The 64th annual Cannes film festival is in full swing and besides the coveted Palm D’Or, the public is fixated on who will wear what on the red carpet. It’s somewhat bizarre really – the way we common folk become mesmerized by the parade of the priviledged during one of their lavish occasions. There’s the obvious draw of the beautiful fashion, beautiful people, and beautiful locale, but there seems to be something even more at work. The recent royal wedding was an extreme example of this. Even those, myself included, that professed to be uninterested and rolled their eyes at the frenzy couldn’t help sneak a peek at what all the fuss what about. And after all, the coverage was nearly unavoidable. It’s a fascinating system which we all perpetuate, and one rife with symbols and secrets hidden in plain sight.

As usual, it’s the ladies that are the focus of the Cannes red carpets. Actresses pull off an all out glam-a-thon, as they attend the various ceremonies, premieres, and parties. A color pattern caught my eye this year, which reflects the flag of host country France. Blue gowns, white gowns, and red gowns are popping out among the rest, continuing trends from awards season 2011.

Above: Gaia Bermani Amaral in sequined blue Roberto Cavalli; Jane Fonda in white Emilio Pucci; Mia Wasikowska in red Roland Mouret

photos:, zimbio.com,french-flag.org

Few things have the power to pull me out of style slumber like the Costume Institute’s annual gala. Especially so, when there’s McQueen in the air. This year the ball-goers event toasted the opening of “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” – and exhibition of the late designers work, which opens at NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4. I’m hoping to be as riveted by the exhibit as I was by the fashion history show at the V&A c. 2004 – the same year I began to realize that fashion might be more than just a passing fancy for me. I’ll be stopping through New York on my way to Paris this month & though I may take care of a touch of business while I’m there, a visit to the Met was a big motivator for my intentional 2-day layover.

The red carpet for the annual gala is truly the best of all the red carpets around the year. After all, at events like the Academy Awards, for example, stars are doing their best to be beautiful and often play it safe. At the Costume Institute, however, the avante garde is embraced (even if still rare) and drama is applied with a heavy hand. I love seeing designers arrive with stars and starlets draped in their creations. Just look at them beaming like proud mommies presenting their bouncing babies. More highlights from the arrivals in the gallery following.

Below, Clockwise from top left: Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel with Blake Lively; Jennifer Hudson with Vera Wang; Diane Kruger with Jason Wu; Franciso Costa for Calvin Klein with Zoe Saldana; Tory Burch with Kanye West; & Zac Posen with Christina Ricci.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

123►

photos: zimbio.com

Mandy Moore was a shining example of elegant glamour, wearing and beautiful Monique L’Huillier gown from the Spirng 2011 RTW collection. Mila Kunis was the evening’s best dressed femme fatale in her Elie Saab, Spring 2011 Couture gown. Young actress Hailee Steinfeld was perfectly princessed and age-appropriate (save a pair of extremely high heels). Honorable mentions include (above, L to R) Annette Benning, Michelle Williams, Celine Dion, and Rhea Durham.

Photos: Zimbio.com

Singer Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine was an easy win for last night’s 53rd Annual Grammy Awards red carpet best dressed. She was effortlessly chic in a gown from Givenchy Spring 2011 couture. And it wasn’t just the dress, but they way she wore it – with relaxed hair, minimal accessories, and most of all an attitude of possession. More favorites from the Givenchy collection below (click for larger views).

Florence wasn’t the only one to wear Givenchy couture for the event. Nicki Minaj also donned the legendary French label, though apparently she chose a look from a few years ago – from the Fall 2007, according to Redcarpet-fashionawards.com. Ricardo Tischi was definitely leading the pack for the coming leopard print explosion with this one.

