Fashion Favorites on Academy Awards 2012

I've been watching actors and actress sashay the red carpet every Oscars/Academy Awards since I was a kid. I've seen it being watched by my uncle and aunts. If my memory serves me right, the first Oscars show that I had watched was when Gwyneth Paltrow won and she was wearing this pink gown.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph Lauren

For this recent Oscars night, I wasn't able to watch it on TV. I only followed the show through live tweets and photos posted all over the internet. I think the actors and actresses went a little low-key for this event this year. No more ball, poufy gowns and all! So as predicted, I'll be sharing with you my fashion finds for that night.

These four are my top favorites. I am a big fan of big, flowy gowns. Oscars, I think, ignited my fascination for gowns and dresses. Even if you don't know me personally, you can actually guess what I might like from the red carpet. It's no rocket science. But this time around, my preferences have changed. What struck me the most with these outfits are the idea that they have worn blazers and a cape over a gown! I think it's one of the most amazing ideas ever. Really, who thought they could actually match? I know I didn't. Haha! You don't have to resort to furs and shawls alone!

These outfits are somewhat architecturally-inspired as well. I don't know if you noticed it but just look at the construction and the nitty gritty details of the dress. It's amaze-balls. I personally like clothes that are constructed uniquely and intricately detailed because it gives off a vibe of avant-garde even if it really isn't. It makes the clothing itself stand out on its own and it needs to be accessorized well and less so as not to overpower the dress itself.

Angelina Jolie here is a different case. With that thigh-high slit, leg-showing treat and powerful aura, she's just smokin'!! Even if I don't personally like her, I got to hand that to her.

Now, let's move on to trendspotting! :)

Sheer and Billowy

These two from Maria Menounos and Cameron Diaz are also two of my favorite dresses for that night. Aside from big, poufy dresses, I like clothes that move and fall smoothly and flows with your walk and every turn and waves beautifully when it collides with the air.

The Metallics

I never expected Meryl Streep to opt for metallics in this frequency! But hey, she looks really good in it! Stacy Keibler's metallic Marchesa dress is just too pretty, too. Metallics, I think, are one of the trickiest to wear. You need to be cautious not to look tacky but classy!

And some more sparkles and shine!

It's a no-sweat choice for me to prefer a bare, simple dress over a sequin- or beaded-covered one. Sequin or bead overhaul in a dress is just tacky for me. It entails a big risk of looking like a walking disco ball. But Ellie Kemper's Armani sequined dress is A-okay for me. (On second thought, who can go wrong with an Armani Prive?!) Milla's Elie Saab dress is stunning and classy. Octavia's Tadashi Shoji choice of dress is very chic and smart because despite the full figure, she actually looked slimmer. I like the cinched-illusion created by the beads below the bust.

I think the key here is you have to be really careful in choosing the design, the color, and the type of metallic material used be it sequin, beads, fabric, etc. because it would make or break the dress. If you want to go for sequin overhauled dress, I think you should opt for a dress with a good combination of texture, color and material.

(And I don't care if J.Lo got a nip slip because everyone has their own wardrobe malfunction at one point or another. It's just that she was a celebrity, hence, the fuss over the "nip slip." Nevertheless, she looks plainly stunning in her Zuhair Murad body-hugging dress.)

Vivid and Vibrant

Sometimes just go for color! :) I think there are a lot who are afraid of colors that they just stick with neutrals and muted tones to stay safe. I dare say, experiment with color! It's fun! And it's a cool skill you know, color mix-match, color blocking. :)

Anyway, I'm in love with Michelle Williams' and Emma Stone's Giambattista Valli dress!

Black, White and Gold

The never-fail choice: go for black, white and gold or combination of these. Amaze-balls, aren't they? Rooney Mara just looks stunning in Givenchy! And have you seen Sandra Bullock's back?? Sweet! Isn't it? Oh, Marchesa, this is why you are one of my favorite designers! You create perfect dresses!!!

The Gents and Bowties

Yes, let's not forget the gents, too!

I like bowties over ties for men. I don't know, it adds more charm for me. Aside from their bowties, these four men have interesting suit designs, too. I like it! I really did not expect them to look this good in a suit! Thumbs up, dudes!

And that wraps my Academy Awards fashion favorites. How about you, what were your fashion favorites for that night?

5th Collection: Tribal Chic

My 5th collection is out now!!! :)

Here are the preview of some of the items up for sale:

Visit here and here to shop!

Thank you! :)

Saturday Favorites 008

1. Busy week

Finalizing items for collection release, patient assistance, hospital visit.

2. Pretty Little Liars catch-up

I had missed the episodes after they had a season break. I spent my Friday night and Saturday morning watching. :) (If you're like me who doesn't like downloading weekly episodes just to catch up, check telepisodes.net! I swear, it's the quickest fix for your missed episodes from your favorite shows.)

3. Ralph Lauren F/W 2012

One of my favorite collections from NYFW. I love the muted colors of browns and grays and the transition to blacks and golds. I love the androgynous outfits. I love the glamorous pieces towards the end of the show. I love the newsboy caps, bowler hats, heeled oxfords and brogues, manly trench coats, bedazzled necklines, chunky and layered necklaces.

4. Trendspotting in NY and London!

I know, I know. I'd been posting a lot about international fashion week. (Trust me, this would be my last. Promise!) I accumulated tons of photos that it's nearly impossible to notice recurrent items or predicted trends on the runway so I decided to make photosets. Here are the sets of that I had come up with:

5. More interesting finds

Slippers trend is just pretty. This is the needed reform against ballet flats. I love my ballet flats and I have anything against it but these slippers are a breath of fresh air to our flats selection. I actually posted slipper designs I plan on buying in my former entry.

I was never a fan of mint green or seafoam green but now I am! :) Fabric hunt soon!

More from New York and London Fashion Week F/W 2012

The following sets are from designers I only learned or appreciated recently. I'm a moody dresser so my clothes tend to have a wide scope of style. Generally though, I like girly clothes with an edge or a twist. Subtle but still noticeable. Even if it's a simple item, it has to have a distinct quality, be it the fabric or the cut or the style. Browsing the recent collection of these designers though made me want to try a bolder sense of style and opt for bolder pieces. If you look at the item by piece, they are all simple items but what makes them unique are the fabrics, the cuts, the structures, the details. The way they are mixed and matched makes the bigger difference.

If you want to strut glam with a bang

ALTUZARRA

J. MENDEL

Minimalist with a twist

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

DEREK LAM

THAKOON

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ

Sleek, chic and sophisticated

DONNA KARAN

MARIOS SCHWAB

TORY BURCH

SOPHIE THEALLET

Print overload

ERDEM

PETER PILOTTO

PREEN

RAG AND BONE

RODARTE

Casually chic meets rock glam

THEYSKEN'S THEORY

Going bold does not necessarily mean something over the top, but something new to explore and try and something different from my usual gear. Not that I'm changing course but, you know, to level or shake things up a bit but still within the range of my own personal style. Dressing up does not equate to copying what is on the runway but rather a mixture of your own sense of style, creativity and experimentation. It really doesn't have to be taken seriously, just go with your gut and personal choices and never be afraid of trying something new. :)