Beyonce is the September 2011 cover girl for Harper’s Bazaar UK in Armani Prive.  This image is high-fashion from the dress, hair and makeup, right down to the intensity of her gaze.  You can almost feel the tension from the pull of her ponytail on this subscriber’s issue.  The  says describes her as, ‘Strictly Sexy,’ but I see more strength and control from this photo.   It will be on newsstands on Saturday, August 6th.

Cate Blanchett wore a crimson Armani Prive suit to the couture show yesterday.  It was a two piece with three quarter sleeves ending in satin cuffs.  Her head-to-toe red look was executed perfectly, right down to the clutch and shoes.  Even more impressive were the majestic stairs in a similar hue.  The structural nature of her outfit was significantly enhanced by the background, and its play with proportions was perfection. 

Penelope Cruz was a statuesque beauty in a red Armani Prive gown at the Munich premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.  It had clean lines with a deep V-neckline and a lustrous sheen.  I love that it’s so sleek and modern, this is a departure from the more extravagant dresses she has worn in different cities.  It’s so futuristic right down to the unique fabric and structured shoulders.   She accessorized with a matching clutch that only highlighted the brilliant color.  Her hair was styled in a polished bun and the makeup was dramatic with a strong brow and a more neutral lip. 

Kate Moss covers Emmanuelle Alt’s second issue of Vogue Paris for May 2011.  It is an eye-catching image of the model being tugged at from various directions.  She donned a gorgeous Armani Prive jacket with beautiful jewel-toned embellishment and white trim.    Kate is so cool in her stance as she makes eye-contact with the camera.  The magazine’s cherry red background matches her glossy pout, and her makeup is as dramatic as the action taking place on the cover.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab Haute Couture

Jennifer Hudson in Versace

Hilary Swank in Gucci Premiere

Reese Witherspoon in Armani Prive

The 2011 Academy Awards brought out the bold and beautiful last night in Los Angeles.  Metallics and vibrant colors were the story on the red carpet.  The color red was on trend for the evening, with black and gold on its heels.  It was a big night for haute couture, three of our five pick were of that persuasion, Armani Prive, Elie Saab Haute Couture and Gucci Premiere.  They were worn by actresses Reese Witherspoon, Mila Kunis and Hilary Swank respectively.  Our best dressed were stunning from head to toe, from the feathers down to the sleekness.  They all dazzled as brightly as Oscar.

Armani Prive visited the future for its Spring 2011 couture collection.  Circular shapes were all over the runway in materials with fluid like movement and consistency.  Evening wear dominated in blue, blue-green and raspberry red with little pops of purple and grey sprinkled throughout.  Shoulders were plentiful in strapless and off-the-shoulder styles.  It was nice to see futuristic done with glamour and elegance.  The designer also successfully experimented with various shapes that perfectly captured the theme.

Anne Hathaway in Giogio Armani Prive

Mila Kunis in Vera Wang

 Piper Perabo in Oscar de la Renta

Elisabeth Moss in Donna Karan

Eva Longoria in Zac Posen

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein

The stars brought their A-game to the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards show last night.  So many fabulous gowns walked the red carpet that it was a challenge to pick just five, so we chose six.  Anne Hathaway was glamorous all the way in a sequined Giorgio Armani Prive gown.  The floor length bronze number had a hint of the 1980′s without sacrificing modernity.  A cognac colored evening bag and cocktail ring fully complemented her dress, but it was the hair and makeup that gave her a flawless finish.

Emerald green was the reigning color of the evening and both Mila Kunis in Vera Wang and Elisabeth  Moss Donna Karan rocked this trend to perfection.  Mila wore a one-shoulder goddess-like gown with a fitted bodice and sweeping train.  Her hair was just right for the dress, in a sophisticated bun.  Elisabeth went with a strapless dress with beautiful ruching details in the upper bodice.  It lightly skimmed her curves and gracefully fell to the floor.  The chandelier earrings were a great touch, especially since she went without a necklace.  Her blowout was fun and sexy, and had nice movement. 

