FashionIndie » Tilda Swinton

The 10 Most (and Least) Oscar-Worthy Gowns from Haute Couture Fashion Week

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:45:49 +0000

As many a starlet is aware, looks don’t always translate well from the runway to the red carpet. Nowhere is this more true than in haute couture. Sure, this gown costs $35,000, was constructed by a team of half-blind old ladies whose skills are so specialized they can be classified as endangered species and contains actual diamonds, but Joan Rivers still thinks you look like a refugee from some drag queen concentration camp. No, events like the Oscars require a little discretion and the simpler you keep it, the better. Of course, there are exceptions, but not every actress is a Charlize Theron, a Cate Blanchett, a Nicole Kidman or a Tilda Swinton — risk-takers who can pull off haute couture with the greatest of ease. For the rest of ‘em, here are 10 safe gowns sure to please along with 10 only the brave of soul and intrepid of style should even consider.

SAG Awards 2012 Red Carpet: Our Top 10 & All the Rest

Amanda Gabriele — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:26:21 +0000

The 2012 SAG Awards took place last night, and our applause goes out to all the big winners. As always, we were super excited to see what everyone was wearing on the red carpet from the couture dresses to the 6-inch high stiletto platforms. See what all the Screen Actors Guild talent wore to the awards in our gallery after the jump.

Although it’s easy to be underwhelmed by any dresses coming before the Oscars, there are some ladies who really turned it out last night. We put our top 10 at the beginning of the gallery for your viewing pleasure. All photos from Huffington Post Style.

‘The Help’ Takes Home Top Prizes at the 2012 SAG Awards

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:12:32 +0000

You know what Viola Davis‘ Screen Actors Guild Award says, “I beat Meryl.” The divine Ms. Davis won the Best Actress trophy last night, over fellow acting heavyweights Michelle Williams, Tilda Swinton, Glenn Close and of course Meryl Fucking Streep. Viola’s co-star in The Help, Octavia Spencer, continued her victory lap over the course of awards season with another Best Supporting Actress win, while the 1960s civil rights drama beat out Oscar front-runner The Artist for the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture award, the equivalent of Best Picture. The Artist‘s Jean Dujardin, however, triumphed over bona fide A-listers George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio to win the Best Actor prize and Captain Von Trapp himself, Best Supporting Actor winner Christopher Plummer, is all but guaranteed an Oscar for his role in The Beginners. The Oscars are still four weeks away and while this awards year has been a bit of a snooze, the race is shaping up to be anyone’s game. Full list of 2012 SAG Award winners after the jump!

Film

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

The Help

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Viola Davis, The Help

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Christopher Plummer, The Beginners

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Octavia Spencer, The Help

Television

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

Modern Family

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Jessica Lange, American Horror Story

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

Stunts

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

Game of Thrones

The 2012 Oscar Nominations: A Few Surprises, A Lot of Snores

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:18:52 +0000

The nominees for the 84th annual Academy Awards were announced this morning and most importantly, Melissa McCarthy was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Bridesmaids. Everything else…eh.

I always love when a comedic performance gets some recognition and while the film was excluded from the list of NINE Best Picture nominees, Kristen Wiig scored a nod for her brilliant screenplay with Annie Mumolo. Meanwhile, if that trash Diablo Cody can win for Juno, Wiig might want to ready her acceptance speech.

Hugo leads the pack with 11 nominations, including Best Director for Martin Scorsese – his seventh career Best Director nom and ninth overall — and Best Picture. It will compete against The Artist – a close second with 10 nominations — and out of seemingly nowhere, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which has garnered mixed reviews and has been pretty much absent during awards season. But, c’mon, it’s a 9/11 movie, who’s really surprised?

Other Best Picture contenders include Steven Spielberg’s critically-mixed War Horse, Terrence Malick‘s The Tree of Life — which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes a while back –, The Help, Moneyball, The Descendants and Woody Allen‘s Midnight in Paris.

Allen, it should be noted, snatched his 22nd and 23rd Oscar nods. Take notes, kids.

