Part Two of the White House Correspondents' Dinner Fashion: Chiffon Belles

"The Newsroom" actress Emily Mortimer wore a red chiffon Oscar de la Renta gown at last night's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. I thought she looked very "proper" in this dress featuring a satin belt, banded neckline and sheer sleeves. 

"Nashville" actress Hayden Panetierre wore this lemon yellow chiffon Katherine Kidd Spring 2012 gown. It was very Prom Queen. I also think there was way too much going on...from the draped side cowls to the gathered bust to the beaded looped trim hanging off of it (seriously, what the heck was that?), it was too mucheey.

Last night was the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 27, 2013 in Washington, DC , or as insiders like to call it, the "nerd prom".  News Reporters/correspondents from all spectrum of media--from TV, to newspapers (what's that?) and bloggers--rubbed shoulders and ate and drank very close together (that room look too packed!) with Hollywood TV and film (and some reality star) A-listers.


I always wonder who pays for all this, who flies out all these Hollywood peeps, pays for the First Class flights and 5-star hotel suites and car services...Is it the White House? What part of the budget does that come under? The "Entertainment" budget? Oh it's just too much to think about so instead, I'd rather think about the FASHION, of course. Several "trends" emerged last night: such as Lots of Lace, Embellished Gowns and Floaty Chiffon, among others. Let's take a look:

Time for a Stylist Re-Hire...

In my last post, I talked about my "Best" and "OK" Dressed at last night's Washington DC-Hearts-Hollywood Correspondents' Dinner. There were some nicely dressed ladies in attendance, however, it's time for the "Uh Oh's"--Let's begin...

Lindsay Lohan: Miss Lindsay...gotta love her. She was a "Guest" of Fox New's Greta van Susteren (in other words, they payed for her First Class LA-Washington DC flight plus a very super duper suite in a five-star DC hotel). She was also there with her attorney, Shawn Holley. OK, now to the important stuff: what she wore. Lindsay wore a halter-neckline black duchesse satin gown. To be blunt: she was two minutes away from being a bridesmaid. 

First, duchesse satin is a difficult fabric to wear--especially if you have to sit in a limo for a while, then get up and do a red carpet. Therefore: wrinkles. The midriff is all wrinkled (from sitting down in the limo fall-out), and yes, there is the oh-so-unsightly "side boobage". In addition, it's always odd to place a seam right through the apex of the breast section. Also, what is up with the 10" hem marking on the gown? Is that the horsehair on the hem? Was it taken up? Is there a seam near the hem of the gown? I am confused. Lindsay: please help me!!

Alicia Keys in Diane von Furstenberg: Huney, I LOVE ya, but did you know you were going to a BLACK TIE event? Alicia looks as if she's attending a cocktail/shopping party at Macy's. Which is fine. But she's actually NOT attending a cocktail/shopping party at Macy's. This is a great dress for a "Girl's Night Out" in NYC, San Francisco, LA, etc. But for the White House Correspondents' Dinner...not so mucheyyy.

Martha Stewart in Marchesa: It's my "Fantasy Crazy Drunk Aunt from Boca!". Here's the positive: a tunic shift dress is a great style, especially for ladies who A) are not a size 0 and B) Ladies who are over 50. I do like the white color with gold detail. It's the fringe that then goes into "Laugh-In" mode and it looks TOO big for her. Look how low the armholes are? And I could pinch in about an inch on the double on the sides (sorry for the "Fashion Instructor Terminology").

Sigourney Weaver: OK, here's the positive (yes, there is one!), on an 18-year model from Brazil, in a studio, standing there, in a "Look Book" photo shoot...I can see this black crepe back satin side-cowl draped gown--looking quite chic and directional. I can also see this on a "quirky" guest at a Paris Gallery Opening as well. But...on Sigourney Weaver, it looks a mess. It does NOTHING for her. You would think that a 6 foot tall actress who is so fabulous as Ms. Weaver is, could just about pull off anything. Not so much. Her hair and make up don't help. If she were to have skewed more directional or extreme with the entire look, it would have at least made a bit more sense.

But now, to the "GURL What Were You Thinking" Award of the Night:

Rosario Dawson in Armani Prive: I just about fell off my couch when I saw this (and not in a good way)...and then realized that she was wearing a $40,000+ Armani Prive Haute Couture hand-made gown. This is shameful. For all parties involved. It was an emerald green silk organza (with an iridescent finish) fitted gown with complex seaming, defined shoulders and yes...

There is THAT oh-too-plunging neckline. The bust section is WAAAY too tight. It was made for a girl (well, a model) who had a 32" bust circumference (the standard for runway models) and that is why Rosario's sisters are all out there. But it's not just that--the entire gown is way too tight. The entire abdomen area is rippling and pulling and those delicate seams are pulling...it just makes me cry knowing that this is a hand-made gown that took many, many hours to create and if Rosario had purchased, would cost a high 5-digit figure. And not to mention, she is such a beautiful actress, so this decision doesn't do her beauty justice. Rosario, next time: email me. Or have your stylist email me.

