Better late than never! The 2013 Brit Awards rolled around last Wednesday night and there was plenty of hype and drama both on and off the red carpet. Check out my highights…
A joint best dress at the awards. First up in a wonderful, sparkling Dolce and Gabbana mini and, get this, New Look heels, was the ever eccentric Paloma Faith. Paloma’s style may not be to everyone’s taste but I think this is one of her best looks to date. Her coiffed hairdo and many jewels only enhance this already colourful dress. Hats off to Ms Faith for her unique personal style!
Predictably Taylor Swift is once again on my best dressed radar. Elie Saab and Taylor go hand in hand at this point, and this gorgeous black gown with sheer panelling was another hit. I also loved the little gold accent from the belt pulling the whole look together.
Woman of the evening Emeli Sande had two outfit changes one the night. First up her simple black ruffle dress with pretty bow pumps on the red carpet, it’s nice but very same-y to stuff she’s worn before. I much prefered her onstage look. Her floral mini and pink jacket combo gave off a lovely retro feel, and paired with her trademark up-do. Much better Emeli!
A tale of two Jessies. Jessie J certainly went for a less gimmick-y look than she had in previous years in a black Versace gown with a plunging neckline. This is a much more mature look for Jessie, who’s styling was simple and her make up pretty much flawless. I am missing some colour from her though, but she looks great here so I’m not gonna complain too much. Relative newcomer Jessie Ware also went for black in a custom made Miu Miu outfit. Ware shunned the standard LBD format and dared to bare a little midriff. What could’ve been quite a trashy look ended up looking rather elegant. I also love the embellished sleeves.
Two girl-groups were out at the ceremony. Stoosche‘s Karis, Courtney and Alex walked the red carpet together in mismatch of looks. Karis wore a flowing grey Craig Lawrence gown, Courtney went for a very masculine Keko Hainwheeler suit with huge white flatforms, and Alex went for a Roland Mouret gown in the blue hue of the awards season. Karis and Alex’s looks are great but Courtney lets the group down a little. I get that she was trying to be different, but it’s such a stark contrast to the other two.
Speaking of contrasts, Little Mix were another band to attend the show. If you thought Stoosche’s looks were a mismatch take a look at these girls. Perrie Edwards and her lilac hair first, in a Natalia Kaut dress with a floral crown, then Jesy Nelson in a form fitting Celeb Boutique ‘Aysha’ strapless mini, Leigh-Anne Pinnock in a plunging white gown with a pink bow in her retro styled hair, and Jade Thirwall in a Mary Benson lbd and Steve Madden ankle boots. Individually these looks may have worked, but mashed up together as a girl group it’s just not right. Complete co-ordination may be too much but a little communication between the girls about what they were wearing (even just a theme girls, c’mon!) may have lifted them up higher on my radar. I will however go on record to say that I love Perrie’s outfit, very Pixie-Lott-esque.
Two ladies not quite hitting the spot either were Gemma Arterton and Lana Del Rey. Gemma’s looked great on the promo tour for her film but this sparkling Jonathan Saunders granny-cardi/skirt combo is a big thumbs down for me. You would think as one of fashion’s ‘dahlings’ and also nominated (and now winner) for Best International Female, you would make a big show of something like the BRITs. Lana really impressed me last year but she literally blended in the background in her Chanel (yes CHANEL) dress. C’mon Lana! I know for a fact you’ve got more in you than this!
Shimmering onto the red carpet next were Rita Ora and Aluna Francis. Rita Ora went for an pale coral/pink Ulyana Sergeenko gown, which is beautiful but seems to wash out her skin tone. Aluna Francis on the other hand went for a grey lace and sheer Theyskens’ Theory gown, lovely and ethereal.
It wasn’t all about the music on the night. Jourdan Dunn, hot off the LFW catwalks, strutted on to the red carpet in a bright yellow Balmain mini. Only a supermodel can pull this kind of dress off and it’s great that she’s brought some colour to a see of black gowns. Berenice Marlohe repped the Bond contingent in a shimmering Donna Karan Atelier. It’s very glam, very cleavage-y and very Hollywood.
*all images via Zimbio
Keep on wishing…
R.xoxo