Also racking up an ungodly amount of Oscar gold this year is (unsurprisingly) Meryl Streep, who scored her 17th Academy Award nomination for her role in The Iron Lady. She will face off against Michelle Williams, Viola Davis, frequent nemesis Glenn Close and surprise nominee Rooney Mara for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Tilda Swinton was once again robbed of a nomination — this time for We Need to Talk About Kevin.

The Best Actor category has BFFs George Clooney and Brad Pitt going head-to-head, while relative unknown Demián Bichir snuck in for the little-seen indie film, A Better Life. The Artist‘s Jean Dujardin, fresh off his Golden Globe win, is also nominated and after decades of generally shutting shit down, Gary Oldman scored his first Oscar nomination for the British film, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Check out the full list of nominees below:

BEST PICTURE
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

LEAD ACTOR
Demián Bichir – A Better Life
George Clooney – The Descendants
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt – Moneyball

LEAD ACTRESS
Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis – The Help
Rooney Mara – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn

BEST DIRECTOR
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Alexander Payne – The Descendants
Martin Scorsese – Hugo
Woody Allen – Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick – The Tree of Life

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh – My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill – Moneyball
Nick Nolte – Warrior
Christopher Plummer – Beginners
Max von Sydow – Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Bérénice Bejo – The Artist
Jessica Chastain – The Help
Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer – Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer – The Help

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
The Descendants – Alexander Payne & Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Hugo – John Logan
The Ides of March - George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
Moneyball – Steven Zaillian & Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
The Artist – Michel Hazanavicius
Bridesmaids – Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
Margin Call – J.C. Chandor
Midnight in Paris – Woody Allen
A Separation – Asghar Farhadi

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Bullhead, Belgium
Footnote, Israel
In Darkness, Poland
Monsieur Lazhar, Canada
A Separation, Iran

DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)
The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

ART DIRECTION
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse

CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

COSTUME DESIGN
Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.

FILM EDITING
The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball

MAKEUP
Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Iron Lady

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
The Adventures of Tintin
The Artist
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets
“Real in Rio” from Rio

SOUND EDITING
Drive
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

SOUND MIXING
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

VISUAL EFFECTS
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Link Love: LA Times – The Envelope

2012 BAFTA Nominations Announced

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:53:38 +0000

Awards season is in full swing as we inch ever closer to the grand daddy of them all, the 2012 Academy Awards. The next step on the road to Oscar is its British equivalent, the BAFTAs. The Artist is quickly emerging as a front-runner favorite this year, scoring nominations in all the major categories including Best Film, Leading Actor, Leading Actress, Best Director and Original Screenplay. Meanwhile, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams, fresh off their Golden Globe wins, will go head-to-head against The Artist‘s Bérénice Bejo, Tilda Swinton for We Need to Talk About Kevin and Viola Davis for The Help in what is easily the most competitive and interesting category. And chances are the same names will be read out come Oscar night. But until then, full list of the 2012 BAFTA nominees after the jump!

Dujardin and Bejo in The Artist

Best Film

The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
The Help
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Leading Actor

Brad Pitt - Moneyball
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
George Clooney - The Descendants
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Michael Fassbender - Shame

Leading Actress

Bérénice Bejo - The Artist
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn
Tilda Swinton - We Need To Talk About Kevin
Viola Davis - The Help

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Jim Broadbent - The Iron Lady
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn
Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Ides Of March

Best Supporting Actress

Carey Mulligan - Drive
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Judi Dench - My Week With Marilyn
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Octavia Spencer - The Help

Outstanding British Film

My Week with Marilyn
Senna
Shame
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin

Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer

Attack The Block - Joe Cornish (Director/Writer)
Black Pond - Will Sharpe (Director/Writer), Tom Kingsley (Director), Sarah Brocklehurst (Producer)
Coriolanus - Ralph Fiennes (Director)
Submarine - Richard Ayoade (Director/Writer)
Tyrannosaur - Paddy Considine (Director), Diarmid Scrimshaw (Producer)

