Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture

Here at RedPoppy we are redheads first, fashion lovers a close first, and broke, second. 'Tis becoming less common to feel a wad of cash uncomfortably burning a hole in your handbag, while you gleefully decide which trendy shop to throw your earnings at first. When it comes to fashion, however, not even the dismal economy can curb the magic of Haute Couture. The Spring Couture shows in Paris took off this week with light and shimmery fabrics in muted tones, lots of white, black/white, taupe, and pale mauves. Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel showed his all white (and some black thrown in) collection, with models brilliantly topped off in painstakingly-cut paper flower headpieces. John Galliano for Christian Dior crafted a Flemish-inspired collection including golds, blues, and ivories, with embroidered hems, Dutch flower prints, cinched waists, and full rolling skirts. Jean Paul Gaultier showed tailored jackets with pointed shoulders, and dresses with squiggles and layers of sewn lace/horsehair, while Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy went light and feathery with draped chiffons in muted hues. Christian Lacroix (of bright colors and complex detailing), one of my favorites, showed the art of excess drapery in polka dot taffeta, poufy skirts, and lots of jewelry. Elie Saab featured his signature dazzling parade of evening gowns, and I do believe I saw an Academy Awards dress, or two, in the lineup.
Photos courtesy of style.com and coutorture.com

Paris Haute Couture: CHANEL

Paris Haute Couture: CHRISTIAN DIOR

Paris Haute Couture: JEAN PAUL GAULTIER & GIVENCHY

Paris Haute Couture: CHRISTIAN LACROIX

Paris Haute Couture: ELIE SAAB

SAG Awards '09 Red Carpet

Another sunday, another reason to rain more incessant praise and awards on Hollywood's brightest. The Screen Actors Guild awards are notable in that actors are recognized by their fellow thespians (now we'll know what some of them really think about Brad Pitt's bleh performance in Benjamin Button). Moving on to the red carpet, a few lovely gowns stood out, and I'm pleased to say one of our fave redhead actresses Amy Adams did not disappoint in a gorgeous plum Giambattista Valli column dress. Perfect finishing details of red lipstick and nail polish made a redhead proud! Christina Applegate wowed in an emerald green Emanuel Ungaro chiffon dress with flapper-esque diamond strand necklace, and Holly Hunter looked stunning in fuschia pink Reem Acra. Laura Linney looked lovely in a coral/pink Michael Kors full skirted gown, and Viola Davis from "Doubt" looked quite perfect head to toe in her yellow one-shoulder gown by David Meister.
Photos courtesy of dailystab.com
Photos of Laura Linney & Viola Davis courtesy of dose.ca

SAG Awards '09 cont.

In the "I need some help" category of lesser dresses, Anne Hathaway could use a tip from a youthful looking (and 4x her age) Holly Hunter. We know you're all grown up and taking more mature and nominated film roles, but you look like you're at the HAG awards with your serious and pale Azarro dress. Bottle-redhead Marcia Cross looked like she was attacked by bats and forgot to pry them off her navy blue strapless Carolina Herrera gown, while Eva Longoria relived her prom days in a coral chiffon dress by Jenny Packham, with matching overdone hairdo. Once again Angelina Jolie looked simply drab in a loose-fitting cornflower blue Max Azria dress, and Nicolette Sheridan looked desperately lost in a one sleeved tie-dyed turquoise dress. Last, but definitely not least, is presenter Katie Holmes, looking simply SAG in her Jill Stuart asymmetrical dress. NEVER underestimate the power of good support.
Photos courtesy of dailystab.com
Photo of Katie Holmes courtesy of dose.ca

There's something very chic about this Parisian-inspired Harley quilted nylon tote bag from Un Apres-Midi de Chien. There's lots of pockets for cell phones and sunglasses, and it comes in perfect-for-redheads Red, and basic Black. Practical and swanky at the same time. On sale at shopbop.com.
Sporty and modern best describes this George Gina & Lucy Bermuda Triangle Bag in navy blue canvas. Loaded with pockets, zippers, and detachable strap, this slim bag is ideal for carrying your essentials plus a few extra magazines. On sale at revolveclothing.com.

All that Glitters

As a redhead child with tightly woven braids and a highly active imagination, yours truly didn't work hard to get noticed. It's the legacy of growing up redhead; strangers approach freely and pet your hair, or squeeze your cheeks until your freckles fall off. I'll never forget, however, the day I really sparkled when I wore my first Deelybopper headband, a strange and wonderful 80's fad with 2 spiral antennas topped with red glitter hearts which bopped and bounced as I walked. I realized then how sparkly things could make the world a better place. Today I get that same blissful feeling when I wear shimmery makeup. Urban Decay glitter eyeshadows in Midnight Cowboy and Goddess, Nars Blush in Super O, and Clinique Glosswear for Lips Intense Sparkle in Moonberry will make your world sparkle, even without the help of a deelybopper.
All makeup available on sephora.com

And the winner is.... Jason Wu

After months of opinionated sketches and speculation by the fashion industry as to which lucky designer would create Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown, Jason Wu appears to be the chosen one. Mrs. Obama looked pretty and princess like in her white one shouldered silk chiffon gown covered in fluffy bits and Swarovski crystals. Despite her pretty appearance, most media reviews for the dress were generally negative. I have to agree, the cut of the dress could have been more flattering, the color should've been stronger, and Mr. President kept stepping on the gown's unnecessary train. The main thing is, I hope Michelle Obama gets to sleep in tomorrow.
Photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Swearing-In some elegant outfits

