Image: Zuma Press

1. Fergie – There’s something about this dress that I love.  The fit is great on the Duchess and the beaded(?) textured of the gown gives it an edgy vibe.

Image: Zuma Press

2. Carrie Underwood – She reminds me of a golden Barbie doll, in a good way! I really like the colour of her dress and those shoes go really well with the whole outfit.

Image: Zuma Press

3. Selena Gomez – I don’t know very much about this young Disney starlet but she looked very nice last night. A a sequined dress can either be a huge miss or a big hit and this is a hit. I like that it’s short but not too short. The only thing I would change? Her shoes.

Image: Zuma Press

4. Leona Lewis -  What I love about this look? The lack of accessories. She knew (or her stylist knew) that adding a pair of huge earrings or necklace wouldn’t be a good idea with a dress this elaborate. The overall look is simple with an edge.

And honorable mentions go to Alicia Keys, Kristen Bell, Kelly Clarkson, Toni Braxton (where has she been?!) and Keri Hilson.

Who were your favourites from last night? Tell us below!

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Last night, I watched the 2009 American Music Awards which was held in the Nokia Center in Los Angeles and was shocked and awed at all the fashions. I thought it would be fun to make a list of the top 5 fashion misses at the 2009 AMAs.

Image: Zuma Press

1.  Paula Abdul – Can this mermaid dress be any tighter? She was the first presenter and she had a lot of trouble walking over to the mic. It’s a beautiful dress but it was way too tight and way too much for her small frame.

Image: Zuma Press

2. Shakira – She’s fabulous, no doubt but this outfit was just a total miss for me. I love how she took a risk with the bright yellow colour but she could have a chosen a more age-appropriate style. And the shoes! There’s just way too much going on.

Image: Zuma Press

3. Rihanna – Stunning gal and equally stunning Marchesa dress but somehow they don’t look quite right together. I think it’s the shoes? Maybe something open toe would have been a better choice. Whatever the case, this dress was way over the top.

Image: Zuma Press

4. Chani Christie (singer/daughter of NBA player Doug Christie) – Too short, too tight! Did I mention she’s only 16? Not a good look on such a pretty girl.

Do agree with the list above? Shall we have to agree to disagree? Who are some of the celebrities on your fashion miss list for the 2009 American Music Awards?  Stay tuned for my fashion hit list from the awards show!

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Image: Glamour Magazine

Without further ado, Glamour magazine’s 2009 Women of the Year are…

1. Dr. Maya Angelou – A memoirist, poet, educator and civil rights activist.

2. Dr. Jane Aronson – A pediatrician who created Worldwide Orphans Foundation which has provided life-altering support to more than 20,000 orphans around the world.

3. Laura Ling & Euna Lee – These two journalists were arrested and imprisoned while reporting on the plight of North Korean women who cross into China to escape starvation.

4. Marissa Mayer – Helped Google become the number-one search engine.

5. Stella McCartney – One of the world’s most influential fashion designers and animal activists.

6. One Million Signatures Campaign – A group started in 2006 by a group of Iranian women to end gender inequality.

7. Amy Poehler – A talented and fearless comedienne.

8. Susan Rice – The first female African American U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

9. Rihanna – A talented and widely popular music artist who started the Believe Foundation which provides educational and medical supplies to needy children

10. Maria Shriver – The first lady of California has redefined her role to inspire and shed light on women’s roles at work and home.

11. Serena Williams – This tennis wonder has won more career prize money than any female athlete in history. And her foundation, Serena Williams Foundation, gives grants to college students.

Glamour has also given special recognition to the First Lady, Michelle Obama for her efforts to mentor the youth to achieve their goals.

What do you think of the list? Do you agree with the choices?

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Image: Newscom

Below are my top favourite fashionable TV shows – maybe we’ll share the same ones?

Gossip Girl
My guilty pleasure! I love Serena’s boho style and Blair is always channeling Audrey Hepburn. I can even appreciate Jenny’s edgy outfits. GG has helped me discover and fall in love with new handbag designers (Rebecca Minkoff, Be&D etc.) too and the music selection is always inspiring.

Glee
I personally love Rachel Berry’s (played by Broadway star Lea Michele) prep-school style on the show. Who can forget that fabulous green and black Marc Jacobs houndstooth skirt she wore on the first episode?! And Emma Pillsbury (played by Jayma Mays) prim and proper lady-like style. The whole show is simply amazing, this is what “high school musical” should have been. Are you a Gleek?

Project Runway
Heidi Klum is a total doll and I adore Tim Gunn, together they make this show. I enjoy watching the designers compete to be the best and it’s nice to see all the hard work that goes into designing and creating a piece of clothing (no matter how beautiful or ugly!)

America’s Next Top Model
I honestly can’t stand Tyra but I love all the fun and fabulous photo shoots and creativity that goes into the model’s make, hair and clothing. Plus, I love Miss J’s antics on the show and the interaction, friendships and drama the models have with each other.

The Rachel Zoe Project
Who doesn’t love Rachel and her associates, Taylor and especially Brad? Whether they’re styling celebrities, pulling outfits and accessories or just bickering and hanging out, this show is a fantastic peek of what really goes into putting a look together.

That’s it! It’s a short list I know, but those are my favourites. What shows do you love because of the fashion? Let us know below!

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Marie Antoinette (Image: Sony Pictures)

Here’s my personal list of fashionable movies, in no particular order:

500 Days of Summer (2009)
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Romeo and Juliet (1996 and 1968)
The Duchess (2008)
The Great Gatsby (1974)
The Notebook (2004)
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Clueless (1995)
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Sweeney Todd (2007)
The Virgin Suicides (1997)
Elizabeth (1998)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Chicago (2002)
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Almost Famous (2000)
Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Atonement (2007)

As you can probably tell, I love period films! The costumes/dresses and imagery are often so breathtaking and c’mon who wouldn’t want to wear those dresses for at least a day?  What are some of your favourite fashionable movies?

