Cannes Queens:
Penelope Cruz in Marchesa Fall 2011: Attending the Premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in a lavender colored embroidered silk tulle Marchesa gown from one of my favorite collections from that design firm. We saw actress Rachel McAdams, during the Opening Ceremonies and "Midnight In Paris" Premiere, also wearing a gown from the same collection. Penelope looked stunning--as usual. Her hair, pulled-back with only bangs showing was perfect for "topping off" this gown. She loves a "Mermaid/Flamenco" silhouette and this was a new way of showing this. The simple drop earrings and small clutch finish the look impeccably. Olé! Grade: A
Soonam Kapoor in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 Haute Couture: Attending "The Artist" Premiere at the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival. Indian Bollywood actress Soonam Kapoor became an instant COUTURE DIVA at the Cannes Film Festival, wearing this silk organza with MAJAH Horsehair hem detailed ivory-and-black gown from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2009 Haute Couture Collection--from two years ago. Since probably no one actually ordered this hand-made gown--it makes sense to get it out of the Gaultier Couture Archives and have it be worn...One word: WORK! Grade: A.
Li Bingbing in Georges Chakra Spring 2011 Haute Couture: The beautiful Chinese-born actress wore an Haute Couture (one-of-a-kind/hand-made) creation from Lebanese fashion designer Georges Chakra attending "The Artist" Premiere. It was a strapless "Princess Ball Gown" in baby-blue tulle with original torso and bustier applique. This gown could easily have gone into Disney and Quinceañera mode, but it still somehow, did not. Grade: B.
Fan Bingbing in Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2009: Attending the "Polisse" Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Chinese-born actress and singer Fan Bingbing has quickly positioned herself to be the Cannes Red Carpet DIVA!!! Here, she wore a white Elie Saab Fall 2009 Haute Couture Gown from one of my favorite collections from this Lebanese fashion designer. The elongated and VERY exaggerated lace re-embroidered sleeves are FABU-licious!!! No need to eat with this gown (can you imagine getting one of those sleeves in your mushroom soup!), it's all about stepping onto the Red Carpet, posing and SERVING IT to them!!! The only thing she--and/or her stylist--did wrong: The earrings and necklace. They were SO not needed. Therefore...Grade: A-
Fan Bingbing in Atelier Versace Spring 2011: Oh Fan, you are my new Red Carpet Obsession! Either you have a FAB stylist with LOTS of connections, or your PR Department is working OVERTIME, but seriously, you have become a COUTURE DESIGNER'S new "Wet Dream". Here is Chinese-born actress/singer Fan Bingbing (and new-found fashionista muse!) attending the "Wu Xia" Premiere in a Versace Atelier Spring 2011 ombre silk "Mermaid" gown. It's a GORGEOUS gown but something happened from her hotel limo ride to the red carpet--and the wrinkles show it! It's very difficult to keep silk Habotai pressed darlings. Hand-held steamer anyone?Grade: B-
Fan Bingbing in Versace Atelier Spring 2011: Attending "The Artist" Premiere, my new favorite girl, Fan Bingbing wore a Versace Atelier Spring 2011 purple ombre strapless bustier and crinkled organza ruffle gown. Since the gown itself--estimated at about $50,000 if she were actually to buy it--is so "Costume-y" and reminiscent of the late 19th/early 20th Century, I would have advised her to do a more modern hairstyle (like in the Look Book Photo above). But she didn't, and therefore , it sort of threw her entire look off, and made her look almost--dowdy. Grade: B-
Fan Bingbing in Chris Bu Kewen: Finally, during the Opening Ceremony Red Carpet earlier in the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Miss Fan Bingbing wore a red silk printed strapless gown with a Watteau back designed by her stylist, Chris Bu Kewen. It's very Christian Dior by John Galliano "Madama Butterfly" Spring 2007 Haute Couture Collection, and therefore: I LOVE it! This is the first "Cannes Red Carpet Impression" lots of 
"Who-is-Fan-Bingbing" folk got of her, and well, WOW: That's a great First Impression! Grade: A.
