Tag Archives: Abbie Cornish

Red Carpet Review: The Best (310) Celebrity Looks of 2011!

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I’ve been compiling a long list of my favorite looks during the 2011 calendar year & while there are still a few days left, I wanted to share the highs of the red carpet, press events, famous Style Darlings on the street, as well as the looks that have made the headlines.  This is the ultimate gallery of the ensembles to wear for formal occasions, out & about on the street, to a cocktail party, or a date night, including the best descriptions that I could find of who wore what!  For more looks that I’ve featured this year, check out Darling of the Day, Red Carpet Review, Magazine Must-Haves, Silver Screen Style, Style ABC’s (x3), & Watch This Style– all categories that thrive on celebrity-inspiration for your style on a budget.  I hope all of you had a prosperous 2011 & continue to do good for those around you, as well as for your style!  Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The Versace for H&M Debut featuring Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson, Blake Lively, & More!

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I recently wrote for my Culture Mob column, A Dash of Fashion, about The Details Behind Versace’s Collection for H&M.  Last night in New York, throngs of celebrities & fashionistas gathered to celebrate the line by designer Donatella Versace, which she recently told In Style: “I want to give young people my own history, the Versace brand history, and the most iconic fashion moments of Versace.”

Although the line isn’t available in H&M stores until November 17th, some of the major players in fashion like Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, & Selma Blair showed their support for bringing the Versace name to mainstream shoppers. Emma Roberts, Abbie Cornish, & Nicki Minaj played with separates, while Jennifer Hudson, Chloe Moretz, & Kaylee DeFer showed off their elegant & edgy frocks.  Also, Uma Thurman sports an age-appropriate gown from the line with a contemporary touch in the blazer & strappy sandals.

Which of these looks would you wear?  I’m loving Jessica Alba’s demure approach with the black opague tights & tied back bun.  Also, I do love Chloe Moretz’s unexpected shoe choice with the yellow sheath dress.  Check out more images & prices from the line here! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: 2011 Venice Film Festival Part Two Featuring Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley, & More!!

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More stars have come out in support of their films which were specially selected for a screening or premiere at the 2011 Venice Film Festival.  If you didn’t stop by earlier in the week, then you missed our post featuring Kate Winslet, Evan Rachel Wood, & Marisa Tomei, but click here to check out all the fashionable duds worn by these stylish celebs!

Jessica Chastain is one of my favorite new up & coming actresses, especially after her performance in The Help. However, at the festival, the actress (who has SEVEN films coming out this year) appeared at the premiere of Wild Salmone in a  cap sleeve backless gown from Elie Saab with very delicate diamond accented jewelry.  During a photo call for the film, she went with a bold red dress to bring out her red bangs, with nude platform heels.  She even took home an award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement wearing a one-shoulder black Gucci resort gown with satin heels.

Dark Horse star Selma Blair showed off her post-baby body in two of the seasons most fashionable colors.  First she showed off a demure red caftan gown by Lanvin and followed it up with a bright emerald Roland Mouret dress with patent leather heels.  Gwyneth Palrow supported Contagion in a belted tangerine Prada dress with floral Nicholas Kirkwood peep toes.  The Oscar winner was stunning in a blush Prada gown with a Cipria Raso clutch & Bvlgari earrings.

Last time, we saw a lot of the festival’s darling, Abbie Cornish, but here she is again in a paneled pullover & navy trousers with peep toe heels.  Doesn’t she look like a younger mix between Charlize Theron & Maria Bello?! Then this custom-made colorblock gown by Gucci with clutch & pumps by Roger Vivier might just be my favorite look from the entire event!

Keira Knightley kept her movie star look in a Orla Kiely Resort 2012 navy shirt dress with gold buttons.  She accessorized her daytime look with Ralph Lauren sunglasses & Tabitha Simmons ‘Evie’ camel loafers.  For the red carpet, she choose a gold & beige long-sleeved Valentino couture gown with nothing but a part down the middle & pink lipstick!

Last, but not least Salma Hayek-Pinault made an appearance at the 2011 Gucci Award For Women In Cinema event, wearing a gorgeous crystal-embellished Gucci Première gown with a simple clutch & Old Hollywood updo.  Madonna also continued her sunglasses-at-night look, but showed up in a 40’s-inspired, black georgette long-sleeved evening gown with a metal & gold belt by Gucci.

Who do you think has stolen the spotlight at the Venice Film Festival?  Which of the selected films are you most looking forward to seeing?  To keep up with all the best red carpet looks, check out all posts for Red Carpet Review.  Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: 2011 Venice Film Festival Featuring Kate Winslet, Abbie Cornish, Madonna, & More!

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At this year’s Venice Film Festival, the stars walked the red carpet, made appearances at screenings, & promoted their films in pure style.  There were some very exciting style surprises, as well as back-to-back hits on the red carpet.  Menswear inspiration, minimalism, vintage Hollywood, & sleek separates were among the trends dominating the fashion world right now. Among these stars were Marisa Tomei, Kate Winslet, Diane Kruger, Madonna, Keira Knightley, Cindy Crawford, Bar Rafaeli, Abbie Cornish, & Evan Rachel Wood.