Best Film Not In The English Language

Incendies
Pina
Potiche
A Separation
The Skin I Live In

Best Documentary

George Harrison: Living In The Material World
Project Nim
Senna

Best Animated Film

The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn
Arthur Christmas
Rango

Best Director

The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
Drive - Nicolas Winding Refn
Hugo - Martin Scorsese
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Tomas Alfredson
We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lynne Ramsay

Best Original Screenplay

The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
Bridesmaids - Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig
The Guard - John Michael McDonagh
The Iron Lady - Abi Morgan
Midnight In Paris - Woody Allen

Best Adapted Screenplay

The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
The Help - Tate Taylor
The Ides Of March - George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon
Moneyball - Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughan

Best Original Music

The Artist - Ludovic Bource
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Hugo - Howard Shore
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Alberto Iglesias
War Horse - John Williams

Best Cinematography

The Artist
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Best Editing

The Artist
Drive
Hugo
Senna
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy

Best Production Design

The Artist
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Best Costume Design

The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
My Week With Marilyn
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best Makeup & Hair

The Artist
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
The Iron Lady
My Week With Marilyn

Best Sound

The Artist
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Best Special Visual Effects

The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
War Horse

Best Short Animation

Abuelas
Bobby Yeah
A Morning Stroll

Best Short Film

Chalk
Mwansa The Great
Only Sound Remains
Pitch Black Heist
Two And Two

The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award (Voted For By The Public)

Adam Deacon
Chris Hemsworth
Chris O’Dowd
Eddie Redmayne
Tom Hiddleston

Simon Doonan Muses on Style Icons

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:42:10 +0000

Simon Doonan has been called many things in his life. “The fox-crazy impresario of Barneys’ notorious windows”? True. Gay? Definitely. Style Icon? Yes, but he’s not quite sure that’s accurate. ”I read a column once where they called me a style icon and thought they were out of their minds thinking no one wants to look like me. I think there are several types of style icons.” Please allow Mr. Doonan to explain:

You have HIGH FASHION ICONS like Daphne Guinness and Tilda Swinton, the muses.

INDIE NEWSROOM: Tilda Swinton’s Life to Be a Banquet as Auntie Mame…Rihanna’s Armani Ads Not That Sexy After All…Rachel Zoe Slights Brad Goreski’s Baby Gift

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:16:33 +0000

- Tilda Swinton is putting aside the heavy dramatic roles for the heavy pancake makeup and costume jewelry of filmdom’s greatest drag queen, Auntie Mame. The Oscar-winner is planning to “live, live, LIVE!” it up with her I Am Love director, Luca Guadagnino. [Out via NYT]

- Breathable caffeine. It’s a real thing. Though for my money, there’s a much more effective, albeit illegal, way of snorting your way to a quick pick-me-up. [Nylon]

- Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, 69, wants to put those pregnancy rumors to rest! She may be getting married to “forever fiend” Willie Wilkerson this summer, but there’s no royal bun in that majestic oven. The Queen is reportedly considering Donna Karan, Valentino and Vera Wang to do the dressing honors. [People]

- “How you Zoe-in’?” After sending The Baby Skyler an Hermès tower of toys, Brad Goreski told Wendy Williams he never received a thank you note from former boss/current rival Rachel Zoe. [Jezebel]

- Ad Age didn’t think Rihanna‘s Armani ad was the sexiest of the year, though apparently everyone else thought they thought it was. [Ad Age]

- Remember that whole Marc Jacobs sexual discrimination case? Yeah, I don’t care either, but seems like it’s been settled out of court, “to the satisfaction of both parties.” [Vogue UK]

- Cosmopolitan is oversexed, Glamour’s definitely hiding something, and Vogue is surprisingly romantic. The buzzwords magazines used most on their covers for 2011 painted a telling portrait. [Fashionista]

The 69th Annual Golden Globes Nominations Also in Love with Ryan Gosling

Lester Brathwaite — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:08:50 +0000

It’s been one hell of a year for a certain occasionally-bearded, dog-loving thespian cum hunk cum meme. While some — read: everyone — feel he was unjustly robbed of another award earlier this year, Ryan Gosling is getting a double dose of appreciation from the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards. He’s pulled quite the hat-trick, getting nominated twice this year for Best Actor in a Comedy and Drama. Bradley Cooper was, to the surprise of everyone — read: no one — was not nominated for Limitless.

