sultry Heartbreaker). On stage, she stays true to her Electra Heart persona with a simple silhouette, high platforms, and the trademark heart drawn on her cheek. She has the appearance of a barbie doll but the kind of soul that can connect with you through so many relatable experiences in her music. 

Lana Del Rey

And then there's Lana Del Rey, a bit more melancholic artist. With themes emphasizing on wasted youth, short love, and abandonment, Lana's dark image can get a little depressing. But like Marina, she's a lyrical goddess. Throw in a little sass ("I'm your little harlot, starlet, Queen of Coney island"), some danger ("kiss me hard in the pouring rain, you like your girls insane"), and some sadness ("been trying hard not to get into trouble, but I've got a war in my mind"). Lana loves living on the edge and the storytelling of her music videos show that. Other things to note in those lengthy videos is her style, from her heavy makeup and long nails to her classic appearances. Del Rey describes herself as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra". Her mix of retro and rebellion has won over major fashion fans, earned Vogue editorials, and landed her a contract as the spokesmodel for H&M.     

 

Gatsby? What Gatsby?

There's really nothing I'm looking forward to more in 2013 than The Great Gatsby movie. Fitzgerald's novel is my favorite book and probably the most useful thing I ever got from high school. There's just something so intriguing about the New York City tale and its selfish characters. Like Daisy. Her richness makes her appealing, her vapidness makes her sympathetic, and her carelessness makes her hateful. Even from the brief trailer, Carey Mulligan's portrayal showed so much of that love/hate complexity. Along with Leo DiCaprio (Swoon! Best he's looked in years!) and Tobey Maguire, the A-list names are perfectly cast.

While I don't understand some of Baz Luhrmann's approaches, like making this in 3-D, I'm completely won over by the movie's sparkly and Prada costume designed style. Pop more of that champagne and continue on with No Church In The Wild playing--the modernity of this film is already blowing Mia Farrow and Robert Redford's Gatsby attempt out of the water.