2011 Oscars Red Carpet

I set the DVR before heading out to celebrate the birthday of a friend last Sunday. Ive enjoyed leisurely watching, taking notes and fast forwarding past all the commercials. You can click on each image to zoom in for a larger view.

After seeing all the stars walk the carpet, Hailee Steinfeld wore one of my favorite dresses, a Marchesa pink dream I read she took part in designing, Can you believe that? As young as she is. Kudos to her for excellent taste. Her hair was also flawless.






Another Marchesa stand out, Halle Berry.




Amy Adams ~ Old Hollywood in L'Wren Scott, simply gorgeous, those emeralds! My birthstone. Color me green with envy.



Cate Blanchett, always her own woman, never a copy, tastefully different.





Michelle Williams in a sweet and understated Chanel.




Melissa Tomei is my second favorite, a vintage Charles James gown. The story goes that it sat in her closet for years waiting for the right occasion.



Loved Gwyneth's liquid silver Calvin Klein dress and her voice, girlfriend can sing. She was my third fave. However you may feel about her singing you can tell she is having a blast behind the microphone.



Liked Annette Bening's dress, I think she wore it well.



Scanning the media, presenters...crowd...I noticed far too many one shoulders. I understand why its a popular style - you have an almost strapless feel without the constant 'pulling up' but isn't it time for a change ladies?

Scarlett Johansson's dress, not crazy about the style itself, maybe a bit 'too much going on' with the fabric...but her body was slamming and she wore the color beautifully. Her makeup was also flawless.







I guess my least favorite was Nicole's dress, not because it was different, I love different. Im not so sure its movements were designed for a human body, or more specifically, Nicole. She seemed a bit stiff. If it had been worn by someone who could carry that dress I think this could have been a success. I can totally see this dress in an art gallery.



Anne Hathaway's Valentino Archival dress, also her lipstick loved loved loved!

Jennifer Hudson, stunning! I didnt know she was so tall, during her Tim Gunn interview her eyes were level with his forehead and he is not a short man.

I disagree with Cojo that Jennifer Lawrence looked like she was wearing a bathing suit, sometimes less IS better dear, although I think Tiffany and Co. could have helped add a little something something around that pretty neck.

Sandra Bullock looked smashing. Penelope in L'Wren Scott.

Red hot mamas of the gala.







Being the music freak that I am...

'Red hot mama was gettin' down
Scoping the places where fun to be found
She was smokin'...'

'Right On Red Hot Mama girl..., sure look good to me!'



Other favorites Reese Witherspoon's 60's style Giorgio Armani Prive.



Justin Timberlake, the older he gets...



Russell Brand and Christian Bale's Black on Black. OK. I specially liked Russell's skinny slacks. I just love the classic white shirt with black bow tie. I know, I want the women to ditch the over played one shoulder and men to stay the same. What can I say?





The jury is still out regarding Melissa Leo's dress. Not sure if its the neckline or that as much as I want to like it, I really really do, it just keeps reminding me of mom's vintage lace tablecloths!

A friend mentioned why she was also not crazy about that neckline, it reminded her of 'Elvis's white jumpsuit with the stand up collar.' And I thought Oh my word! That's it!



The talk, well more like outrage in the vintage world, is the one regarding Colin Firth's wife dress made of 11 hacked vintage dresses of the era of The King's Speech.



I read quite a bit about it, the information I've been able to gather so far is that unlike previous Firth's projects where dresses were constructed from damaged vintage pieces this one was, supposedly, constructed from *the best* of the store's collection. Ouch.

Its cool to be green but destroying perfectly good vintage dresses to make one is not green.

What do you think?

Update - Now Im reading a conflicting story from the mirror dated 3/06/2011 - today (?)

how-colin-firth-s-wife-livia-stole-the-show-with-her-charity-shop-oscars-dress

'It’s known as “upcycling”, the ­fashionable cousin of recycling. To add authenticity, each dress was from the 1920s and ’30s – when The King’s Speech was set.

Part of the dress was made from tatty tea dresses bought from London shop 360 Degrees Vintage. Gary paid £600 for a selection from the Greenwich boutique, which is run by Lynn Burgess and her mum Kit.'

Lynn said: “Some were slightly damaged, some had their netting torn, and one had a stain round the hem. But incredibly Gary managed to eliminate all their little flaws and produce this stunning dress.” Livia’s instructions were clear: “Remember, I’m not a young actress. I’m a 41-year-old mother of two. Nothing too short or too daring.”

Except on 3/1/11 The shop owner had posted on their FB page when asked:

'As a vintage clothing lover I have to ask, what was the condition of the 1930s gowns used to make Gary Harvey's dress? Were they already damaged beyond wearability or did he actually destroy 11 perfectly good vintage gowns.'

Answer

'He bought the very best gowns'

Is the Mirror attempting a bit of damage control?

Here Comes Sunshine!

EXOTIC VINTAGE HAWAIIAN WRAP DRESS.



Organza Alfred Shaheen 70s Purple Butterfly Dress.



60s 70s Hand Painted Alfred Shaheen Hawaiian Dress .




KAMEHAMEHA Bird of Paradise Hawaiian Dress.

LAST SALE OF THE YEAR!

A First Lady First!

Mrs. Obama wears vintage!

Michelle Obama wears a gorgeous American Designer Norman Norell 50s black lace and tulle tea length cocktail dress from my old stomping grounds New York Vintage. She wore the dress to the event “Christmas in Washington” in Washington DC. The event was hosted by Ellen DeGeneres and aired 12/21/2010 on TNT.

It is being reported this is a 1st for the White House and that she plans to wear another vintage couture dress for New Year's.