As big as the Globes’ crush is on Gosling, it can’t hold a candle to the raging boner the Hollywood Foreign Press has for George Clooney, who’s nominated for three awards — Best Director and Best Screenplay for The Ides of March and Best Actor for The Descendants. Why don’t you put it back in your pants, HFA?

And the other nominees are:

Best Motion Picture — Drama (or, films that no one has seen)

The Descendants

The Help

Hugo

The Ides of March

Moneyball

War Horse

Best Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical (or, wait, is My Week with Marilyn a comedy?)

50/50

The Artist

Bridesmaids

Midnight in Paris

My Week with Marilyn

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama

George Clooney, The Descendants

Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar

Michael Fassbender, Shame

Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March

Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama

Glenn Close, Albert Noss

Viola Davis, The Help

Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical

Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Brendan Gleesen, The Guard

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50

Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid Love

Owen Wilson, Midnight in Paris

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical

Jodie Foster, Carnage

Charlize Theron, Young Adult

Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids

Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Kate Winslet, Carnage

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn

Albert Brooks, Drive

Jonah Hill, Moneyball

Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method

Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Berenice Bejo, The Artist

Jessica Chastain, The Help

Janet Mcteer, Albert Nobbs

Octavia Spencer, The Help

Shailene Woodley, The Descendants

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture

Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris

George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon - The Ides of March

Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash - The Descendants

Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin - Moneyball

Best Director — Motion Picture

Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

George Clooney, The Ides of March

Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist

Alexander Payne, The Descendants

Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Best Television Series — Drama

American Horror Story

Boardwalk Empire

Boss

Game of Thrones

Homeland

Best Television Series — Comedy or Musical (or, what the fuck about Community?)

Enlightened

Episodes

Glee

Modern Family

New Girl

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama

Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Kelsey Grammer, Boss

Jeremy Irons, The Borgias

Damian Lewis, Homeland

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama

Claire Danes, Homeland

Mireille Enos, The Killing

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Madeleine Stowe, Revenge

Callie Thorne, Necessary Roughness

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Comedy or Musical

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

David Duchovny, Californication

Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory

Thomas Jane, Hung

Matt Leblanc, Episodes

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Comedy or Musical

Laura Dern, Enlightened

Zooey Deschanel, New Girl

Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Laura Linney, The Big C

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

For a full list of nominees, click on over to the official Golden Globes site.

Dazed & Confused’s Sweet 16: The Rest of Rankin’s Twenty 20th Anniversary Covers

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:00:55 +0000

Dazed & Confused continues to blow out the candles on its 20th birthday, revealing the 16 other covers by Dazed co-founder Rankin. Tilda Swinton, Michael Stipe, Kelis, Gael García Bernal, Cillian Murphy, Damien Hirst and Björk are just a handful of celebrities and artists that were moodily-lit and lensed by the mag. Meanwhile, Milla Jovovich reminds us all that before beating up zombies and banging Bruce Willis – same thing really – she was actually a model. And by the looks of her Dazed cover, a damn good one.

Photos: Models.com / Click here for the first 4 covers!

Dazed & Confused Taps Icons and Their Rising Stars for 20th Anniversary

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:21:40 +0000

In celebration of Dazed & Confused‘s 20th anniversary, co-founder and photographer Rankin has shot 20 covers for the December issue with new portraits of iconic cover stars and their picks for up-and-coming talent. The mag’s online home, Dazed Digital reveals the first four covers today, featuring Kate Moss, Pharrell Williams, Eva Green and Chloë Sevigny, paired with their respective rising stars — Josephine de la Baume, Maxine Ashley, Jordan Scott and Lizzie Bougatsos.

