the fashion diplomat

oscar options: part II

2008-02-22T00:55:00.038-05:00

jennifer hudson, you've got 2 days to get it together before presenting this year's best supporting actress award. please, boo please, let's try and make up for last year's tragedy that was your look. k? love ya like a cousin. *kisses*

i've pulled a few options together from the f/w 08' shows so far and a few spring 08' haute couture pieces for ms. hudson and a few other girls who may be in attendance on sunday.
(before pics from oscars 07')

jennifer lopez- two options from elie saab for the twins

gwyneth paltrow-monique lhuillier

reese weatherspoon-blumarine

penelope cruz- marchesa

beyonce- versace (nothing glittery tina, please. i'm praying for something modern for lady bey for once)

nicole kidman- chanel (only nicole or uma can pull this off; they often teeter between best and worst at these events, so why not)

helen mirren- valentino

naomi watts- valentino too

kirsten dunst- alberta ferretti

emily blunt- giorgio armani prive (looove this girl! my fav newcomer)

celine dion- elie saab

jennifer hudson- let's try something fun and put them curves on full display: bill blass

cameron diaz-marchesa or temperley (cam, puhlease, puhlease, puhlease! i'm fully convinced you could wear the pants and not wind up on the "what the hell was she thinking" list)

anne hathaway-oscar de la renta

jessica biel- marc bouwer

now if i could just collect a check for all this.

-mr. wade 2 u

gucci by giannini and more

2008-02-21T12:46:00.064-05:00

yes, there are still fashion shows going on and there will be for about another week or so. after all my ripping and running during new york fashion week, i've taken a back seat and casually peeked at the happenings from london and now milan. however, i'm getting my swagger back and itching to delve back into the fullness of the european showings- praying that i won't be left underwhelmed like the stateside offerings. paris, please restore my hope for f/w 08', thanks. in the meantime...

milan 20.2.08:

gucci- bohemian/70's/rocker. layers, fur, and accessories were abundant. although boho-rock isn't that fresh/new/groundbreaking (hello, anna sui season to season), ms. giannini's take was far from stale with regional ethnic and tribal references, and didn't lack the sophistication -especially in fabrication- expected from a luxury brand. giannini has been pretty successful at gucci despite a difference in aesthetic from tom ford, the brand's reviver (now, he brought sexy back). i'm starting to see why she's winning: covetable accessories + wearable clothing= sellable collection.

alessandro dell'acqua-hmmm, the first half of that bad boy was just that: bad boy. let's just say, ms. klum woulda been givin' someone a quick auf'd after seeing looks 1-21 out of 33, seriously. however, there were a few black numbers that deserve a little shine and a decent display on the feet.

marni- quirkiness at it's best. i always love marni's fresh color combos and accessories (those necklaces!/those shoes!/those bags!), and once again Consuelo Castiglioni delivered. not usually the biggest fan of the clothing for everyday but editorially. however, there's always stunning coats and other standout looks that provide the perfect alternative to shopping at prada.

more on cavalli and moschino later.

-mr.wade 2 u

from the cheap seats

2008-02-21T04:25:00.013-05:00

j.crew's younger sister, madewell, arrived in soho nyc last night with the store's official opening. madewell 1937 will likely appeal more to the teen set and college crowd, however if you are looking for an option aside from uniqlo for well-priced, quality casual pieces then peep 486 broadway and broome st.. the store's spring collection can be seen on its site and it's all kinda cute if not a tad generic. although soho has a great rep internationally for killer stores for fashuuun (personal faves: kirna zabete, seven, and barbara bui), it's slowly becoming known for these cheaper, tourist friendly hubs of mass market style.

-mr. wade 2 u

oscar options

2008-02-21T01:08:00.006-05:00

3 days and counting to the oscars. i'm excited because i really didn't think that damn strike would end in time to get things back on and poppin'. but they got it together. ladies are prepping: banning salt, getting facials (do not do this the day of an event-ever! you don't want any post-facial flare ups as an accessory), and sipping on lemon water. stylists are pulling and many f/w 2008 runway showstoppers will likely be seen on sunday-this is the ultimate red carpet experience and only new or custom will do.

at the new york shows, i saw some looks that would be perfect for sunday's main event and after-parties. over the next 72 hours, i will highlight a few and perfect candidates to shimmy about in them.

of course, i am rooting for mrs. ruby dee in the best supporting actress category. i could see a gold statue looking quite nice with the oscar de la renta below. i'd edit out the necklaces on mrs. dee and maybe shorten the sleeves and length of the jacket a bit to accentuate her small frame, but overall i think this look is age appropriate but still modern and a tad edgy. she's 83 but mama is full of spirit and doesn't need to look like someone's nana/granny/oma at a wedding.

if ruby doesn't snatch the trophy, then i'd be happy seeing my favorite actress and double nominee cate blanchett walk away with it. cate is currently 7 months pregnant. i think this marchesa stunner would work well with the baby bump and look amazing against her ivory skin and powdery blonde hair. yes, i'm cool with red on the red carpet. who cares. for me, it's all about the glide across the stage to deliver your acceptance speech.

more to come.

-mr. wade 2 u

no need to ask: it's kris van assche

2008-02-20T21:19:00.015-05:00

looking back through photos from the brit awards, i saw something verrry familar on mr. mika.

below: mika, brit awards 02.08 and lupe, styled by mr. wade 10.07

-mr. wade 2 u

p.s. lupe's look: kris van assche vest, versace shirt, d&g scarf as tie, louis vuitton pants. most of these items are likely now on sale at a barney's/bergdorf/saks near you.