When I switched on the Oscars Sunday night, the red carpet was already in full swing.  I swear these 3 dresses above were the first I saw.  All I could think was: OMG Hollywood has lost its mind!  I was very excited to say the least.

Jennifer and Charlize, I will get to in just a minute.  First up Zoe Saldana in Givency.  Now regardless of how you feel about this dress, I have to say colorwise she has the perfect coloring for it’s pale lavender hue, plus she is just spunky enough to pull off its couture- meets- cancan dancer style.  I actually liked her better in the gown than I did on the model walking in it on the Paris runway just a few weeks ago.

Her peep-toe heels have gotten slack for being too ‘clunky’- but as you can see she didn’t leave much to stylish chance, she simply borrowed them from the runway as well.

Much like Zoe’s gown– asymmetric hems, thigh-high slits, bejeweled bodices and chunky shoes were all trends that night.

Carey Mulligan’s own look was very similar to Zoe’s. When the two actresses presented together, they looked like little styled twins of each other.

I wasn’t all that blown away by Mulligan’s Black Prada dress- that is until I noticed its 3-D details.  Not just beading here mind you, but little metal knifes and forks sewn about her gown.  She gets 5 points for taking a fashion risk and 10 points for being the one best prepared for the buffet at the after party.

In fact 3-D, sculptural shapes were by far the most modern looks of the night.  These are not styles everyone will like, but you have to give kudos to anyone daring to be different.

I love the color of Vera Farmiga’s Marchesa gown.  And though it does sort of look like Bottecilli’s Birth of Venus meets fan dancer meets Raspberry truffle wrapper- if given the options to wear any dress of the evening for a photo shoot, this would be the one I would pick.  It just looks like it would be fun to wear.

Now having to walk around all night and sit for an extended period of time in it- well, that’s a whole other story.  I’m wondering if all that starched pleating was literally a pain in the butt to sit in.

Speaking of sculptural and challenging to sit in, do you suppose the Kodak Theater was kind enough to removed an arm chair for Jennifer’s Armani Prive number?

Again, you have to hand it to Jenny from the block.  She knows how to make a red carpet statement, whether its a plunging neckline to her belly button or a roll of bubble wrap tacked onto her left hip- she will not be ignored, dammit!

Hush-quiet colors like Jennifer’s has become a favorite at Award ceremonies.  These pale iridescences are not always so easy to pull off, thanks to Jennifer’s caramel coloring she masters the tricky color in true diva form.

I was thinking Jen must have felt pretty proud of her fashion-forward self and then I spotted actress Amanda Seyfried on the red carpet and thought-”uh, oh-someone at Armani has got some “splaining” to do!’

A gown from the very same collection- on the same night. What do you think? Did Amanda steal some of Jennifer’s thunder?

I would not want to be on JLo’s bad side (especially if its the side with all of that extra fabric).  Let’s just hope they cleared it with Ms. Lo and that she was ‘hip’ to the fact that the very dress that followed her gown on the runway would also follow it on the red carpet.

A few Red-hot mamas in Grecian draped gowns helped add a bit of spice to the evening.

And speaking of red gowns, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis for standing in for me, last minute as George Clooney’s date.

After weeks of badgering- I finally had to call over the weekend and let darling George down.  I tried, I really did but I just could not convince my husband that it would be good for both our marriage and for the blog if he would agree to let me jet off to Cali to be George’s date.

I know in my heart this is the real reason Clooney seemed a wee bit hammered on the carpet, paid no attention to his hair and seemed to wear such a sour puss all night. George can be such a drama king when he doesn’t get his way!

While George was singing the blues over me…other were wearing the cool hue.  The woman of Precious all picked brilliant blues with just a touch of feminine floral detailing.

Chromatic Synchronicity, perhaps?

Another lover of blue was Maggie Gyllenhaal, you can always count on her to go out on a fashion limb.

