Monday, January 16, 2012

My Top 5 Fashion Picks for the 2012 Golden Globes

Fashion: Golden Globes 2012

Ever since I was a little girl, I've made a tradition out of watching the Oscars and the Golden Globes every single year, without fail.  Part of this is due to the fact that from the age of 2 until the age of 22, I wanted to be an actress.  True story.  I spent my teens and early 20s doing commercials, tiny indie films, and countless plays, and graduated with a Specialist in Acting degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  There were also countless awards speeches practiced in my bedroom mirror, you know, just in case and everything.  As for why I'm no longer acting (and am instead designing clothing for a living), I had an epiphany of sorts during a required costume design class my final semester of college.  I adored fashion and had been sewing my own clothing for a while, and one day in the middle of that class, I realized what I was really meant to do.

Luckily, the career change from performance to design still allowed for me to find inspiration through watching these awards ceremonies.  I am shamelessly fascinated with observing the looks that my favorite actresses (or their stylists) have chosen for the red carpet, and last night's Golden Globes were no exception.  As I sat on the couch with notebook and pen in hand feverishly scribbling notes like the dork that I am, I settled on five particular looks that stood out to me as favorites.

Zooey Deschanel Golden Globes 2012
Zooey Deschanel was the overall style winner in my opinion.  She wore a seriously stunning black custom Prada gown, paired with an elegant green beaded Prada clutch and simple black satin platform pumps (also Prada!).  I can't stop looking at the bodice detail of the dress, with all that black and green glass beaded goodness.  And how cute is that ivory embroidered collar?!  I love that she wore her hair down, and her makeup was flawless. The best part, though, might have been her tuxedo manicure, which she posted on her Instagram:
Zooey Deschanel tuxedo manicure

In terms of my own personal style, Claire Danes' J. Mendel dress wasn't necessarily a piece I'd normally go for, but something about the whole look really struck me.  I loved how the clean lines and simple two-tone black and white were contrasted with the harder, metallic detailing of the shoulders and the back.  The design somehow managed to be both edgy and classic, and it totally worked with her red lips and simple, swept back hair.  So pretty.  

I really fell in love with how fresh and elegant Jessica Alba looked in this lilac Gucci gown and super glamorous Bulgari jewelry.  Her look was understated but in a magical sort of way, with all those layers of sparkled detailing falling over draped fabric.  I'm not usually one for matchy-matchy, but her muted lilac lipstick - which was almost exactly the same shade as the dress - looked perfect with her thick upper lashes.  She nailed it.

Michelle Williams Golden Globes
Despite the abundance of tweets comparing Michelle Williams' look to those of their grandmothers on Twitter last night, I thought she looked absolutely adorable in a purple velvet Jason Wu gown and jeweled black satin headband.  Michelle is one of my biggest style icons, because she embraces a unique look that isn't derived from whatever happens to be on trend.  Her minimal makeup and simple stud earrings looked so radiant paired with that dress, and she was always smiling!  Plus, did you see her acceptance speech?  She was so humble and thanked her daughter above all else, which was just about the sweetest thing ever.  Love her. 

Livia Firth Golden Globes
And I just had to give a shout out to the amazing Livia Firth, who for the third awards ceremony in a row, chose to walk the red carpet in an eco-friendly gown.  Her timeless black and white dress was designed by Armani using fabric from recycled plastic bottles, and commenced her 2012 Green Carpet Challenge.  Through this challenge, Firth has recruited some pretty big names (hello Chanel, Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent, Paul Smith, Valentino and Alberta Ferretti!) to participate in creating sustainable gowns for awards season.  I thought she looked incredibly graceful in the strapless bias cut gown, which she paired with some other stunning eco-conscious pieces: vintage Damiani earrings, and a recycled gold and conflict-free Alberto Parada ring.  You rock Livia.  For reals.


Did you pay attention to the Golden Globes red carpet?  If so, what were your favorite looks?


Images sources from top: Wireimage, Getty, Getty, Getty, LA Times/Ecoteurre

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23 comments:

  1. Zooey is so darling! I got that instagram picture too! And I have always loved Michelle William's haircut. She pulls it off so beautifully. xo, rv

    http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/

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  2. Oh wow ♥.♥ I totally agree, Zooey's dress was AMAZING!!! I love green and black together and she looked so simply stunning.

    I didn't actually watch last night, but that's because I prefer reading well written and amazing re-caps such as this. <3 So thank you for showing some amazing outfits!!! Including one that's eco-friendly, rock on! <3

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  3. Thanks for the recap, missed it last night! Zooey is way to awesome. Love the mani. Claire Danes just never gets the credit I would like to see her receive, she has phenomenal style. Good selections.

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  4. Michelle's look was my favorite. And she's just the sweetest little thing! I can't wait to see My Week With Marilyn.

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  5. You pick some really beautiful looks! I love all of these gowns, and would wear any of them in a heartbeat. I never watch award shows, but I do look forward to the fashion coverage afterwards.

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  6. Ricky's purple suit didnt make the cut? I was shocked when I saw a shot from behind, and realized it was not just the jacket, but purple pants as well. He looked like a younger Heff.

    The looks above are all amazing as well.

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  7. That's so cool that you were gonna be an actress!! I love your picks, I loved Zooey and Michelle's dresses so much and you remind me of Zooey!!! Too awesome about Livia Firth doing the earth friendly dress!! I also though mIchelle Williams speech was sweet.

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  8. love all of these! i didn't watch the globes, but i bet i would have chosen these as my favorites, the are lovely!

    brittany

    prettylittlevintage

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  9. These are all so beautiful. These ladies know how to carry themselves. Although I am much more comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt - I love these gorgeous dresses!

    Happy Monday - Brandi

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  10. I love zoe's nails. So cute! And Jessica sure looks pretty in her dress! I didn't watch the Golden Globes. I just like to look at the pretty dresses the next day...

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  11. I have to agree with you. Zoe was my fave, and the rest are stunning as well. Very flattering without revealing too much!

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  12. Loved this post. I always love watching the Oscars, but I missed the Golden Globe Awards.

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  13. LOVE the dress Claire Danes wore! She is so pretty!

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  14. Yep, these are all definite winners, but Zooey was (and always is) the favourite for me. A magazine I was reading today cited Claire Danes' look as a miss, but I agree with you - it was striking!

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  15. I didn't watch the awards, but I love to go online later and look at all the pretty dresses...and force my boyfriend to watch fashion police and listen to me argue with the so-called "style experts" about who was best-dressed, worst-dressed, etc. Claire Danes looks stunning.

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  16. I agree with all of your picks, but I always love Angelina Jolie. She looks beautiful no matter what :)

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  17. I loved Zooey's hair - a bit 60s and a bit glam...perfect!
    I love hearing about people's pasts and previous careers - do you ever miss acting? I have to say you definitely hit a calling with design though :)

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  18. totallly just got myself in trouble b/c of this little blog post of yours ;)

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  19. whoops, that was meant to go on your modcloth post :)

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  20. I think of these my favorite might be Michelle Williams. That dress is just so completely unexpected.
    -Meagan
    www.spunkychateau.com

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  21. god i love this post! i can't choose a winner, everyone looked good last night!

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  22. Thanks for your comments everyone! I'm glad I'm not the only one slightly obsessed with awards show gowns :). Serena, I do miss acting sometimes, although I'm glad I chose a different career path.

    xo,
    M

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