Off the Rack

Fred Prouser/Reuters/Landov

Michelle Williams has developed a signature downtown style for the past several years, with her floaty minidresses and long wavy blond locks. We did a double take seeing her with a pixie cut on the red carpet at the Indie Spirit Awards today. With her fine features and big green eyes, the fair actress looks sweetly mod and eerily remiscent of a young Mia Farrow. We think it’s a fresh look for the ingenue, but we want to know what you think. Tell us: What do you think of Michelle’s new do? Love it or hate it?

Click here to see all the stars at the Independent Spirit Awards. And for more of the latest news and gossip on the award shows, check out our Red Carpet Confidential blog.

(more…)

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but this Oscar weekend, some A-listers are snapping up pieces minus the bling– thanks to Kathleen Cavalaro’s hand-made gold jewelry. Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hilary Swank walked away from the Adwil suite yesterday with one-of-a-kind wire-wrapped necklaces that Cavalaro designed especially for them. Madonna received an ornate, asymmetrical Cleopatra Necklace, $850. Swank’s necklace features a freshwater pearl centerpiece surrounded by both wire and chain; Paltrow’s features a handmade hoop wrapped in tiny citrines around a large faceted citrine. Also from Kathleen’s collection, Swank received a pair of Carnelian wire-wrap earrings, $195 (already a favorite of Grey’s Anatomy star Kate Walsh), while Paltrow received a delicate chrysophase necklace. Or if those are a little pricey, pick up the more affordable Sophia Necklace, $175, which has already been seen on stars like Kristin Cavalleri.

Photo: Dennis Van Tine/ABACA

(more…)

While most of us can’t tell one tuxedo from another, for stylish men like Best Actor Nominee Forest Whitaker, they can still cause a fashion emergency. The Last King of Scotland star has been pretty loyal to designer Arnold Brandt for ensembles this awards season, but that doesn’t guarantee that the actor is immune to fashion mix-ups from the label. The custom-made black mink and cashmere dinner jacket with tuxedo trousers the Whitaker wore to the BAFTAs was actually meant for his SAG Awards appearance back in January– but he was originally mistakenly sent navy slacks instead of the black ones that matched the jacket. Luckily, he had a change of clothes handy for the SAGs and was able to use the Arnold Brandt black tux for his London appearance. Now, the real question is what will he be wearing to the Oscars on Sunday?

Click here to see more Red Carpet Fashion in Off the Rack. And for more of the latest news and gossip on the award shows, check out our Red Carpet Confidential blog.

Photo: Richard Lewis/WireImage

(more…)

Jennifer Hudson’s breakthrough performance isn’t the only thing about Dreamgirls that makes it award-worthy — the film’s costume designers are also up for an Oscar on Sunday night. Now, the retro-fabulous clothes and accessories worn by Dreamgirls stars Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx will be auctioned off on premiereprops.com. Opening bids on such items as the cream sheath Beyonce wore as Deena Jones (starts at $3,800), the thigh-length fur Hudson’s Effie White donned ($5,500) and Rose’s (Lorrell Robinson) abstract red-print dress ($2,000) start today, Feb. 23rd. All proceeds go to VH1’s Save The Music Foundation.

Photo: Dan Chavkin; David James/Dreamworks (inset)

(more…)

–Sonya Dakar has already had a who’s who–including Gwyneth Paltrow and Paula Abdul– come through for their VIP gifting suite and special Oscar Facial, which is a combination of their Fitness Facial, UltraLuxe Age Control Facial, Red Light LED treatment and Oxygen Treatment.

–Hearts On Fire, known for their perfectly cut diamonds, has partnered with Spa on Location, to create a mobile spa to vist nominees, presenters and top VIPS at their home. The treatment to get is the DREAM GIRL Diamond Massage featuring one million dollars in loose diamonds.

– Stars like Jessica Biel, Demi Moore and Jennifer Lopez are scheduled to hit the Luxury Oscar Spa Retreat at the home of famed brow groomer Anastasia featuring facials and massages by ultra-luxe line Natura Bisse, manis and pedis by Creative Nail Design, teeth whitening by Dr. Peter Rinaldi, hairstyling by Laurent D of Prive and of course, brows by the hostess.

–Tracie Martyn is bringing her signature re-sculpting facial to L.A. from her NYC spa — Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep and Reese Witherspoon have already scheduled appointments before the big night (and are ponying up $500 a piece for the treatment!) Jennifer Aniston stopped by last year pre-Oscars.

–Kinara Spa will close for two days just before the Oscars so that the likes of Halle Berry along with other VIPs (maybe regulars Selma Blair and Hilary Swank?) can have facials and massages without paparazzi at the window. The spa is tenting the building entrance and garage, so no one can see in for extra privacy.

Click here to see all the Red Carpet Beauty Trends. And for more of the latest news and gossip on the award shows, check out our Red Carpet Confidential blog.

Photo: Chance Yeh/PatrickMcMullan/Sipa Press

(more…)