52nd Grammy Awards: Black, White, Shimmery.

The 52nd Grammy Award saw some new generation artistes rocking up in less than classic styles that were ubiquitous in red carpet events of the past. We saw how Ri Ri came during the pre-Grammy gala in Viktor and Rolf half-bitten cotton candy dress, while Lady Gaga did live up to her quirky status in the wardrobe department by being spotted in an orb-like Armani gown. Then you have the Perry who kissed a girl and liked it, who never fails to be at the fore front of anything fashion. As much as I hate her sequined George Chakras frock with zigzag hem, I must admit that I have to give her credits for her courage to wear that and date Russel Brand.

Besides black, nude and white were the popular colours for the night. There was Katy Perry in a nude Zac Posen number, and Heidi Klum in a nude Emilio Pucci minidress. She may have throw away all her Louboutins, but Jennifer Lopez did came in a white and silver chain-mail Versace gown that accentuated her figure well.
Rihanna did a change and redeemed herself later in the evening with a high neck white Elie Saab gown with a mini train.

With $200,000 worth of custom made Lorraine Schwartz and Ofira earrings, who would have thought anyone will look so thrashy, but sorry Beyonce (as much as I adore her), I really hated the overall styling from the light-colored hair to the mermaid-like Stephane Rolland gown. Taylor Swift wasn't too far off in my list of worst-dressed with her choice on that Kaufman Franco dress that made her look twice her age. Judging from the trend on the biggest winner and best album title-holder for the year, that was probably the trade-off.

Speaking of worst-dress, no one, not even Miss Gaga can top in the Fashion Hall of Shame. With see-through, black lace Dolce & Gabbana dress worn over a bodysuit and paired with distasteful fishnet stockings, oops, Britney Spears did it again!

More Performance outfit:

Fashion Doll Barbie's 50th Birthday

1959

now?

Guess what?

It's Barbie's 50th birthday!

As a doll, Barbie has been through much accusations, law-suits, and controversies, even more than a real human-being; From sending the wrong signals to young girls on the nearly unnatural hourglass figure, to taking legal actions against Danish band, Aqua, for mocking at Barbie, to breaking up with her long-time boyfriend, Ken in 2000 - Barbie has indeed live it all.

This year, Barbie will be participating in her first-ever runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York on February 14, 2009. For the very first time, we will witness 50 world-renowned fashion designers come together and showcase real-size, Barbie®-inspired looks at Bryant Park. In this monumental fashion celebration designers will celebrate the past, present and future of fashion, as inspired by Barbie® doll, first launched in 1959 as the "Teenage Fashion Model™."

The Runway show will be webcast live via Barbie.com.

Barbie will be receiving a birthday gift (we heard it's pink Pumps) from Christian Louboutin.

Some of Barbie's designer wardrobe from the past include Bill Blass, Oscar De La Renta, Dior, Carolina Hererra, Vera Wang, Zac Posen, just to name a few.

Image source: www.vogue.co.uk

Row 1 (From left): Bill Blass, Dior, Oscar De La Renta
Row 2: Vera Wang, Juicy Couture, Carolina Herrera
Row 3: Monique Lhuillier, Versace, Zac Posen

In Singapore, we too had our very own "Doll Me Up" exhibition in 2005, that showcased a pool of local designers' (Federick Lee, Daniel Yam, Frances Cheong) interpretation of the doll, as well as students' entries on the contest.

The exhibition was first seen in the Singapore Art Museum and later in Changi Airport.

Fashion in the Ox - be fashionably RED this Chinese New Year.

According to the Lunar Calendar, tomorrow marks the start of the year of the Ox also known as Ji Chou.
This Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is one of the most important traditional Chinese holidays.

In Singapore, we observe 2 public holidays for the 15-day long hoopla.

The Chinese believe that the colour red brings good luck and could ward off evil spirits. During Chinese New Year, you'll see parents giving out red packets to their children, families would hang red twin couplets outside their homes, and Chinese clad in vibrant red shirts and dresses. Of course over the years, these traditions have been watered-down, and these days, you'll see gold-coloured "red" packets, and people wearing the once taboo darker hues like brown and black.

The true dandies are always spotted in tinges of red (even if they hated it) just to please grandma. And if you are struggling to find the best outfit for the occasion, without looking like an oversized red packet, try taking your cue from Louis Vuitton's men's RTW 2009 collection.

Although I couldn't quite grasps Paul Helbers's concept of "the traveling wardrobe of an African king", the somewhat solemn pallette with occasional discrete splashes of orange-red sweaters and beanies did the trick.

LV Men's RTW 2009 collection

Since one of the traditions of the Lunar New Year is to "BUY NEW CLOTHES", we scoured the internet, and found some really cool HIS and HER red merchandise.

Clockwise from top-left: Red jacket from D-Squared - SGD 1,760.00 , Kayne West X Louis Vuitton sneakers, Paul Frank I love the Robot Dance watch, Lanvin Suede Sneakers - SGD 790.00.

Raf Simons X Fred Perry Loafers, Christian Dior 2009 sunglasses

Clockwise from top-left: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel knitted top - SGD 205.10,
Keepall 50 Roses: Louis Vuitton's 2009 Stephen Sprouse Tribute Collection,
Dr Martins leather boots with wooden heels- SGD 154.00,
Marc Jacobs woven clutch- SGD 1,108.00.




Clockwise from top-left: Christian Louboutin Cork wedge sandals- SGD 502.50,
Stella McCartney pussy bow dress - SGD 871.65,
Roger Vivier woven painted acrylic clutch - SGD 1,332.47,
Roberta Di Camerino Velvet bag - SGD 2,197.62.

From all of us at Style Damsel,

Have a great Chinese New Year!

**Prices are indicative at time of publish.