Welcome to the red carpet. A place where the stars shine or do they? Some shine in the dark while others take weeks to prepare for their award winning moments. Stylists, personal shoppers and assistants tear the malls, boutiques and showrooms up requesting samples and looking for exclusive additions for the finishing touch. Whether primped and proper or just a mess, see which celebrity is best dressed or NOT.

All is fashionably well with Elizabeth Banks but her shoes are too big in this center picture. Highly unacceptable for the red carpet or any occasion for that matter.  Tisk tisk to her stylist.  Better luck next time!

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

The Annual Costume Institute Gala took place on May 4, 2009 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I had the pleasure of attending this grand event but was not pleased about being wet.  Despite the rain, many A-listers from Justin Timberlake to Renee Zellweger rolled out for the red carpet, lights camera and action.  Although we are still in Spring 09 style, the wardrobe on the red carpet was very Fall 2009 needless to say, Rihanna who sported a very HAUTE Dolce and Gabanna androgynous look,  was the best illustration of what will be in store for the next coming seasons - its all about the shoulders! There were many "yeses" and even more "messes". Could it have been due to the extremely inclement, rainy New York weather? Maybe or maybe not! Nonetheless, we have the scoop to keep you on top of your style game.

YES

Rihanna is rocking Dolce and Gabbana

 YES TO THE LOOK AND THE CARPET

Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs in Marc Jacobs of course!

 __________

YES

Ciara graced the red carpet in this black and white  dress giving off a "tuxedo effect" bearing her best "assets". 

YES AND YES

Amber Rose and Kanye West                                     Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel

These couples were the best illustration of "complimenting each other". Jessica's nude Louboutin's were an excellent choice and Ashley's bold red lipstick replaced having to wear a bold necklace. 

YES & MESS

 Anna Wintaur and Andrea Leon Talley of Vogue Magazine

Despite the fact that Anna and Andrea are some of the most influential people in fashion, the look on our right is inexcusable. 

 YES AND MESS

Anne Hathaway                                                               Bee Shaffer

Anne Hathaway looked amazing with her hair pulled back  with dark eye makeup accentuating her big brown eyes.  Bee Shaffer, on the other hand, worked this stunning blue gown but should have chosen a different shoe.  Navy and black seemed to have been the most popular colors of the evening but  was not a mandatory requirement. 

YES AND MESS
 

                                       Giselle Bunchden                                                    Heidi Klum

  These two Victoria's Secret bombshells have hot bodies and should flaunt it.  Black and blue  are must have fashion hues for Fall 09  and these red carpet queens are giving you a preview of what to expect.

YES ACROSS THE BOARD!

                    Liv Tyler                          Kate Hudson                                          Iman                             Stella McCartney

_____

Every Haute Girl Needs a Hot Guy!

Fashion and Football is a serious celebration.  Both Kim Kardashian and Kendra Wilkinson totally get it as they are both coupled up with the hottest football players in the league.  They both graced the red carpet in stunning dresses by Foley and Corinna but ......

_________________________

 The 81st Annual Academy Awards took place on February 22, 209 in Los Angeles, the city of dreams! A -list actors and actresses graced the red carpet in some of today's most desired looks, well at least some of them did. A very beautiful yet usually bland, Angelina Jolie shocked the show with a gorgeous yet simple black gown accented with emerald green dangling earrings. Others made their best efforts but unfortunately, not everyone is cut out for best dressed! See who looked their best and who just looked a plain ole mess!

YES

A very elegantly dressed Kate Winslet (L) gave us vintage Hollywood glam from head to toe. Loved everything from the hair to the earrings. The overall look had a theme going on and made sense.  Marisa Tomei (R) who took a risk at the Golden Globes, did a 360 degree with this gorgeous Dior Haute Couture Gown. Any color shoes could have worked besides, no one would even notice the Manolo's underneath!

YES, MESS AND YES

Miley Cyrus looks like a little princess in her jeweled gown which is perfectly accessorized with vintage accessories. Beyonce, on the other hand, has an amazing body but the dress makes her look like the actual  Oscar award in the background. This House of Dereon couture gown would have served better in a solid print.  Alicia Keyes looks lovely in these raspberry gown however, the make up is too heavy and perhaps she should have done without the lace front wig. Her own natural locks would have suited her much better.  Oh and maybe a nude shoe to offset the accessories and spring-tone gown!

YES AND YES

All hail the Queens!  Except, Queens would most likely not have had shown so much cleavage. Nonetheless, these two fashionistas looked amazing in their cindella-esque gowns. Penelope Cruz is always  so very elegant  and feminine in her gowns.  Sarah Jessica-Parker is fashion from Sex in the City to well, Sex in the City. What else would we expect from the sexy superstar!

Lisa Rinna looks lovely, finally! Less is not always more and she has proven it by covering up the girls  with this flawless look. Nude lips work well after having botox or lip enhancements. Very well done!

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, February 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, Ca. Despite all of the drama surrounding the awards, it was  very beautiful evening that brought the best together in harmony and unification. Pop stars including Justin Timberlake collaborated with Rap Start T.I. Robin Thicke collaborated with Lil Wayne,  Jay-Z with Cold Play, Adele, Jennifer Hudson, Paul McCartney to name a few. 

Many celebrities ripped the stage but what happened to wardrobe? See who looked a mess and who looked their best!