I love the bright colors and the painterly feel of her Dries Van Noten gown.  I especially love her choice of  bright pink lips and smokey lined lids.  With her very pale skin and light eyes, that extra boost of color on her face helped keep the busy print at bay.

My other favorite make-up choice was Sandra Bullock’s bright red pucker teamed with her deep side parted shiny, to-die-for locks.

Sandra, you did good.  The dress is a bit safe (loved that the Go-Fug Yourself girls referred to her Marchesa gown as a bit “Oscars on Ice”) but that’s okay.  Like my mother always says- ‘better safe then sorry”, esp. when there is a good chance the grand prize might go home with you.

We love you for your girl-next-door charm and for the fact that you showed up in person to receive your Razzie Award for “Worst Actress of the Year” the night before you took home your Oscar for “Best”.

The fit, the hair, the confidence- you are Oscar perfection.

A mineral hue was picked by another “beacon of inspiration for us everday-gals”, our as I like to now call her: our new Queen.

All Hail Kathyrn Bigelow!  At 58, she rocked all of Hollywood-while wearing a pretty rock colored Yves Saint Laurent gown. Now her’s is a story worthy of a Hollywood screenplay, don’t you think!

Other silver foxes:

Helen I love you- as I do you Ms. Meryl Streep.  First you grabbed my heart in all 3 films this year and then you showed up in a modern white dress designed by Project Runway’s Chris March (you know the one whose portfolio, prior to filming, included pretty much just drag queen clothes) and let’s just say you had me at “Hello”.

In my fantasy, Tim Gunn was at the fitting slightly concerned and urging Meryl “To make it work!” before he sending her off to the Tresemme room to get her hair and makeup done.

Cameron Diaz who was stunning in a beautiful golden Oscar De La Renta gown,  gets the “Reese Witherspoon Style Award”. Don’t get me wrong I thought she looked super pretty, it’s just that the sweet style and brushed hair were just not expected.  I really did think at first glance that she was Reese.

(That’s Reese from the 2006 Oscars btw)

While many got it so right on Oscar night- a few were lost in television translation.

I know that Diane Kruger’s Chanel gown is perfection for editorial, but on the red carpet- I think it looking a bit more French maid than French chic. (Pictured next to her is my style suggestion for Quentin, the next time she decides to wear the dress).

Sometimes the expressions of the crowd says it all.  Like this woman (next to SJP below) who seems to be in a hypnotic trance at the sight of her  gi-normous Princess Lea/cinnabon hairdo the actress was sporting to top off her vintage Chanel.

Or this woman in the strange peacock motif gown giving Charlize Theron’s dress  the “up and down, stink eye”.

OH come on, you know you were thinking it too!

And last but not least, I didn’t really mention the men.  I think everyone looked great (except you Judd Nelson- I can not tell you how very much you let me down during the tribute to John Hughes!).  Colin Firth was sexy in Tom Ford, Tom Ford was sexy in Tom Ford.  Ryan Reynolds was sexy in Tom Ford…okay and George, even though I don’t approve of your childish behavior- you too were stunning in your Armani tux.

But I have one thing to say to Neil Patrick Harris- who by the way is always very dapper at these shindigs.

When they ask you to appear in the opening song and dance number you must heed Rob Lowe’s warning and just say “NO!”.  No matter how funny it seems in rehearsal you must know we are all slightly cringing at home. Neil you are just too good for such Hollywood abuse.

And now thanks to You Tube, you will never be able to escape the memory…just ask Rob, 20 years later- he and Snow White still can’t live their ill fated razzle-dazzle Hollywood version of  “Proud Mary” down.

Click here to view the embedded video.

all images from Getty/Wire/Oscar.com, runway images from Elle.com

UP

Up was by far one of my favorite movies of the year.  The film’s 2 minute sequence showing the couples entire married life together is so beautifully done-pure genius.  The message of the movie- its never too late for a new adventure, priceless.

