MTV Video Music Awards: worst of the red carpet

There was plenty to love on the red carpet at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards ... but there were a couple who definitely hit a sour note.

Rihanna: If this look were a Project Runway challenge entry, it would evoke a thumb-on-the-chin-finger-on-the-jaw "I just don't get it" from Tim Gunn. The top is just "eh," while the skirt looks like a pile of painted newsprint. Sorry, Ri, we still love you, but it might be time for a little sit-down with your stylist ... if you can, in fact, sit down in this thing.


Katy Perry: "I kissed a girl and I liked it ... so much that I came to the VMAs dressed as an Esther Williams wanna-be." We can understand the overnight sensation's desire to make a splash at her first VMAs, but we wish she hadn't taken it so literally. Not that she doesn't have the bod for it—she definitely does—but there's definitely a "taste factor" at play here. (There we go with the Project Runway buzzphrases again.) Consider your splash made, girlfriend ... and next time, show us some actual style.

MTV Video Music Awards: best of the red carpet

Wow, was it really just a year ago when Britney's abysmal VMA performance had us all in "shock and aww" over how far the pop icon had fallen? Well, last night's awards proved without a doubt that, to paraphrase a recent hit, "Britney's back, bitch." Kudos to La Spears not only for taking home three statues (Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year for "Piece of Me"), but for looking fabulous while she did it. And Britney wasn't alone in her stylish appeal; we'd like to highight our favorite "fashion do's" of the evening.


Ashlee Simpson: If Angelina and Gwen plan on having any more kids, they're going to have to step their maternity style up a notch, because mama-to-be Ashlee S. was looking absolutely divine on last night's red carpet. Her draped jersey gown was mommy-appropriate without looking the least bit sloppy, and her auburn locks and dramatic eye makup were the perfect finishing touch.



Christina Aguilera: After rocking the 40s-pinup-girl look for a couple of years, it's clear that Ms. Aguilera is ready to get in touch with her edgy side again. We love the way the shape and accents of the dress highlight her figure, and she wrapped up the look beautifully with out-to-there eyelashes, pale pink gloss and platinum blond bangs. We can't wait to see what kind of album this reinvention portends!


Miley Cyrus: After seeing her wrapped up in floor-length gowns and slathered with makeup on previous red carpets, it's so refreshing to see this teen queen actually looking like a teen. Her sequined vintage-inspired dress is youthful and fun, and the subtle hair and makeup definitely leave her looking more "Disney Channel" than "Lifetime Channel." Plus, she's clearly having a great time.

So whose looks didn't make the mark? Stay tuned ...

(Hat tip: FabSugar)

Fashion gets set to honor its own

Last night the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced its nominees for this year's awards—the Oscars of the fashion world. Nominated designers will be judged on both their Spring and Fall 2008 lines, and the winners will be honored at a ceremony at the New York Public Library on June 2.

Vying for Womenswear Designer of the Year will be Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs. Competing for the Menswear Designer of the Year title will be Michael Bastian, Thom Browne, and Tom Ford.

For a complete list of nominees, see FabSugar's post.

And may the best couturier win!

The Fabbies are here!

The Emmys, Oscars, and Grammys are all now behind us, but there's still some fierce competition to enjoy. Introducing the Fabbies, the first-ever, blogger-organized awards to recognize the Web's top fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogs.

And no, Getting Underneath isn't among the nominees this year, but we can still cheer on our fave cyber-hangouts for the latest fabulous dish (and plot for victory next year).

Just click on over to fabbies.org and sign up. You'll then be able to vote for your favorites in 12 categories, including Men's Fashion, StreetStyle, and Accessories. We're a little sketchy on the tallying and winner announcement process, but we'll definitely keep you posted.

May the most fabulous blogs win!

(Hat tip: All About the Pretty)

Oscar review part 2: Worst of the Red Carpet

While we loved many of the looks that graced the Oscars' red carpet this year, our review wouldn't be complete without citing the turkeys as well as the triumphs. Without further ado, we present the 2008 Class of What-Was-She-Thinking:

Tilda Swinton: To attend as a guest looking like you escaped from fashion jail is one thing. To attend as a nominee in such a state is another. To actually win when you look like ... well, like this, we'll just have to assume you decided to give the "Oscar curse" a headstart. We could almost forgive the nonexistent hair and makeup, but wrapping up the whole package in a velvet (or is it pleather?) Hefty bag is beyond the pale (pun intended).

Cameron Diaz: The dress itself isn't bad, but we can't fathom why the famously tan Cam didn't stop at the salon and top off her bronze before the big event. As it is, the color is too close to her skintone, and, combined with the messy (not in a good way) hair and minimal makeup, it just makes her look tired. Come on, Cammy, we know you've got it in you to do better than this.

Saoirse Ronan: Umm, girlfriend, can we talk for a sec? Sure, you're only 13, but hey, Emma Watson's been rocking red carpets since she was, like, 8. Is a little eyeliner and some semblance of a hairstyle too much to ask? Here again, we don't hate the dress, but the color washes her out and the shape only accentuates her lack of a figure. Maybe this Hollywood newbie will find herself a style mentor before her next red carpet romp.

And there you have it, dears: the good, the bad, and the "OMG, fire your stylist now." This is the part where we say we hope the style sinners mend their ways, but let's be honest—how much fun would it be if they were all winners?

Oscar review part I: Best of the Red Carpet

Despite the snoozer of an awards season (sorry, we had to say it), this year’s Oscars left us with plenty to talk about—on the red carpet, at least. While the color assortment could easily be found in your old 8-color Crayola box (black, white, red), it was the embellishments that stole the show, from Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard’s stunning train to Anne Hathaway’s elaborate rosette embellishments. And the bling was pretty awesome too.

