Met Gala: Chaos to Couture. But actually. Some of these were chaos.

The Met Gala is one of those things that I wait all year for and just. die. when it finally rolls around. #1 on my bucket list is to make Vogue’s best dressed list, #2 is to be invited to the Met Gala. I think after that, I could die pretty happily. Everything about it is amazing. The grandeur, the couture, the location, the beautiful and creative minds sitting all together. The event in itself drives to me to achieve my dreams. It’s just one of those things for me.

If you know anything about it, you know it is the most influential and watched fashion event with impeccable glamor, elegance, and ingenuity. So I’ll bring you the scoop (Even though, sadly, I watched from afar).

The theme this year was PUNK: Chaos to Couture, so many channeled an edgy, punk couture vibe, which I really appreciated. Imagine if Sid Vicious and Madge (circa 1984) and Givenchy had a love child, it would be something like the Met Gala this Monday. Think lots of black sheer netting, cut outs, metal, wild hair, and neon make up. There were so many greats! Here are my faves:

 

SPECIAL MENTIONS (good and bad…)

Cara fucking Delavigne. First of all, I’m obsessed with her in general, but she seriously killed it at the Gala. She was the epitome of punk rock royal glam. Super couture, super edgy, great hair. She rocked that dress. Love it a million times.

Elle Fanning: I think you got peacock and punk confused. You’re still young, you can learn. Your sister however looked amaze.

Hamish and SJP: Fiercest fashion duo in the biz. Obviously, Hamish works at Vogue for a reason. And, well, SJP is SJP for a reason. Both their looks were fierce renditions of couture with a punk twist. Love them both.

Katy Perry looked like she was channeling a bit of vintage Madonna. I can appreciate it because she’s not Lady Gaga (aka a copy cat), but she could have been a little more creative, being that she IS Katy Perry. And she IS a bit of a fashion revolutionary. Oh well. She still looked great.

Kristin Stewart: you look stupid. Go home. Your jumpsuit is okay (ONLY okay) but not your hair, make up and expression. Somehow, it makes me feel like you don’t deserve an invite to an event this grand.

Okay. Does anyone notice the similarities/differences between the next two pictures? Both of these women are pregnant. One looks like a rug, and the other like a couch. What is with pregnant celebrities right now? Yeah, it’s the Met Gala, and yes everyone should be as fashion forward as possible but really?

Alexis Stoudemire I have nothing to say except… well actually I have nothing to say. Oh, maybe she should have told Amare to change his damn shoes.

You have 3 more months Kim, and then you can wear whatever the fuck you want again. This was your first ever Met Gala and you show up in that!? The dress wasn’t even punk! And head to finger floral? I don’t feel bad for everyone pinning you next to pictures of Mrs. Doubtfire. #sorrynotsorry babe.

 

Kim did look really cute/happy while Kanyeezy was rapping.

Madonna. She basically pioneered punk as a fashion statement. Especially haute couture, so this outfit, albeit not the most red carpet worthy, paid hommage to a movement turned style. Love it.

Miley Cyrus knows punk. She might be a pop princess brat, but she brought an early 90s goth look that no one else did. I dig it. Her form fitting fishnet gown was very Marilyn Manson, but also a bit elegant. I think her hair could have been done in a more Anne Hathaway-esque style (see below), but I suppose being the young, wild, and free betch she is, it worked.

Speaking of Anne Hathaway, I really liked the new and improved bad ass Anne. She was like Miley’s more sophisticated, hot older sister. Top 3 best dressed.

You might have noticed the last few all involved short haired bad ass bitches. Well, I present to you the Queen of this club: Nicole Richie. Oh. My. God. Not only is she a fashion chameleon, she owns the rights to every trend. Her look changes so drastically, amazingly, and often yet she never looks like she’s trying too hard or like it doesn’t work. And that’s probably because everything works on her. (Yes, I have eliminated any Simple Life history of hers.) Rihanna was right in saying “this bitch makes me want to throw up #bestdressed”. Her look was siiiiiiiiick. Seriously though, best dressed.

And that’s my round up friends! Who were your faves? Best Dressed? Worst Dressed? Shouldn’t have even been there? I’d love to hear! xo

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

2 years ago, on April 25th 2011, I came back from a long weekend in Arizona and was inspired to write. I built this blog, Red Wine and Lipstick, to document my adventures, passions, and inspiration. Looking back on past posts, I realize how much I’ve grown and how much I’ve learned. It’s a little nostalgic reading things I wrote in a different room, as a slightly different person and in totally different life. But exciting as well. Pursuing my love for writing and blogging has pushed me to discover things about myself and created some great opportunities for me. I haven’t stopped writing since that afternoon two years ago. And I don’t think I ever will.

Happy Birthday to this blog and many more to come!

NYFW Spring 2013!

So Fashion Week has come and gone. Soon NYC will die down ever so slightly and designers will go back to creating their next masterpieces. And even though springtime feels like ages away, we’ve already gotten a great preview of fall 2013′s trends.

While each designer stuck to their own classic style, the color scheme seemed synonymous amongst the fashion houses: lots of muted, dark colors. Blacks, greys, navy blue, and sporadic contrasts of ice blue and white. Of course, the typically more “vibrant” lines added touches of color and brightness that they’re known for. Silhouettes were structured, tailored, and geometric. With most of the fashion industry’s biggest influences being in their 30s, this season was very sophisticated and mature. While many designs were young and trendy still, they were sure to accentuate more sophisticated features and focus on streamlined looks.

