Best Dressed Round-Up for 2016

So many stunning looks I’m sure are still to come for 2016 — some even in the next few weeks as there are a few major award shows in the lineup. But for now, with various premieres and other red carpets in the mix, here is a best dressed round-up for early 2016!

Brie Larson — Room Premiere & Press Conference in Tokyo

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Brie is rockin’ 2 very eye-catching looks while on her press tour for Room, both with such intricate details. Above, is a mixed media Rodarte dress, paired with Roger Vivier heels and Niwaka jewels.

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And for her 2nd look, an embellished floral print Valentino dress.

Kristen Bell — LA Premiere for The Boss

Premiere Of USA Pictures' "The Boss" - Arrivals

Kristen looks shiny and immaculate in this lacy strapless Reem Acra dress with matching pointy-toe Jimmy Choo pumps. To add a bit more sparkle to her look, Borgioni rings and Neil Lane jewelry.

Nina Dobrev — Women in TV Dinner

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Nina is always an A+ on the red carpet and this black and white, floral printed Antonio Berardi lace gown keeps right in line with that A+ theme.

Rachel McAdams — 31st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival

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Not sure of the designer details for Rachel’s look, but she looks quite gorgeous in this LWD — such great geometric details.

Gal Godot — Batman v Superman London Premiere

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No designer details for Gal either, but she looks red hot!! The embellishments on the straps are such a great detail.

Kira Kosarin — Kids Choice

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Kira is really workin’ this sparkly white mini by Parker NY. The rest of her look details are as follows —

Naomi Watts — Demolition Screening in NYC

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Naomi looks ethereal and whimsical in this mint green tiered Valentino gown with black trim. She is adding a little sparkle to the look by pairing with it a pair of Solange Azagury-Partridge drop earrings.

Sophia Bush — PaleyFest in LA

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Sophia’s Stella McCartney midi dress with floral embroidery is truly a work of art. It is perfectly paired with nude Stuart Weitzman heels and Ilana Ariel earrings.

Lauren Conrad — Book Launch in NYC

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This is why I love LC’s pieces from Kohls, because she too rocks them for events and they look fabulous — Lauren Conrad collection at Kohls.

Witney Carson — Kids’ Choice Awards

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Witney looks pretty in pink in this Ted Baker midi dress. Her other look details are —

Fifth Harmony — Kids Choice

fifth-harmony-at-nickelodeon-s-2016-kids-choice-awards-in-inglewood-03-12-2016_1Fifth Harmony, proving yet again as a group, on any red carpet, that baby their worth it! These lovely ladies always look nothing short of amazing. Here are all of their look details, including hair, makeup, & styling details, which are as follows — Styling by Zoe Costello; Makeup by Patrick Ta; Hair by Randy Stodghill

Cast of Dance Moms — Kids Choice

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Left to Right —

Jennifer Lopez — 2016 TCA Tour

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Love this color, such a minimalist look, but it’s simply stunning! Jen is wearing a cobalt blue Victoria Beckham dress with nude Casadei heels.

Jiff — Kids Choice

jiff-the-dog-435By far, no one was this adorable or cute on the red carpet right!!

NYFW — Modern, Glamorous Womenswear

Great takes on modern womenswear, from evening to cocktail to RTW.

Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016   Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016

Naeem Khan is known for his beautiful and ornate gowns, and this season he did not disappoint. Inspired by sun-drenched gardens in the south of France, as well as the waters of Capri, Khan took us on a luxe journey through the Mediterranean. The collection channeled the Fifties and Sixties, with Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot and Jackie Kennedy as his muses. Khan imagined how they would dress for parties while on vacation.

Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016   Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016

The outcome was a collection of brimming with rich embroideries, intricate beading, basket-weave sequins and woven raffia. A vibrant palette included sunset hues of yellow, orange and bright pink, as well as azure, lilac, red rose and celadon green. Even the runway itself was decorated full-on, with a floral wall and an arched white doorway.

Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016    Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016

There were a ton of standout looks that graced this runway. I often include Khan’s work on my Best Dressed lists and am positive we should see a few of these gowns grace a red carpet or 2 in the coming award season.

Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016   Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016

Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016      Naeem Khan RTW Spring 2016

KYE

Kye RTW Spring 2016  Kye RTW Spring 2016 

Korean designer Kathleen Kye is known in Seoul for her high-end streetwear looks, but now it’s her bold and witty K-Pop-inspired looks that are hitting it big on the runway. This season she referenced her thoughts on hate, or rather, the kind of hate akin to friendly jealously.

Kye RTW Spring 2016   Kye RTW Spring 2016

The inspiration came across as literal text on tops and jackets, with graphics Kye makes herself in Korea. As expected, prints were abundant in the women’s looks. These prints screamed KYE to me and for me, is what makes KYE stand out!

Kye RTW Spring 2016    Kye RTW Spring 2016

The menswear looks were too quite vibrant. I’m excited for KYE and her super well-rounded collection for S/S 2016.

Kye RTW Spring 2016   Kye RTW Spring 2016

Mitsou Ly

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Mitsou Ly realizes garment’s unique qualities by giving it distinctive perspective, independent expression and personality. Her pieces mix feminine style with an edgy flair. The beautiful fabrics she chooses, combined with the striking designs and silhouettes make her collections truly unique. I was more than pleased to receive an invite to her NYFW show. It was exhilarating and a wonderfully put together presentation.

Mitsou Ly - Runway - Spring 2016 New York Fashion Week

Bold and vivid colors and stunning shapes are a key component to Mitsou Ly’s designs. These innovative designs mix vintage with modern; lady-like looks with revolutionary style. It all comes together to make her collection of-the-moment, sophisticated and modern. She artfully combines ruffles, satin, and geometric shapes. Even her vintage inspired pieces have an aesthetic that reflects today’s trends.

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Mitsou Ly manufactures her affordable luxury line in New York and Washington, DC.

Mara Hoffman Takes Flight!

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Rise embroidered cream linen shift dress with striped bodice and black knit turtleneck

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Belted Starbasket chiffon gown with long sleeves

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Tufted chiffon landscape long-sleeve gown

Mara Hoffman presented her 38-piece Fall 2015 collection for MBFW/NYFW at Lincoln Center, the Salon. Generally when I think of Mara Hoffman, I think wild, graphic, psychedelic prints. She still threw in some bold prints, but I thought this presentation was a bit more tame, a more reserved Mara Hoffman if I dare say. It still had the Mara Hoffman signatures and touches so I’m still on board! And it was such an honor to be at this runway. My 1st time for Mara Hoffman and I definitely hope to be there for many more shows & seasons to come!

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Cream tweed cross front Luke suit

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Triad CDC Gown

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Riser embroidered cream linen shirtdress with black, peach, blue, teal stripes

Aviation was a bit of an underlying inspiration with this collection. The runway show music was of the same nature, taking flight, gears grinding, sounds of a plane taking off. You could also see it in many of the pieces, whether it was the styling, very reminiscent of this stylized trend, especially the tall tan boots, which I loved BTW, or the knit shawls! But a lot of the prints too had the same vibe.

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Triad CDC Gown

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Trapunto twill coat with Starbasket Jacquard knit shawl

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White Trapunto star vest with black and cream tweed jumpsuit

As I mentioned earlier, this was a tamer Mara Hoffman than I’m used to seeing. There were still some vibrant pops of colors though, mainly in the more wild prints, tangerine, lime green, and red. But a lot of the prints and/or colors, were a bit more subtle, somewhat more muted, deep purple, light teal, soft pink, just to name a few. I really liked these lighter, softer color choices. It showed a different side for me to Mara’s work, and that is always a great aspect to have as a designer. I loved seeing her be forward thinking and innovative for this upcoming fall season!

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Blue Connector crepe strapless jumpsuit

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There were so many standout pieces in this collection. I loved the blue/purple/grey jumpsuit, the mixed media black sheer dresses, the ivory look below, and the black/ivory/rose pink satin dresses, just to name a few! There is just so much one could do with these looks. You could layer them up, pair them with knee-high boots as we saw here, and make it work for the colder east coast vibe. Or, you could un-layer the looks, so to speak, pair with some flats or sandals, and then BOOM, you are ready to hit up the West coast! These are high fashion RTW looks, daring and oh so very bold. A burgeoning fashionista would no doubt want a few of these pieces to make sure she stood out no matter her destination!