Other icons photographed for the landmark issue include Tilda Swinton, Alicia Keys, PJ Harvey and Damien Hirst. The issue hits newsstands this Thursday, November 17th, and to further celebrate, each shoot and interview has been filmed as part of a webseries premiering on DAZEDTV.com.

15 of Hal Rubenstein’s “100 Unforgettable Dresses”

Lester Brathwaite — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:49:08 +0000

InStyle‘s fashion director, Hal Rubenstein waxes iconic in his new book, 100 Unforgettable Dresses (Harper Design, 2011). From Rita Hayworth in Gilda to Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Princess Diana to the Duchess of Cambridge, Grace Kelly to Grace Jones, Bob Mackie to Karl Lagerfeld, Rubenstein delves into fashion history and comes up with an informative and entertaining read. But what makes a dress unforgettable? Calvin Klein — one of several designers interviewed for the book — put it best: “an unforgettable moment is the combination of the right dress on the right woman at the right time.” Click through for a sampling of some of the dresses that made the list.*

*Kate Middleton‘s Alexander McQueen was a late addition and Rubenstein had to cut one of the dresses to keep the list to 100. So it was sayonara Nancy Reagan and her white one-shoulder inauguration ball gown. Michelle Obama‘s Jason Wu, however, remained in tact. [WWD, sub req'd]

Fashion’s Night Out Gets a Little Help from Its Friends

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:49:00 +0000

A slew of activities and appearances are scheduled for this year’s Fashion’s Night Out on September 8th, the details of which are available today on FashionsNightOut.com.

Let’s see, we have:

- Michael Kors celebrating his three decades at Bergdorf Goodman, along with live performances and their “BG Best in Show,” featuring designers such as Joseph Altuzarra, Reem Acra and Pamella Roland trotting down the runway with their dogs

- Live performances from Kelly Rowland and Joss Stone at Macy’s Herald Square, with appearances by Tommy Hilfiger, Rachel Roy and Amar’e Stoudemire

- Rachel Zoe and Erin Wasson will show face at Bloomingdale’s

- Jade Jagger will launch her new jewelry line at Henri Bendel’s

- Lord & Taylor will have Solange Knowles on the turntables and an appearance by Ivanka Trump

- Saks Fifth Ave will feature appearances by the inimitable Tilda Swinton with Pringle of Scotland designer Alistair Carr and Central Saint Martins professor/Kanye West mentor Louise Wilson, while Ne-Yo performs and signs hats

This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of events listed on FNO’s website and you can filter through all of them by neighborhood, category or specialty. FNO also has an iPhone/Android app to help you plan your itinerary on the go thus ensuring this year you can make as many regrettable, booze-induced purchases as possible. [WWD]

The Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed List 2011 has Arrived

Amanda Gabriele — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:56:10 +0000

Vanity Fair has released their 2011 International Best-Dressed List, and guess which pretty, pretty princess is at the top? Click through for some of our favorites.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge Catherine Middleton wearing Zara in Berkshire

Here’s A Preview Of Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed List

McArthur Joseph — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:30:19 +0000

Every year the fashion world awaits Vanity Fair‘s annual “Best Dressed List” (don’t ask us why anyone should care). Now the publication has released a short list of their favorites and here is an even shorter list of people we care/agree about.

Keep reading to see our fashion faves who made the list.

I’m Ready for My Close-Up, Mr. Testino: The 10 Most Editorial Actresses

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:00:06 +0000

Anna Wintour has been credited/blamed/lauded/criticized for the current proliferation of celebrity-driven magazine covers of the past 15 years or so. Love it or hate it, a model has a better chance winning a Pulitzer than landing a U.S. Vogue cover — with a few notable exceptions. While stars are rightfully and contractually beautiful, however, not all of them can cut the couture mustard. Then there are those ladies who love the camera and the camera is kind of obsessed with them. Here, the 10 actresses who give the best editorial — and give models a run for their money — are given the countdown treatment.

Tilda givin’ a little twist in Another by Craig McDean.

1. Tilda Swinton

One of the most striking women in film, on the red carpet and in fashion spreads, look no further for Swinton’s editorial excellence than this month’s W.