Rihanna and Nicole Kidman both chose Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 couture. Both ladies chose designs with sheer fabric and rows of ruffles. The also opted to tone down the JPG drama and let the dress be the focal point. See more fashion from the 2011 Grammy Awards at BeatStylist.com.

photos: zimbio.com, style.com

Kelly Osbourne

Michelle Williams

Emma Stone

Sandra Bullock

Catt Saddler

Katie Lee, Selena Gomez, Nancy O’dell, January Jones, Kyra Sedgwick

Black:

Jayma Mays, Piper Perabo, Giuliana Rancic, Julianne Hough, Jane Lynch

Eva Longoria, Kelly Osbourne, Halle Berry

Green:

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Elizabeth Moss, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis

Orangey Pink:

Rhea Durham, Emma Stone, Lea Michelle, Natalie Portman, Claire Danes

photos: zimbio.com

There was good deal of black on the red carpet this year – almost enough to call it a trend, if it weren’t such a safe color choice. Standouts in the black dress brigade include Kelly Osbourne in a gorgeous gown by Tony Ward. Cult favorites, however, bucked the quasi-trend and opted for cool, dusty pastels. AMC’s “Mad Men” won the highly-coveted Best Drama award and two of it’s actresses were among the best dressed – stellar odds for such a small batch of Cult picks.

Christina Hendricks (pictured left) was unapologetically curvy in lavender gown by Zac Posen. The actress, who has in recent years been labeled a “big girls,” put her big girls on display and showed off a tiny waist. Such is often the dilemma for women with mega mammaries: either hide your chest and make your whole upper body look large, or show that you do have a waist and force your breast to be front and center of attention. It’s a catch 22, as in either case someone will snear at your appearance. Kudos, Christina! You are sexy and elegant.

Rounding out the top three is Emily Blunt in Christian Dior and Elizabeth Moss in Donna Karen. Photos via stylebistro.com, style.com & fabsugar.com

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art held it’s annual Costume Institute Gala this evening and, as usual, the event’s red carpet was a major draw. For a moment I thought there was some sort of dress code that I wasn’t aware of, because I kept spotting guest after guest in white dresses. Above, L to R: Kirsten Dunst, Taylor Swift, Emma Watson, Diane Kruger, Katy Perry. And those that weren’t white were gold or navy – as if there were an unspoken nautical theme! A shock of pink here and a bit of turquoise there put my suspicions to rest and made it clear that there was simply a very strong trend for white on the red carpet. Below: Designers Tommy Hilfiger & Karl Lagerfeld with guests

From a distance (my desk, that is) the trend seemed even more striking because there were also plenty of pale gold and cream dresses on the red carpet. Below, L to R: Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel, Tory Burch, Kate Hudson, Gwen Stefani, Whoopi Goldberg

While I do love a white dress on the red carpet, none of the pigment-challenged frocks made my best-dressed list this year. My preference: Anna Wintour is a silver (almost white!) Chanel couture gown, Rachel Weisz in a stunning pink origami dress, Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein, and Anne Hathaway in Valentino.

What’s the Costume Institute, you ask? From the Met’s Website:

The Costume Institute houses a collection of more than thirty-five thousand costumes and accessories spanning five continents and as many centuries. Among the preeminent institutions of its kind in the world, The Costume Institute began as the Museum of Costume Art, an independent entity formed in 1937 and led by Neighborhood Playhouse founder Irene Lewisohn. In 1946, with the financial support of the fashion industry, the Museum of Costume Art merged with The Metropolitan Museum of Art as The Costume Institute, and in 1959 became a full-fledged curatorial department.

More red carpet photos in the gallery below, including Cult favorites Chloe Sevigny, Carrie Mulligan, and Kerry Washington.

Heidi Klum picked the perfect time to wear her original Emilio Sosa dress last night at the premiere of “The Backup Plan.” The Project Runway 7 Finale is tonight! I think the judges did well to pick Mila to go forward to the finals. All three finalistw this year have beautiful construction and great design. Watch what past contestanst have to say about who should win, then enjoy a sneak peak at the collections at Bryant Park.

Mila Hermanovski

***

Emilio Sosa

***

Seth Aaron Henderson

photos: wwd.com, mylifetime.com

Elton John AIDS Foundation
There’s a new “it” party in town on Oscar night. Arrivals for this party were packs with stars and style, including high points from Victoria Beckham (wearing a dress from the Fall 2010 of her namesake line), and Alan Cumming – showing that, yes, men CAN participate in fashion.
[Gallery not found]

Vanity Fair
The Vanity Fair party is almost as big as the Oscars ceremony itself – at least the red carpet is. Many attendees even do a wardrobe change for the party, which seems to have more fashion relevance these days than the sponsoring magazine.
[Gallery not found]

Click here to see red carpet fashion from the Academy Awards ceremony.