Oscars Red Carpet - Life Imitating Art

My Oscars Red Carpet recap this time highlights the best looks that evoke iconic fashions from favourite paintings and films. Taraji P. Henson and Brie Larson both wore stunning sculpted black gowns that had the sexy appeal of John Singer Sargent's famous painting of Madame X. Henson wore a velvet Alberta Ferretti gown. Brie Larson channelled Charles James in an Oscar de la Renta gown.

If there is anyone that can make a grown Hollywood actress feel like a Disney princess, it is designer Zac Posen. Some of the most memorable big ballgowns at previous award shows and the Met Gala have been made by him. Here, he created the enchanting yellow ballgown for Leslie Mann that Beauty and the Beast's Belle would be proud of. Wait, does that make Hubby Judd Apatow the Beast?

This has to be my favourite gown of the night. Janelle Monae is positively regal in this gorgeously embellished Elie Saab gown. The twinkling jewels on the black organza emulate the stars and space she represented in the Oscar-nominated movie Hidden Figures. The silhouette evokes a queen of an earlier era, specifically, Marie Antoinette in the 1938 film version of her life. The paniers on Norma Shearer's hips are more exaggerated, but both gowns feature intricate metallic embroidery and command whatever room the wearer walks into.

So there you go. These were my favourite Oscars Red Carpet looks that imitated the most iconic fashion looks from art. What were your favourite Academy Awards looks from last night?

Red carpet photos by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Read more >>

Academy Award Party Tips with M&MS

It’s the Academy Awards again! Admit it, how many of you think the real winners are on the red carpet instead of picking up the statue? I have been hosting Oscar parties the last few years now. The best events have lots of treats and a lot of styles. An easy treat to celebrate American cinema is the classic candy of M&M’S. I use them to bring color and texture to desserts. You can totally pair them with your outfit or movie theme.

If you are walking your own red carpet, make sure to wear a color that flatters you. If you can’t do a custom gown, the key to making a dress look expensive is one that fits you well. One of my all-time favorite looks was Viola Davis at the 2012 Academy Awards wearing a custom green Vera Wang gown. This dress looked so great on her because it worked with her skin tone and the bodice highlighted her face. Just for fun, I re-interpreted this look with the famous Green M&M’S.

I also made boozy chocolate cupcakes. I used chocolate liqueur, which gives the cake a moist texture and chocolate buttercream. I topped it with a crispy M&M to match Viola’s dress. Have fun with the recipe:

Chocolate Liqueur Cupcakes: (Makes 12)

3 oz.  High-quality dark chocolate chopped into small pieces
1/3 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
3/4 cup brewed espresso
3/4 cup bread flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons butter
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons Chocolate Liqueur
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tin with the paper cup liners (I like the foil ones for glam events).
Pour hot espresso over a large bowl of the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder. Whisk until smooth. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Set aside the bowl.
Whisk the oil, eggs, vinegar and vanilla into the cooled chocolate until the mixture looks smooth. Add the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake tins. Bake for approximately 17-19 minutes, until just firm to the touch. Cool on rack for 10 minutes, and then remove cupcakes from pan to cool completely.

Chocolate Liqueur Buttercream 

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1 to 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 to 3 tablespoons Chocolate Liqueur

Cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder. Mix until combined. Add chocolate liqueur. Mix at high speed until light and fluffy, adding more sugar and/or liqueur until desired consistency is reached. Add your buttercream to a piping bag (I like to add a star tip) and frost.

Top with a crispy M&M for crunch!

To make your guests feel like VIPs, make sure you have good lighting. An inexpensive flood light in a flattering hue or even lots of tea lights can make that happen. If you have a screen (or sheet) you can project the Academy Awards onto, it looks very impressive.

If  you need more tips for impressing on the red carpet, these little guys can help you out. What are your favorite tips for hosting an Oscars party?

Presented by M&MS.

Read more >>

Best Embroidery on the Academy Awards Red Carpet

Platinum and diamonds was the clear red carpet winner at the Academy Awards.  The best Oscar dresses where in shades of nude, crystal and white.  As always, Ms. Fabulous chooses the best use of beading and embroidery on the red carpet.

Jessica Biel looked stunning in Chanel.  The fitted dress was embroidered in sequins in of different shapes to reflect a pattern, then topped with shredded chiffon at the bust.  Angelina Jolie looked like a Goddess in her beaded Elie Saab.  She bravely showed off her post-surgery chest with barely there, gradated lines of crystal and metallic beads.

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett was a vision in an amazing Giorgio Armani.  The highly dimensional embroidery was a mix of organza petals, metallic pailettes, dripping beads and Swarovski crystal.  Kristen Bell's dramatic gown was by Roberto Cavalli.  The bodice was a highly textured layered applique lace accented with beads.

I know the Academy Awards are supposed to be a celebration of talent.  Can I help it when these ladies kill it with a fantastic Oscars red carpet show?

Jordan Strauss/AP, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America),Jason Merritt/Getty

Read more >>

FAB EXCLUSIVE: Red Carpet Dressing with Janet McTeer

Oscar Nominee Janet McTeer has already won multiple TONY and SAG awards. She won the Golden Globe Award previously for 1999’s Tumbleweeds where she also earned her first Academy Award nomination. She is a legend among her peers in theater.   She struck up a friendship with fellow Oscar nominee from Albert Nobbs Glenn Close while working together on television’s Damages.  

Ms. Fabulous founder Mariana Leung was lucky enough to catch the Oscar nominee in between gown fittings to chat about dressing for the red carpet and her favorite designers: 

 

MsFABulous: Your dynamic performance in Albert Nobbs has earned you an acting nomination for almost every award this season. How much effort do you put into the red carpet when there are so many events to attend?

Janet McTeer: I put as much effort as I have time ! With the Golden Globes I literally had 2 days to find something and that was pretty stressful , with a little more lead time for the Oscars I have had a dress made for me.

MsF: What will you be doing to prepare your look for the Academy Awards ?

JM: Again as much as I have time for! I'm currently filming damages so I'm working right up until I fly to LA but I'll manage to squeeze in a manicure I'm sure

MsF: What qualities do you look for in a dress when you choose a look for an event?

JM: Depending on the event and the time of the event. I do believe less is more so I look for elegance and clean lines. I'm curvy so a tapered, not too fussy line suits me. If it’s a fun party I'll add a bit more funk and I never underestimate the power of a good décolletage !

MsF: Whose opinion do you trust when trying on red carpet options?

JM: Mine and my husband's.

MsF: Are there any fashion designers that you return to for special occasions?

JM: I love Marc Jacobs , David Meister for the red carpet , Miu Miu , Jovani does good stuff for far less and do more sizes than a 2!  I could go on and on but these are who I've worn recently

MsF: Do you have an all-time favorite look that you have worn on the red carpet?

JM: Not yet !

MsF: How has the culture of dressing for the red carpet changed since your last Academy Award nomination?

JM: It hasn’t, it's just as glamorous just as swanky , just as stressful.

MsF: What dress, handbag, shoes and jewelry did you ultimately choose to wear to the Oscars?

JM: I'm wearing a dress by David Meister , jewels by Piaget and believe it or not but I haven't got shoes or a bag yet and they are 4 days away. Ridiculous I know!

MsF: Thank you and have a great time!

 Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Read more >>