Shiny, Pretty Things: Victoire de Castellane's Jewelry

Victoire de Castellane has designed jewelry for both the houses of Chanel and Dior.  There.  That's all I need to say about her.  But I'll say more.  Her colorful, imaginative and edgy pieces take fine jewelry to the next level.  Her fantastical designs take you through the looking glass...and they're shiny, pretty pieces of art.

You can Like her on Facebook.  See her Dior pieces.  See her Gagosian exhibit.

My Fan Art Project for Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

To celebrate Cartoon Network's 20th anniversary, I had the opportunity to participate in an art show--creating a piece of fan art based on a Cartoon Network show.  I chose Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.

Foster's is a whimsical, character rich show about a home where imaginary friends go to when they are no longer needed--or believed in.  It is funny and sweet and has colorful, creative characters.

I decided to use my love of fashion and photography as inspiration to create couture interpretations of 3 of my favorite characters.  For logistical reasons (and because I didn't have 3 supermodel friends on hand--not to mention studio space to create the set), I designed the fashions for dolls.  Here is my vision for Bloo, Eduardo, and Coco.

The Characters

These are the characters from the show.  My muses are: Coco on the far left, Bloo right next to her, and Eduardo, the big purple guy with horns and the skull belt in the middle.

The Designs

My concept sketches and fabric swatches.

The Models

You'll be seeing more of these girls.  I already have another photo shoot with them.

The Artwork

I titled it "House of Foster's: Eduardo, Bloo, and Coco Couture".


There will be an exhibition (curated by Mark Murphy) of all the artwork created for this show at the Jett Gallery in San Diego this week during Comic Con.  Come by if you're in town!

Spring Flower Couture

Being as it's Easter week, not to mention having just seen the Hunger Games and loving the "Capitol Couture", I found the Spring Couture collection of Alexis Mabille quirky, fresh and colorful....like a Spring bouquet.  I can just picture Effie Trinket in one of these outfits.

All photos from Style.com

Happy Spring!!  Enjoy some beautiful colors!

Oscar Fashion Awards 2012

Time to show my favorite dresses of the evening--along with some honorable--and not so honorable--mentions.

All photos from Style.com.

10. Viola Davis in Vera Wang

It's actually not my favorite dress--I wish the top detail was more like the unique detail of the skirt--but I loved how gorgeous she looked with the color of the dress, color and cut of her hair and the diamond cuff, earrings and bag. 

9. Natalie Portman in Vintage Dior

Sweetly understated but still beautiful in a subtle polka dot.

8. Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

Perhaps too much of a nod to Nicole Kidman's Balenciaga but stunning none the less.

7. Berenice Bejo in Elie Saab

Love the 40's vibe--not to mention the seafoam green with her red tresses.

6. Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood

Love her hair with the dress--and I'm such a fan of Vivienne Westwood's exquisite draping.

5. Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

This dress and her styling is a perfect mix of the past and present--and we'll be seeing a lot more of the peplum skirt.

4. Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

Stunning face, stunning dress.

3. Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

To be able to pull off a cape on the red carpet, it has to be perfect.  And it is.

My next 2 choices were very close.  The tie breaker was who wore my favorite designer:

2. Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

This dress just took my breath away.  As did Octavia.

1. Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

Black and gold can be tough to pull off on the red carpet, but Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen created the perfect Goddess Gown.  Jessica's fiery hair was the perfect accessory.

Now for the honorable mentions.

The "Yes, it's a Beautiful World, But Your Voice Makes it Even More Beautiful" Award

Esperanza Spaulding (no credit given to who's dress it is).  The simplicity, the cut, the color--love!

The "It's Ok from the Front but Stunning From the Back" Award

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa

The "Who Knew They Were Sisters? (But I Love Their Dresses)" Award

Kate Mara in Jack Guisso and Rooney Mara in Givenchy Haute Couture

The "I Think Your Act is Tired but Love How You 'Ashed' Ryan Seacrest" Award

Sacha Baron Cohen.

The "Love How You Updated the Music at the Oscars" or how about just "Yummy" Award

Pharrel Williams in Lanvin.

The "Leg That Was More Desperate for Attention than the Actress it Belonged To" Award

Angelina Jolie in Atellier Versace.

As always, I love to hear your comments and your favorites!

Golden Globes Red Carpet

I'm a sucker for awards season red carpet watching.  I look forward to being a couch critic for the next couple of months.

So, here's my top ten as well as some honorable mentions.  Feel free to leave your comments on your favorites/least favorites or your own honorable mentions.

All pictures from Style.com

Best-Dressed Countdown

10. Sarah Michelle Geller in Monique Lhuillier

Seriously bold choice.  I'm a print and pattern person, so I love the hand-dyed affect.

9.  Freida Pinto in Prada

The beautiful Freida.  I saw a close-up of the fabric and it is gorgeous.  I love the belt detail, simple cut, and then there's that incredible necklace by Chopard.

8. Morena Baccarin in Georges Chakra

Queen V.  Loved her in Firefly too....The contrasting side panel takes the beautiful black dress to the next level.

7.  Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci

Love the edginess she brings in her ensemble.

6. Nicole Kidman in Versace

Always a stunner.  Her fiery hair matches her metal detailing.

5.  Zooey Deschanel in Prada

She has such a unique style.  The dress is beautiful enough, but the not-exactly-matching green clutch makes it interesting.

4.  Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

She would have been higher on my list if a.) I actually liked her or b.) her skeletal frame didn't make her look about 50 (she's 36!).  That said, this dress is breathtaking, not to mention her fashion accessory holding her hand (her clutch is nice, too).

3.  Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann

Tilda is one of those amazing style icons and risk takers.  This risk paid off.

2.  Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci Premiere

I wasn't blown away by this dress until I saw the detail--scales that go into feathers.

1.  Charlize Theron in Dior

Goddess....

And now, for the honorable mentions....

The "Kick-Ass Eagle Belt" Award

Emma Stone in Lanvan....I want one.

The "I May Be Full Of Myself and My Face Doesn't Move But I Can Sure Rock This Dress" Award

Madonna in Reem Acra and Andrea Riseborough in Vivienne Westwood (my fave!).  A little wink and a nod to her 80's days with the glove and the cross.

The "Stunning Laser Cut Detail" Award

Dianna Agron in Giles.  This would have made my best-dressed, but I didn't love the skirt layers.

The "Eff Nude--I'm Going Bold and Owning it" Award

Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier.  I love all the nude colors too, but this was colorful and refreshing.

The "My Favorite Body Part is My Heart" Award

Such a great answer to a stupid question asked by a ditsy reporter.

The "Watch Out Don Draper" Award

So suave....And perhaps the best line of the night:  "I'm Sorry...I'm French".  I look forward to seeing you in a few more awards shows....

The "I Dyed My Hair To Match My Dress"  AKA the "Worst-Dressed" Award

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen.  I love Zac, but I don't like the shoulders and her hair really ruins it.

See you at the Oscars!