Last night in Los Angeles stars from the music industry filed into the Staples Center for the yearly popularity fete. Having given up on the awards portion of these shows long ago, the red carpet is usually my main event. Of course this year I was among the many anticipating Jennifer Hudson’s Whitney Houston tribute. It was the aural (and emotional) highlight of the evening, while visual treats came in the form of several beautiful black gowns on the red carpet.

Rihanna (in custom Giorgio Armani) and Alicia Keys (in Alexandre Vauthier Couture) wore two of my favorite looks of the evening – both wearing sleek & sexy black dresses with slick gold accessories. Notably, they also both wore the same shoes: Unbout Illusion from Christian Louboutin’s Spring 2012 collection. Though the black version seen on the music stars isn’t readily available, a neon yellow pair is currently retailing for $795 at Neiman Marcus online.

Now if you appreciate fashion for the momentary eyegasm that it is, you might not bat an eye at that last statment. For years, that was my stance. But the more I grow in by sartorial beliefs, the more repulsed I am at the thought of spending those kind of resources on a pair of plastic shoes. Yes, PLASTIC. Those sexy and expensive pumps are made, largely, of PVC – a.k.a. Polyvinyl chloride, a.k.a. prime phthalate vehicle. I’m all for investing in good clothing and accessories, but I expect that the pricetag reflect the craftmanship and materials. In this case, it looks like it’s mostly the name your buying. No thanks.

For more Grammys 2012 Fashion, please visit BeatStylist.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

Jennifer Hudson was simple chic and looking amazing in a Victoria Beckham Spring 2010 LBD.

There was plenty of old Hollywood-type glamour on the red carpet, but Jennifer Nettles stood out in a vibrant pink modern gown.

Rihanna once again proves that drama in fashion doesn’t have to preclude elegance. She shines in an Elie Saab Couture gown.

Keri Hilson seems to have regained her stride after a few red carpet missteps. She looks stunning in her mermaid gown and her hair and makeup are perfection.

Katy Perry showed evidence of her recently trip to India by sporting a bindi with her sparkly gown. With that Judith Leiber clutch and the plunging back, you’d think the ensemble would be OTP but it work out for a nice glamourous balance.

More photos from the 2010 Grammy Awards ceremony and the preceding Clive Davis Salute to the Icons event in the gallery below.
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Let me first say that I really do adore Estelle’s music. That’s why it’s so painful to see her falter in fashion so often. So I was delighted to spot this recent photo of her at The Circle in NYC looking nicely put together.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love LOVE that she risks. In fact her failures are at least more interesting than the many popstars that do nothing but try to be pretty or oversexed. Still, she just hasn’t quite yet found the style rhythm that works for her. Let’s hope this chic ensemble is a harbinger for better things to come.

A couple Estelle fashion mishaps:

at The Grammys

at The Brit Awards

In fact, maybe it’s simply that Estelle tries to hard at big events. When you see her in more casual situations, she quite stylish. Maybe she just needs to take a more laid back approach to the red carpet.

Here she is rehearsing for the same show for which she show up wearing that awful puff sleeve contraption. Cute.

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It was disappointing that an event with the word “style” in the moniker would be so devoid of intriguing outfits, but it did solidify Katy and a potential icon. Indeed, her choices for the recent slew of Grammy events, including the uber-chic pink Basil Soda gown, shows an evolution that I’ll be keeping an eye on.

Continue for a few of Katy Perry’s best looks…

Showing the daring back of the dress… and was possibly thumbing her nose as ex-boyfriend and Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy

At a Westwood One Radio Grammy Event

At the Clive Davis Salute to Industry Icons Event

The shoes are haute!

At the NRJ Music Awards. Makeup a bit too harsh, but the white suit was nice.

Take a look at some Cult picks from the red carpet. Now, not all of these people had stellar success with their looks. But if they weren’t chic, they at least tried something interesting. We’ll let Cult darling Janelle Monae lead the way…

Audrina Patridge is looking a bit too thin here, but her belted dress and easy chignon are so good that we’ll give her a pass for those platforms she’s wearing (luckily, you can’t see too much of them).

Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson was incredibly sophisticated and fashion forward. She looked great in a sparkling black number when she sang as well.

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Continue for more good/interesting looks from the red carpet crew…

Bangladesh

Deadmau5

Latoya Luckett

Estelle

Katy Perry

Keyshia Cole

Maiysha

Raheem Devaughn

Phoebe Price

M.I.A – 9 months pregnant!

Will.I.Am

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