It is so uplifting to all of us vintage lovers to witness this historic event.





An additional comment. Some blogs are reporting this is a 'thrift store' find. So far there is no proof of this. The owner of New York Vintage could have obtained this dress through many sources. In NYC socialites often take their designer frocks to vintage consignment stores where folks like myself, then a poor college student and single mom, was able to afford them. Vintage clothing sellers, such as myself, obtain vintage from estate sales & private sources. Rarely do I find a dress of this caliber in a thrift store. It is not impossible but it is rare.

As you were~

Recycle your Christmas & Holiday Lights

Dear friends, its that time of the year when I post my yearly reminder to please not toss those lights in the trash. Please recycle them.



Almost every household has a string or two or three, like mine, of broken lights. Those strings you don't know what to do with.

You change the bulbs, the fuse...nothing happens, you get frustrated and add it to the pile. Instead of throwing them in the trash a few organizations including charities, recycle light strings. These places take the light strings apart and recycle most of the parts like the copper, glass and plastic.

Why have that stuff leeching pollutants into the earth when the materials could be used again?

Light strands are so dangerous to wild animals also.

Think about how long it takes us to untangle those strings, imagine what an animal without the intelligence and dexterity we have will go through. Like those hideous plastic rings that hold soda cans.

Google 'recycle Christmas lights and your zip code' for drop off locations in your area.

In Seattle I can take my lights to Whole Foods & Woodland Park Zoo. Some Walmarts have recently joined the recycling effort.

If you are unable to recycle your lights in your area you can mail them.

This program recycles your lights and benefits children plus give a 10% discount on purchases.

Visit:

Recycle Christmas Lights for the Kids Campaign

Another program:

HolidayLEDs.com

They send you a coupon for 15% off on purchases.

HolidayLEDs.com
Attn: Recycling Program
2500 W. Argyle St.
Jackson, MI 49202

Also web sites like craigslist, freecycle are good places to recycle your light strings. Many craft people, artists re use and re purpose them.

Please post this information on your blogs, tell everyone there is a better way to dispose of those light strings.

May you all have a happy and green holiday season!

The Little Vintage Store That Could

Politics aside, this is the story of my friend Amanda Zych owner of rogueretro vintage store on etsy. She now has an important lesson to teach her daughter Ella and she in turn will cherish and pass down to her children, grandchildren...

She is a struggling single mom who went through a lot the past couple of years, barely surviving working hard to make ends meet. Amanda came very close to losing her home.

Recently while shopping for vintage to sell in her store she came across this coat.



After doing some research on the label 'For The Wardrobe of Bill Beck Varsity Shop, Mt Vernon Washington' she discovered the coat belonged to Glenn Beck's dad.

Amanda did what she thought was the right thing, she sent the coat to Glenn Beck free of charge because she firmly believes the coat belongs to him. When he called her to thank her she never mentioned her business or asked for a dime. What is also really special about this story is that on the week of her birthday, Amanda gave unconditionally.

Amanda is my hero.

The studio setting up in her living room.



You can watch the segment here:



or here:

Amanda Zych of etsy rogueretro on Glenn Beck.

I thought I'd share this inspirational story with all of you during this time when we all gather with loved ones to give thanks for all that we have.

That giving & kindness is the true spirit of the season and we hold much more in common than not.

Happy Holidays everyone!

This is the reason I love vintage, the story behind each piece.

11.29.2010 @ about the 10:00 mark GB mentions Amanda again.

The Pulse Died Project Runway Season 8 Finale

The winner of PR season 8 'had her finger on the pulse of fashion' according to Nina and Michael Kors but I'm beginning to wonder if there is a pulse at all.

I'm glad I recorded the final episode and instead chose to watch Animal Planet's Fatal Attractions, it was more exciting than Gretchen's collection.

I remember the judges repeatedly criticizing designers for off the rack/wearable looks. 'WOW US!' is what I kept hearing and that's exactly what Mondo did, yet, they chose to go against everything they preached all season long and gave the win to Gretchen's bohemian over Mondo's fresh, fun, memorable, innovative and Andy's well made cohesive collection.

Mondo's designs are completely his own, if you see one of his pieces you know its a Mondo piece whereas Gretchen's....well....Ive seen folks blogs that say they have seen similar clothes at Target and Walmart. Someone else posted that Gretchen's collection was lifted from Butterick's #B5491, worthy only for QVC at 3 AM.

A couple of Gretchen supporters wrote on PR's blog that older women would not wear Mondo's designs. I am an older woman and would wear them in a heart beat. This is not 'Design For Grandma' but maybe that is something PR should consider and judging from Gretchen's collection they are on the right path.

On my last blog I questioned the choice for Jessica Simpson for judge, now, well, at least she had the taste to pick Mondo but a lot of good it did when both she and Heidi caved in to Michael and Nina. Perhaps Tim Gunn should have been called to break the tie.

Perhaps its time for PR to acquire a new set of judges with fresh eyes. I think Nina and Michael have become jaded and stale and frankly seem to sort of get off on wielding the hand of power. You know what they say, In fashion, one minute you are In, the next you are Out.

As I type this Mondo's collection is almost sold out at SEENON.COM Gretchen only sold one.

Update 10/30/2010 Mondo's collection is SOLD OUT. Gretchen sold 1 piece.

Some of Gretchen's pieces











Mondo's













Heidi putting her money where her mouth is.



Personally, I like his dress with or without the sleeves.

Mondo's Website.

Mondo before Project Runway.







Only thing I liked about Gretchen's show was the music. It happens to be "Icarus" by White Hinterland.