The Oscar red carpet is the crème de la crème of red carpets and we all wait in anticipation to see what our favorite celebs would wear. For me, as an image consultant I’m always curious to see who I think nailed it and who missed the mark. Definitely a lot to learn from the fashions at this year’s event.

What makes stunning?
I have two favorites for who just looked amazing from head to toe. First, Meryl Streep. Simply sublime. Kudos to Project Runway alum Chris March who designed this figure flattering drapey shawl collar creation. Meryl is a vision in this classic white tuxedo inspired gown which fits her impeccably. And every detail works, her hair, makeup, silver clutch and diamond earrings, bracelets and ring all by Fred Leighton. She looks fabulous.

Steve Granitz/wire.

Demi Moore, looks so stunning in a very feminine diaphanous salmon gown designed by Atelier Versace. Silk ruffles cascade down the skirt with a fitted strapless bodice on top. The color looks amazing on her, it fits her like a glove and her gorgeous drop earrings and diamond cuff are just the details that make for a slam dunk.
So what makes these two stunners: Gowns that fit them and suit their personality. Colors that work for their complexion. Accessories that punctuate and enhance. And hair and makeup that finish off their looks .

Jason Merrit/Getty

The Importance of getting color right
I am a big proponent on women wearing colors that make them shine because it can have such a huge impact. I am always amazed when some celebs walk the carpet in a beautiful dress that just is not the right color for them. At Sunday night’s Oscars, Penelope Cruz in a deep wine dress got her color right—she radiates in her dress because her dark hair and eyes and skin are enlivened by that color. Gabourey Sidibe also rocked her cobalt blue off-the-shoulder dress by Marchesa.

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AP photo/Matt Sayles

Who got color wrong? Julianne Moore just disappears in her white dress. It does nothing for her. A snooze. Diane Kruger, also missed the mark with a creme dress with black accents. Not crazy about the dress’s design (Chanel) and the color does not help. Washes her out and the black is just too jarring.

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Ap/ Chris Pizzello

On the Flip side, I love fuchsia and I love that Vera Farmiga dared to wear that color in her very constructed Marchesa ruffled gown. But if you look long enough you’ll realize you are staring at the dress and not her face. Why? Because the color is too strong for her skin eyes and hair. In other words, the color is wearing her- not such a good thing.

Jason Merrit/Getty

Lesson, if your dress is not the right color it does not matter how gorgeous your gown is, you just won’t nail it. Read more in my article on 6 ways to wow with color

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management, image consultants

Like the other award shows this month, the Grammy’s red carpet is a platform to showcase the trends that are sure to flourish in spring. One trend I am really digging is the bold  pop of color. At the Globes we saw a lot of purple (Sandra Bullock) and cobalt blue (Maggie G). We also saw some stunning white gowns—no one looked better than Kate Hudson at the Globes! At the Grammy’s, Fergie gives us a taste of color in her Pucci colbalt blue mini. She looks stunning and stands out from the pack because there really wasn’t a whole lot of color on the Grammy red carpet. But there was plenty white, black and other neutrals.

Steve Granitz/ Wire Images

White: Lada Gaga made her entrance in a white Armani Prive dress. Read my critique on Lady Gaga at the Grammys.

Stunner Rihanna, mixed it up and wore a long Elie Saab gown that pretty much covered her up head to toe. This gown is overly worked and not flattering on the singer. Feathers, chiffon armored looking cap sleeves—we can’t see her youthful frame and it’s just TOO much. Sorry Rihanna not a winner.

Steve Granitz/Wire Images

Carrie Underwood also strutted on the red carpet in a white gown. This one I loved for her. Simple yet elegant. Fresh and fashion forward. Ethereal and angular at the same time with its one shoulder design. All in all a lovely balance of aesthetics. This is a feminine look with an edgy side, which pretty much describes Carrie.  Her accessories add a beautiful finishing touch. Carrie looks like she can float away on a cloud—so easy and effortless. Kudos!

Larry Busacca/Wire Images

Black was also a theme at the Grammy’s just like the Globes. Singer Ciara probably wore the most risqué design with her lacy peek a boo black Givenchy haute couture ensemble. I loved how she kept her makeup clean and simple and accessories minimal—the outfit had enough going on!

Larry Busacca/Wire Images

Jennifer Hudson wore head to toe black (literally) in a Victoria Beckham design. I don’t mind the dress, really. I like that as a curvier, larger size girl, Jhud goes for it. She shows appropriate cleavage and dresses to enhance her assets. But I think the dark black hose, shoes and hair with the straight long black bangs makes her look too somber though. Its all too serious—in stark contrast to Carrie. Jhud I love you in color—embrace it girlfriend!

Larry Busacca/Wire Images

Dark blue was also a hit at the 52nd Grammy awards. Taylor Swifts looks so glamorous and sophisticated in her off the shoulder, glittery navy gown designed by Kaufman Franco. Her dress fits her impeccable. Hair and makeup perfection. Authentic as usual. Wavy hair her signature . Love her long dropped diamond earrings. She looks so beautiful.

Steve Kranitz/Wire Images

Glee actress Lea Michele made her Grammys debut in a navy minidress from Romona Keveza  that was both sexy, stylish and fun. Accented with a full shredded chiffon skirt, one shoulder design and cinched waist she looked gorgeous.

Kevin Mazur/Wire Images

Neutral shades were also popular on this red carpet. Beyonce wore a blush colored gown. Read my article on Beyonce’s look . Singer  Katy Perry looked exotic in an Indian inspired,  nude, floor-skimming. flower-embellished Zac Posen dress. I like the idea of the dress but I’m not crazy about it on her. The color doesn’t work, the styling does not enhance and its forgettable. Snooze.