Dinner Dress Up

Last night Hollywood and Washington DC collided--and colluded--in the 98th Annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) is an organization of journalists who cover the White House and the President of the United States. The actual intended purpose of the White House Correspondents' Dinner is to "acknowledge award-winners, present scholarships, and give the press and the president an evening of friendly appreciation". But in recent years it has become an event where the press and Hollywood get to hob nob with each other. Members of the media/press are allowed to "invite" Hollywood stars to be at their tables, therefore paying for their First Class travel and Five-Star Hotel accommodations, in exchange to sit with them and yes, get some press. It's also a chance for some "Red Carpet Critiquing". There were some MESSES last night (in a later post, darlings, don't worry) but let's start with some Good Ones (and "OK's") of the night:

First Lady Michelle Obama in Naeem Khan Spring 2012: Mrs. Obama chose a printed silk gown from one of her favorite designers, NY-based Indian-born Naeem Khan. It's from his Spring 2012 Collection and on the runway (as you can see above), it was shown with a one-shoulder drape. As we all know, the First Lady has some AMAZING shoulders and intelligently knows that they should be showcased. Therefore the one shoulder over-drape was removed for Mrs. Obama. I think she looks great. I love the "ethnic" feel of the mixed print and it is very ON TREND with what is happening in prints.

Elizabeth Banks in Antonio Berardi Fall 2012: Banks wore a lipstick red strapless gown with peplum detail; (very NOW ladies!!) from British designer of Sicilian descent Antonio Berardi. Originally, the designer showed this style in a gunmetal sequined fabrication (as seen on the runway photo above). I like this dress on Elizabeth Banks. The shape is fabulous and fits her really well and to top it off, her hair, make-up and  jewelry are just right.

Kate Hudson in Jenny Packham: let's start from the top: LOVE the bun!! Usually we see Hudson in a very "Carefree California Girl" 'do but here she "bumped"-up (sorry for the pun) her hair quotient. It's very "Miss Universe" meets my Mom in Caracas in 1975! The dress: love the color, fabrication and the fit. I assume she was styled by her pal Rachel Zoe and well, kids, she did (as usual) a FABULOUS job.

Elle Macpherson in Romona Keveza: Let's begin with the fact that it helps to have Elle "The Body" Macpherson wearing your dress. Designed by Romona Keveza, who is better known for her very popular wedding gowns. This black satin gown features a folded-and-pleated top section with an asymmetrical peplum (yes, kids, it's a MAJAH trend!). Elle looks pretty amazing and let's not forget: she is showing Angelina Jolie how its done...in terms of how to walk and pose with a high slit. How do you say "Atta-Gurl" in Australian slang?


Ivanka Trump in Naeem Khan: Kids, THIS is how you do PLUNGING! Period. It's flawless on Ivanka. She's wearing a gown by "Designer of the Night" Naeem Khan--a silver sequined gown with cap sleeves and yes, that plunging neckline. It is "inspired" by a dress from his Fall 2011 RTW collection as seen in photo above. Finally kids, I need to add as a "PS": THE ONLY WAY for the Trumps to recover from last year's "Donald Roast" is to send Ivanka looking stupendous!

Reese Witherspoon in Monique Lhuillier: she looks great! The black gown by LA-based designer Monique Lhuillier is elegant, very "Old Hollywood Glamour", draped beautifully. I also like the pop of turquoise in the earrings and side-swept hairstyle. Hard to tell she is even pregnant!

Charlize Theron in Emilio Pucci by Peter Dundas: One word: wow. Again, you really can't go wrong when you begin with a stunner like Charlize. The lace over nude lining fitted gown, features a scalloped boat-neck and long sleeves. It's such a busy lace that she chose wisely to finish it off with a simple and elegant center parted chignon.

Good But Not Great:

Dakota Fanning in Prada: this light plum sequined gown is just "OK" for me. There are several "Not Sure's" here. The keyhole seems odd-especially since the neckline already has such a nice "V" shape; the front length is odd, looks too short and the shoes, they look a bit "Grandma-About-To-Play-Mahjong-In-Boca" (which, incidentally, is SOOO Miuccia Prada!). I wanna know what YOU guys think here? Help me!!

Eva Longoria in Marchesa Fall 2012: I think the top section of this white Marchesa Fall 2012 dress is fantastic and right on trend with the drop-shoulder/cap sleeve detail as well as the original applique. It's the odd multi-cowl draped skirt section that troubles me. I have to say that somehow it looks a bit "puffier" and with more volume on Eva than on the runway model, and this I do like.

Kim Kardashian: Kim K. went for a more "demure" and less "Va-Va-Boom" Kim at last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner. She wore an emerald green silk velvet floor length sleeveless bias-cut gown with "peek-a-boo" back and sequined shoulder and waist trim. From far away, it's pretty great but then...

Close-up, the top looks wonky; I know that it's bias and therefore it is stretching...but I still have the urge to go up to her and get some pins and pin out about 1" excess from the top shoulder area (sorry, it's the draping instructor in me!).

Sofia Vergara in David Meister Signature Collection: Again, it's "OK" for me. It is a great shape for her--accentuates her tiny waist, hides the "cha-cha" hips, and so on, but...this would be great if she was going to an afternoon wedding in Connecticut. But the White House Correspondents' Dinner?? I'm a little disappointed. She should have stolen Viola Davis' gown...speaking of Viola Davis...

Viola Davis in Amsale Spring 2012 Bridal: Ethiopian-born fashion designer, Amsale, is very well known for her wedding dresses. In fact, this gown on Viola is from Amsale's Spring 2012 Bride Collection (originally shown in white on the runway as seen in photo on the right). It's a one-shoulder ziberline gown with a fit-to-flare princess seamed shape and folded-and-pleated top detail. It's a stunner of a gown. However, I just have to take issue with the "I'm about to have a Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction" side-breast spillage (almost) occurring as a result of how scooped that side is on the underarm/neckline section. There needs to be about 2-3" of extra fabric up in there. Other than that: Fab!