Hips Don't Lie

A model on the runway at Charlotte Ronson's spring 2013 show in The Stage at Lincoln Center. Photo source:Fairchild Photo Services

Type-casting is a dangerous thing.  Take Ben Affleck;  when he first came on the scene, he was Hollywood's golden boy.  The kid had talent (decent acting abilities and an Academy Award for co-writing Good Will Hunting), loads of charm, and the tall/dark/handsome looks to match.  Pretty soon, Hollywood had him spray-tanned, teeth-whitened and bootcamp buffed straight into Leading Man status. Armaggedon, Pearl Harbor and even a Gwyneth Paltrow score followed and Ben was raking in the box-office dough. Then, Gigli happened. Suddenly, Ben had gone from promising young thespian to sell-out. He started dating J.Lo (or was it Jenny from the Block?) and a string of forgettable Jersey-Girl-esque films followed. It took the poor guy nearly 10 years to do damage control, during which time he married the lovely Jennifer Garner and had 3 perfect little kids. Wah. Wah. Wahhh. Seemed like this acting thing wasn't going to work out. Then, out of nowhere, dude co-produced, directed and acted his way back to Oscar gold with Argo. Boo-yah! In true full circle fashion, Ben Affleck is Hollywood's golden boy once again. We so did not see that one coming.

The peplum, as it turns out, is kind of like the Ben Affleck of fashion (it's a stretch, I know)...

For the rest of this story, and cute outfit inspo (ie.how to wear peplums for work, weekend, and a night out) read here  

PLAY: I.N.C International Concepts Striped Peplum, $79, The Bay; Lauren Leather Jacket, $388, Roots; B&W Bracelets, $15, ALDO Accessories; Super Skinny Zip Pants, $60, Gap; Leather Booties, $120, ALDO; NARS Lipstick in 'Schiap', $30, Sephora; Faux Leather Clutch, $20, Smart Set; Cat-Eye Shades, $12, ALDO

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Red Carpet Rockers

Jennifer Lawrence (holding her Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook) wears a custom gunmetal beaded gown designed by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection - image source: WireImage 

Supermodel Carolyn Murphy in a custom Calvin Klein Collection orange silk crepe strapless dress. Image source: Wire Image

A long night, a few too many glasses of pinot and now I'm feeling the Oscar after-effects.  I liken the Academy Awards to the Superbowl, except somehow, nobody thought to make me snacks.  Anyone else experience this overt injustice? In a few short words, I was generally impressed by this year's red carpet turnout. Most starlets were smart enough to take the advice of their stylists so I found way more 'hits' than 'misses' this year. Boring. Can somebody bring back Bjork, please?

Since the web is so inundated with red carpet pics today, I'll save the redundancy and leave you to your own Google-y devices. Instead, thought I'd post a few pics of stars rocking Calvin Klein Collection at last night's Vanity Fair after-party. I know I just mentioned her last week but, how gorgeous is Carolyn Murphy? 

Best:

Charlize Theron - I loved her close-cropped hair, her dewy makeup, her stark white Dior peplum confection and her general statuesque amazingness

Jessica Chastain - Unlike her ill-fitting turquoise number from the SAGs, her metallic Armani Prive gown and Jessica Lake waves screamed Old Hollywood glam. Such a fan.

Kerry Washington - I don't know if I've ever actually seen her in a movie but Kerry Washington always kills it on the carpet.  Props to Rachel Zoe for always making her look OTT amazing

Naomi Watts - Her sequined gunmetal  Giorgio Armani dress was out of this world.  Some people questioned the cut-outs but to me, they were edgy, cool and just perfect on her body. 

Jennifer Lawrence - Elegant, age-appropriate and the perfect shade of pale pink, though I'm still torn about whether I liked/hated the skirt.  I know that I absolutely loved her after-party dress (see above) If I'm honest, I would probably put her on my best-dressed list no matter what she chose, just because I love her so

Jane Fonda - She owned that canary yellow Versace dress and showed up women half (even a third) her age. She is 75.  75!! #inspired

Worst:

Anne Hathaway - She picked her Prada 3 hours before the show, dismissing the custom-made Valentino couture gown the fashion house took such great pains to create for her, and thus became the unfortunate recipient of bad fashion karma. All I can say is 'Les Nipperables'. Awkward.

Helen Hunt - $700,000 worth of jewels were cheapened by her wrinkled H&M dress. I'm all about the high-low mix and actually didn't mind the dress, but if you're going to go low, you need to invest in a steamer. 

Kristen Stewart - Did the girl just roll out of bed? Did she forget to shower? Even with crutches, I feel no sympathy. Geez, that sounded harsh. What is it about the red carpet that brings out my inner Regina George?

Whose looks did you love/loathe? I want to hear. Did I miss anyone? x

ps - Yay for Argo! Ben Affleck has really come full circle, non? I am so happy for him!