Pajamas Are the New. . . Black?

Or at least they've been getting some more face time in the fashion world lately.

The pajama trend started with artist/director/interior designer/pajama-wearing extraordinaire Julian Schnabel. He enjoys wearing silk pjs out in public so much that it's become his "look." His current wife, Olatz Lopez Garmendia, makes them and (lucky for us!) we can purchase and wear them to red carpet events just like Schnabel.


Dolce and Gabbana solidified this trend with their 2009 Spring RTW line:


Althought Schnabel and Dolce & Gabbana's pajama outfits are an improvement over Hugh Heffner's iconic pjs and smoking jacket look, it's comforting to know that the trend of wearing a complete pajama set in public won't spread beyond the wardrobes of over egotistical men with too much money. (If you think Heffner's playboy mansion is over-the-top, check out Schnabel's Manhattan palazzo).

Images courtsey of Style.com

CL

Tag: Fourth of Fourth

Our second tag of the year! This one's from the lovely Esther of O Lady E (and Lisa of Sola Lisa Nada Mas).

1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

I don't have a very organized photo storage system on my computer, but this is the image I came up with when I was trying to follow the fourth of fourth directions. It's pretty self explanatory.



I think Lauren was actually the one who saved it on my computer, but we're both fans of Janis.

Anyone else thoroughly enjoy Jane Krakowski's impression of Janis Joplin in last week's 30 Rock?

I'm going to be lazy and open this tag up to anyone who wants to do it - just let me know if you do!

CL

Lovely Lucy

I ended my subscription to Bazaar two years ago because I found it a little too conservative for my taste. It seems like every issue has the same photo shoot with conservative, beige, designer suits. I picked up the latest issue at the airport this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised to find this great Olympic-themed spread with Lucy Liu. It's all a bit fantastical and silly, but that's what makes it so great.







CL

Costume Party

The annual Costume Institute gala brings out every movie star, fashion designer and model at the top of his/her game that year. The 2008 gala this past weekend was no different. Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour, Amber Valletta, and company took a turn on the red carpet before checking out the Costume Institute at the Met's Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.

Style.com considers the Costume Institute gala the Oscars of the East. This is somewhat true, but whereas most Oscar attendees play it safe with classic gowns, those that attend the gala take more chances when it comes to their look for the evening.

Below are my biased opinions on the evenings best and worst dressed.

Badly Done:

Victoria Beckham's Giorgio Armani gown looks dated on her Barbi-figure body type. Elettra Rossellini's Chris Benz dress just doesn't work - the color blocks look awkward on a flowing gown. I like how the designer dressed himself in something a little off-kilter, but those shoulder pads!


I know it's sacrilegious in the fashion world to say anything bad about Mr. Lagerfeld, but I just don't get his genius. Why are his pants all bunched awkwardly? John Mayer should have chosen a less shiny tie and the converse-with-suit look is overdone. No good.


Of course I had to include Anna Wintour's Chanel Haute Couture gown. Apparently she's going for the superhero theme with a futuristic look, but those embellishments just look like giant silver slugs to me. Usually Katie Holmes looks great in Armani, but her red dress paired with a long gold chain and blue shoes just ruins it.

Well done:

Naomi Watts did a great job playing up the theme of the evening without being too literal. Andre Benjamin wore his signature look - he can do no wrong fashion-wise in my book. I love Piper Perabo's graphic black and white dress with her 1940s-ish hairdo.

The high waist and drape of these dresses makes the wearer look elegant but not stuffy. L to R: Liv Tyler in Calvin Klein Collection, Christy Turlington Burns in Escada, Kristin Davis in Michael Kors, and Kate Moss in Stella McCartney.

Sophia Coppola in Marc Jacobs with Marc Jacobs. I'm not crazy about Rachel Bilson's Calvin Klein Collection dress, but I love the overall look with her fringe and wavy hair.


I like the combination of Kate Bosworth's vintage Chanel Haute Couture dress and Pierre Hardy shoes. Michelle Trachtenberg's stylist did a great job with her vintage skirt and tassle belt combo.

Huh?