Masculin/feminin by Tim Walker.

RED CARPET REPORT CARD, CANNES EDITION: Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann

Amanda Gabriele — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:01:57 +0000

In this Cannes Edition of Red Carpet Report Card, Tilda Swinton will be graded on her Haider Ackermann look and Jil Sander pumps worn to the 2011 Cannes Film Festival We Need To Talk About Kevin premiere. See how she looked after the jump.

Tilda will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 5

Styling: 5

Shoes: 4

Hair: 4

Makeup: 3

Pose: 5

Confidence: 5

Tilda has been looking great during this year’s Cannes Festival, and this Haider Ackermann number tops it off. I love that she’s working the pocket on this super chic, two-piece look. Tilda always dresses super modern and just doesn’t give a shit, which comes off scary to some. But I love that she stays true to herself, and this look is one of her best yet.

Haider Ackermann’s ascension to… Christian Dior?

Benjamin Kanarek — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:15:19 +0000

Source Benjamin Kanarek Blog

I have been observing the evolution of Haider Ackermann for several seasons, as he is one of my favorite new designers when it comes to womens’ clothing. In my humble opinion, his last two seasons in Paris outclassed all of the other Designers’ Women Collections by a long shot.

Haider Ackermann’s Amazons

Haider Ackermann reveals a contrasted silhouette, nomadic, romantic and yet is strong and assertive. His fashion does not scream out loud, it is strong and confident enough to drive all of the attention by it’s solemn and majestic design in to the new Amazon. He is a master of cut and volume. This is apparent when it comes to emphasizing long silhouettes and hemlines which gives an impression of an endless line with deconstructed layers as well as strong Japanese and Yves Saint Laurent influences. His U-Slit line for skirts and dresses has become one of his trademarks as well as his recurrent usage of silk and leather.

Haider Ackermann, Franco-Colombian, is a world citizen with a unique mix. Born in Sante Fe de Bogotta, Colombia, were he was adopted by French Parents (his father works for Amnesty International), he grew up living in various countries throughout Europe and Africa (Tchad, Ethiopia, Algeria, The Netherlands, Belgium where he studied at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and won the Swiss Textile Award in 2005). His background transpires in his fashion full of contrast. “I’m looking for a luxury that’s a bit négligé, that can be rich but doesn’t look rich” (From W Magazine’s Interview W Magazine).

He started working for different designers the likes of Bernhard Willhelm, Patrick Van Ommeslaeghe and in March 2001, he started to show his collections in Paris for the Autumn-Winter 2001-2002 season. In 2002, the Italian Luxury Leather House, Ruffo asked him to collaborate on the Ruffo Research Collection and in 2005, he signed with the Belgian Groupe 32 and moved to Paris.

Haider Ackermann’s ascension to… Christian Dior?

The recent rumors about him going to Christian Dior to replace John Galliano are persistent and I have noticed quite a few interesting signals over the last 6 months. Implying that Galliano’s departure was known within some circles for quite a while, I would rather not speculate.

Mr. Ackermann’s style would be a good fit for Christian Dior, injecting a romantic and flamboyant style for the assertive Dior woman. The Artistic Direction would change from that of the Galliano era, but perhaps the brand was in need of a more tempered and chic approach. For ten years, Galliano had a profound conspicuous effect on the brand. The younger generation may not remember that he was preceded by GianFranco Ferré, Marc Bohan (for almost 30 years) as well as Yves Saint Laurent prior to him creating his own brand, after Christian Dior passed away. Haider Ackermann has all of the creative assets to express himself in both areas i.e. Couture the “Tailleur ” (tailoring) and “Flou” (gowns) and Ready-To-Wear.

: Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann at Cannes Film Festival 2009

Troubling synchronicity

The recent endorsement by Anna Wintour in American VOGUE’s March issue featuring Haider Ackermann’s fashion worn by Lady Gaga on the cover as well as the editorial within, is a rather troubling synchronicity.