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He also cut quite the handsome swath. both in his movie roles and in real life, and was People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1991.

Patrick Swayze dies at age 57

As a tribute to the hunky actor, here is filmology:

1. Skatetown, USA (1979)
2. Uncommon Valor (1983)
3. The Outsiders (1983)
4. Red Dawn (1984)
5. Grandview, USA (1984)
6. North and South (a 1985 mini-series)
7. Youngblood (1986)
8. North and South, Book II (a 1986 sequel to the mini-series)
9. Dirty Dancing (1987)
10. Street Dawn (1987)
11. Tiger Warsaw (1988)
12. Next of Kin (1989)
13. Road House (1989)
14. Ghost (1990)
15. Point Break (1991)
16. City of Joy (1992)
17. Father Hood (1993)
18. Tall Tale (1995)
19. Three Wishes (1995)
20. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newman (1995)
21. Letters from a Killer (1998)
22. Black Dog (1998)
23. Forever Lulu (2000)
24. Donnie Darko (2001)
25. Green Dragon (2001)
26. Waking Up in Reno (2002)
27. One Last Dance (2003)
28. 11:14 (2003)
29. Dirty Dancing:  Havana Nights (a prequel to Dirty Dancing, 2004)
30. Keeping Mum (2005)
31. Jump (2007)
32. Christmas in Wonderland (2007)
33. Powder Blue (2009)

And one of my all time favorite television appearances, the Saturday Night Live Sketch, with Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley auditioning for roles as Chippendale dancers.

Information about services and burial have not yet been announced.

Photo credit:  Bauer Griffin

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My preference is for those who fall into the effortless, sophisticated category. Not too done up but always polished and put together just right for the occasion. These are the women who inspire and make fashion fun – instead of something cold and inaccessible. What is funny is that most of the actresses I look to for fashion direction tend to be other than I am – but oh so chic! While my budget may not be quite so big, here are my top ten celebrity style icons.

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Images: Bauer Griffin

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Image: Newscom

The humor. She was funny! I know it might seem a tad offensive to be so surprised by this, but wow Anna Wintour has a sense of humor. I would have never guessed this.

The dress. I am so very much in love with the black and white dress she wore. It was far less of a surprise to see her wearing something so truly covet-worthy.

The self reflection. You can tell she is very aware of the way she is depicted by the media and doesn’t take it all too seriously. I imagine you would have to once you have made it that far.

The passion. She so very clearly loves what she does. When she started talking about ‘The September Issue’ and the work that goes into that landmark issue, you could see her soften a bit – I would have guessed that she must care a great deal to do what she does, but it was heartening to see that on TV.

The insight. I will be going to see ‘The September Issue’ the day it comes out. Every little tidbit that sneaks out about what it is like to work in that office and be a part of that magic is (silly as it might sound) captivating.

The references. After so much press and speculation about the way in which her character (supposedly) was depicted in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, it was neat to see her take it in stride and have fun with the topic instead of clamming up or getting offended.

The socks. Oh that early comment about Letterman’s socks was priceless. Can you imagine Anna Wintour commenting on something you are wearing? Like him, I’m sure you would wonder if she really did approve or the remark was in jest.

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1. These t-shirts deliver style with attitude.  The collection incorporates an appreciation of international travel, fashion, music, and art, and the resulting t-shirts are full of independent spirit and fun.
2. Designer Crystal Audigier sketches and designs all of the images for her own collection.  It’s as close to designer wear that most budgets will allow.
3. Crystal is the daughter of fashion heavyweight Christian Audigier, designer of the Ed Hardy line.  Talent runs in this family.
4. Eco-friendly.  Every shirt is manufactured on 100% chemical and pesticide free organic cotton.  Looking good and doing good is a powerful combination.
5. Wearable art.  These t-shirts are bold and vibrant, a veritable artist’s canvas, and are produced in limited editions.
6. Attention to little details.  Lots of stylish little extras go into these designs, with flocking, foil, and rhinestones added to the graphic design.
7. Longer length t-shirts are
8. The line also includes hoodies, a jeans collection, capes, and caps, giving you lots of ways to incorporate the look into your current wardrobe.
9. Celebs have become big fans.  While I’m not an advocate of choosing wardrobe pieces based on which celeb is wearing it, celebs wearing Crystal Rock include Heidi Klum, Madonna, Chloe Kardashian, Gabrielle Union, and many more.

The flagship Crystal Rock store is located at 7823 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.  While I would love to check on the brick and mortar store, you can also buy Crystal Rock t-shirts online.

Photo credit: polyvore

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Coco Before Chanel

To get you started, here are eight things you probably didn’t know about Coco Chanel:

1. Her name was mispelled as Chasnel on her birth certificate – which caused lots of challenges for historians who subsequently had to figure out her ancestry.
2. As a child she spent several years in an orphanage, where she first learned how to sew.
3. She started out as a tailor and designing hats as a hobby once she set out on her own.
4. Though never married, she had love affairs with a number of rich playboys and millionaires who played an important role as both romantic figures and helping to finance her ambitions.
5. Ana Silvera’s song, ‘Notes from an Opera’ is inspired by the famous designer.
6. Chanel No.5 is the first fragrance to have a designer’s name associated with it.
7. Trying to avoid the topic of her impoverished upbringing, Chanel was known to bend the truth about when she was born and what her parents were like.
8. She lived in the Hotel Ritz Paris for thirty years.

“Coco Before Chanel” comes out on September 25th – you can see the trailer for the movie below:

Image: Sony Classics

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