Marisa Tomei, co-star to George Clooney & Ryan Gosling in Ides of March, was colorful, wearing a sheath dress by Erdem, an embellished top with an orange Preen skirt, & a pearl-accented neon yellow draped Marios Schwab gown.  And then there was Kate Winslet, the unofficial spokesmodel for chic.  The Carnage star wowed in a mocha Victoria Beckham dress with strappy Jimmy Choo sandals.  Then for day, she chose a classic LBD with a gray blazer, thick-strapped sandals, & House of Lavande‘s Panetta gold & diamante bracelet.  She once again stole the show in a stretch cotton multi-colored Stella McCartney dress with drop earrings & peep toe pumps at the Mildred Pierce premiere.  Then for another day event, she kept her all-black ensemble simple with a tank, shorts, a blazer, & the same peep toes!

Younger up and coming stars like Abbie Cornish turned some heads with this ombre silk organza tiered Atelier Versace stunner.  For a more movie star-esque day look, the W.E. star continued to earn raves in this Elie Saab a-line LBD with polished touches of gold in the House of Lavande choker.  Abbie isn’t shy when it comes to print either, as we can see in the keyhole maxi dress while attending the Venice Film Festival’s Movie Star Lounge.

Also making a splash, especially with the menswear trend was Evan Rachel Wood who’s shown above a whopping four times, just like her Mildred Pierce co-star, Kate Winslet.  She suited up in an outfit by Dolce & Gabbana with Salvatore Ferragamo houndstooth pumps (which I just drooled over on the Nordstrom website, for $950.00!).  Then she brought new meaning to shirtdress with this flowing white Alessandra Rich design with jewel-studded black ankle strap heels.  Then she returned to her black & white suit look, but with a vest over a feminine white blouse with some serious black Christian Louboutin pumps.

Diane Kruger stepped out in a textured Chanel dress with a matching striped clutch, but kept her German-girl-next-door look with a messy side braid.  Then she stepped up her look in this Grecian-inspired cascading nude Elie Saab bustier gown.  Madonna also made an appearance in support of her directorial debut, W.E., wearing a black & white L’Wren Scott dress with a gold cross & platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.  To show that she’s still got it, Madonna choose a custom-made butterfly-embellished Vionnet dress with Miu Miu sunglasses for the film’s premiere.

Also, Keira Knightley stepped off a gondola in a printed Mary Katrantzou dress for a photocall for A Dangerous Method.  Cindy Crawford proved that you don’t have to be a movie star to look like one in one-shoulder Roberto Cavalli gown with Chopard jewelry.  And last but not least, model / actress Bar Rafaeli opted for a lace-paneled jumpsuit by Emilio Pucci.

Who do you think was the best dressed during the festival?  Did Madonna get it right with all those butterflies?  Was Evan Rachel Wood too bland in black & white?  Do you think Kate Winslet stole the show?  Check out our last Red Carpet Review post with a look at The Help‘s Jessica Chastain & some of the best looks from the Cannes Film Festival back in May!  Happy Syling!

Basics for a Bargain: Pencil Skirts Inspired by Jennifer Lopez, Kate Bosworth, & More!

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The best way to revamp your wardrobe from season to season is by freshening up your essential, basic pieces.  In this new series of blogs on Style Darling, I’ll be bringing to you some irresistible selections of the basics necessary for the most fashionable foundation of a wardrobe.  Items such as a button down shirt, pair of black trousers, trench coat, LBD, or patent leather pumps are the timeless building blocks for any Style Darling’s budget-conscious look.

 It’s no secret that a must-have basic item for all body types is a pencil skirt. Here we have some inspiration from just a few of the best dressed stars of the red carpet who are wearing pencil skirts, like Jennifer Lopez, Kate Bosworth, Whitney Port, & Abbie Cornish.  This isn’t just a piece that you can wear to a special event since it’s versatile for work (although beware of sequins!), as well as a date night. You’ll look poised & professional in a classic pencil skirt with any number of special touches to really add some polish, such as a contrasting blazer, knee boots for a short hemline, an off-shoulder dolman top, peep toes, or an embellished cardigan.

Take a look at these six choices below, which are all under $40.  When you have to put together an outfit on a budget, starting off with flattering items like these helps you spend a little more on the extras that make your look really special. 

 

 

 

While I’m not featuring any basic black pencil skirts in this installment, I’d like to have some fun with different textures & patterns which create visual interest & more dimension- key if you’re trying to make a good impression at a work function!  First we have a denim pencil skirt (far right) that doesn’t even look like it’s denim, perfect for a solid fringed top & open toe zip-up booties. Navy is always an elegant choice, which can be made even more regal with a black blouse, an animal print belt, & cross-strap sandals.   Speaking of some animal print, take a strut on the wild side & get some fabulous red pumps, a cocktail ring, & sequined clutch to steal the spotlight!

 

A lace skirt calls for something uber feminine, so go with a bold floral cami & crystal drop earrings. Black & white looks excite me a whole lot because here’s where you can show off a trendy pop of color in a pump or cardigan, while still offering up a truly classic look.  And lastly, much like the Kate Bosworth look above, we have a faux leather camel pencil skirt that goes perfectly with a military blouse, hoop earrings, & metallic pointed toe pumps. 

For next time, watch out for some deals on sandals, shorts, or perhaps we’ll be taking a look at the best denim picks!  Also, feel free to share with readers your favorite pencil skirt stories, or where you know a great sale is for this figure-flattering favorite. If you’re still looking for pencil skirt inspiration, check out some of my other favorite celebrity looks like Jessica Stroup, Olivia Wilde, Kristen Bell, & Jayma Mays.  All comments, questions, suggestions are always welcome.  Happy Styling!