The 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards took place Monday night in Downtown Los Angeles. I was there doing my "Red Carpet Commentating" as FIDM Fashion Design Co-Chair for KTLA News and their "Live From The Emmys" Coverage (more on that in an upcoming BLOG here)...


I was VERY happy to see that the red carpet (well, it was actually GOLD) was not a snooze fest and safe, as it has been for many of these top awards shows lately; this year's Emmy Red Carpet was full of outstanding, statement-making designs featuring grand gestures including draping, crystals, bold color and actual (Mon Dieu!) DESIGN! So, without any further delay...here were my TOP FAVORITE LOOKS:

Angela Sarafyan in Christian Siriano Fall 2018--PERFECTION! Sarafyan arrived quite early to the Emmy's and she made a (very) grand statement: Wearing a strapless black ballgown from Christian Siriano Fall 2018, the gown featured a square bustline and very full skirt with thousands and thousands of crystals. She looked like some angel in the middle of a starry night! She was styled by Avo Yermagyan and kudos to all for SHUTTING the Emmys gold carpet DOWN with this UBER fabulous look!

Thandie Newton in Brandon Maxwell Spring 2018--Thandie Netwon in this pink one shoulder draped column gown from Brandon Maxwell Spring 2018 was my second favorite look of the night! Styled by Erin Walsh, Thandie Newton look elegant, super chic and giving me an Elizabeth Taylor-meets-Sofia Loren Alta Moda "Old Hollywood" vibe. Gorgeous.

Rachel Brosnahan in Oscar de la Renta Spring 2019--This beautiful red gown was just shown two weeks ago at the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2019 NY Fashion Week show. Designed by Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the dip-dyed one shoulder chiffon dress evoked the diaphanous, Goddess look of a 1930's Madame Gres gown. I also thought the lipstick red color (that ombre'd from light to dark) was perfect against Rachel's alabaster skin.

Poppy Delevingne in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2018--English model and actress (and elder sister of SUPERMODEL Cara) Poppy Delevingne looked like she walked out of a John Singer Sargent painting in this stunning mint colored gown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2018. The silk taffeta gown featured a dramatic mermaid shape and even more dramatic back cascade drapes (because it was Couture, it was all hand-made and cost in the $100,000 range--if one were to order it!). She exuded Aristocratic Couture Diva in this from head to toe!

Sarah Paulson in Oscar de la Renta Spring 2019--Sarah Paulson looked stunning in this black strapless gown from Oscar de la Renta Spring 2019. Once again (like Rachel Brosnahan's dress), this came from a collection that was just shown at New York Fashion Week. The dress featured a scooped bustline, fitted bustier and feathered ball-skirt. The design--as you can see on the runway photo on the right--is tea-length, yet on Sarah, it ended up being more to-the-floor (the model is 5' 11" while Paulson is 5' 6"). Sarah Paulson's dramatic center-parted hair style, and strong red lipstick were just right for such an impacting dress. She was styled by Karla Welch.

Heidi Klum in Zac Posen Resort 2019--I really loved this Zac Posen-designed dress on Heidi Klum.  The strapless gown came from the designer's Resort 2019 collection and featured figure-hugging intricate draping at the bustier and upper torso area, culminating in a slightly full mini-pleated front section. The dusty rose color added a fresh feel to the design, which fit her to perfection.

Jessica Biel in Ralph & Russo Haute Couture Fall 2018--Another one of my Top Best Gowns at Monday's 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards was this white ballgown worn by Mrs. Justin Timberlake, actress Jessica Biel. The strapless gown was from the British design team of  Ralph & Russo and their Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2018 collection. The gown featured a silk organza fabrication cut into hundreds of squares with half-circle pieces, gradating in different hand-cut sizes. The dress itself, albeit simple-looking, was a technical marvel knowing what it would take to cut and hand-sew all of those squares and half-circle pieces, ultimately creating this elegant pretty gown.

Keri Russell in Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2018--"The Americans" actress Keri Russell was exotic and super sexy in this black creation from Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad and his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2018 collection entitled "Indian Summer". The gown (which was more Toreador and less Native America in my eyes) featured a gorgeously sequined top section with a plunging neckline, long sleeves and belted waist; a feathered peplum section and split-front-and-back chiffon skirt. The smoldering smoky eye, stunning strappy heels and simple accessories all added to a powerful and well-executed red carpet look, styled by Frank Fleming.

Sydelle Noel in Antonio Grimaldi Couture Spring/Summer 2018--"GLOW" actress Sydelle Noel was giving Gladiator Queen in this blush and gold one shoulder gown from Italian couturier Antonio Grimaldi Couture Spring/Summer 2018 collection. The column shaped gown featured hand-beaded tulle netting with metallic sequined applique that looked as if the most luxurious of a golden branch was literally climbing and wrapping itself around her stunning body. The golden and blush color against Sydelle skin made for red carpet sumptuousness.