His recent refusal to Martin Margiela to replace him as the head of Maison Martin Margiela and Karl Lagerfeld’s declaration in Numero, November 2010 “I have a contract for life so it all depends who I would like to hand it to. At the moment I’d say Haider Ackermann”. Lagerfeld had invited Ackermann to attend the last Chanel show and Ackermann responded, by stating, “What can one possibly say to such a phrase?! Such a compliment! How honored I feel, how can one not be?! In all honesty, tremendously, immensely touched especially coming from Monsieur Lagerfeld”. Then again, two days ago, he declared in L’Express Style : “I would not mind confronting myself to codes from another Fashion House”.

Some recent celebrity endorsement’s from Actress and fashion muse Tilda Swinton on the red carpet of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and Janet Jackson attending his October 2010 show in Paris are just a small sample of some of the artists excited by his work.

One of the observations I have made is that his internet presence via advertising banners by one of his distributors has been very heavy since the beginning of 2011. These ad banners are being shown with a frequency that generally only occurs as a build up to a huge product launch.

Very troubling facts or positive synchronicity?

: Janet Jackson at Haider Ackermann’s show in Paris and wearing Ackermann in NY – October 2010

The building up of his notoriety, a name that only a few months ago was quite obscure in the public eye, is also a good indicator. Articles and rumors abound in weeklies the likes of the Sunday Telegraphs where he was interviewed by Hilary Alexander after his recent show in Paris.

Will Haider Ackermann’s ascension lead him to… Christian Dior? Is that a guess? No, I would rather call it wishful thinking. I would not like to see Riccardo Tisci move from Givenchy where he does great work. It would become systematic that all of the designers going to Givenchy would end up at Christian Dior. Galliano, McQueen who left for PPR group and not for Dior and then Tisci? Givenchy is not a footstep for Dior, it is a brand with a great legacy that deserves more consideration.

By Frédérique Renaut and to Watch Video’s

The Red Carpet Fashion Awards: Honoring the Best in Rouge Floor Coverings

Lester Brathwaite — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:18:01 +0000

Red Carpet Fashion Awards has graced us with their lists of the best in 2010′s red carpet showdowns. I guess it was only natural for the red carpet to morph into its own entity and for that entity to get its own award. I can’t actually wait til there’s a televised Red Carpet Fashion Awards program, where the Kodak Theater is strictly for arrivals and the awards are presented on the red carpet. Meta.

Cate Blanchett was named Best Dressed for her vintage Christian Lacroix from the SK-II’s “Clear for Life” event; followed by Zoe Saldana in her controversial Givenchy Haute Couture gown from this year’s Oscars; and relative unknown Fan Bing Bing in Dragon Robe by Laurence Hsu that she wore at the Robin Hood Cannes Film Festival premiere rounds out the top 3.

Sarah Jessica Parker got especial kudos for her tireless efforts promoting that giant, turbaned flop Sex and the City 2: The Menopause Strikes Back and earned the ungainly title of “Promotional Tour Star” of the year.

And my future BFF, Leighton Meester was honored for apparently getting her shit together with the “Stella’s Got Her Groove Back”…award, I guess. The RCFA also named Peter Dundas for Emilio Pucci as the “Designer of the Year” and Gucci Première as “Couturier of the Year.”

Overall, interesting choices, but this is the red carpet after all where it’s not just about the clothes, but the celebrity who’s wearing them, and where high fashion isn’t always translated to great effect. As matter of course, there are only a handful of actresses who can truly pull off haute couture, and Cate Blanchett is at the forefront.

Other notables include the always stunning Tilda Swinton, the statuesque Nicole Kidman and former model Charlize Theron. SJP is also up there because she’s got the balls to pull off anything.

Even a bird on her head.

LINK LOVE: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Are you willing to give up your mascara?