For this I would think bold color, retro style with a twist of ’scout/explorer spirit thrown in for good measure.  Winged and balloon inspired accessories take flight, while a cocktail dress –that appears to have actually been inspired by a female “Snipe” named Kevin—would be perfect once you hit solid ground at Paradise Falls.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Being a huge Wes Anderson fan, I couldn’t imagine how his style would translate into animation.  Anderson’s Mr. Fox did not disappoint.  All the quirky characters and dialogue stayed intact, as did his usual amazing art direction..he does ‘dingy’ colors better than anyone.

The movie which was bathed in shades of rusty orange and Earth tones, was a visual delight.  I would take that same color (foxy orange) and style it into a 70’s boho feel with an attitude of coy, self-confident and slightly flawed-just like The Fantastic Mr. Fox himself (p.s. how amazing is George Clooney’s performance in this!!!).

Avatar

Wow, that James Cameron is one talented guy…he sure knows how to make an epic movie that sells tickets.  Though there are real life fleshy actors in this film, its animation is the real star.

Cobalt blue and Eco-Greens would have to dominate.  Perfect for those moldy-futuristic prints that are showing up, they almost look like an eco-system is going to grow out of them.  The attitude would have to be just like all of Cameron’s lead female roles-fearless: kick-ass and sexy.

The Princess And The Frog

Its nice to know that even though technology is making animation more and more realistic, the art of the old-school gets an Oscar nod as well.  The beautifully drawn cartoon has all the same Disney magic-with a refreshing modern edge set against the colorful backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou.

I’m thinking a bit of southern NOLA flair mixed in with crisp white and of course frog green.  Switch out the tiara for a headband by day and wear a modern version of a southern belle gown for a night at the local juke joint.

Coraline

Like most people perhaps I thought Coraline was the work of Tim Burton, since the art direction was so similar to the Nightmare Before Christmas.  Low and behold it was not, instead the stop-animation film is the product of Henry Selick’s creative mind.  Selick did direct Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas…so obviously the two feed off of each others hip and macabre minds.

I’m thinking the styling would be somewhat downtown-not quite goth, but most surely slightly off.  I’d wish for a touch of Coraline’s blue hair, this season’s trendy vivid purple lids (better than button eyes, eh!) and edgy, modern shapes with just a touch of darkness…yet, I suppose I should-like the film’s spooky and philosophical warning: “be careful of what I wish for”!!!!

All movie images from Oscar.com, All fashion and beauty images from Elle.com

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/oscars-inspired-part-2/feed/ 2 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/oscar-inspired-part-1/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/oscar-inspired-part-1/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:05:33 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=8526 I love the escapism of a good film.  I especially love when I leave the theater full of ideas and feeling inspired by the flick’s sets, costumes and mood.

Since the Oscars always seem to fall right on the cusp of the changing fashion season…I thought it would be fun to look at a few of my favorite nominees and think about how they can inspire the perfect looks for Spring 2010.

Coco Before Chanel

Ingenue, chic and oh-so-very French.  Coco before the Boucle, bows and glitz.  Crisp, white shirts and tops with simple cuts.  Classic navy & white stripes with a modern twist (her sailor shirt is a classic now- but think how fashion forward it was for her day), unadorned nails and lips-instead a youthful flush cheek.

NIne

Life is a cabaret. Sexy, sexy and coy.  Strong and feminine at the same time.  A touch of classic colors and shapes paired with up-to-date motifs and style.  Feathery and sparkly, strong lips, smokey eyes and unadulterated energy.

Bright Star

Complex yet simple. Romantic and poetic. Soft grays and heathery purples and blues.  Sheer fabrics and ruffles. Bright fragrances (Jo Malone-Nectarine Blossom & Honey, yum), simple, shiny hair pulled in a tight chignon.