Kristen Bell in Solace London Pre-Fall 2018--Column Perfection is how I would describe Kristen Bell and this ivory crepe gown from Solace London Pre-Fall 2018 she wore to the 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards. The original design--as seen in the Look Book--was in black but I think ivory was the right choice for Bell. When a dress is this simple and clean, the fit has to be on-point, and it was.

Millie Bobby Brown in Calvin Klein By Appointment--14-year-old Millie Bobby Brown looked like a Princess in this pretty dress from Calvin Klein By Appointment. Now, I have to admit that when I first saw this dress, I could have sworn it would have been from Chanel (the shape, the flowers)...but no, it is from Calvin Klein By Appointment which is the "Custom/Couture/For Actors Only" arm of the fashion company headed by Raf Simons (who was with Dior previously). Irregardless of who it's from and the fact that indeed this has NOTHING to do with Calvin Klein and more with Chanel, Dior or old-school Cristobal Balenciaga (SERIOUSLY!)...it looked very pretty on her, which I guess is all that mattered.

Alexis Bledel in Delpozo Resort 2019--Included in my Top 15 Best Dressed of the 2018 Emmys was Alexis Bledel of "The Handmaid's Tale" in this pink silk and chartreuse tulle dress with a geometric front "cut-out" and delicate sequined fan applique. The Delpozo Resort 2019 design was delicately beautiful and the colors were out of a candy dream! I also have to admit that I am OBSESSED with ANYTHING by Josep Font and Delpozo!

Marsai Martin in Viktor & Rolf Soir Resort 2019--Titled the "Rainbow Ruffle Cocktail Gown", this super pretty dress has a violet colored Mikado top with multi-tiered rainbow ombre tulle skirt. Marsai of "Black-ish" looked like 50's Hollywood Glamour in it, especially with that fabulous hairstyle. This was definitely one of my favorites of the night.

Michelle Dockery in Carolina Herrera Resort 2019--I loved the ocean blue color of this silk tulle gown worn by Michelle Dockery. The strapless dress was from Carolina Herrera Resort 2019 and featured fan-pleated tulle full overskirt with a meticulously gathered fitted bodice and an exuberant flower-and-leaf applique. It looked dreamy. If you notice, the original sample (as seen in the Look Book photo on the right above) had the under-dress shorter than how it was made for Michelle. Which one do you guys like better? Michelle or the original sample?

Tracee Ellis Ross in Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2018--THREE WORDS: OH MY GOD!!! First of all, when I saw this fuchsia taffeta plisse ballgown in the Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2018 show (on YouTube not live, thank you very much!), I just about had a "I've Gone to Alta Moda Heaven!" moment so when I saw it on Tracee, I was like BRAVA!!! With the help of her stylist Karla Welch (both of whom were front row at the actual Paris Haute Couture show), this became a FASHION MOMENT darlings! I almost wished she wore it with the orchid flower headdress...because why not??!!! Merci Tracee! Tres Tres Bien! 

and Tracee actually wore it with harem pants!....

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:

Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell Spring 2017: Lady Gaga looked like a 2017 version of Joan Collins' "Dynasty" character Alexis Carrington trying to fire one of her 20 housekeepers for not dusting her Bulgari jewelry! I LOVE it! She looks fab, Diva, and so Yves Saint Laurent "Le Smoking" Super Fierce. I also ADORE how she covered up her 12" platforms, hiding them under those wide leg trousers. And BTW: This was such a beautiful suit! Kudos to Brandon Maxwell and his tailoring sewers and cutters.

Gigi Hadid in Roberto Cavalli: Gigi was vibing Boho Chic and Cavalli's designer Peter Dundas helped. His designs for Cavalli have been VERY 70's Hippy as of late and here, Gigi is giving you a little bit of Coachella, Stevie Nicks and Woodstock. I'm sure many so-called "fashion critics" might deem this too much like a doily. But, I'm kinda loving it. It worked for the AMA's and on top of that, I could totally see this if I was getting married in Martinique or Mykonos...and I was a Millionaire Model...and a girl!

Ciara in Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Fall 2016: Here's a newsflash--Ciara is pregnant. She's expecting her first child with NFL star husband Russell Simmons.  At the 2016 AMA's Red Carpet, she wore this black jersey bubble  sweater gown with black gazar and white taffeta from French designer Stephane Rolland's Haute Couture Fall 2016 collection. I thought she looked quite beautiful and this was a nice choice--especially since this was, after all, a hand-made $85,000+ costing (she got it for free) Haute Couture design.

Heidi Klum in Wolk Morais Fall 2016--Heidi Klum wore this golden printed satin lame design from Wolk Morais. In case you might be out of the "fashion loop", Wolk Morias is the semi-new clothing line from Ruffian designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais who moved to LA several years ago after being in NYC. The design Heidi is wearing came from a "Studio 54"-esque inspired collection so I get the reason why she would wear it for the AMA's. Does it look like Disco Pajamas? Possibly. But I do like the fun pussy-bow blouse and retro-natural waist cut of the pants. But yes, overall, this was two minutes from a Halloween costume.