The Fashion Web — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:28:15 +0000

Vogue UK predicts we’ll see some naked lashes and eyes this fall. Based on designer Christopher Kane’s fall/winter 2010 ready-to-wear show, Vogue UK names the no mascara look as one of the hottest new beauty trends of the year. Looking at photos from the show, it’s not just…

LINK:http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/thenonblonde/~3/ToZUc-SD2Gw/are-you-willing-to-give-up-your-mascara.html

SPREAD: ‘Sense And Sensuality’ with Tilda Swinton for V MAGAZINE Issue #65

Rebecca Alexander — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:32:37 +0000

Actress Tilda Swinton was shot by famed photographers Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin for the upcoming V Magazine (issue #65). The art-house goddess reveals her personal opinions on the importance of breaking away from Society’s norm. More after the jump…

Tilda Swinton hasn’t transcended notions of gender and sex as much as she’s obliterated them. Now, at 49, she’s adding age to the hit list in one of the year’s most erotically charged roles.

Text: Anthony Kaufman

V65 does not hit newsstands until May 11th.

COVER: Tilda Swinton for Dazed & Confused

Rebecca Alexander — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:30:28 +0000

Tilda Swinton is on the cover of the upcoming May 2010 issue of Dazed & Confused, photographed by Glen Luchford. Amazing image!

LINK LOVE: Homotography

Tilda Swinton’s Like This

Marissa Moshell, Student — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:47:34 +0000

Time for yet another addition in perfume mania. Tilda Swinton, who’s also the face of Pringle of Scotland, will be making her first fragrance installment this May. Her scent, named Like This, will be released by Etat Libre d’Orange to join their immense and impressive collection of fragrances. It’s quite the wait until May, but with the expected hints of mandarin and ginger, we shouldn’t have any trouble holding on.

LINK LOVE: Perfume Shrine

ADDICT: Tilda Swinton for Pringle of Scotland

Rebecca Alexander — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:57:37 +0000

Shot by famed photog Ryan McGinley, Tilda Swinton is the latest face of Pringle of Scotland, even though her face is not visible in this image. Love the carefreeness of the shot!

LINK LOVE: Design Scene

Tilda Swinton for Pringle of Scotland for Spring ’10

Marissa Moshell, Student — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:00:37 +0000

Word has it Tilda Swinton will be the new brand ambassador for Pringle of Scotland. For the Spring 2010 campaign, Swinton will pose for both the women’s and men’s collections!

LINKAGE: Catwalk Queen

WTF!?! Madonna. Before and After She Sucks The Lifeforce Out of Miley Cyrus #fashionfail

Saynt — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:33:40 +0000

Madonna has always been the epitome of reinvention, but her latest attempt at making herself over is leaving me feeling a little distrurbed. She’s kind of like the White Witch in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. At first you’re all like “Wow, Cate Blanchett is amazing in this. I have to get home to see The Aviator immediately!” and then the credits role and you realize you were watching her Oscar stealing evil dopplegangler Tilda Swinton and you cry yourself to sleep hoping she can’t invade your dream place like Freddy Kruger. (The worst part is when you realize she can).

Anyways Grandonna please stop spoiling my fantazy in which I believe you actually have some magic cure to aging (and death) by not killing/consuming the souls out of every photographer that shoots you. Seriously oldie, you have a reputation to maintain and that bitch Gaga is gaining speed.

WTF!?! Tilda Swinton #fashionfail

Andy Wass — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:42:27 +0000

Tilda Swinton already looks so otherworldly that she can pull off crazy science-fiction styling in editorials. Adventurous dressing does not, however, really work for her in real life.

She went to the Cesar Film Awards in Paris on Sunday looking sloppy in a bright Christian Lacroix dress … smock? …tablecloth?

SPREAD UM: Tilda Swinton for AnOther Magazine

Andy Wass — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:30:25 +0000

Craig McDean photographed Tilda Swinton in British couture for the S/S 2009 issue of AnOther Magazine.

She’s always creeped me out, but she does shoots like this so perfectly.

GALLERY: Tilda Swinton for AnOther Magazine S/S 2009

Mag Hag: Tilda Swinton in BlackBook

Rebecca Alexander — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:00:57 +0000

Gotta say that this woman is an amazing actress, but she is not attractive. Although, here she looks quite good. For the interview click here.