The color black did not dominate the carpet this year, but there were two noteworthy contenders.  Piper  Perabo wore a black Oscar de la Renta and Eva  Longoria went with a black Zac Posen; both ladies were stunning.  Piper’s dress was chic and sophisticated.  It managed to be sleek even with a bow on the shoulder strap and a bustle in the back.   Her hair was styled in a ponytail that echoed the elegance of the gown.  Eva was a lady on a mission last night, and it was accomplished.  She wore a super sex gown with a low-cut diamond shaped neckline, capped sleeves and an entrance making train.  Her hair was styled in a side swept up-do and her makeup was radiant and neutral. 

The simplicity of Emma Stone’s gown was unmistakably Calvin Klein.  This was modern at its finest; capped sleeves and a crew neckline.  It had a gorgeous sorbet peach color that instantly brightened the red carpet.   Her blond hair and tanned skin were in harmony with her dress color.  A multi-colored clutch finished-off her look.  On review of this list, we found that celebrities and their stylists overwhelmingly selected American designers for the Globes.  Will this trend continue for the other awards shows?  We will tune-in.

1. Nina Dobrev in Zuhair Murad

2. Lea Michele In Oscar de la Renta (Tied for 2nd)

3. Claire Danes in Armani Prive (Tied for 2nd)

4. Kim Kardasian in Marchesa

5. Elisabeth Moss in Donna Karan

The 2010 Emmys celebrated television at its finest last night in Los Angeles.  Stars from the small screen were acknowledged for their on-screen performances.  Here at Fashion Rollcall, we’ve analyzed and recognized them for their red carpet presentation.  Then we selected the top five best dressed ladies from this event.  At first blush, the line-up of these ladies appeared perfectly clear; that was until we started scrutinizng each look, from the draping, ruching, beading down to the dramatic trains.  Hair and make-up may have been the deciding factor in a few cases, yes, we did split hairs. 

Nina Dobrev was the best dressed, the nude color fabric had an iridescent shine that was a hit on impact.  She wore a Zuhair Murad one-shoulder dress with an up-to-there slit.  The bodice boasted peak-a-boo inserts.  This champagne colored gown looked exquisite against her perfectly tanned skin, and her hair and make-up were also flawless.

Tied for second were Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta and Clair Danes in Armani Prive.  They both looked stunning, and brought glamour to the Emmys.  If this were Old Hollywood Lea would have been Rita Hayworth and Claire, the ultimate blond-bombshell, Marilyn Monroe.  The de la Renta gown was sophisticated without being too mature for the young actress.  It had a fabulous fit, especially around the bust and the tiny waist.  Then we have the Armani Prive which pretty much announced it was haute couture on arrival.  This strapless stunner sparkled with beading so luminous that only actress’ glowing skin and golden blond locks could rival it.

Kim Kardasian gave us all something to talk about in her grecian inspired Marchesa gown last night.  The dress had a gorgeous bejeweled neckline that was paired with a bracelet with a similar pattern.  It’s all in the details ladies.  This white number was a beautiful fit on the reality star; it was fitted up top, and skimmed her curves below. 

It is quite a coup to dress any of the lovely ladies of Mad Men, and Donna Karan won over Elisabeth Moss with a beautifully draped chiffon gown for the Emmys.  This was one of Moss’ most glamorous turn on the red carpet.  The one-shoulder dress had intricate work done on the shoulder, and had a dramatic train on the opposite side for balance and symmetry.  It had a beautiful fitted bodice, but the most telling thing about this look was the look of confidence on the actress’ face, she obviously feels as good as she looks.

 Lady Gaga in Armani Prive

 Rhianna in Elie Saab Couture

Ciara in Givenchy Couture

Red Carpet Looks:

Couture came to the Grammy’s this year, and its arrival signaled a look towards the future.  We were granted a preview of the future of fashion in the new decade, and all is well.

Lady Gaga set the bar for the evening.  Her Armani Prive gown was designed and built to stimulate our visual senses.  Gaga was orbited by perfectly manicured glittery strips that could double as a shield to keep away intruders.  So that’s what it looks like to have the world revolve around you.  Let’s not forget the tights and shoes which brought the singer’s look to greater heights. 

Rhianna could have been the heroine in any sci fi film with this Elie Saab Couture gown.  Her hair and make up were flawless, and perfectly completed the look.  The structured shoulders gave this gown its futuristic vibe, and all traces of the last decade evaporated.

Ciara made a bold choice with this selection.  If Rhianna was the heroine, Ciara was the gorgeous villainess in Givenchy Couture.  It is sheer lace and textured with just enough embellishments.  The look says welcome to the future, and the future is badass.