Larry Busacca/Getty

Pink whose performance was the hit of the night won my award for best neutral toned dress and contender for best dressed period. I love the scalloped tiers, the ombre color design from silver to blush to gray to black. Her body never looked better and this dress flaunts it. Way to go Pink!

  Steve Granitz / Wire Images

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live  Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, on CBS.

The Image Diva, image consultant and President of Elan Image Management

It’s red carpet awards season and one of my favorites is the Grammy Awards. This is one award show that holds my interest, especially on the fashion front. The styles on the red carpet tend to be more avant garde , bolder, more dramatic than the other shows and the outfits worn by the performers can be jaw dropping. I can’t wait to see what singers like Rihanna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Fergie and Kate Perry will wear.

First Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga makes a statement—but do we expect anything less?  Practical, of course not! But it makes us all go ga ga that she dares to pull it off. And so she does. I’ve been writing about personal style and Lady Gaga is the quintessential Diva. What makes a Diva? The Diva seeks attention and that ‘star quality’ by being overly dramatic in her choice of cut, silhouette, color or design. The Diva is all about standing out so she will break rules and march by the beat of her own drum just to command attention and create shock value. 

Describes Lady Gaga to a ‘T’. Tonight she wears a white  Armani gown that looks like a pop up hamper was the inspiration. Ultra short in the front and completely impractical. Poker face (pun intended). Crazy heels, wires, sparkles, glitter all make up her ensemble. I’m not sure how she’s going to sit down in it but it’s all about making an entrance, right?

Beyonce: Beyonce looked more demure than usual  in a blush satin gown from Stephane Rolland. The neutral fishtail gown with train  showcases her bronze complexion. The dress features  contoured details and construction emphasizing her famous curves. True to style, she is rocking oversized earrings this time in bold gold to match her nail polish.

There is a lot going on in this dress; construction, design and texture are all competing for our attention. The seaming details, longer sleeve and plunging neckline are other accents. I like this dress but I don’t love it on her. It’s a little too much. I much preferred her in Ellie Saab at the 2006 Grammy’s. Beyonce’s sense of style is dramatic and in that sense the dress does not disappoint. But the earrings are overkill and jarring to me.

She may not have won my award for best dressed but the singer has already won song of the year for ‘Single Ladies’ tonight. Up for 10 awards she is sure to take home many more Grammy’s.  Congrats!

The Image Diva, image consultant and President of Elan Image Management,

Happy New Year!

We’re in week two of the New Year and more significantly the new decade. How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? We all make them right?  My greatest wish for you this year is that you will not simply make New Year’s resolutions but New Year’s commitments. Making a commitment requires action and perseverance which are key to achieving your goals.  This applies for all your goals in addition to your image goals.

One of my goals is to invest in more unmemorable clothing. That may sound like a strange goal, but for an image consultant who loves color, prints and unconventional silhouettes, like I do, most of my clothing is very memorable. And memorable clothing is hard to recycle into different looks-not impossible, just harder. Believe it or not, I’ve only just started investing in a couple LBD’s. I never owned them before, now I have 3 for different types of occasions. I wore one twice over the holidays in two completely different ways–impossible to tell its the same dress. The first is in the photo below on New Years Eve where I wanted an edgier vibe:

The second occasion is when I  wore the dress on a recent TV interview for NewsChannel 8! Completely different context, same dress. Check out the link to my clip, you won’t believe the wonders of layering and a whole new set of accessories!

Back to you. Some of your goals could include buying fewer clothes, working with your wardrobe so 100% of the items are those you absolutely love, wearing and buying only clothing that flatters you, working on your professional presence or your personal brand, refining your signature style, getting comfortable accessorizing and adorning yourself in only your best colors. Need help with any, or all of these? My wardrobe consulting services can help you. I also invite you to read the article in my Examiner Column on  image resolutions for 2010.

I am truly excited about the wide open possibilities of a brand new year. Elan Image Management, has some surprises in store and what I know for sure is I’ll be on my toes! I’m getting my dancing shoes on. Will you join me?

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

I have many clients who are stumped about how to incorporate belts into their look. Here are 4 great ways to incorporate the skinny belt into your ensembles (photos from instyle.com except where noted)

1)    Belted over a  cardigan –very common trend and a way to cinch a cropped cardigan without taking away from the clean lines. Victoria Beckham rocks this look with aplomb and looks tres sophisticated. The key is that the sweater is cropped and fitted and the belt the perfect accessory to finish off her look.

In the photo below Leighton Meister belts a vest over a ruffled print dress and looks amazing. She is polished, chic and trendy! Note to self, anything can be belted, jackets, cardigans or vests.

2)    Belted over a pencil skirt with top tucked in—I’m loving this look! The belt brings the whole outfit in proportion and adds focal interest. Like this ensemble from Ralph Lauren–simple yet very effective! www.ralphlauren.com

3)    Belted over a dress—a good trick is to replace belt attached to a dress with a belt of your own of higher quality/more pizzazz. Eva Mendes adds a white belt to her lavender olka dot dress and coordinates with matching white shoes and clutch for a very classic ladylike look.

I love how Camille Belle looks in this gorgeous blue dress which she smartly accessories with a ‘tough’ looking black leather belt. It works and it adds an edge to an otherwise feminine look. She nails it!

4)    Belted with jeans-to add extra flair and to keep them from riding down. Rachel Bilson looks effortlessly casual with a boyfriend jacket, white blouse, paired with a skinny jeans belted with a skinny belt!

Look for more ‘How To’s’ in upcoming posts!

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management