 YES AND YES

BATTLE OF THE K'S 

Kim Kardashian is stunning in Toni Maticevski ! Katy Perry is show stopping in Basil Soda!

 YES, YES AND MESS

Paris Hilton looks stunning!  Eva Mendes looks marvelous in Moschino! Phoebe Price is ready for Caberet on Broadway!

YES

THE PLAYERS CLUB

Neyo, Jay-Z and Ginuwine all looked dapper!

From YES to MESS 

Adele's look is great for a social gathering but not appropriate for a 

performance. It's a YES for another occasion.

 _________________________

MESS - ON THE CUSP

Estelle's dress is too tight! Letoya Luckett's shoes are too big & bright! Solange's dress could have been better!

YES, MESS AND MESS 

Brooke Hogan looks great! Audrina's Tadashi dress would be better with flats! Fran Drescher has bed head!

MESS, YES AND CUSP

Fantasia has on the wrong shoes! Keyshia Cole looks amazing in La Perla! Kim Caldwell looks great but the hair isn't working! 

MESS, MESS AND CUSP

Mayisha wearing fish gills? M.I.A.  in Creative Rec's looking like a creative wreck! Jennifer Nettles has bed head!

BEST DRESSED AT SAG AWARDS GOES TO:

MARCIA CROSS        KATE WINSLET      PENELOPE CRUZ

YES

MARISA TOMEI                           PAULA ABDUL                                        AMY ADAMS

MESS

AMERICA FERRARA                                              ANGELINA JOLIE                                                                CLAIRE DANES

 WE CANNOT SEE AMERICA'S FEET. SHE JUST NEEDED TO HEM THE FRONT A BIT. WE SUPPOSED BEING A MOM IS WEARING ANGELINA DOWN?! HER LOOK  IS SIMPLY MISSING COLORED JEWELS AND ARM ACCESSORIES. BEING GOURGEOUS ALONE ISN'T ENOUGH. JAZZ IT UP! CLAIR AS LADY IN RED NEEDED TO HAVE THIS GOWN TAKEN IN A BIT AND STEAMED AT THE BOTTOM.

 YES

RED CARPET PRINCESSES

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE AND EVA LONGORIA PARKER

AMERICAN GLADIATORS AT SAG AWARDS?
 
JANUARY JONES                                      EMILY BLUNT                                                ANNE HATHAWAY

YES

LINDSEY FONSECA                                   LAURA LINNEY                                                    LIS EDELSTEIN

 Eva Longoria is Best Dressed in Reem Acra!

Eva always graces the red carpet in her best and this look is undoubtedly a YES.

          A MESS

RACHEL GRIFFITH NEEDED TO BE STEAMED                              RENEEE ZELWEGGER ALMOST WORKED THIS

                                                                                                                           CAROLINA HERRERA NUMBER BUT THE HAIR IS A    

YES

"ALTHOUGH ORANGES AND GOLDS CAN WASH OUT AN OLIVE OR BRONZED COMPLEXION, THIS ACTUALLY WORKS WELL" 

CARRIE UNDERWOOD STOLE THE SHOW AND THE SPOTLIGHT. 

 PARIS HILTON

 YES

IMMACULATE. MAKEUP AND HAIR IS ALWAYS FLAWLESS! PERFECT DRESS FOR HER SIZE AND SHAPE.

QUEEN LATIFAH

 YES

"SEXY AND CHIC"

JESSICA STROUP IN HERVE LEGER

 "SOUTHERN BELLE"

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

MESS TO THE DRESS BUT YES ON THE SHOES

YES TO THE ENTIRE OUTFIT BUT THE HAIR IS A MESSYOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH A NUDE PAIR OF LOUBOUTIN'S

YES AMANDA SEYFRIED IN MARCHESA

"VERY BLAND LIKE A MEAL WITH NO SALT. A JEWELED BELT COULD HAVE WORKED NICELY."

ANGELINA JOLIE ATLELIER VERSACE

 YES TO HER BODY BUT THIS DRESS HAS TOO MUCH GOING ON. THE HAIR IS A MESS AND NEEDED TO BE STRAIGHTENED FOR THIS LOOK.

"A SEXY MESS"BROOKE BURKE

YES TO THE DRESS BUT MAYBE IN ANOTHER COLOR

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE  IN ROBERTO CAVALLI

YES

DEBRA MESSING IN VERA WANG

YES

ELIZABETH BANKS IN J.MENDELL

YES  TO THE JEWELS

"THE DRESS IS A MESS. RUFFLE WOULD HAVE WORKED BETTER IF IT WERE ON THE BACK OF THE DRESS.  IT'S WEDDING CHIC AND NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AN AWARD SHOW."

EVA MENDES IN DIOR

MESS

"THE DRESS COULD HAVE WORKED IF SHE ONLY LET HER HAIR DOWN, TRY  A 1920'S CHINA BOB AND SOME DROPPED PEARLS NEXT TIME"

EVAN RACHEL-WOOD IN

YES

ISLA FISHER IN

MESS

"QUEEN OF THE SEA"

"A BAD COLOR FOR HER SKIN TONE, A NUDE OR FLESH TONE WOULD HAVE WORKED BETTER ON HER FLAWLESS SKIN"

JULIE BENZ