We cannot pass today without acknowledging the historic nature of our new president Barak H.Obama being sworn in, along with some lovely suits and coats, notably worn by First lady Michelle Obama and her two daughters Malia and Sasha. Mrs.Obama looked spectacular in a yellow gold brocade suit with matching coat by Isabel Toledo, worn with contrasting green shoes and gloves (not loving the shoes but they get the job done). The First daughters looked lovely and age appropriate in J.Crew custom designed matching blue and pink wool coats sweetly belted with delicate satin bows. Outgoing First lady Laura Bush looked elegant in a double breasted pale grey suit, and incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton looked downright Hillary in her black pant suit and blue coat as she was escorted by a very pleased looking Bill Clinton. As for the men, dark suits and coats were the predictable orders of the day. I had a thought though, how refreshing would a new president look in a smart wool coat in a camel color ???
*According to one of my readers, how could I have left out Aretha Franklin's history making hat? Well, she's right. The grey wool hat with crystal-trimmed larger than life bow by Mr. Song Millinery was certainly a standout, and I applaud Ms. Franklin for accessorizing her head and looking fabulous and toasty at the same time.
Photos courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Barbie by Burberry & Zac Posen

OK, so I just found out that Barbie, beloved childhood doll by Mattel, has one of the biggest wardrobes in the world. Am I really surprised though? I already owned five of her looks when i was a little 8 yr.old: My First Barbie sporting teensy shorts and tank top, Pink and Pretty Barbie, Twirly Curls Barbie which came with a Twirly Curler Hairstyler for your own hair which should have come with a warning label, Angel Face Barbie introducing her own makeup line which I tried applying on myself with a Barbie-sized applicator, and finally Italian Barbie with thick wavy brown hair. Many of Barbie's looks have been designed by world famous designers such as Christian Dior, Carolina Herrera, and Givenchy. Most notably, Barbie was styled by Burberry in 2001 and by Zac Posen in 2006 as redheads! Go to vogue.co.uk to see more of Barbie's designer looks.

Shopstyle look for friday

Grey is always great looking, as styled in these 2 stylebook looks by your redhead fashion stylist (me) from Shopstyle.com

I'm Ginger and I'm Proud

Promoting all things redhead is one of my main causes in life, and few things make me happier than hearing about a special redhead photographic exhibition from Wolverhampton, England, celebrating the often-times under appreciated and teased beauty of redheads. Click on this link to watch the "Gingerfest" video: bbc.co.uk

Hooray for Redhead Models

There simply are not enough redhead models being represented in the fashion world today, or ever. In fact, there are currently only three I can think of. Change IS coming our way, however, and today it's in the form of RedHead-Models.com, a Berlin based modeling agency which specializes only in naturally redhead women, men (yes there are plenty of handsome redhead men in the world!), and children. Can you imagine, a whole line up of gingers (UK redheads), showcasing their best and brightest trait. If you are a redhead seriously thinking about a modelling career, because you're, well, tall and gorgeous, then check out www.redhead-models.com. I'm thinking of applying myself.....ok just dreaming.......

Golden Globes '09- The Good, the bad, and the downright ugly

It's that time of year again, awards season, and as much as I dread watching so many shiny happy people looking so very pretty and employed, I do enjoy seeing who's got taste, who doesn't, and who can give an entertaining acceptance speech. Once again Hollywood wishes they were British. Brits Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Sally Hawkins, and Slumdog Millionaire all won big. Starting with my top picks for best dressed, looking drop dead stunning, however slightly washed out, was presenter Salma Hayek, in a beige Dior grecian goddess gown. Delicate redhead Amy Adams looked regal in her black applique'd Oscar de La Renta confection, offset with dazzling emerald leaf earrings. Evan Rachel Wood, whose film "The Wrestler" won MIckey Rourke a best actor comeback-king award despite looking greasy and shower-free, looked equally gorgeous in a black paneled sequin gown by Elie Saab. Olivia Wilde from "House" looked fluffily gorgeous in a lavender tulle/chiffon gown by Reem Acra, and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" redhead Isla Fisher looked lovely in a champagne/nude organza gown. Presenter Cameron Diaz popped with color in a pintucked bubblegum pink tafetta Chanel Haute Couture dress, and perhaps my favourite look of the night was Heidi Klum in a vintage Galanos cocktail dress accented with a red oversize flower.

The good

All photos from instyle.com

the blah and downright ugly

Topping off our Blah list, Angelina Jolie looked positively drab and sag in a pale grey blouson dress which shapelessly hung over her extra long and bony arms. Notable redhead Debra Messing looked disappointingly blah in her overly draped halter Vera Wang gown and large frizzy ponytail, and Anne Hathaway looked old and drained of skin color in her beaded midnight navy Armani gown, save for her annoyingly matte lipstick. So, I know Tina Fey is the name of the year, but I was bored silly by her black blah halter gown, wispy updo and painfully nude gloss. Her and Anne should seriously switch makeup artists...
Photos from instyle.com





Getting to our downright Ugly list, Rachel Griffiths of "Brothers & Sisters" (and Muriel's Wedding) fame gets a nod for wearing a wrinkled gold tent which was way off pitch. The lovely and gracious Renee Zellweger's usually infallible Carolina Herrera formula missed the mark with a black mermaid skirt and see through top over nude bra. Her curly wig updo also looked hagsville. Eva Longoria's red mermaid gown was, well, predictably tacky. Lots of people love her taste, I however do not. I do however love Tom Hanks, even though his wife Rita Wilson looked like she was stuffed into her too tight chandelier curtain dress. Jennifer Lopez looked downright tasteless in her gold plunging, backless, and one yard-short of fabric Marchesa dress, which gave her a slight muffin top appearance from the side. And last but not least, Miss Golden Globe herself Rumer Willis looking magenta all over in her draped low-fitting Reem Acra dress and very fake red hair.....
Photos of Jennifer, Eva, & Rumer from instyle.com
Photos of Renee & Rachel from dailymail.co.uk
Photo of Rita and Tom from Yahoo! news