- Red Carpet Style: Golden Globe Standouts of 2013 -

This year’s Golden Globes Red Carpet had a few recurring themes:

1. Colors - red, blacks, whites/nudes (including ballet pink) were on 90% of those on the red carpet in satin, lace, and more

2. Necklines - plunging, strapless, covered & long sleeve, off the shoulder

3. Fit - mermaid gowns, princess, and high slits

4. Hair - Pretty & soft worn down, slightly messy updos, sleek & perfect updos, side-swept (low side bun, side braid, etc)

… just to name a few.

Colors outside of those were few and far between but were much appreciated when spotted. There were beautifully put together faces, outstanding updos, and jewels that were to-die-for. Among those on the red carpet, the ladies pictured above topped the Southern Chic Style list! Who were your favorites?

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My #1 & #2 (not sure who gets which) are:

Jessica Alba - wore Oscar de la Renta in a GORGEOUS sherbert hue with an amazing necklace & soft hair

Katherine McPhee - wore Theysken’s Theory in simple black with an eye-catching deep plunging neckline, dark nails, and a slightly messy chignon

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Next on the list:

Kerry Washington - wore Miu Miu & had everyone talking from the start. The plunging neckline was revealed behind a sheer overlay with a short skirt underneath as well. A style I forsee on many peoples’ lists come spring!

Naomi Watts - wore Zac Posen & was the first to wow everyone in a bold color! With a keyhole opening in front, open back and fish tail train, the ox blood long sleeve gown complemented the blonde classy updo

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Rounding out the rest of the top 11 (couldn’t pick just 10):

Julianne Moore - wore Tom Ford in Fall’s black and white trend in a long sleeve gown. Her simple, sleek updo and red hair color added to the simple color combo beautifully

Lucy Liu - wore Carolina Herrera and surprised everyone with the ice blue and floral strapless princess piece - a lovely sight with Lucy’s fishtail braid

Kate Hudson - wore Alexander McQueen and could best be described as effortless. A plunging neckline on a long sleeve black gown with a few gold details, perfect makeup, and hair down looks effortlessly beautiful on Kate. But, I can’t think of a time she hasn’t looked effortlessly beautiful.

Lea Michele - wore Elie Saab in a lovely white halter dress with a high slit. Lea’s makeup and hair looked stunning, soft, and natural.

Nicole Kidman - wore Alexander McQueen. Nicole usually wears something beautiful, but this time she went a little more edgy & it worked! The sheer panels coupled with the hardware up top put her on the Southern Chic Style “Best Dressed” list

Miranda Kerr - everyone was too busy discussing her almost “Gone With the Wind” moment to reveal who she wore, but on Orlando Bloom’s arm, the “Angel” looked amazing in a red halter gown with a plunging neckline and high slit with beautiful earrings to complement

Hayden Panettiere - wore Roberto Cavalli strapless mermaid gown in pale pink with figure flattering detail. Another one who wore their hair down and soft with simple accessories and a natural makeup look.

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Special mention to Julianne Hough’s hair! In a jeweled Monique Lhullier white princess gown, Julianne rocked an edgy updo that we couldn’t stop talking about!

- A Few More Fab Looks from NYFW -

I just had to share some more! And this doesn’t get me to Jenny Packham, Marc Jacobs, Skaist-Taylor, Thakoon, Victoria Beckham, Zac Posen…..

Fall is full of printed trousers! The first ones above are a great pair from 3.1 Phillip Lim followed by a prim and proper, but colorful printed Alice + Olivia dress. The next two are gorgeous gowns from Carlos Miele (blush organza) and Carolina Herrera (powder blue) whose models glammed up the runway with these full faux bobs.