DVF, however, played with the idea of young sophistication and created a glam-rock inspired line. She kept the cuts simple and structured, but accented with metallic leather and jewel toned fur. Other trends spotted for fall: the continuation of the menswear look, belted coats and dresses, and lots of leather; along with little whimsical touches like broaches and slouchy silk gloves.

What did you guys think?

Sweet Valentine.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my friends, family, and readers today! A lot of people gripe about the “commercialism” or sappiness of February 14. Don’t do that. It might be a hallmark day for lovers to do something extravagant for each other; but it should also be a reminder for everyone that we should acknowledge the people we love, and the people who love us. Tell your best friend how special he/she is! Call you mom and send her flowers! Call your gentleman friend and invite him for an evening of whatever it is you do. Just remember to spread a little love! Its free after all.

I love you all very much and I hope you treat yourself to something special today.

NYFW Street Style!

Right now, I can only look at NYFW from afar with the hope that one day I can be apart of it. It’s such an exciting time in New York! Being such a fashion mecca, the greatest minds in art and fashion come together to celebrate what they love and do. What amazing energy it must create!! Along with all that fabulousness, everyone in the city seems to step up their fashion game. During fashion week, the entire city transforms into a catwalk and everyone’s street style is showcased. This week, fashionistas and fashionistos rocked the streets with lots of layers and materials. I loved the leather. Loved the neon. Loved the fur. Loved the retro chic everyone seemed to be incorporating. Take a peek at some of favorites! Pics from Vogue.com and GQs instagram.

 

My Relevant Opinions About: Katy Perry’s Boobs, JT’s Tux, and Other Grammy Fashion Thoughts.

Award season is like a month long fashion show for me, and my favorite is the Grammys weekend! Musicians tend to be a little more risky and express themselves a little more than on the glamorous red carpet Oscar parties, which is always interesting (See JLO circa 2000). This year however, it failed to impress me. The “fashion guidelines” took away all the fun and I even felt myself wishing a “fat” Lady Gaga would make a surprise appearance.

But despite the new rigid “Grammy Fashion Guidelines”, some of the industry’s sexiest musicians came out showing off their gorgeous bodies in different ways and I had a few faves.

Rihanna rocked a glamorous red Azzedine Alaia gown. She (obviously) cast a shadow over her less-than-classy date and her perfect bod definitely stole the show during the Bob Marley tribute.

After her super powerful Superbowl performance, Beyonce wore a demure, graphic jumpsuit by Osman Studio. Yawn. She looked good, but I was bored with it. I expected a little more diva coming after causing the Superbowl blackout and with her new HBO doc coming out this weekend.

J.Lo pretended she was Angelina Jolie for a day. Minus the ethnic family. Actually… her family is pretty ethnic. She looked fierce regardless.

I think Adele is perfect in every way; and in my eyes, she can do no wrong. However I wish she would have worn a different print with such a loud color (or vice versa.) The cut was perfect on her but the matchy shoes were a bit much.

Katy Perry’s boobs did most of the talking for her last night. It wasn’t the most tasteful thing she could have worn, but I’m not sure that anything Katy Perry ever wears is. However, I love a form fitting-simple cut dress like hers (minus boob cut outs) and the COLOR! I love mint green/seafoam/tiffany blue, whatever your color blind eyes see. Her dress was Gucci, btw.

(By request from D.Wienberg: Boob solo)

Florence Welch chose a great color for her complexion/hair. I love a dark emerald on red head/fair-skinned people. I think its absolutely gorgeous. The dress fit her wonderfully. But the shimmer made her look scaly. And the ridges reminded me of a dinosaur. Pas bien.

Carrie Underwood looked like a glamorous southern belle. A little boring and safe for the Grammys, but honestly I don’t expect anything more from her.

What the fuck? Ashanti hasn’t had any work in a while, so she cut down her drapes and made a dress.

Fun. SO FUN! They’re as GQ-Brooklyn-hipster as I would have expected them. The suits were sharp, the ankles were exposed and the hair was coiffed. Love, love, love!

JT. Always handsome, always classy.

Miz Kelly Rowland looked great in black and mesh mermaid dress. The graphic cut-outs were extremely flattering for her figure and she brought an edgy vibe to a classic gown.

Mumford and Sons (personal fave) are the kind of hipsters I can dig! While I admire the boys of Fun’s chic style, I prefer the less forced, more relaxed style of Mumford and Sons. Maybe its that each group’s music coordinates perfectly with their fashion sense, but Mumford is something I’d listen to with a boy who wears beautifully cut flannel shirts under soft leather jackets and denim cuffed over a pair of Red Wing work boots. (*cough*tyty*cough*)

Lastly, the ethereal Kimbra looked all kinds of Grammys-amazing!! While her dress was unconventional and unlike anything that we’ve seen this year, she channeled the risky awesomeness that Bjork, J.Lo, and Gaga have all brought in the past. She wasn’t as outlandish or ridiculous as others but her elegant dress (designed by Australian Jamie Lee) was a beautiful combination of turquoise and gold, structured and airy, and definitely made a fashion statement amongst the others on the red carpet. The hand beaded gown was inspired by Broome, Australia and captures the personality of Kimbra. This was my favorite. Truly art meets fashion. *Here is a great Vogue Australia article with Jamie Lee about creating the gown.

All in all, the show was great ( LL Cool J, Z-trip, Travis Barker, Tom Morello!?? Sooo great!!) the fashion was mediocre and my feelings about Taylor Swift were confirmed: She’s annoying. Stop flailing your arms to every song that’s performed, goddammit! But like I said, I had favorites. Oh, and do me a favor friends: humor me and share this with all your friends! Cheers! xo

NYFW 2013

Scoping out my favorite looks from NYFW. Stay tuned!