Young Victoria

Regal, ahead of one’s time.  Jewel tones and taffeta, Emeralds and Blue Sapphires.  Cuffs, embellishments, bows and shine.  Prime and proper with a fierce edge.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Pure fantasy.  Dramatic shapes accessorized with lucite and metals that have a touch of the surreal.  Cut outs textures mixed with theatrical layers and pale frosty tones.

Next:  Part 2, I’ll get a bit more animated.

All film images from Oscars.com All fashion images from Elle.com All make up images from Sephora.com
Image of perfume from Jo Malone.com

McQueen was named British Designer Of The Year 4 times

Fans found this sad note today on the company’s website

These have to be the most talked about shoes of the last year, often jokingly described as ” lobster claws”.

McQueen had become the master of spinning together the world of nature with dramatic fashion.  His forward designs, colors and fabrics were leaps ahead of his time, his runway styling was that of a fashion editor’s dream.

R.I.P Alexander

If you would like to know more about his life and see his past designs- NY Magazine has a very good write up on him today as does the Huffington Post.

All fashion images from Elle.com

image of A. McQueen from fashionbank.ru

At Grammy night, Lady GaGa’s celestial, spiral Armani dress most definitely set the tone, but it left me wondering if GaGa herself had text-ed everyone that wrapping was in since so many stars seemed to follow suit by either showing up wrapped in at least one band of metallic or simply wrapped tight in a (surprise) lady-like evening gown.  Usually Grammy fashion tends to be lots of ‘head scratchers’, I actually thought this year many looked really pretty-out there, yes-but pretty.

source

When I heard this week that gray hair was suddenly the height of high fashion I happily toss my box of Nice & Easy to the curb. If Kate Moss and wispy models from Christian Dior and Chanel could embrace and face the facts-that those pesky grays are indeed beautiful, then gosh darn it so could I.

Then when I realized that theirs were actually faux, meant to look more cool not more mature- I humbly fished my box of Light Coppery Auburn #10 right back out from underneath the coffee grinds.

source and source

When it comes to color-picking a favorite to wear can be hard.  You love your urban inky blacks, but boldly saturated colors speak to you with equal intensity. What’s a confused fashionista pulled in 2 directions to do? Designer Alexis Mabille has a suggestion:

source

Now that’s what I call a split decision, sister!

After all, what are rainy Monday mornings for anyway?

I noted a few trends- right off the bat that I like.

Here are the first 5.

I have always loved Tomato Red. I used to call it “Folk Art Red” because it reminds me of that reddish-orange that you see  often times combined with deep blues, greens and muddy neutrals in rustic art and crafts.  It’s a jolt of a color!

There will be plenty of red dresses in designer’s collections come spring.  I think the boldness of the color makes it more feminine than the deeper “powerhouse” reds of seasons before.

Awesome for a bathing suit (like this one from Badgley Mischka) or as the perfect beauty accessory.  The lips at Prada (as seen above) and Gucci were outrageously intense.  My favorite way it was used on the runway: a simple red (extra long) barrette that appeared at 3.1 Phillip Lim on many of his models- so simple, so unexpected, so chic!!!!

I don’t know- what do you call this color brown?  Sable, Cognac, British Khaki?  Whatever you choose to call it, it’s fabulous for leather this Spring- I am bowing down before that rich Alexander Wang coat (I suppose so rich, the model could not afford a shirt to go along with it?).

The color is extra exciting when paired with greens, especially powder soft Sea-Green (Burberry), deep Kelly Green (Dries Van Noten) and spring-y Chartreuse Green(Rochas). So Fresh!

Cross my heart, my ankles and my shoulders- and hope I get to own anything that is draped with a cross over.  It’s one of my favorite silhouettes of the season. Taken a bit to the extreme at Blouson (buckle straps) and with some clever styling (ribbons up the legs) at Chanel, but super easy and breezy everywhere else. Very flattering for all- a plus.

Oooh, this is my favorite motif.  Heavy black, chunky lines and piping.  We know verticals are slimming!!! So they are our friends.  Love the piped edges that were also being shown on blouses and dresses throughout many collections, really cute.