I mentioned how much I loved Catherine Malandrino and Diane von Furstenberg’s collections for Fall 2012, so it’s only appropriate that the next three looks are all from those collections. First is the great color combination that we’ve also seen for Spring/Summer of pink and red from Catherine Malandrino. The black details on the side make a classy dress more fun and interesting. The DVF black and white drop-waist dress almost looks like a separate shirt and skirt, but the patterns seem to just work. A military-esque red coat from DVF with a smooth belted look will be a great wardrobe piece when the temperatures start to drop.

Lastly, for this post, are two looks from Erin Featherston - a teal gown (this color was all over the fall collections) and another great printed pant!

And, more to come from New York Fashion Week Fall 2012 collections - what a great week of fashion it truly was!

- Falling for Fall 2012 -

And, I certainly am. The photos here are only a portion of the MANY looks I love so far from the Fall 2012 collections. The jewel tones are seen throughout with teal being dominate… more of the classic black and white, lots and lots of prints, sheer panels and cutouts, powder blue, and accessories galore.

Pictured first above is a look from 3.1 by Phillip Lim - maroon skinny pants with a front slit. A different look for the skinny pant, Phillip Lim wasn’t the only designer to incorporate this style.

In the second photo, this Alice + Olivia look is completed by the infinity scarf/shawl. It can be added to so many outfits for a new look. Scarves were also on display at Marc Jacobs this week. Photos of some of those looks to come in another post.

The third look (top right) is a beautiful blue Carlos Miele dress with boots that I absolutely adore! Almost all of the models rocked these boots in either this nude shade or black. LOVE them. And, notice the shredded detail on the front of the dress giving a simple frock some edge.

The next two gowns are Carlos Miele and Carolina Herrera. Gorgeous gowns in Fall prints.

The teal blazer is a look from the runway of Catherine Malandrino. The leather lapel dresses it up, and paired with the printed skirt provides the perfect fall look for work or dinner and drinks with the girls.

Diane von Furstenberg wowed me with look after look that I want for my own. The maroon off the shoulder long sleeved dress pictured above is just one of the classy, elegant pieces from this week’s showing in New York. I have plenty more to share with you from DVF’s collection.

The last two photos are both from backstage - eyes at Prabal Gurung and hair at Tracy Reese. The electric blue eyes are inspired by birds of paradise. A nest-like twist was a hairstyle of choice to incorporate a ”bird” theme at Tracy Reese.

Quite a collage of Fall 2012 fashions, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s only a portion of what’s already walked the runway and there’s still 3 more days of New York Fashion Week left! More of my favorites and standouts to come!

** Erin Fetherston, Jenny Packham, Skaist-Taylor, Thakoon, The Row, Victoria Beckham, Zac Posen, and more Fall 2012 runway looks in my arsenal.

Spring 2012 Runway Review - NYC

It may still be cold out, but spring collections are already available online and in some stores. Neiman Marcus’ Fashion Director Ken Downing has put together “NM Spring Fashion Week” on their website under “NM edits” with Day 1 (today) being New York. Tomorrow will be Milan. On speaking about the Spring 2012 collections, Ken says, “Think yellow. It’s the new neutral.” The spring collections include yellow in various shades along many other colors. Click here to hear Ken’s highlights and thoughts on the spring trends. Among those trends, you’ll see lace, bright colors (pink, lime, yellow…), peplum, high-low hemlines, prints and more prints (like the art deco inspired prints from Carolina Herrera, and tribal and animal prints like the zebra in Michael Kors’ collection, as well as florals), black and white, and even scuba inspired pieces from Derek Lam. 

Pictured above are few I picked from the runway collections of some of Fashion’s best:

1. Zac Posen - I love this green seen throughout the collections along with the other bright colors. You’ll see this color from shorts, to jackets, to dresses…

2. Thakoon - this look pulls together the bright colors, prints, and even a black and white hat.

3. Carolina Herrera - these last two looks are both from Carolina Herrera’s collection. Both show the black and white trend we’re seeing in the spring collections and both have inspiration from the art deco prints throughout her garments. 

Photos from Neiman Marcus