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! 

Olivia Munn in Oscar de la Renta Resort 2018--Olivia Munn wore a black gown from Oscar de la Renta Resort 2018. The strapless gown was designed by Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the creative duo that now heads the Oscar de la Renta brand. The gown featured a silver sequined bustier and a black silk duchesse column fitted skirt with gorgeous silver beaded leaf applique. I thought it was a unique design and Olivia looked elegant yet fun.

WHAT: Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2018. For New York Fashion Week, Oscar de la Renta co-creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia (this is their second collection for the famed American fashion house)...


...showed Pop Art-inspired pieces with bright colors, modern yet chic shapes that evoked a sense of the "modern" Oscar de la Renta...yet his name was ALL OVER it. Literally. Kim and Garcia used letters de la Renta wrote as well as Thank You notes the co-directors received from celebs such as Elle Fanning and Emma Watson, and splashed them all over the clothes.


TRENDS: Color! Color! Color! Denim; Loose Shirting; Tulle Dresses; See-through; Oversized blazers; Culottes; Strapless Column Gowns.

COLORS: Bubblegum Pink (Fuchsia); Canary yellow; White; Chartreuse; Red; Royal Blue.

Collection Highlights:










Click below to watch Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2018 Fashion Show:

Brie Larson attended last night's 2017 Academy Awards in this dramatic black gown from Oscar de la Renta. The custom-made dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta's new design duo Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia and featured a sculpted silhouette, cinched waist and ruffled volants trailing into a hem. She reminded me of a modern "Madame X" from the famous John Singer Sargent painting:

This past week, I flew to San Francisco--along with my partner David--to enjoy a quick overnight trip at the invitation of David's mom Conchita. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Embarcadero with Conchita's friend of 58 years, Susan Burns...

I was very sad yesterday to hear of the passing of Fashion Design Icon--or as Fern Mallis described him as "The Sultan of Suave", Oscar de la Renta. As a young boy growing up in Caracas Venezuela dreaming to be a fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta was one of my IDOLS. Not only did I love and admire de la Renta's beautiful so-Lady Like designs, but he was LATINO. And this was especially nice to a young half-Latino boy who didn't see many other Latino fashion designers out there to "look up to".

This continued once I moved with my family to the United States and the San Francisco Bay Area. My mom--always supportive of my dream--found out one year that Oscar de la Renta would be making an appearance at San Francisco I. Magnin Union Square and she dragged me (kicking and screaming!--Not!) to get to meet him. And I did.  There's a photo of that somewhere. I'm sure it's in one of my mom's many "photo album" storage boxes. Meeting him that day was EVERYTHING to me.

Sarah always loves her big hair and accessories and she didn't disappoint tonight. She added several vintage pins to her long white gloves and a bracelet high up on her arm.

Her hair was accented with beautiful Gardenia flowers.

What do you think of SJP's Met Gala 2014 style?