The  modern spectators by Dries Van Noten, with just that right amount of chunky color, are my dream shoes for Spring- check out the bright green heel….oh, if only!!!

Have a been looking at my computer too long?  Yikes, I feel as if I have.  I do though, have to admit my favorite prints are the ones that look like you’re seeing them with tired screen eyes.  Diane Von Furstenberg’s itty bitty flower prints seem to come in and out of focus, Zac Posen’s looks like bindi dots from a print out and the redo of ikat as if computer generated- as seen at Gucci and Carolina Herrera is a fun twist on the traditional ethnic print (truly ancient/modern).

Gucci went so far as to project pixel like patterns directly on the runway- they get extra points for creativity and helping me prove my point. Grazi for that Gucci!!!

Okay, now I do have to get some actual work done.  Will be back with more trends as I spot them! Ciao.

All image from Elle.com, except image of Blouson taken from Refinery 29.com

There was color and style, both good, bad and inspiring- here’s a few I noted:

Best Use Of An Umbrella

Diane Kruger’s eye catching color was hard not to notice (love the ombre)- but I have to admit her dress wasn’t completely wooing me until I saw it in this context. With debonair Joshua Jackson (looking very Cary Grant-ish to me) trying to keep her dry, I’m thinking the rain soaked duo played out the weather hurdle in true glamorous spirit.

Doesn’t this image look like a movie poster for a classic Lomabard/Gable movie from the 30’s. Love it! Well done you two for making the bad weather and one ginormous umbrella work to your advantage!

The One Color Trend I Wish Hadn’t Been Taken So Literally

I know, I know- I read Vogue, too. Statement, black shoes are very RIGHT NOW.  I feel though, that they must be worn with great care. There must be some cohesion with the ensemble with which they are paired – especially to a red carpet event.

Don’t get me wrong, I think all three of these women are super duper GORGEOUS, but the dark shoes paired with these gowns-I’m not feeling it.

OH, No!  Et Tu Anna?!

You know when you’re in a fitting room trying on a dress and in order to check out if the length is o.k. you have to put on the shoes that you wore into the store- that’s what all four are reminding me of.

Case in point.  Whether or not you agree with the fashion critic that Julia was dressed too casually for the evening, you have to at least give her props for actually pulling this one shoe trend off -like a seasoned pro.

Oh and by the way, on a complete side note:I thought that Mickey Rourke’s date played “Cameron Diaz walking a red carpet” better then Cameron actually did this go around-

The Difference Between Good Shoes And Bad- They Make You “OOH” Not “OoowwW”

“oooohhh”

OMG- “OoooWWWww”  There is only one place that I would think white platforms are appropriate and unless Kate is researching a role- she should stay far away from there!

Black is Back (Though I Suppose It Never Officially Left)

Lea Michelle’s black tulle gown was 100% old school beauty, but since Lea is actually young enough to play a girl still in school I would have rather seen her wear a bit of color…though as someone who wore black to my own prom, I should perhaps not judge.

Now with Penelope, I fear as if black has become too much of her uniform lately.  Show us some of that Spanish flair, Pen.  Tomato Red is said to be hot for spring and I can’t think of anyone who would have looked more caliente wearing it!

I actually love January Jone’s dress and that she’s wearing  black.  Two slight changes I would have made.  1. Lose the headband, it’s distracting and not necessary and 2. I would have loved if either the dress was a tad shorter or her heels were a bit higher.  I always feel that when a column gown skims the ground, it makes the person wearing it appear shorter than they really are.

Or in some cases- bustier…wow that’s a whole lot of spray tan!

Most Likely To Be Voted Color Twins

This morning when my husband breezed through the room and told me that “pink and lavender were the colors everyone is talking about”, I felt as if I had perhaps woken up in an episode of the Twilight Zone.

If I hadn’t been in so much shock, I probably would have been quicker on the draw and ready to reply- ‘oh yeah, well how about gray with purple undertones- did they mention that by any chance smarty pants.”

