Cannes Couture

Remember a few summers ago when Blake Lively was living every girl's dream just chilling with Anna Wintour while Christian Louboutin named shoes after her? I couldn't stand her. Not the type of irritation that arises from jealousy, but the type where I actually couldn't stand to see her flaunting all over Vogue. But as time has changed, so have my feelings towards Lively. Due to her recent red carpet outings, I'm finally starting to appreciate her couture connections and fashionista title. Blake has matured from a flashy It Girl to total glam. Sign me up for the fan club because girl just made every other fashion moment at Cannes this year completely forgettable. 

Gucci and Blake Lively are an ideal designer/actress duo. Lively's previous pairing with Chanel, and even Marchesa, produced some beautiful looks but something always seemed a little out of place. Gucci, however, does a phenomenal job of complimenting Blake's bombshell appeal with their sultry appearances. This burgundy gown was stunning for the Cannes opening and the cut at the chest works great for her figure. 

On a slightly hypocritical note, Lively has never looked so amazing in Chanel. This is the most gorgeous dress I've seen from Chanel couture in years. Everything about the detailing is so original and what better setting to show that look than in France!

Just a little Giambattista Valli, no big deal. Blake made this little number look gorgeous, comfortable, and perfect for a summer vacation (a very expensive/luxurious vacation, but still).  

And boom! The opening movie for Cannes this year was based on Grace Kelly so it was nice that someone at the festival did pay a fashionable homage to the icon. Blake ended her Cannes run with another look from Gucci, this time veering more towards a timeless aura. She looks like a total movie star and even was meticulous enough to change her nail polish to red for an aw-worthy grand finale. If Cannes gave out awards for Best Festival Fashion, Blake Lively you easily would've won for this gown alone. 

Met Gala 2014

Warmer weather, lighter clothes, beach trips - none of these beginning of summer traditions have quite the same effect as the annual Met Gala. The extravagant event marks fashion's version of the Oscars, meaning the red carpet intensifies with a sprawling staircase and the dress expectations get even higher. This year, the theme was "Charles James: Beyond Fashion," calling for the chicest black tie New York City get together. 

J'adore Dior! Leave it to Charlize to bring the fierceness to the event. Charlize Theron killed it, as usual, in this black and white number. The real standout of this attire: those earrings! Talk about modernizing a classic event. 

With this Burberry gown, Suki Waterhouse showed why everyone should probably stop referring to her as just Bradley Cooper's girlfriend/Sookie Stackhouse (the ladder can't just be me?). The ruffles, gorgeous ombre, and dark lip totally gave Suki a well deserved entrance to the Delevigne/Smalls/Dunn supermodel crowd. 

Oscar de la Renta's gowns never fail with the intricate detailing and dramatic appeals. And for this reason exactly, I would never even think TSwift would fit with the brand's image. So kudos to both for combining Oscar's amazing talent and Taylor's love of sparkles for what made a fairytale come true on the steps of the Met. Bonus points for the appropriate use of red lip. 

This is what a dream couple looks like. The Beckhams, aka true British royalty, looked stunning in this simplistic, yet elegant combination. Posh took the event to smolder and wear her own design - flawless. How does one find such a sleek dress and man! 

It took me a few years to get on the Blake Lively train but this glamorous Gucci gown did me in. I need this girl to come out of her fashion retirement that resulted from her marriage and dominate again. The caping (my new favorite red carpet trend) and the fit of this gown have me SO ready for her fabulous reign this time. 

The queen of the Met Gala (sorry Anna). SJP strolled into this event with her hair high and Oscar de la Renta gown trailing on those red stairs like a true fashion icon. And the back of that dress! The monogram, the ODLR signature - gasp/swoon! This look is timeless and with every SJP moment, we are truly watching fashion history occur. 

Best Dressed: Golden Globes 2014

Tis the season to whip out those flawless silhouettes Hollywood!

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

It takes a lot to stun on the red carpet at the Golden Globes so major props to Julia Louis-Dreyfus for knocking it out of the park with a simple red dress. The figure hugging Narciso Rodriguez dress fit perfectly on the actress who accessorized with subtle gold jewels. Who says you still can't look this hot at 53?

Emilia Clarke

The Game of Thrones actress looked beautiful in this Proenza Schouler dress! Emilia kept it youthful with her makeup and accessories while still playing it up thanks to some major texture and shaping from that gown.

Lupita Nyong'o

Another lady in red, Lupita won everyone over with this sleek Ralph Lauren gown. Although the caping is a little too reminiscent of Gwyneth Paltrow's Tom Ford look at the 2012 Oscars, there's no denying this shaping/color gives Lupita a radiant glow!

Kate Beckinsale

Has there ever been an award show where Kate Beckinsale didn't look anything less than flawless? The actress strayed from her typical neutral hits with this Zuhair Murad dress and absolutely nailed the metallic trend while doing so. 

Kerry Washington

Look at Olivia Pope all pregnant and glowy! The Scandal star showed off her tiny bump proudly in this white Balenciaga look. Washington claimed her baby was the "best date" of the night - no offense to Fitz but she's totally right. No other accessory has ever looked so gorgeous on her!

Margot Robbie

If you're going to play Leo DiCaprio's wife in a movie, you better bring the fabulousness on the red carpet! Newbie Margot Robbie was a pleasant surprise as my favorite look of the night in this Gucci dress. The emerald green lining along with her matching Louboutins provided a chic yet fresh ensemble. Definitely one to watch! 

Fashionistas of the Year

As another year comes to an end, it's time to bow down to the women who brought their fashion A game this year.

  

Gwyneth Paltrow is the epitome of high class glamour, and her style completely reflected that this year. Gwyneth started off the year by showing up to the Oscars in not only a timeless Tom Ford dress, but accompanied the look with a sleek cape. Really, who else could pull that off? Not one to be forgetten, Gwynnie continued to keep everyone oohing and ahing with her Prada dress at the Met Gala. With style like this, Paltrow's 40th birthday bash on her yacht with Beyonce and Jay-Z seemed to take a backseat to her 2012 highlights. 

 

From movie star glam to a model's every day fabulousness. Miranda Kerr knows how to wow at events, fashion shows, and in editorials, but her street style surely inspired countless Pinterest boards this year. For Kerr, the streets of NYC were her runway and errands were only done in the fiercest stilettos. Hailing a taxi while juggling a baby never looked so effortlessly flawless. Miranda Kerr is living the Park Ave mom dream.

Considering she's probably going to win an Oscar for her performance in Zero Dark Thirty, it makes sense that Jessica Chastain was the fashion siren on red carpets this year. From film festivals to award shows, Chastain was topping those best dressed lists. She made her first big splash at the Oscars in a intricate Alexander McQueen dress that complimented those red locks beautifully. Then came the Cannes Film Festival, where she looked like Hollywood royalty in Gucci (and with the rave reviews she was getting for her performances, she basically was). And most recently, Jessica experimented with a bold leather blue Jason Wu dress at a Fashion's Night Out event. One thing we can certainly conclude from her 2012 style is that when Jessica is on stage accepting that Oscar, she'll most likely be making a bold fashion statement for 2013 as well. 

Fashion Friday: Top Five Looks of the Week

5.

Hilary Duff in Beverly Hills

4.

Pippa Middleton at the French Open in Paris

3.

Shania Twain being honored at the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2.

Vanessa Minnillo wearing Monique Lhuillier at her wedding shower

1.

Salma Hayek wearing Gucci at the 'Ill Mondo Vi Appartlene' Dinner