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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Rihanna appeared on Oprah this week wearing a Viktor & Rolf dress from the Spring 2010 collection. She performed a heartfelt cover of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song”. Buy this song and support Haitian relief efforts via

Rihanna is among a handful of fashion-forward celebs that have given the cutting edge line a try. See below, then vote:

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Katy Perry hosting MTV Europe Music Awards

Anna Paquin at The Art of Elysium Gala

Lady Gaga in Elle Magazine Spread

Julianne Moore at “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee” Screening

Apphia Michael at Wallpaper* design awards

Via: Red Carpet Fashion Awards, Photos: Style.com

Pop superstar Rihanna ups her already soaring fashion cred with a cover for W February 2010. The singer is wearing a white dress from the Gucci S/S 2010 collection. This season designer Frida Giannini, who now owns the brand, has offered a line up of crisp silouettes with prints and embellishments that make me call them future classics. Though there is some color, the palette is far more subdued that last springs deep color suits and flowing dresses.

The collection is featured on another February cover – for Vogue China with models Shu Pei and Mirte Maas.

See Rihanna’s editorial from the W February 2010 issue in the gallery below.
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Photos: tarsha @tFS, style.com

See street style and red carpet in the Rihanna Style Gallery

Paula Abdul: In the shocker of the year, Paula makes a Cult best-dressed list. I admit, she’s getting extra points just for the leaps and bounds she’s made of her previous red carpet disasters, but she truly deserves this one. I love the drama of this dress, which is kept in check by the color. Any other hue and it would have been too much. I could have done without the little boxy clutch she wore, but I love the heavy-handed sparkle on her right hand.

Christine Woods: Although the actress’ look is very trendy (sheer fabric, tulip skirt, velvet clutch, red lips), she still manages an understated elegance.

Mary J. Blige: The singer was right on target from top to bottom: The dress was perfection and expertly accessorized. I even like her blond ‘do! Now if only she could ditch those awful tats…

Adam Lambert: Men rarely make my best-dressed lists because, frankly, they are boring. So when you have a guy that shows an obvious interest in style he almost wins by default… almost. I like Adam here because of his crisp tailoring and attention to detail. He looks like he cares about fashion without being garish or costumed. It’s a fine line for the men. Bobby Trendy, you are WAY over the line.

Mr. & Mrs. Broadus: AKA Snoop Dogg and his amazingly enduring wife. I have never seen ol’ Calvin looking so sharp and I absolutely adore that his beautiful brown wife of many years is right there with him. Black on black love is oh so rare in entertainment (private sigh…). Although Shante’s curves make her a non-traditional beauty by Hollywood standards, she is very stylish here and deserves more attention than she will likely get.

Rihanna: Perhaps the only predictable pick of the bunch. I don’t actually like her dress much, but I appreciate that she generally gives us more than just a pretty girl in a pretty dress. This popstar pushes fashion to the edge.

Honorable mentions (above) include Whitney Houston who looked beautiful on stage in a long white gown and in black with her daughter in the audience; Pete Wentz in another all-black look; Alicia Keys who look great even though her dress was fugly (style comes from within folks!); Demi Lovato; Jennifer Lopez; and Lady Gaga.

Larger pics when you click!