WHO WORE WHAT?.....BEST OF 2017: 25 BEST RED CARPET Looks from Academy Awards & Golden Globes

Best of the BEST: Best Red Carpet Looks of 2017--Academy Awards and Golden Globes

An end-of-the-year tradition is to look back at the BEST of the Best. And here on my BLOG, I have already talked about the Best National Costumes of International Beauty Pageants HERE, and will do a BEST GOWNS as well soon! But for now, it's time for my Best of 2017 Red Carpet "Who Wore What?" Posts. I'll discuss some of the top red carpet events like Cannes, Met Gala, SAG Awards, but now it's time to begin with two BIGGIES: The 2017 Academy Awards and the 2017 Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet.
Here are my TOP 25 BEST Red Carpet Looks from those two A-list red carpet events, beginning with the 89th Annual Academy Awards:

Janelle Monae in Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2016: Actress and singer Janelle Monae chose this Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2016 Gown to wear to the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Janelle is always a fashion risk-taker, and this certainly is quite a statement! Back when I first reviewed it I thought it was a STUNNING gown but maybe it was too much of a look for her. Well, kids, I was wrong: I LOVED THIS! I think that these are those "fashion moments" I personally live for and Thank You Janelle for doing it! I now think it is one of the BEST of 2017.

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2017: The statuesque and gorgeous Charlize Theron attended the 2017 Academy Awards in this golden Christian Dior Haute Couture gown. Theron is a long-time spokesmodel for the French fashion house so it was no shocker that she would wear Dior. The fan-pleated golden lame/black tulle gown featured a full skirt, plunging neckline and fitted waist. While the design was almost straight-off-the-runway, in terms of style, there were two slight changes to the bodice, with the addition of black tulle for more coverage and a cross-over effect at the center front. The dress evoked a 1950's Old Hollywood Glamour sensibility and was Classic, Elegant and one of the Best of 2017. 

Taraji P Henson in custom Alberta Ferretti: Taraji looked super sleek, vampy and curvaceous in this midnight blue gown custom-made for her by the Italian fashion house of Alberta Ferretti. While there was nothing extraordinarily "High Fashion" about the design, it definitely made a statement and fit her to perfection and I do kind of love the "Pageant Gown" look to it. Chic, sleek and sexy.

Jessica Biel in KaufmanFranco Pre-Spring 2017: Jessica Biel looked RAVISHING in this golden sequined gown from KaufmanFranco Pre-Spring 2017 Collection at the 2017 Oscars. I loved the simple sheath silhouette, long raglan-seamed sleeves, small train, and especially the "Devore"-like sequined fabrication. In terms of accessories, that Tiffany & Co. necklace was EVERYTHING! I also loved how she styled her hair in that chic center-parted chignon. She looked elegant and regal. Definitely one of the BEST of the Academy Awards and 2017!

Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad Spring 2017: Chrissy Teigen looked every bit of an A-List Hollywood Diva when she walked the 2017 Academy Awards red carpet in this ivory and gold gown from Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. The gown is from his Haute Couture collection of Spring/Summer 2017 inspired by the famous Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival in Japan. You can see the firework-like detail in the hand-sewn sequins of the gown. Teigen was PERFECTION in this $100,000-costing all-handmade gown!

Viola Davis in custom Armani Prive: Viola Davis looked stunning in this scarlet red gown from Armani Prive. It was custom made for her (naturally) so it fit her beautifully (check out that PERFECT length!). While this wasn't a very Haute "fashion statement", it was safe and definitely gorgeous. The draped halter neckline, the striking color and the figure flattering shape all united to make this look a RED CARPET WINNER!

 

Brie Larson in custom Oscar de la Renta: Now, speaking of a definite Haute Fashion Statement, I present to you Brie Larson in custom Oscar de la Renta. The dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta's design duo Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia and featured a sculpted silhouette, cinched waist and ruffled volants trailing into a hem. The neckline was directly inspired from one of the runway looks (the pointed bustline jumpsuit in the right photo--middle, above) from Oscar de la Renta Fall 2017. Larson reminded me of a modern "Madame X" from the famous John Singer Sargent painting (above) and looked almost too Upper Class for even the Academy Awards!

