I must confess...I was a touch underwhelmed by the fashion offerings at the 2011 SAG Awards last night. And from what I've seen in the press this morning, I'm not the only one. That said, there were still dresses that stood out somewhat on the red carpet. Here are three favorites that I would consider examples of GlamAmor style with their bold color, clean lines, and sexy but sophisticated shapes.
My favorite friend in fashion has got to be a nude stiletto heel. When wearing as much color as I normally do with my vintage dresses, I always need accessories that will compliment but will not compete with the outfit. Since color is a huge trend for Spring 2011--particularly in shades of pink and orange--I anticipate that many women will be faced with the challenge of how to coordinate a brightly colored ensemble. In fact, if you've always been a fan of fashionable black, it may very well be the first time. So when playing with your options this colorful Spring, may I suggest that you go nude.
Nude heels go with everything. There's nothing in your wardrobe that won't go with nude heels, so know that they're a worthwhile investment. Beyond colorful dresses, they're a phenomenal accompaniment to basics you already have in black or white. And though they're awfully good at dressing up an outfit, they also dress all the way down to denim just as well.
Added bonus? Nude heels elongate your legs. We've all heard it before in the magazines and it's true true true. They key is finding a shade or two (or three) of nude that suit your skin tone the best. This includes metallics, too, which I consider a nude shoe for evening. Another key is chosing the right shapes, and my favorites are a pointed pump, a peeptoe pump, or a strappy mule...all with stiletto heels. I often go to Charles David (shown above and in outfits below) because they consistently offer classic, sophisticated, and sexy designs. Just perfect for me and my GlamAmor.
Want help creating the Beach Bombshell look? Try Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipgloss for the perfect pout. It's one of the best contributions makeup artist Gucci Westman has made as Revlon's new creative director and has seriously become one of my beauty obsessions. Believe me, this is coming from a girl who knows and loves a great gloss.
First, there's that wonderfully sleek packaging. Every time I use one in public, someone is convinced it's a high-end brand. But it's not just the marketing that makes it feel more department store than drugstore. The variety of shades is current and on trend (and there are even more than the ones shown here). They are a good consistency and fade well. And most important, the pigment is true on your lips. These glosses include an ingredient to neutralize your natural lip color so that the true shade shines through. This is a key factor in great glosses, especially in nude or pale pink.
With just enough shine, Revlon's nudes and pale pinks are phenomenal to duplicate Gucci's bombshell look on Jennifer Aniston. It's hard to find these perfect shades in any makeup line, much less at Revlon's $8 price point. Add the fact that they are packed with moisture and SPF 15, and you'll want to reach for these again and again...whether you feel like being a bombshell or just want to go au natural.
SUPER LUSTROUS COLORS (from left to right):
Coral Reef, Peach Petal, Pink Whisper, Pink Afterglow, Pink Pop, Lilac Pastelle, and Pearl Plum
Inspired by a 1960s photo of Brigitte Bardot, Gucci Westman played with natural but still striking makeup on Jennifer Aniston for the February cover of Allure. It's not a departure for Jennifer, who is always most comfortable with bronzed skin and a soft makeup palette, and she really glows in Michael Thompson's photos.
The look, one that I'll call Beach Bombshell, is definitely a favorite of mine to wear as well. The near nude makeup is marvelous when paired with colorful vintage clothes, as Brigitte clearly shows above. And the look is affordable...Gucci Westman recently became Revlon's creative director, putting her mark of quality on many products throughout the line, so all the makeup used on Jennifer can be found at your local drugstore.
Perhaps the pink dress of them all...
stills of Marilyn Monroe in Travilla singing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend"
in 1953's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Directed by Howard Hawks.
To find the best selection of Marilyn Monroe classics, be sure to visit my favorite TCM Shop!
The Spring runways were filled with color and pink had to be the hottest. Huckleberry Pink, in fact, was chosen as the 2011 Color of the Year by Pantone. Shades of Spring's pinks ranged from icy to hot and also segued into warm corals, so there's plenty to play with this season. Vintage silhouettes continue to be the inspiration, so why not look to originals from the 50s and 60s to really update your look? Several selections are shown below with even more pink dresses and coats in the GlamAmor Store. Spring forward with GlamAmor!
Yesterday I spent a wonderful afternoon visiting with Sielian Lie, owner of Sielian's Vintage Apparel, who was one of my fellow Current Affair vendors downtown in December. This was my first time checking out her lovely boutique in the Melrose/Robertson area of West Hollywood. Walking in, your spirits are immediately lifted by the apple green decor accented with black and white, the feminine furniture, and all of her glamorous vintage dresses and accessories.
Like me, Sielian is all about the sophisticated and sexy dress. Her shop is dominated by designer dresses and gowns, and she also astutely includes non-label dresses when the design is right. And Sielian clearly shares my passion for color, organizing and displaying her dresses throughout her store by color as I do. If you want to find some serious treasures for special events and have great girl time, Sielian's Vintage Apparel is the place to go!
Sielian, Audrey, and me: 1950s red and ivory floral cotton pique dress, 1960s black patent leather handbag (not shown),
black patent leather Nine West peeptoe pumps, jet and gold bead dangling earrings, single skinny gold bangle
Sielian and her wonderful husband and business partner, Tsutomu Carton
Sielian's sign as a shadow on the wall
Pretty soon it was time to put the camera down and do some (fantasy) shopping
Must have this orange Givenchy trench coat, which I would actually wear as a dress--heaven!
And this hot white floral minidress...
...and this Hermes handbag that looks like it's straight out of Hitchcock? Yes, please.
And a pair of these sexy sunglasses, too...love the nude frames!
I knew I would love Sielian when I saw the inspirational style of Audrey Hepburn looking over her shop.
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the 7th annual FASHION IN FILM OF TCMFF! The 2024 festival theme is "Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film" and that is just some of what will be shared at this year's event - from THE MAD MISS MANTON (1938) to CHINATOWN (1974).
Sample of Past Events
American Cinematheque presents Film Noir Style
The series accompanies and mirrors the book Film Noir Style: The Killer 1940s. Each event will include a presentation followed by a film screening. Like the book, the series is divided into 4 parts:
MAY 7 Before the War 1940-1941 w/ The Maltese Falcon
JUNE 25 War Years 1942-1945 w/ Laura
JULY 29 Year of Transition 1946 w/ The Killers
SEPT 10 Post-War Years 1947-1950 w/ Out of the Past
HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM 1920s-1980s: Opposites Attract
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the fourth event in her series HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM! Opposites Attract focuses on 1950s style icons Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, and Doris Day.
HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM 1920s-1980s: Film Noir and Fantasy
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the third event in her series HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM! Film Noir and Fantasy focuses on 1940s style icons Rosalind Russell, Katharine Hepburn, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner.
HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM 1920s-1980s: Art Deco Elegance
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the second event in her series HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM! Art Deco Elegance focuses on 1930s style icons Marlene Dietrich, Kay Francis, Jean Harlow, Claudette Colbert, Ginger Rogers, and Joan Crawford.
HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM 1920s-1980s: The Jazz Age
Join film and fashion historian Kimberly Truhler for the first event in her series HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM! The Jazz Age focuses on 1920s style icons Gloria Swanson, Clara Bow, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and Louise Brooks.