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Crepe back satin dress with front and back keyhole in ivory

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Blue Connector Ponte cross front dress with an open weave turtleneck

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CDC connector buttondown and full skirt

Special guests in attendance were actress Juliette Lewis, Jeannette McCurdy, Teen Vogue’s style editor Andrew Bevin, singer Kate Nash, fashion stylist Madison Guest, Victoria Justice, Nana Meriweather.

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Tufted chiffon landscape fitted bodice midi gown

Show credits —

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Black brushed cotton apron dress with Tessellate turtleneck

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Tessellate CDC Maxi Shift Dress with long sleeves

So remember — Keep your feet on the ground, hands in the sky, and allow the force to be with you at all times! 🙂

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Tadashi Shoji — Remarkably Timeless Beauty

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MBFW — Salon @ Lincoln Center

463283214.jpg_5_0_2996_1994There just aren’t enough words to describe how glorious this F/W 2015 collection is. Tadashi Shoji has really outdone himself here. I wouldn’t dream of elongating this piece by the use of words. I really want to let the images do the talking because that is just how breathtaking these dresses are. But I will provide a few details at least on the designer’s concept and inspiration for the collection.

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Black hand cut tulle & silk organza feathered strapless gown with an embroidered applique pleated bodice.

463277892.jpg_325_0_1668.28358209_3000Navy/nude embroidered tulle gown with sheer illusion insets

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Black bateau neck swing cape top and black crepe floor length skirt

The inspiration here was the joy of flight — the intersection between aircraft mechanics and winged flight, finding the muse piloting the avian highways. Spinning wings of propellers starting to hum. Metal gears beginning their rotational motion. This and more make up the concept behind these lovely gowns.

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Grape/nude sleeveless feather motif embroidered applique full skirt tulle gown

463278336.jpg_350_0_1796.71641791_3231Deep green feather motif applique bodice with full tulle skirt

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Black feather motif sheer overlay gown

Painted with the ivory brushstrokes of windswept clouds, sparkling skies, birds gliding majestically, dancing on air currents with graceful wing beats, that is the journey to be taken with this collection. Airplane mechanics influence the allover metallic embroideries of copper, gold, and silver burnish luxe knits, while feathered wing motifs can be found in sheer lace and tactile embellishments.

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Taupe tulle halter gown with gear motif embroidered applique and hardware embellishments

463278610.jpg_312_0_1600.20895522_2877Deep green lace applique bodice with full tulle skirt

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Ivory/black pleated Georgette strapless gown with beaded feather motif embroidered applique

A monochromatic palette of black, ivory, and navy transitions to semio-paque hues created from bi-color layering of diaphanous tulles. The ethereal silhouettes evoke a feeling of weightlessness. As if mused by the wind, feathers of frayed-edge silk organza and hand-cut tulle create lighter than air gowns and floor-length capes, dipping to dreamier depths. Aerial views inspire the textures of custom designed jacquards.

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Ivory hand cut tulle & silk organza feathered tea-length dress with pockets and embroidered bodice

463276472.jpg_381_0_1955.32835821_3516Navy tiered faux fur illusion neck shift dress with crystal hardware embellishments

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Black oversized tiered faux fur jacket with crystal hardware embellishments

So remember, soar into the upper breaches of the atmosphere where you can be free from the forces of gravity, orbiting the uncharted skies, a sky voyager finding her bliss. I love these pieces. They are very much red carpet ready & worthy, and would very much like to see them in the future!

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Copper/black bateau neck metallic embroidered tulle gown with pockets

463278396.jpg_339_0_1740.49253731_3130Steel/navy gear motif embroidered panel bodice gown with tulle skirt

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Grape/nude tulle gown with gear motif embroidered applique and hardware embellishments

Show credits —

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Navy lace applique bodice with full tulle skirt

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Special celeb guests in attendance were blogger Courtney Kerr, Lloyd Blossom, singer Kesha, Miss J Alexander, actress Song Jia, Li Sun, actress Liu Yun, & actress Yang Zishan.

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Ivory crepe sleeveless top & black hand cut tulle with silk organza feathered short skirt

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Grape/black metallic embroidered lace dirndl gown with gathered illusion tulle neck and pockets

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