I mention it, because I found it very interesting that two very different style stars choose to wear this ‘complex neutral’ as color junkies like my sister Kate call it.  But in very different ways.

This can be a tricky color, because the wrong move can make this exciting color go from grand entrance to ‘grey gardens’ in a NY minute.

So who did it right?  I think Jennifer Garner.  The added sparkle, the body hugging cut and the easy smile are total screen star-ilicious.

Sadly, I applaud Chloe for her fashion-forward loving self, but the fabric and the flounce, the severe hair and the pucker were lack luster in my book. The dress actually reminded me of something Shirley Maclaine’s character might wear if they made Terms Of Endearment Part 3.

Candy Colors Were Very Popular (a.k.a my husband was right)

Do you suppose these two shopped in the same store?

Fergie was quite pretty in this pale lavender “bodice ripper” number. I’m guessing in person the color made her eyes look spectacular! Perhaps she went with the hair down, to help cover up her lady lumps-just a bit.  I’m guessing the idea was for a soft look to match the soft dress-but I’m wishing she had worn it pulled back in a loose low chignon- it would have served her overall style better.

Now Sandra, whom I love!!!!, makes me sad.  Because though I love this color on her and do agree that it would have been a color to be remembered for, I think because of the fabric- the dress itself looks like something you would find in a little girls dress up box. And when you actually take home one of the awards, that’s probably not a description you would want attached to your outfit.  I heard her joking on the red carpet that her dress was made out of plastic…Sandra-

We must all  learn from Angelina’s Oscar mistake- if there is even a slight chance you might win…don’t pick it as the night you take a big fashion police risk!

Speaking of learning from others’ mistakes- I’m talking to you Marion Cotillard…your walking a thin line, mon cherie

THAT WE MUST NEVER DARE CROSS AGAIN!!!!

Okay I have to get back to color now.

Best use of  accessory color goes to:

Amy Adams.  Amy, I’ve been there and I know how hard it is to rock that early belly bump- when you realize your favorite jeans may never button up again and suddenly nothing fits and you no longer know how to dress your body….  but your pairing of your blue/green dress with orange shoes and bag made you my clever fashion hero of the night.  Let the others have their slinky little numbers, your color pairing took your matronly situation into total modern grounds!

Best Color Goes To Texture

That sounds a bit strange, but since no one color was knocking me dead I felt that the most interesting style statement of the night was the gowns busy with ruffles, bows and layers.  It can be a hard style to wear, but I thought all three of these ladies wore the look with total ease.

Others though, were lost a bit in translation:

I probably would love Drew’s dress if the ruffle at the hip had been just a tad smaller.  I read somewhere this morning that her dress looked as if she was “growing fungus”.

Oh and just a quick quote to the men-

You’re Men- Use It To Your Advantage And Wear A Tux

How fantastically dapper are these two!

As much as I love fashion, if there was a classic uniform for women to wear to these things I would be all over it!  Leave the weird outfits for Mickey Rourke!  Even David Arquette has come around:

though he still needs to have his tailored.

Okay by this point in the broadcast I started to get bored because I started pairing up random couples because of the colors and styles they were wearing.

Perhaps Harrison should ditch Calista’s

and if these too haven’t met yet- they should…

And then I think I began hallucinating….

So I flipped the channel.

all images from Getty via TMZ, Eonline and Moviefone.  Dick Van Dyke as the beloved Bert from IMD

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/the-colors-and-styles-of-the-2010-golden-globes/feed/ 5 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/pretty-as-a-peacock/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/pretty-as-a-peacock/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:37:37 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=6308 It’s seems almost apropos that the minute I’m inspired to write about the stylish trend of Peacock motifs, I would find an article claiming that the male peacock’s elaborate plumage perhaps has much less to do with attracting it’s mate then had always been thought. Instead a scientific study done on Indian Peacocks and Peahens cites the male bird’s vocal callings and shuttering moves may actually be what catches the female’s attention.

