Party Frocks, or When Bad Dresses Happen to Good People

Hello-Hello and welcome to a Monday. Most. Assuredly. A. Monday.

However, it could be worse, so we moved ourself to the NWZ (No Whine Zone).  How about we chat about party frocks instead of weather, shall we? (Of course you know right where this is going, no surprises here.)

Of course – last night’s Golden Globes!  But first and foremost, we do have something for our Help Us Understand category: can someone, anyone, help us understand how event planners responsible for the Red Carpet portion of last night’s festivities did not order a tarp? No one at the Hilton thought it a good idea to have a Plan B? Perhaps a tent? Anything? Below, Jessica Lange arrives amid a sea of umbrellas.

Danny Moloshok

We understand the sun was out most of the day, but as Women’s Wear Daily put it:

“…stars running for cover and publicists unfurling umbrellas as they tried to salvage the red carpet photo opportunities. (Although rain was predicted for over a week, producers decided not to tent the hundred foot long red carpet at the Beverly Hilton hotel.)

Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Look what it did to Gabourey Sidibe’s lush green gown by Kevan Hall:

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

As George Clooney said:

“We’re idiots standing in the rain out here.”

Of course we were delighted to see our beloved Mad Men take home an award for best Drama.

Mark J. Terrill/AP

Some were surprised to see Don Draper Jon Hamm sporting a look considered ‘bohemian’ and probably not allowed at any ad agency in the early sixities.

Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Mr. Hamm is seen with his wife, Jennifer Westfeldt.

Regular readers know how highly we think of Mad Men’s Joan Holloway Christina Hendricks, but we were not fond of the garment created for her by Christian Siriano.

But Ms. Hendricks’ hair and makeup were nothing short of spectacular.

Danny Moloshok /Reuters

As The Consort said, “She looks like porcelain, doesn’t she?”

We are on the fence about the Lanvin dress Betty Draper January Jones chose for the evening:

Tyler Boye for WWD

There’s no waffling on where we are with that headband — it did not work with the dress (too much going on) and detracted from Ms. Jones’ stunning looks.  We thought it was sweet her father was her escort for the evening, he looked just happy as a clam.

Jason Merritt/Getty

In our “was this really necessary?” category, Jennifer Anniston:

Much as we adore Valentino, it seems the actress could do with a “less is more” refresher class.

We were also happy to see another favorite win, Julianna Margulies took home the Best Actress in a Television Drama award for her starring role in The Good Wife. More good news for the show, CBS has ordered a second season of episodes for the hit Tuesday night series.

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

This is going to sound awful, but as soon as we saw darling Jayma Mays in this gown we thought about spider webs.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The folks at PopWrap make the point well that in this case, it wasn’t Pretty in Pink:

WireImage via PopWrap

From their post on Globes fashion:

“The night’s least flattering shade turned a duo of dresses, and the divine women wearing them, into prom night casualties. We’ve come to expect much better from both Diane Kruger and Lauren Graham!”

And is there any point in us commenting on this young heartthrob’s spiky do?

Katy Winn/AP

For those keeping score, Mr. Lautner was in Calvin Klein Collection. Also in attendance and presenting an award, Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Ummm… he looks rather dashing, no?

Victoria Beckham’s growing emphasis on elegant lines is evident in the dress selected by Courteney Cox-Arquette:

We believe it is dress #48 in the current collection.

This is a very busy time for folks in the entertainment industry with the Critics’ Choice awards on Friday. Below we see Marion Cotillard wearing Christian Dior at last night (L), the French actress also wore Dior at Friday’s gala (R).

A few questionable designs made their way to last night’s after-party, beginning with Ashley Olsen, in a dress from Erdem.

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Regular readers can guess what The Consort said as soon as he saw Malin Akerman: “oh, she got it at the drive-through car wash!”

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Generally Vanessa Hudgens looks lovely, but not last night in this Alberta Ferretti. 

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Another not-quite-right look from Valentino on Amanda Seyfried:

Phil McCarten/Reuters

There you have it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We leave you with a little something to brighten a rather dull and dreary day:

Leather Prince at etsy

This is the Umi Whale key fob from the Leather Prince on etsy.  Wouldn’t it be fun to have him swimming around your palace?

Until next time dollfaces, g’bye!

Ralph Lauren Returns to Greenwich & Who the New Moon Stars Wore To The Premiere

Hello-Hello & Happy Friday, whoo-hoo!

In the interest of Friday Fun, we will do a lot of photos today, leaning toward what the younger generation calls ‘eye candy’.

We begin with a topic that is off-the-charts in popularity:

Last night many stars from New Moon attended a special screening in the city, including actress Kristin Stewart.

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for D&G

Ms. Stewart was in a Burberry trench over a Valentino dress. Co-star Robert Pattinson sported Dolce & Gabbana.

PHOTO: Evan Agostini/AP

Taylor Lautner was also in Dolce & Gabbana, a good choice as D&G sponsored the event.

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for D&G

The film’s stars have been everywhere this week, keeping the morning shows busy.

And making promotional appearances, as Kellan Lutz and Nikki Reed did at the Toys ‘r Us in town, talking up the line of toys tied to the movie.

Andy Kropa/Getty

Last night’s screening was definitely a must for many on the social circuit, including Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick. (Can we say smoldering here?)

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Others from the show were on hand, Taylor Momsen was seen in more clothing and less makeup than usual.

Below left, Jessica Szohr, and on the right, Ivanka Trump.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Also on the hit parade here at the prepatorium, a return to Greenwich for Ralph Lauren, after an absence of more than ten years. The new Polo Ralph Lauren store opens today.

The new emporium is right on Greenwich Avenue; today’s WWD story has more:

“… no expense appears to have been spared, even in this economy. From marble to moldings, lacquer and custom wallpaper, Lauren, who has a home in nearby Bedford, N.Y., was keen to bring his brand of luxury to the area.”

Courtesy Photo via WWD

Apparel and accessories are on the first floor with the Home Store on the second level.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

More from Marc Karimzadeh’s story:

“The men’s area can be accessed through a separate entrance and has an equestrian feel, with such features as a beamed ceiling and carriage lanterns. The line focuses on a more casual assortment.”

Courtesy Photo via WWD

 

The store has a posh, lush look.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

The town fathers must be pleased, Greenwich Avenue had been looking a bit bleak. Now it will be jumping, tomorrow Apple is opening their new store just a few doors down.  It is definitely a plus for all involved, the retailer, the community and the consumer.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Today’s Pretty in Pink is Michelle Wie.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The young golfer hugs her trophy after winning the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, her first LPGA Tour win.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We close with a farewell to Uga VII, the much-loved mascot for the Georgia Bulldogs. Here he is at the Georgia-Florida game on October 31, 2009.

Brant Sanderlin/AJC

Below, Uga makes his debut last August in Athens.

Curtis Compton/AJC

Just how did a guy like that keep his cool?

Courtesy Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Uga VII died yesterday morning of a heart attack. He was only four years old and will be buried in a private ceremony at Sanford Stadium tomorrow.

He just replaced Uga VI about 14 months ago, a very short tenure as the team’s mascot.  The word is there won’t be any Uga for tomorrow’s game at Sanford Stadium. However, early reports indicating there would not be an Uga VIII appear to be incorrect.

For a whole slew of fun photos of this Uga, click here. For an outstanding  article on a Bulldog Rescue chapter, click here.

Goodybye Uga, from Silly Tilly (our little Bulldog Rescue girl) and all of us here at the Prepatorium.