Red Carpet Minute: CFDA Awards 2012--The Red Carpet Trends

Plunging Necklines, High-Low Hems, Color, Metallics, Caftan, The Peplum...The Trends at the CFDA's:

The 2012 CFDA/Council of Fashion Designers Awards were this past Monday June 4th. and well as you might expect it was a Red Carpet Frenzy when it came to the Fashion, Styles, Looks and Trends that celebs, models, designers and fashion glitterati were giving. Usually at such a major Fashionista event like this, one can detect some trends on the red carpet; trends that will end up "in real life"--on the street, as they say. At this 2012 CFDA Awards, a lot of the ensembles we saw came fresh off the Resort 2013--yes 2013, Collections which are just being released to the Fashion Editors. So, basically what we saw Monday night is what we'll end up seeing in the stores next year...so without further ado, here are the 2012 CFDA Awards Red Carpet Trends that you will see NEXT Spring/Summer 2013:

Plunging:

Zoe Saldana in Prabal Gurung Fall 2012: Actress Zoe Saldana--in all her teeny tiny size zero glory-- wore a black gown by Singapore-born Nepal-raised NY-based designer Prabal Gurung. She showed several trends in one dress: the plunging neckline, of course, but then there was the "midriff cut-outs" plus the solid vs. sheer. All in all, she looked Edgy-Vampira Chic.

Julianne Hough in KaufmanFranco: NYC-based design duo Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco KaufmanFranco designs are favorites of the red carpet girls. Actress Julianne Hough wore a plunging neckline side draped gown in "Chinese red" from their Fall 2012 Collection.

Bold Contrast Color Prints:

Kate Bosworth in Joseph Altuzarra Fall 2012: Actress Kate Bosworth looked fabulous in this printed and metallic dress featuring a high cowl neckline, "cut-out" midriff, and knee-length fluttery skirt--from design darling Joseph Altuzarra. LOVE the black ankle-strapped heels and matching clutch. Joseph is originally from Paris France (his father is French-Basque and his mother is Chinese-American) but now he is based out of NY and well his muse, as of late is Miss Bosworth:

Actress and Designer: Kate Bosworth and Joseph Altuzarra

U.S. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour in Marc Jacobs Resort 2013: Here's another example of the "Contrast Trim" trend--U.S. Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour wore a modified version of a dress designer Marc Jacobs showed recently for his Marc Jacobs Resort 2013 Collection. In the Look Book (on the right photo), the dress was ankle length and more A-line shaped,. On Ms. Wintour, it was modified to be a more sheath dress shape with waist-defining belt; very Oscar de la Renta-meets-Marc Jacobs...


Caftan and Cascade:

Marchesa Co-Designer Keren Craig in Marchesa: "The Other Marchesa Designer" Keren Craig, attended the 2012 CFDA Awards looking quite "Mykonos Chic" in a coral silk caftan gown with gold shoulder and waist embellishment...and a FABULOUS tan. THIS. Will. Be. The Dress. Of Summer 2013. Trust.

Ashley Olsen in The Row Resort 2013: Deep lilac silk caftan drop shoulder, oversized cascade front ruffle--shapeless caftan dress--this is what Miss Ashley Olsen gave for Monday night's 2012 CFDA Awards Red Carpet. She was so on-trend in terms of what we'll see come NEXT YEAR! Love this dress.

Peplum:

Devon Aoki: NY-born 5' 5" tall model/actress Devon Aoki wore this strapless gown from NYC-based brand Alice + Olivia--from designer Stacey Bendet. The gown is from the Fall 2012 Alice + Olivia Collection, however, in their collection Look Book (right photo above), it was shown in green. Aoki wore a brick-red version. As you may know, it's ALL ABOUT The Peplum for Fall 2012 but this style detail will continue onto next year. And we can see just how pretty this silhouette detail can be. I showed it in my NIKOLAKI Collection last Spring 2011 so you know I love me a PEPLUM!

Halter Drape:

Erin Heatherton Michael Kors Resort 2013: Illinois-born Victoria's Secret Supermodel (and Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend) Erin Heatherton, wore this turquoise-blue halter liquid silk jersey dress featuring a gold/metallic neckline and plunging back. It's very easy-breezy but at the same time very elegant and chic, and leave it to 5' 11" Heatherton to make it look FABULOUS!

It's from Michael Kors Resort 2013 Collection, as seen from the designer's Look Book photo above.