How very fitting, right ladies- it’s always what they say and how they move-not how they look that ultimately keeps us hooked!

Well regardless of why the peacock has such a spectacular showing of feathers, one thing is for sure their beauty has inspired countless artists and designers through the centuries.

Peacocks are spoken of in Ancient Mythology, The Bible and the Hindu religion. They are often used symbolically in literature and in folk art, often being depicted as looking back at their tails ( signifying renewal, since they drop and replace their feathers yearly).

Personally peacocks feathers always make me think of a time when Art Nouveau was actually ‘nouveau’ and of  lovely heroines caught up in some wonderfully heart wrenching Edith Warton plot.

can’t you just imagine using this Preening Pen ($20 from Anthropolgie) to scratch off a calling card to your family matriarch or passionately write prose dedicated to a secret lover!

This year peacock plumes are inspiring everything from evening gowns to eclectic bedding. A peacock inspired palette is one of the most vibrant themes happening in wedding trends as well.

Peacock plate by John Derian, Giambattista Valli gown from Fall 09, Matthew Williamson’s spring collection for H&M was influenced by peacock hues, a vintage peacock inspired umbrella, peacock top from Forever 21, art nouveau peacock slip on sneakers, peacock bedding from Target

Martha’s saying Peacock wedding hues is a ‘good thing’ this year

For home the colors inspired by the blues, greens and golden tones of peacock plumes have always been considered dramatic.

Whistler and the birth of the ‘Decorating Diva’ syndrome

My favorite is the very famous Peacock Dining Room, designed by the artist James McNeill Whistler for the art collector Frederick Leyland’s London home.  The story goes that Leyland intended to hang Whistler’s painting “The Princess From The Land Of Porcelain” in the room and asked the artist for a suggestion on what other colors to paint the rest of the room.

Leyland, away during the renovation was completely unaware that Whistler- unhappy with the way the room’s colors were clashing with his artwork – had taken it upon himself to paint every square inch of the space in gold and peacock blue ( it even has peacock feathers patterns on the ceiling).  When Leyland returned he was shocked to find his room had become a rhapsody in blue and gold.

He refused to pay Whistler the entire amount billed for the artist’s time spent as’ interior decorator’- Whistler later painted an image of two squabbling peacocks on one of the room’s walls depicting the conflict that ensued.  The room now resides in Washington D.C.’s Freer Gallery Of Art.

A brilliant blue peacock palette can also go a bit modern when combined with bright colors and white.  Kiki has a really great post about the trend of blues going green over on our blog Color For Your Home.

Her example of this bedroom by Kendall Wilkinson Design is my dream!

Overall though my favorite way to be inspired by a peacock’s colors for home is to simply look directly at the bird for color clues.  Multiple shades of brilliant blues and greens mixed with a little iridescent shimmer accented by shades of drab golds, browns and inky blacks.

If you have a room that basically browns and blues ( we all loved the choc-aqua trend), then an addition of another blue and some greens with golden accessories might be a great way to opulant- up the room’s overall look!

Or if you want to go very adventurous ( I know I do) then peacock blue walls with a metallic wash ceiling could result in a jewel box of a space! Doesn’t that sound so good- guest room redo, here I come!

swatch source House Beautiful

Benjamin Moore’s Baltic Blue, Mills Spring Blue, Hague Blue and Farrow and Ball’s Pelt all make an interesting foil to Benjamin Moore’s Paddington Blue ( a real peacock blue designer Robin Bell tells House Beautiful).

A quick palette just to get you inspired…now shake a tail feather and get styling!