Annelise took the superhero/fantasy theme too seriously with a bow and arrow, but I love her Alberta Ferretti dress. I admire the Olsen twins for trying out different looks, but they both missed the mark at this year's gala. Ashley's black DVF dress and straight hair comes off as trite and Mary-Kate's messy hair and minimal make-up don't work with her gold DVF dress. I always like Charlotte Gainsbourg in Balenciaga, but I don't understand her shoe choice - they don't work well with the dress.

Check out all the looks at style.com.

CL

Zooey Deschanel for Erin Fetherston

Move over Kirsten Dunst! Zooey Deschanel is the star in Fetherston's latest video. Check it out on the Style File blog. It's much shorter (only one song) and less self-conscious, which makes for a fun video. Deschanel just kind of semi-dances throughout, but the music, fashion and styling are well worth a look.

CL

AsianCajun Oscar Favorites

I admit that neither of us watched the Oscars - or even the pre-event red carpet coverage, but that doesn't mean we can't share our opinions on last night's fashions. Actually, we were going to create a list of favorites and a list of least favorites for this post, but there weren't any dresses that we disliked. So below are just four of the gowns we really loved.

Anne Hathaway in Marchesa:
This dress was our absolute favorite. The color is Valentino red, but with classic Marchesa touches like the ruffles up the shoulders and lots of drape-y fabric. Hathaway's stylist did a great job of keeping the hair and accessories simple.


Keri Russell in Nina Ricci:
Even in her Felicity days, Keri Russell gravitated towards simple, gray/silver dresses. This Nina Ricci is like a more grown-up version of the Armani she wore to the 1999 Emmy's, with a defined waist and corseted top.

Cameron Diaz in Christian Dior:
We love anything that's Dior, so Cameron Diaz's gown had to be included in this post. The fit looks great on her athletic body and the geometric folds of the fabric prevent it from looking too bride-like. Our only suggestion would be to include some jewelry on the wrists or neck and a cleaner 'do.

Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera:
It seems like Renee Zellweger will never stray from Herrera, but does anyone else think that this looks almost Versace-esque? We like the lines cascading down from the hip and the dress's overall pizazz.

Photos from Style.com

CL

Ephemera

Marion Cotillard, Best Actress, in Chanel Haute Couture.

The other half of AsianCajun returns! I have to say that I doubt this half was missed as the more consistent half is an excellent blogger. Thank you, Cath (sorry you had to pick up the slack)! Cath is a diligent and steadfast blogger. Even when sick she photoshops and artfully arranges recent purchases for appealing shots for you, dear Asiancajun reader.
In case you were wondering, I've been in excellent health and blame my lack of blogging on mild depression over my constant obsession in politics and burning out during my 8 hours a day on my Mac at work. Lame, I know.
Well, I'm here to put things to right (and give Cath a rest seeing as she is sick again, poor thing- all that extra blogging time she was putting in...). I figured I would jump back in with something soothing and easy on the eyes... Bafta red carpet photos! (We can delve into ongoing fashion weeks next entry, non?)

I think Marion Cotillard (see above photo) is incredible in "La Vie en Rose" as Edith Piaf. I'm slightly baffled by the cape-like white thing (tacked on with what looks like epaulets???), but I think it is a perfect confection of "Ephemera."

Wei Tang, in Jason Wu and Bulgari jewelry.

I have yet to see "Lust Caution," but I think Wei looks classically beautiful in this gown... not too trendy or trying-too-hard-to-be-sexy/sultry (like those other equally gorgeous ladies who, unfortunately, insist on constantly model-pouting in revealing dresses... kind of prosaic, I think).

Great Minds think...the same thing about Dior...

Eva Green, in Dior.

Sienna Miller, in Dior.

Handsome eye-candy below. I happen to just think these fine fellas are extremely talented and loved them in "There Will Be Blood" and "Last King of Scotland" respectively. Also, they both possess gorgeous blue eyes and Irish and Scottish brogues. Unfortunately both also possess lovely, poised wives. Le sigh...

Daniel Day-Lewis, Best Actor, with wife Rebecca Miller.

James McAvoy


photos courtesy of style.com

LL