Where Are All The Baubles?

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is hunkering down with a bowl of popcorn (and maybe some See's candy) in front of the boob tube and watching an awards show. As a designer, I feel it's my bloody right to hoot and howl and provide my own commentary for the fabulous and the ridiculous fashions on the red carpet. It's always fun to see what the stars wear and to pick up on industry trends that usually are reflective of the economic climate. And this year, the rumor even before the show was that stylists were going to tame down their stars and go for an understated glamour for this year's Golden Globes. That could not be more of a downer for me! That's what we gals look forward to with these cheesy award shows - the over-the-top glamour! Where did all the baubles go? The stylists weren't joking, that's for sure. There was barely a necklace in sight. The gowns and the colors were definitely more subdued too. The accessory du jour was the chandelier earring. With a bare neck, the chandelier looked rather refreshing. But, I do miss my baubles. Hey, that's what these big stars get paid for, to look fabulous and provide escapism for us ordinary folks. As if the stars are making a legitimate statement by not wearing expensive jewels draped around their necks. Get real, those gems are usually on loan anyway, so it's not like they're paying for them. At least if they wear them, we the audience can drool and imagine the decadence.

A few hits and misses in my book this year at the Golden Globes...Renee Zellweger was a total train wreck. What was up with that dress? It was like a fashion school project that utilized every design element in the book and all on one single dress. Total overkill. Ms. Drew Barrymore was definitely making a retro statement with her pale makeup and overly hairsprayed hair. Although I thought she looked beautiful it was kind of a strange statement to make by channeling 1950's Marilyn Monroe. What's old is new again I guess. Her buddy Cameron Diaz was working the prom dress look in her pretty in pink frock. I actually liked the dress and its simplicity and I'm sure the fabric was more than your typical acetate tafetta prom material being that it WAS a Chanel. But, Cameron was definitely making her recession statement by forgoing her highlights this month. Talk about mousey, get some highlights at the frickin' Riteaid if you have to. Two stars that failed to get the recession memo and chose to don their baubles in pride, were Beyonce and Christina Applegate. How refreshing and different! And as far as I'm concerned, Ms. Applegate, after surviving breast cancer and a double mastectomy, can wear whatever she damn well pleases and she'll look fabulous. One of my favorites, was the lovely and demure Kate Beckinsale in her wedding cake white draped confection. Simply stunning. The definite trend for dress shapes was the single shouldered gown; strapless but not quite.

For the guys, other than the penguin suit there wasn't much to talk about. The most interesting was Mickey Rourke's sequined scarf. Just the right amount of bling. I liked the Mad Men inspired skinny suit and skinny tie worn by David Duchovny. And Tom Cruise, sans Katie (which was a fashion disappointment,) obviously is not feeling the recession. He looked completely coifed from head to toe and must have had every facial/hair treatment done earlier in the day. Either that or he's just naturally beautiful and refreshed.

All in all, it was not the best award show to garner inspiration, but at least it got my mind off reality for a bit. All I can hope for is that the baubles will be back in town for the Oscars, because I'll be serving up the champagne and enjoying more cattiness.