[Continued from Part 1]

As I said, there were a lot of beautiful women in beautiful dresses, but unfortunately you have to look at the two together, and sometimes it doesn’t work.

Veering away from the George Hamil-tans, let’s look at a trio of fair ladies who all usually look fantastic – Emma Stone, Kristen Wiig, and Gwendoline Christie.  I’m a huge fan of both Emma Stone’s and Kristen Wiig’s, and most of the time they nail their red-carpet looks; but this year – in dresses (gorgeous dresses, btw…) by Valentino Haute Couture and Reem Acra, respectively – they were washed-out.  And that’s no good for anybody.  Miss Christie, on the other hand – who’s at least as pale as Stone and Wiig, and much, much taller – looked both regal and futuristic in her blush-colored Vivienne Westwood, while the single drop earring (depending on the photo it appears to be either coral or Ethiopian opal) adds just the teensiest bit of punk to the ensemble.

So, here are some of the ladies (listed alphabetically) who I feel looked particularly fantastic, from coiffeured head to pedicured toenail – Gillian Anderson (in Jenny Packham), Caitrona Balfe (in Delpozo), Rachel Bloom (in Christian Siriano), Naomie Harris (in Armani Privé with Tiffany & Co.), Isabelle Hupert (radiant in Armani Privé) Regina King (in Romona Keveza), Judith Light (in Balman and Chopard), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (in Edition by Georges Chakra, with accessories by Roger Vivier and jewelry from Chopard’s High Jewelry collection), Teresa Palmer (in velvet Armani Privé and Sophia Webster platforms), Sarah Paulson (winning in Marc Jacobs), a very pregnant Natalie Portman (channeling White House-era Jackie Kennedy in Prada and archival Tiffany & Co. jewels from 1910), Octavia Spencer (in a custom navy blue tuxedo by Laura Basci, matching chunky-heeled velvet sandals from Jimmy Choo, and jewels by Lorraine Schwartz including a spectacular 40ct emerald cocktail ring), and Chrissy Teigen (in Marchesa and Lorraine Schwartz).

And, where did I veer away from the peanut gallery?

Amy Adams in Tom Ford didn’t do much for me.  Yes, it looked good (and was apropos, seeing as she was nominated for her role in his film), but was totally interchangeable with pretty much every other red carpet silhouette she’s delivered in the past half-decade.  It was safe, and frankly, a snooze.  That said, I'd probably sacrifice a pinky toe for that exquisite Art Deco Cartier bracelet featuring what appeared to be a cabochon-cut pigeon blood Burmese ruby.  And poor Sienna Miller was a hodge-podge (loved the Michael Kors dress, loved the Tiffany pearls, but together?  Not so much...).  And whatever stylist put Anna Kendrick in that exquisite (albeit somber) archival Vionnet gown should tell Ms. Kendrick that when you’re wearing a piece of fashion history you should stand-up straight and try not to look so miserable; though based on the unfortunate fit (in a world of “side boob,” Kendrick singlehandedly gave us "offside boob"), you can't really blame her.

Lily Collins in Zuhair Murad Couture with Harry Winston seemed to be universally adored (but not by me).  I loved the top two-thirds of Collins’ rosy lace confection; but that third tier was just too much.  To me, she looked less like a princess, so much as a little girl; playing dress-up in something she'd found in the attic. Yes, she’s young; but that’s no excuse.  Hailee Steinfeld, par example, looked fresh and dignified, in lilac Vera Wang; and Millie Bobby Brown in age-appropriate Jenny Packham and Sophia Webster, looked like a stylish pixie.  

Finally, we get to red carpet Hall of Famer, Nicole Kidman.  She had me with the Alexander McQueen gown, even with its train of frothy lace, and the spaghetti straps, and the creepy visible darts.  But those gloves?  Nope.  Uh, uh.  I’m the first guy to admit that sometimes more is more, but this isn’t neither one of those times, nor one of those dresses.  On the other hand, Kidman’s jewelry story was among the evening’s best, thanks to a few important pieces from the friendly folks at Fred Leighton; including a 19th Century double-strand diamond rivière necklace, featuring 48cts of Old Mine cut diamonds, as well as a diamond cluster ring, featuring 9cts of diamonds, dating to the 1760s.

So, there you have it.  Proof positive that there's so much more than just handing a pretty woman a pretty dress.  So much more.

Red Carpet Fashion
2017 Golden Globes
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