When it came down to our faves of the night, it was all about the 3 H’s: Helen, Heidi, Hilary.

Helen Mirren: Dame Helen continues to prove that “ladies of a certain age” can be unquestionably sexy without trying to look like an ingénue. Despite being one of the evening’s many (many) red gowns, her Georges Chakra creation, adorned with Swarovski crystal sleeves (built-in jewelry—how fabulous is that?) was one of the evening’s stunners.

Heidi Klum: Frau Seal’s had enough fashion faux-pas in the past to make us take her critiques on Project Runway with a grain of salt, but there’s nothing “auf” about this Dior stunner. Again, it’s another red gown, but the regal collar, the body hugging curves, and the voluminous skirt made an impression that few could match.

Hilary Swank: When she first shed her long locks (on Oprah, none the less) for Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths campaign, we were a little concerned that it might leave the two-time Oscar winner looking too masculine. But there ain’t nothin’ but girly-girl goin’ on in this look. From the out-to-there lashes to the pretty pink lips to the flirty, flowered Versace gown, it’s almost enough to make you forget that she's taken home statues for playing a boxer and a cross-dresser.


Well done, ladies—well done! Of course we can’t say the same for all who took to the red carpet. Stay tuned for our picks of the looks that … ah … may lead to a few unemployed stylists in the very near future.

(Hat tip: FabSugar)

Oscar glam is back!

The 80th Annual Academy Awards is on tonight, and if you just can't wait for our "best and worst" report on the looks that rocked the red carpet, click on over to PopSugar for a snap-by-snap commentary.

We'll have our own take for you soon!

Hollywood's costumers have their day

Oscar, schmoscar. Sure, anyone can direct, write, or act in a movie, but creating the costumes that bring a character to life—that takes true genius. And on Tuesday night, the costuming world's best and brightest got their due at the 10th Annual Costume Designers' Guild Awards.

This year, the prize for fantasy film went to Ruth Myers for The Golden Compass, and Colleen Atwood took home the period film statue for Sweeney Todd. And the evening's big prize, the one for best contemporary film? That went to Julie Weiss, the visionary who made it possible to use "Will Ferrell" and "fabulous" in the same sentence when she styled the bespangled Blades of Glory.

Congratulations to all this year's winners—we can't wait to see what you come up with next!

(Hat tip: PopSugar)

Pick the winners to win some cash

Whew! Looks like the writers' strike ended just in time to make this year's Oscar parties a "go." Think you know who'll go home with the gold this year? The always fabulous BuzzSugar wants to know your picks—and she's got cash on the table for those who get 'em right.

Just fill out her online Oscar ballot and submit by noon PST on February 24 and you'll automatically be entered to win. First prize for picking the most winners is $1,000 cash, second prize is $500, and 10 third-place winners will receive $100 movie gift cards.

Click over now to make your predictions of who'll walk away with this year's prizes, and maybe win one of your own.

(And of course, stay tuned for our very own red carpet report on the 25th!)

Divas show true colors at SAG Awards

With the writers' strike leading to award-show cancellations left and right, the delicious divas who strutted the red carpet at the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday night knew it could be their last for a while.

While we were somewhat surprised at the number of sirens who went with understated black, white, and gray, some of our faves embraced "the year of color" and dazzled us with bold, intense hues.

Vanessa Williams: Yes, she's had her share of famous missteps in the past, but La Williams was dressed to impress this time around in a stunning yellow column gown from Escada. Note the racy side slit, proving once again that if you've got it, you're never too old to flaunt it.



Sara Ramirez: In basic black, this Angel Sanchez dress might have been downright snooze-worthy, but in vibrant purple, it's an absolute dream. The color compliments Sara's complexion beautifully, with just enough sheen to highlight those body-hugging curves.



Debra Messing: We can always count on her to show up in something dazzling, and Ms. Messing did not disappoint. Despite the metallic fabric and the bajillion jewels, there's a classic simplicity about this Oscar de la Renta creation that matches Debra's style to a T.

And the worst-dressed of the evening? Sorry, ladies. With so few red-carpet events to choose from, we just can't find it in our hearts to criticize this year. PopSugar, however, has no such reservations. If you absolutely must check out the evening's train wrecks, she'll be happy to take you through the lineup.

(Photos: FabSugar)

Weekend TV watch: SAG Awards

During any normal season, the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) Awards would barely register as a blip on our radar screens. No offense to this worthy artists' organization, but compared to the bigger award shows like the Golden Globes, theirs is usually small potatoes.

This season, however, the writers' strike is leaving our red-carpet-loving souls positively starved for some awards-show glam, so we'll be glued to our sets this Sunday, February 27. We're thinking our fave Hollywood style sirens (like Cate Blanchett, pictured here from the 2007 SAG Awards show) will be just as enthusiastic as we are and will pull out all the stops. For better or for worse.

So tune in along with us this Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern on TNT/TBS to see the first red-carpet strut of the season! Stay tuned for our post-carpet report early next week.

People's Choice kicks off award season ... sort of

The 2008 awards season kicked off with last night's People's Choice Awards, but due to the ongoing writers' strike, NBC was forced to pare down the ceremony to a series of pre-recorded acceptance speeches, with the always-fabulous Queen Latifah playing host on the wraparound.

So, no red carpet report, ladies. For the sake of eager fashionistas everywhere, let's hope things in Hollywood return to normal soon!

That said, there were some pleasant surprises among this year's winners, including Reese Witherspoon for Favorite Female Movie Star and Drew Barrymore for Favorite Leading Lady. In the music category, Gwen Stefani walked away (on tape) with the award for Favorite Female Singer, Daughtry's "Home" came out as Favorite Rock Song, and the Police received the nod for Best Reunion Tour.

Congratulations to all of this year's winners!