Red Carpet Minute: White House Correspondents' Dinner--Best Dressed

Dinner Dress Up

Last night Hollywood and Washington DC collided--and colluded--in the 98th Annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) is an organization of journalists who cover the White House and the President of the United States. The actual intended purpose of the White House Correspondents' Dinner is to "acknowledge award-winners, present scholarships, and give the press and the president an evening of friendly appreciation". But in recent years it has become an event where the press and Hollywood get to hob nob with each other. Members of the media/press are allowed to "invite" Hollywood stars to be at their tables, therefore paying for their First Class travel and Five-Star Hotel accommodations, in exchange to sit with them and yes, get some press. It's also a chance for some "Red Carpet Critiquing". There were some MESSES last night (in a later post, darlings, don't worry) but let's start with some Good Ones (and "OK's") of the night:

First Lady Michelle Obama in Naeem Khan Spring 2012: Mrs. Obama chose a printed silk gown from one of her favorite designers, NY-based Indian-born Naeem Khan. It's from his Spring 2012 Collection and on the runway (as you can see above), it was shown with a one-shoulder drape. As we all know, the First Lady has some AMAZING shoulders and intelligently knows that they should be showcased. Therefore the one shoulder over-drape was removed for Mrs. Obama. I think she looks great. I love the "ethnic" feel of the mixed print and it is very ON TREND with what is happening in prints.

Elizabeth Banks in Antonio Berardi Fall 2012: Banks wore a lipstick red strapless gown with peplum detail; (very NOW ladies!!) from British designer of Sicilian descent Antonio Berardi. Originally, the designer showed this style in a gunmetal sequined fabrication (as seen on the runway photo above). I like this dress on Elizabeth Banks. The shape is fabulous and fits her really well and to top it off, her hair, make-up and  jewelry are just right.

Kate Hudson in Jenny Packham: let's start from the top: LOVE the bun!! Usually we see Hudson in a very "Carefree California Girl" 'do but here she "bumped"-up (sorry for the pun) her hair quotient. It's very "Miss Universe" meets my Mom in Caracas in 1975! The dress: love the color, fabrication and the fit. I assume she was styled by her pal Rachel Zoe and well, kids, she did (as usual) a FABULOUS job.

Elle Macpherson in Romona Keveza: Let's begin with the fact that it helps to have Elle "The Body" Macpherson wearing your dress. Designed by Romona Keveza, who is better known for her very popular wedding gowns. This black satin gown features a folded-and-pleated top section with an asymmetrical peplum (yes, kids, it's a MAJAH trend!). Elle looks pretty amazing and let's not forget: she is showing Angelina Jolie how its done...in terms of how to walk and pose with a high slit. How do you say "Atta-Gurl" in Australian slang?

Ivanka Trump in Naeem Khan: Kids, THIS is how you do PLUNGING! Period. It's flawless on Ivanka. She's wearing a gown by "Designer of the Night" Naeem Khan--a silver sequined gown with cap sleeves and yes, that plunging neckline. It is "inspired" by a dress from his Fall 2011 RTW collection as seen in photo above. Finally kids, I need to add as a "PS": THE ONLY WAY for the Trumps to recover from last year's "Donald Roast" is to send Ivanka looking stupendous!

 

Reese Witherspoon in Monique Lhuillier: she looks great! The black gown by LA-based designer Monique Lhuillier is elegant, very "Old Hollywood Glamour", draped beautifully. I also like the pop of turquoise in the earrings and side-swept hairstyle. Hard to tell she is even pregnant!

Charlize Theron in Emilio Pucci by Peter Dundas: One word: wow. Again, you really can't go wrong when you begin with a stunner like Charlize. The lace over nude lining fitted gown, features a scalloped boat-neck and long sleeves. It's such a busy lace that she chose wisely to finish it off with a simple and elegant center parted chignon.

Good But Not Great:

Dakota Fanning in Prada: this light plum sequined gown is just "OK" for me. There are several "Not Sure's" here. The keyhole seems odd-especially since the neckline already has such a nice "V" shape; the front length is odd, looks too short and the shoes, they look a bit "Grandma-About-To-Play-Mahjong-In-Boca" (which, incidentally, is SOOO Miuccia Prada!). I wanna know what YOU guys think here? Help me!!

Eva Longoria in Marchesa Fall 2012: I think the top section of this white Marchesa Fall 2012 dress is fantastic and right on trend with the drop-shoulder/cap sleeve detail as well as the original applique. It's the odd multi-cowl draped skirt section that troubles me. I have to say that somehow it looks a bit "puffier" and with more volume on Eva than on the runway model, and this I do like.

Kim Kardashian: Kim K. went for a more "demure" and less "Va-Va-Boom" Kim at last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner. She wore an emerald green silk velvet floor length sleeveless bias-cut gown with "peek-a-boo" back and sequined shoulder and waist trim. From far away, it's pretty great but then...

Close-up, the top looks wonky; I know that it's bias and therefore it is stretching...but I still have the urge to go up to her and get some pins and pin out about 1" excess from the top shoulder area (sorry, it's the draping instructor in me!).

Sofia Vergara in David Meister Signature Collection: Again, it's "OK" for me. It is a great shape for her--accentuates her tiny waist, hides the "cha-cha" hips, and so on, but...this would be great if she was going to an afternoon wedding in Connecticut. But the White House Correspondents' Dinner?? I'm a little disappointed. She should have stolen Viola Davis' gown...speaking of Viola Davis...

Viola Davis in Amsale Spring 2012 Bridal: Ethiopian-born fashion designer, Amsale, is very well known for her wedding dresses. In fact, this gown on Viola is from Amsale's Spring 2012 Bride Collection (originally shown in white on the runway as seen in photo on the right). It's a one-shoulder ziberline gown with a fit-to-flare princess seamed shape and folded-and-pleated top detail. It's a stunner of a gown. However, I just have to take issue with the "I'm about to have a Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction" side-breast spillage (almost) occurring as a result of how scooped that side is on the underarm/neckline section. There needs to be about 2-3" of extra fabric up in there. Other than that: Fab!