 Embelished Shoulders:

Mandy Moore in Lela Rose Spring 2012: Singer/Actress Mandy Moore spotted this dress at Lela Rose's Spring 2012 Runway show, and the Texas-born designer customized it for her. On the runway (right photo above), the cream-colored dress was shown knee-length. Moore showed up to Monday night's 2012 CFDA Awards with the floor-length gown version. It's a simple gown with classic lines but what really "sells it", are those embellished cap sleeves.

Color Blocked Sportif:

Hillary Rhoda in Rebecca Minkoff: American model Hillary Rhoda arrived at the CFDA's in this navy/turquoise/ocean blue color-blocked athletic-inspired dress from San Diego-born NYC-based designer Rebecca Minkoff. Color blocking is HUGE for this Spring/Summer but will also continue on being a major trend through to next year.

High Low:

Model Joan Smalls in Michael Kors: Another big trend this Spring/Summer that we will also see next Spring/Summer is this high-low style. Girls are finally embracing this silhouette. It's flattering for tall girls and shorter girls who want to showoff your glorious legs...Speaking of legs, Model Joan Smalls looks "Demure Sexy" in this ivory high-low dress from Michael Kors. The accessories are PERFECT: love the simple gold ankle-strap heels and big gold bracelet, all finished off with a slicked-back I-just-got-off-the-Riviera hairstyle. St. Tropez Sublime.

Metallics:

Actress Lily Collins in Marchesa Fall 2012: Finally, we'll end with actress Lily Collins (yes, daughter of Phil), looking SOOOO cute in this gold high-neck, cap-sleeved fit-and-flare shaped dress from Marchesa Fall 2012. Lily is model-teeny-tiny so I wouldn't be surprised if this was the runway sample. She looked great in this dress. For those girls looking for a "new"-looking Prom Dress, this is the perfect style. Gold, silver or anything embellished will be a big trend come this Fall but it will spill over next year into Spring/Summer 2013, so ladies, keep an eye out for this Trend as well.

Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Red Carpet: Divas and A-Listers

Red Carpet Royalty.....

Diva Supreme!
(and I'm not talking about Ms. Andre Leon Talley trying to upstage her from behind!!)
Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture

Monday Night was the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala honoring the memory and amazing work of the late Alexander McQueen. This event happened only days after the House of Alexander McQueen ( headed by Sara Burton) was revealed as the designer of Katherine Middleton's Wedding Gown. So you can only imagine the excitement already swirling around in the air.

The Met Gala is always such a fun Red Carpet, because it is thought of as the "Academy Awards" of the Fashion World. The Oscars are often given the label of being safe and cookie cutter by the fashion world, so this is their opportunity to put their money where their mouth is and really give us something to talk about!!

But before we get to some of the more crazy ensembles, I thought I would highlight a few of the A-listers and Divas that really looked great on the RC.

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu: She looks breathtaking and very Old Hollywood Glamour. Love how she is workin' the slit and also the return of the strappy, more delicate heels.

Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop Unique: Love the color and Ginnifer always knows how to highlight that fabulous face. She accented it well with that STUNNING Van Cleef and Arpels necklace.

Madonna in Stella McCartney: While I am not a huge fan of this dress, Madonna is certainly vibe-ing 1930's Hollywood Glam. We are seeing a return of the Silk Charmeuse Gowns lately and there is no doubt that Madonna is looking flawless in the close-up image above.

Ashley Olsen in Vintage Dior: Love the unexpected quality of the dress on Ashley. While she stayed within her color comfort zone (black and white), it is great to see her reveal a bit more skin and style her hair in an up-do. She looks like a Parisian Chanteuse!

Mary Kate Olsen in Vintage Givenchy: Those Olsen Girls love their vintage! Love the color and ethereal quality. The Emerald jewelry is a perfect accent.

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci Fall 2011: Love this Gucci Collection and love Jennifer in this 70's inspired chiffon halter dress. Not everyone can pull off that floral bolero, but Jennifer, always the Diva, makes it work effortlessly.

Kerry Washington in Escada: Who knew her body was this amazing?! Love the color, cut and fabrication of this gown. If only she could have stopped the hairstylist from making her look like a poodle! When in doubt, pull the hair back into a Chignon!!

Ashley Greene in Custom Donna Karan: Shoot me now, but I have actually never seen a Twilight Movie, so I wasn't completely familiar with Ashley. But she certainly made an impact on me with this gorgeous Custom Donna Karan Gown. Not a style you would normally see from DK, but she looked absolutely radiant in the dress.

Up next....The Wacky, Crazy and "Oh No She Didn't!" of the Met Gala Red Carpet!...