Hailee Steinfeld in Elie Saab Ready-to-Wear Spring 2017: Actress Hailee Steinfeld wore this sequined shorty-shorts cocktail ensemble from Lebanese couturier, Elie Saab. I thought this was quite cute and fun! I loved the side cowl draped arm "capelet" details.

Janelle Monae in Marc Jacobs Resort 2017: I love me some Janelle Monae and she didn't disappoint--style-wise--with this Marc Jacobs Resort 2017 look consisting of a black-and-white fur coat and striped dress with lace trim. She looked elegant, demure and still had a sexy air of I'm-just-leaving-a-hotel-room-at-7AM-look...if the hotel is the Plaza Athenee in Paris.

Taraji P. Henson in Celine Fall 2016: Speaking of a Walk of Shame. I actually love the audacity of actress Taraji P. Henson and her choice (with help from her stylist) to wear an outfit that actually looked as if she was really just leaving a hotel room secret rendezvous. Taraji wore an oversized white shirt from Celine, and a bra. Oh, and yes, she also had some gold strappy heels. As you can see from the runway style, it was organza and unlined, but at least for Taraji, the French brand made it in a non-see-through fabric and lined it, like a jacket. I bow down to Miss Taraji; she gets Atta-Gurl Points.

Chrissy Teigen in Yousef Akbar--Chrissy Teigen made red carpet waves wearing this very. very, VERY revealing black dress to the 2016 AMA's. The gown was from Saudi Arabian-born, based in Australia, designer Yousef Akbar. The dress had UBER high slits held together by hope and a prayer...and gold safety pins. The slits went so high that they revealed the fact that she was not wearing underwear. Ayyy Mija! 

Ariana Grande in Alexander McQueen: Ariana wore this top and pants look from Alexander McQueen. I thought she looked mature and still sexy. There was nothing too Hoochie, cheap or tacky. I like her in those tuxedo-striped pants and the lace bustier was quite pretty. I also love that those tacky black platform heels were HIDDEN from sight!

Bella Thorne in Anthony Franco and Natori: Actress/singer Bella Thorne wore this black jacket and cropped skinny pants from Anthony Franco and bra from Natori. I have no issues with the outfit; I think it's modern, fresh and chic. And I do LOVE those strappy heels! But...that red-and-green ombre hair and that DOUCHEY face-and-hand gesture: Not-so-Mucheey. No. No. And No.

Idina Menzel: Idian Menzel wore this see through black netting and sequin gown to the 2016 AMA's. At first, I thought : "Why?". I am no a big fan of this trend of the undergarments/leotard being seeing under the gown. This is so tacky Miss USA pageant from 2013. I know that Couturiers such as Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad were doing this seasons ago and now, all of a sudden it's caught the red carpet trend but PLEASE NO!!! I beg you! I think Ms. Menzel looked silly. She can do better.


Miss America 2017 Janine Shields: I normally have a chuckle at the fact that the Latino music awards shows like Latin Grammys, Premios Tu Mundo and Premios Juventud (to name a few) always have a hunch of beauty pageant contestants/winners walking the red carpet. But, here we are at the 2016 American Music Awards and "Miss America 2017" Janine Shields from Arkansas, is walking the red carpet! (so shut my mouth!). OK, for a pageant gal, she looked modern, nice and non "Pageant Betty". There were no crystals and (thank goodness!), no tacky Stripper Platform Heels! So...I give Janine (and her stylist) points!

Bebe Rexha: Singer Bebe Rexha wore this animal printed dress accompanied with knee-high boots. The dress featured a very plunging neckline (naturally!) and super high side front slit (naturally, part 2!). Straight men probably thought she looked "HOT!" and sexy but I thought she looked Tacky-licious. This would be a cute maxi dress without the plunging neckline and super high slit...and with gold sandals and a big straw hat...while on a cruise to the Bahamas. But not for the AMA's.

Lauren Giraldo: OK, first of all, I had to Google who the lovely young woman was because I had no idea (I am too old and not "with it", I guess). Lauren Giraldo is an 18 year-old Vine sensation and somehow she thought it was cute to wear a golden leotard and nude tulle overskirt as her 2016 American Music Awards red carpet outfit. Someone should have told her that this was A) Not Las Vegas, and B) She was not auditioning for the Folie Bergere in Paris. I still have no clue as to what her talent is and why she is "famous" on Vine, but she is pretty and I do love her gold strappy heels. Maybe that's all you need.

Z LaLa: Oh, how much do I love me some Z LaLa. She's a singer best known for singing in NINETEEN different languages, according to Wikipedia. She's also known for her eccentric style and Lady Gaga-like ensembles. What she wore at the 2016 American Music Awards this past weekend was no exception. Z LaLa wore a black latex cone bra, quarterback shouldered dress with black see-though illusion netting top. Two words: YASSS KWEEN.