No two stars showed up in the same dress ( a phenom that has been happening at a few events as of late- though Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore came pretty darn close!) so the chatter was mostly about the amazing array of saturated colors. Most hues made it out in full force except of course for my favorite Orange.  I really do think a deep shade of Pumpkin was missing from the night’s fashion lineup. The perfect color for either a fashion forward starlet like Drew or Chloe or ravishing on Jenna (whom I would love to see in more color at these things) or better yet worn as a refreshing and unexpected color on ’still cute as a button’ Sally Field.

Instead Reds and Purples seemed to rule the carpet, with glitzy grayish white taking home the award for looking the most modern. Cobalt Blue was replaced this time by Teals and a Navy Blue so dark it read as black.  A few Golden frocks made it ( perhaps a shout out to sunny CALI) as did a stream of classic black that almost felt a little boring next to all the other bold color.  Except of course on Heidi who rocked her midnight gown like only a super model working a 4th baby bump could- now take a maternity leave, Heidi…your making it really hard on the rest of us mommies out here!

There were plenty of spray tans very few necklaces, instead bangles, drop earrings, structured clutches and a few chunky brooches seemed to be the accessories du jour.

all images from NYTimes.com

My 2 personal fave color matches of the night:

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Sandra Oh is no stranger when it comes to getting well meaning advice after an event as sometimes she doesn’t always get it so right.  This time though I thought the dress and it’s golden color paired with her sheer makeup and easy hair were spot on style!

You can tell from the pictures that she feels totally comfortable with her look- and she should cause I’m thinking it may be her best outing ever.   Metallic gold can be a hard color to pull off in pictures- her Marchesa dress is super flattering both to her skin tone and hair color.

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I’m well aware that Mary Louise is being named by the fashion police as being under dressed.  But I think she looks incredible in this multi-purple hued number by Zac Posen.  She’s got both the one shoulder and big bow trend working, as well as the coolest sparkle sling backs I’ve ever seen.

I love, love her in these jewel-like tones. Purrrfect for her coloring and personality.  And come on, her body is just so INCREDIBLE- how can you blame her for not wanting to hide it under some long, stuffy dress!

Who do you think got it colorfully right?

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/orange-feels-left-out-from-sundays-emmy-awards/feed/ 1 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/angry-patterns-is-the-economy-driving-us-crazy/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/angry-patterns-is-the-economy-driving-us-crazy/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:58:39 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=5604 I wish I had some exciting news colorwise to report from last nights VMA’s ( though Taylor and Beyonce both appearing in red after the Kanye debacle did feel a little like synchronicity!) but all and all after a quick run through of the photos- to me, most of the fashions were as ridiculous as the show itself. Even Style.com’s Candy Pratt Price took the time to phone in a scathing review- declaring that she and her designer friends walked out half way through the night ( based on the lull of the show and bad behavior of some- not the fashions, I must add).

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Taylor and Beyonce- partners in both an odd scandal and the color red

But there was one interesting trend that I did notice this week emerging from NY- a bevy of looks featuring bold black marks, lines and smudges mixed within colorful patterns and solids.  Prints that seem a bit aggressive, a bit subliminal- stranger then the ‘arty’ painterly versions of seasons past.

Tattoo you at Jason Wu

boned out corset at Derek Lam

literal body art at Ralph Rucci

smudged at Toni Maticevski

tell me what do you see- ink blot like at Thakoon

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fierce mildew at Christian Sirano

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smeared at Cynthia Rowley

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even the guys are not immune- strange camo at Phillip Lim

When I spotted it on Victoria Beckham ( during Thursday’s Fashion’s Night Out) and then on Drew Barrymore at the VMAs I knew maybe I was on to something.

somewhere between lace tattoos and a Rorshach Test-Drew’s zingy Alexander McQueen is sure to get lots of ‘Fashion Police’ attention

Victoria forgoes her demure dresses as of late, for this Giles ‘attention getting’ number

Are designers having a bit of an artistic ‘hissy fit’- a printed outlet of all of the pressure they all must be having due to the ever sinking economy.  What do you think? Cathartic, pretty or just plain strange?

images from Style.com, NYmag.com and Eonline.com