Priyanka Chopra in Ralph & Russo Spring 2017 Couture: Stunning Priyanka went simple and column-like in this Ralph & Russo Couture gown for the 2017 Academy Awards. I thought the ivory color was perfect for her and the long and lean silhouette was clean and modern. I also loved the sequined "blocked" details of the fabric, which by the way, is all hand-done; it's COUTURE darlings! The gown may look simple but if you were to order it, it would set you back an un-simple $80,000+.

Nicole Kidman in Armani Prive Spring 2017: Nicole Kidman was PERFECTION in this blush/nude colored halter style gown from Armani Prive. The design featured hand-sewn sequins in circular and scroll-like motifs and had beautiful gold jeweled crystals, and a back silk chiffon godet piece. The gown was customized for her from this runway style as you can see in the photo comparisons above. Nicole was very on-trend with the "Nude/Blush Gown" style and looked elegant and chic. While this may not have been a "wow" gown in photos, trust me, close up (or even from the balcony where I was covering the Academy Awards Red Carpet for ABC!) this was AMAZING!

Last but not least (for the Best of 2017-Academy Awards)...

Debbie Matenopoulos in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul: Since this is my blog and I co-designed (along with my partner David Paul) this beautiful gown for TV presenter/host Debbie Matenopoulos--and she did look SOOOO GORGEOUS!--I had to add her in my Best of 2017 Red Carpet List of course. David and I custom-designed this fabulous NIKOLAKI gown for her which featured a blush colored silk sequined tulle, silk satin crepe lining, plunging neckline and silk chiffon one shoulder cascade cape. It was FASHION, Drama and she looked totally on-trend with the "Nude/Blush Gowns" that we saw during 2017. 

Now, time for my BEST RED CARPET Picks of the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards:

Blake Lively in custom Atelier Versace: Blake Lively tops my Best of 2017 Golden Globes Red Carpet List, with this stunning gown custom-made for her by Atelier Versace. She looked DIVINE in this black silk velvet gown, featuring a fit-to-flare silhouette, a long dramatic train, Swarovski crystal chain-mail neckline, top and pocket embellishment and a front bust cut-out for a (slightly) plunging neckline view. It was elegant, high fashion and a chic, powerful fashion statement. #Love

 

Hailee Steinfeld in Custom Vera Wang: Actress Hailee Steinfeld wore this lilac colored ballgown from designer Vera Wang. The iridescent silk tulle gown was custom-made and featured a full "Princess" skirt, cold shoulder sleeves, gathered details, a center front slit opening...and a back cape/train. Normally, all of those components would probably come out a big ol' Pageant Beauty Queen mess but...here this gown looked ethereal, beautiful and made for a definite red carpet moment worthy of my Best of 2017 List!

Anna Kendrick in Vionnet Spring 2017: Anna Kendrick wore this gown from the French fashion house of Vionnet, designed by Goga Ashkenazi. The Grecian Goddess-style gown featured a one-shoulder neckline, hand-pleated silk chiffon cupped busts and full silhouette, and gave me a 1930's/40's "Old Hollywood Glamour" vibe. Sublime Best of 2017.

Naomie Harris in custom Armani Prive: English actress Naomie Harris was one of the BEST DRESSED at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards in this strapless golden column gown from Armani Prive. She said that she had to lay down in the car on the way to the awards show, and not eat (and barely breathe!) because the gown was made to an 1/8" of her body...and it looks it! The gold silk mikado gown featured hand-sewn rhinestones and sequins as well as a mini nude colored panel down the center front. Harris looked STUNNING and Diva-like in this gown. Sorry that she couldn't eat but at least, she was one of the BEST of 2017 Red Carpet.  

Mandy Moore in custom Naeem Khan: Mandy Moore wore this midnight blue silk chiffon gown from Naeem Khan, featuring an attached cape, flowing A-line flared gown and plunging neckline. I think she looked modern and regal and I LOVED the dramatic cape and subtle thin belted waist. It was simple, elegant, architectural and oh-so chic!

Natalie Portman in Custom Prada: Speaking of chic...Natalie Portman looked absolutely STUNNING in this chartreuse colored Custom Prada gown at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Portman was nominated for her role of the former First Lady Jackie Kennedy in the film "Jackie" and I love how she vibed the former First Lady's iconic elegance. The gown was very 1960's Alta Moda Couture in its shape, 3/4 sleeves and minimalist embellished detail; Portman looked like the wife of an Ambassador...in 1965. But still, so very now! Molto Bella! 

