After writing about the color and styles I spotted at the Oscars on Sunday night, I of course spent most of Monday reading and watching what everyone else was saying about the “big night’s” fashion extravaganza.
Not to be too catty, but like most, I have to admit I’m just as interested in the looks that get “knocked” as I am with the ones that get “raves”.
One particular star whose style seemed to be in question was that of British actress Julie Christie. Ms. Christie, whose amazing good looks ( please beauty gods let me look like her when I’m 66! ) and stylish feminine tuxedo were fan favorites as she picked up the SAG award for Best Actress this past January.
Her Oscar fashion choice on the other hand, a cabernet colored ruched dress, pale pink chiffon long gloves and matching shoes was received with let’s just say- less warmth. In fact the actress may not have taken home the Oscar, but her ensemble- designed by herself and stylist Tanya Gill, took away “worst dressed” on many a critics list here and across the pond.
How surprised was I this morning while flipping trough the pages of Vogue’s February issue to spot this layout featuring a model dressed shocking similar….
The neckline is different, the Tom Binns brooch from the Vogue spread has been replaced by an orange ribbon ( to represent the jumpsuits worn by the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay ) and her shoes were open toe. Otherwise I think her outfit looks an awful lot like this Burberry Prorsum dress. I believe she’s even wearing the same Louis Vuitton gloves.
Christopher Bailey, head designer for Burberry, is quoted by the magazine as saying “I love the delicate ruched details, and the rich color. The woman who wears this dress is a luxury warrior and reflects the collection perfectly.”
Was Ms. Christie’s look-a-like “look” just a coincidence? Did she and her stylist find inspiration from this photo spread and yet were not able to borrow the $3,495 Burberry dress so they commissioned their own tweaked version?
If so-how can a look that is considered high taste in Vogue be called out as bad taste on the red carpet?
Is this a case of runway not translating to the real world, or were both Vogue’s and the actress’s stylists way off the mark?
Who do you think is right in this style disagreement?
The black 'touch' on the shoes indeed helps to 'ground' the color combination! The dress Christie is wearing also appears to be more heavily ruched (along a center line, yet!), resulting in a somewhat dishelveld look.
I believe it is the more 'together' appearance of the Vogue dress that gives it the panache seemingly lacking from the one worn by Julie Christie.
(Another thought: perhaps it is also that this look photographs well in still/set shots, but loses something in 'real life'. After all, the dress and gloves supply much visual movement on their own.....)
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