Viola Davis in Michael Kors Collection: Continuing with the canary yellow colored gowns, I wanted to add Viola Davis in this Michael Kors Collection dress. The one shoulder sequined gown looked great on Davis, especially the bold color and chic one shoulder silhouette. It's not very "UBER" high fashion but she looked every bit a "Red Carpet Diva". 

Emma Stone in custom Valentino: Styled by Petra Flannery, Emma Stone was giving "subdued elegance" in this star-studded nude-and-silver sequined gown from the Italian house of Valentino.The gown featured a simple shape of a semi-full flared gown with plunging neckline but it was the silver star embroidery in the gown that became the "Star"--as it were--of the gown. She looked ethereal, ingenue-like and delicately pretty in this. She also continued the "Nude/Blush Gown Trend" so popular of 2017.

Sofia Vergara in Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall 2016: Actress and Colombian bombshell Sofia Vergara wore this golden gown from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016 that featured gold and silver metallic hand-sewn sequined applique over nude tulle. The style also had open "cold" shoulders and open front, revealing a little cleavage (of course!). She gave a Gladiator Couture Goddess look with this and I loved it. The dress fit her perfectly (it's COUTURE huney!) and she was on-trend with ...yes, the "Nude Gown" look. Sofia was Golden Globes Bellisima!

Lily Collins in Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall 2016: Actress Lily Collins wore this beautiful ballgown from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture for the 2017 Golden Globes and it was one of my TOP BEST of that red carpet as well as 2017! The lilac/raspberry colored gown is all handmade (it's Haute Couture!) and features hand-sewn metallic lace applique throughout with a nude silk tulle base/top. Collins looked like French aristocracy from back in the Louis XIV days! For such a petite actress, this soft ballgown was surprisingly perfect for her.

Ruth Negga in custom Louis Vuitton: Three things come to mind when I see this look from actress Ruth Negga:  Chic; Column Diva; and Fashion Statement. I loved this golden column sequined gown worn by Negga custom-made for her by the French fashion house of Louis Vuitton. It was modern, directional and gave me hints of scuba-wear (very Chanel 1991--see photo above of Linda Evangelista!). The whole look was effortless...even though we all know a lot of effort was put into this.

Naomi Campbell in Atelier Versace Fall 2016: Only the one-and-only Naomi Campbell would show up to the Golden Globes SERVING YOU Diva Supermodel Style since after all, she IS a SUPERMODEL! Campbell wore this lilac and black colored silk duchesse satin gown from Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2016 Couture collection. This $100,000 costing gown (if one were to actually order it and buy it!), featured a one shoulder neckline, bias-cut twisted bands, hand-sewn sequin encrusted panels and dramatic cascade draped back, and Naomi SERVED IT TO Y'ALL! One of the Best of 2017 Red Carpet Looks from the 2017 Golden Globes. Model Diva. 

Brie Larson in custom Rodarte: Actress Brie Larson wore this fire-red colored gown from Rodarte and she looked super beautiful--one of the BEST looks of the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards! The strapless gown featured sequined and gathered chiffon bustier details and a full gathered skirt...soooo pretty!

Evan Rachel Wood in custom Altuzarra: Actress Evan Rachel Wood was giving Marlene Dietrich in her tuxedo ensemble from NY-based designer Joseph Altuzarra at this year's Golden Globe Awards. The "Le Smoking" ensemble was VERY Yves Saint Laurent/Helmut Newton photo-inspired (lower photo above) and I thought she made a definite FASHION statement. This is the ULTIMATE in CHIC darlings! 

                               

And lastly...I had to add the gorgeous Debbie Matenopoulos in our NIKOLAKI gown:

Debbie Matenopoulos in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul: The ever-so-fabulous Debbie Matenopoulos, co-host of  Hallmark's "Home & Family" TV Show, wore one of our NIKOLAKI gowns at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet and naturally, I think she was one of the BEST DRESSED of the Golden Globes as well as 2017! The gown was a color-blocked column style gown in black/golden creme/raspberry colored silk/wool ziberline and featured pleated sides, a plunging neckline, as well as side pockets: Fabulous!

**UP NEXT: BEST of 2017 Red Carpet "Who Wore What?--2017 SAG Awards and 2017 Emmy Awards"!

And don't forget about my NEW "The Pageant Coloring Book"! Where you can create your very own Evening Gown Competition with 25 of my hand-drawn Pageant Queen illustrations. Click HERE to purchase NOW on amazon.com: