Golden Globe Glamour

Leading ladies took the plunge including Mariah Carey, Olivia Wilde, Halle Berry, and Carrie Ann Inaba. Photos by PatrickMcMullan.com and HFPA

Anyone watching the 67th Golden Globe Awards couldn't help but notice all of the fabulous frocks making their way down a very wet red carpet. What were the trends that we'll all be following in the next few months, and especially this summer in the Hamptons?

Take The Plunge

Plunging necklines are nothing new in Hollywood. Of recent note, Jennifer Lopez's infamous green chiffon Versace gown proved there are always one or two leading ladies that show just how low they can go. But, with few exceptions, the ladies may have gone a bit too far this year. Fashion expert Leon Hall once told me that when daring to bare it is wise to use the 'pencil test' before you go in front of a camera. Simply put, if you're well blessed with a heaving bosom make sure the girls aren't sagging, it just ends up looking cheap and tacky.

Mariah Carey all but started a stampede when she walked the paparazzi pit with hubby Nick Cannon in tow toting an umbrella and keeping an eye on the Chopard jewels. During her interview with Ryan Seacrest it was all he could do to keep eye contact with the statuesque songstress. Her cups, they well, almost ran over more than once in her skintight Herve Leger bandage dress and she ended up looking a little desperate.

On the flip side, Presenter Halle Berry dazzled the audience when she stepped on stage in a Kaufman Franco silk bias cut gown with lace inserts. The result simply put, very sexy. Also on the mark, Olivia Wilde in liquid metallic Calvin Klein and Carrie Ann Inaba of "Dancing With The Stars" in glittering black and nude.

Pink, red, and wow. Colorful statements by Lauren Graham, Ginnifer Goodwin, Diane Kruger, and Maria Menounos.

Bold And Bright

I love color, especially when it really pops on the red carpet and the stars that gave bold looks a chance were right on target with red, violet, fuchsia, and electric blue. The key to bright colors is to remember a little color on the face or stars, no matter how bright, end up looking tired and washed out. Best bet is a great red lip but beware of being to matchy, matchy - not cute.

From her starring role in "Gilmore Girls" to Steve Carell's wife in "Evan Almighty," and even a stint on Broadway, Lauren Graham of the upcoming "Parenthood" was simply stunning in a hot pink satin ball gown with a mermaid bottom and interesting top. With her dark hair piled high and her blue eyes glittering, she pulled it off. Also in pink and not to be outdone, "Inglourious Basterds" star Diane Kruger wowed the masses with her Christian Lacroix gown. True, many were left wondering about the intricate bodice with all the overdone ruffles but the tight waist and straight skirt saved the day.

Red, always popular at these red carpet fetes, made the rounds on the likes of Amy Pohler of "Parks and Recreation" who played it sleek and straight and TV talking head Maria Menounos who went a little cha cha with a wide skirt.

Electric slide, no, electric blue looked fab on Ginnifer Goodwin of "Big Love" who showed off her gams and pixie-ish hair. Rose McGowan, who usually makes an entrance looked a little prim in blue as she made her way to the Warner Brothers and InStyle after party.

Golden Glamazons! Jillian Michaels, Kelly Kruger, Toni Collette, and Jennifer Garner all glittered.

Sparkle And Shine

Water cooler talk at Hamptons.com this morning was all about the Golden Globes and topic number one was an actress who is fab on screen but usually not on the Best Dressed lists, Aussie actress Toni Collette, who should be renamed Miss Golden Globe after she strutted her very tan stuff down the carpet. Toni won for Best Actress Comedy for her role in "United States of Tara" but she stole the show, at least part of it, in her golden bejeweled gown.

Jennifer Garner was solo in silver while "The Biggest Loser" head trainer Jillian Michaels left her dumbbells at home and donned a golden champagne strapless mini. Kelly Kruger of "Entourage" hit the HBO after party scene in a silver disco dress. Anna Paquin of "True Blood" in gold with cap sleeves was all about the glam but may have gone too far with the front slit on her gown, and the black heels, well, let's just not go there. Wrapping up the glitter was Lake Bell of "It's Complicated," also at the HBO after party, who proved that horizontal stripes can be figure friendly.

Too small, too big, way too many ruffles. Fashion victoms Christina Hendricks, Chloe Sevigny, Rachel Zoe, and January Jones.

Train Wrecks And Sideshows

They can't all be images of perfection, though it was tough to find mistakes on the red carpet with so many stars listening to their stylists. The first mistake of the night was Christina Hendricks of "Mad Men" in an over-ruffled creation by "Project Runway" breakout couturier Christian Siriano. The always fierce Cristian missed his mark this time as Christina was simply too much for this pale peach satin confection. While the waist is beyond fabulous the top is too skimpy for her figure and the ruffles on the front were just too much for the sake of being too much.

Golden Globe winner for Best Actress in a Miniseries, Chloe Sevigny of HBO's "Big Love," was washed out in pale lilac Valentino and overwhelmed by ruffles, and more ruffles. Perhaps the usher who helped her to the stage to accept her award was trying to do her a favor when he stepped on her gown. We'll never know but she did change into a short black party dress before hitting the big HBO after party.

"90210" actress Anna Lynne McCord showed up to the Warner Brothers and InStyle after party in a white Grecian-inspired gown with a very odd bodice detail. Not sure if it was meant to evoke doves, a heart, or grasping hands but no matter how you slice it, it was just plain wrong.

Other notable fashion victims included Ashley Tisdale in a black and white flapper flop, Lindsay Lohan in a hooded silver mini, everybody's favorite Greek actress Nia Vardalos, January Jones of "Mad Men" who was attacked by another stray ruffle on the way to the show, and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe who looked like she was stuck in the 1920s in a dress 10 times too big for her petite frame.

So many good ideas here but it all went so wrong for Anna Lynne McCord, Ashley Tisdale, Lindsay Lohan, and Nia Vardalos. Sorry ladies, better luck next year!

It's A Wrap

Cheers to the evening's winner and even bigger cheers to the ladies who stole the show and brought on the fashion! Can't wait to see what to wear at the Oscars!

Beauty Tips From Designer Rachel Roy

Designer Rachel Roy has built a following for not only her beautiful designer and diffusion collections but also her amazing personal style and beauty that can been seen as she sits in the front row during Fashion Week as well as in her own creations on the catwalks. Rachel gave us the scoop on how she expresses her Indian ancestry through her makeup, and as well as her personal tricks to looking bright, fresh, and flawless.

Have you picked up any great beauty tips or tricks that you can share?

Rachel Roy: I feel a great mascara can open the eye and instantly make you look as though you've have a good night's sleep, even when that is not the case. I use two to three coats of Lancome's Fatale on the top, bottom, and also on the back of the top lashes.

Do you have a beauty signature? A fragrance or a lip color that you just love to wear?

RR: Because of my Indian ancestry, I love darkly rimmed eyes - a messy eye adds a sexy yet natural look to a classic outfit. To make the eyes smoky, I use Revlon's Luxurious Color Kohl eyeliner in Black Truffle on the inside of the lids.

What about a lip color that you just love to wear? What do you put on to achieve your favorite look?

RR: Bright lipstick is a way to quickly pop an outfit and freshen up a look a la Ava Gardner in "The Barefoot Contessa." My favorite bright is MAC's Morange lipstick - it's a great way to add a twist to a classic look.

Any last bits of advice?

RR: Another way to make your face pop is to fill in the eyebrows. I use Bobbi Brown's eye shadow in Navajo.

Stepping Out And Stepping Up To Benefit The New York Women's Foundation

On a brisk autumn night in the Big Apple, Gotham Hall, a converted bank, opened its massive brass and glass doors to welcome the members of the New York Women's Foundation for their annual "Stepping Out and Stepping Up" awards dinner to celebrate the lives of hard working women across New York City who serve as "role models of courageous leadership, vision and commitment to women and families as individuals and as partners." The evening was a celebration of the investment this group has made in the community for the past 22 years through over $20 million in grants and educational programs to bolster the dreams of over five million women. The simple idea that if you invest in a woman you invest in the community resonated throughout these marble lined halls.

Cocktail hour was a whirl of networking as elegantly attired Board Members greeted guests and regaled listeners with stories highlighting the achievements of the evening's honorees - Elizabeth and Herbert Sturz and Pulitzer Prize winning couple Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas D. Kristof. Co-Chairs Hyatt Bass, Sayu V. Bhojwani, Aiyoung Choi, Susan R. Cullman, Grace Hightower De Niro, Somers Farkas, Carolyn Buck Luce, Margaret Munzer Loeb, Jean Shafiroff, Diana L. Taylor, Jacqueline P. Togut, and Barbara Brizzi Wynne worked hard to make the evening a success and their passion for the cause was evident as they made their way into the hall as the program began.

ABC News Correspondent Deborah Roberts hosted the evening and began by introducing Diana L. Taylor, Vice Chair of the organization. Taylor greeted the guests and extolled the virtues of the group, and how together they had made strides in the development of women and communities across NYC. Ana Oliveria, President and CEO, introduced notable guests in the room, including Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Mary J. Blige, then spoke passionately about the future of the organization and the new program for the New York Women's Foundation where it will work in conjunction with the Mexican Embassy, represented by a beaming Ruben Beltran, Counsel General of Mexico.

Amid bites of delicious beet salad and sliced fillet of beef, the honorees sat humbly as the introduction began, starting with Samuel Peabody who brought the lifelong work of honoree Elizabeth Sturz and her Argus Community in the South Bronx to life. Taylor introduced the inspiring Herbert Sturz to the stage where he explained that a life lived searching for justice for all was more than worth the adventure. He is the founding chairman of The After-School Corporation which works to see that all children have access to quality, free after school programs.

Abigail Disney reflected on the work of Pulitizer Prize winning married couple Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas D. Kristof and their book, "Half The Sky" that opened the worlds' eyes to the terror of human trafficking. In her written notes she remarked, "Thank you for all that you've both done to take us to a whole new level and into another dimension of possibility." While Nicholas delivered his appreciation via pre-recorded video, Sheryl took the stage and challenged the assemblage to look to the heart and act against mistreatment of women across the globe.

Standing ovations followed each of the honorees and the room hushed for Roberts introduction of the evening's performer, none other than the Queen of Hip Hop, Mary J. Blige. A passionate Blige, a victim of abuse herself, performed her chart-topping "No More Drama" from her soul. It was raw and powerful and rocked the room to the core.

Guest included Sharon Bush, Steven Schott of the New York Junior Tennis League, portrait artist Zita Davison, author of "Houses of the Hamptons 1880 - 1930" and architect Gary Lawrance, Guy Robinson, Elizabeth Stribling, Gayle Atkins, Anne Bass, Elizabeth Cho, Gene Schwanke, Aiyoung Choi, Felicia Taylor, Denise Rich, designer Catherine Malandrino, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Brooke Beardsley, Tuhina Day O'Connor, Muffie Potter Ashton, Bana and Faisal Hassan, Larry Kaiser, and Ann Rapp to name but a few.

Start Accessorizing!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is all about the fabulous clothes on the runway, but what makes these clothes really work...and makes them personal is how they are accessorized! The most important element to a flawless ensemble is the bold necklace, the earrings...the all important handbag. This season Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is pleased to present an exclusive preview to all the hot new trends in accessories for Spring/Summer 2010. Featured designers in the 'Accessories Exhibit' taking centerstage under the tents this week include accessory veterans and some fresh new faces such as…

Ambrosi Abrianna - Blending Ambrosi and Abrianna's individual tastes and creativity, their first handbag collection presents quality products built from a range of truly distinctive designs and materials, including crocodile, python and ostrich leathers that are collected from around the world and sent to Paris and Milan for handmade construction.

W Hotels The Store - Inspired by the design of five new international watches, these new W boutiques present a unique collection which exemplifies the fashionable spirit of the W Hotel franchise around the world. It features exclusive items from such acclaimed designers as Rachel Leigh, Lauren Merkin, Alex and Ani, and Foley & Corrina.
Lisa Kornman Luxe Lisa Kornman's collection began in 2000, crafting handbags from the finest Italian vegetable tanned leathers, exotic skins and unique hardware. Each piece evokes both individuality and a ladylike sensibility with its signature clutches and satchels.

Subversive Jewelry - Subversive introduces the new diffusion line inspired by the New-Dadaist Memphis Design movement of the 1980's and created for those with an eye for proportion and balance. The collection explores a wide variety of materials such as gold toned metals, semi-precious stones and rhinestone chains.

Isharya - The hot up-and-coming designer draws influence from the Indian royalty and the International Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. Every season the sister-in-law duo never fails to create luxurious collections with original materials and global appeal.

Bindya NY - Bindya NY's effortlessly chic and luxurious wearable art is styled for every personality and inspired by the designer's trips to Paris and India. The collection is most famous for their tie-dyed cashmere scarves, gauzy shawls and fabulous wraps made from the finest quality blends of cashmere, wool and silk.

Judith Ripka - This line of fine jewelry makes a woman feel beautiful in either blue jeans or a little black dress. Two distinct collections, the 18k Couture Collection and Silver Collection are celebrated by the red carpet elite for it modern elegance and sophistication.

Lulu Frost - This fashion forward collection presents a fusion of old and new. Lulu searches for one-of-a-kind period antiques and reinterprets these rare finds by combining them with unexpected modern elements and stylistic treatments to create the most interesting and beautiful collection possible.

Alex Soldier - This magnificent collection is a work of art, representing a constantly evolving combination of shape, color and texture. His designs reveal a true passion for distinction and introduce innovative techniques for decorating metal surfaces and pushing the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship.

Carlos Falchi - In 1979 Carlos Falchi made his first deconstructed bag, the unlined buffalo satchel, that launched his career as a distinctive and detail oriented designer dedicated to the quality of the products and how the colors, styles and shapes make a woman feel. His revolution in handbag making has catapulted his career into the big leagues, designing for runway collections, celebrities, television, and major motion pictures.

Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Collection - For over a decade, Mercedes-Benz has offered an exclusive collection for the vehicle enthusiast. The collection includes fashionable women's and men's apparel, accessories, luggage and watches designed by Tourneau. Signature pieces include the "Seatbelt Bag", made from genuine seatbelt material and Mercedes-Benz pedal cars. Beginning fall 2009 they will also be partnering with Nike Golf for a series of new accessories.

Check them out this week or in stores near you soon.

You’re Invited To Fashion's Night Out

The fine, fashionable, and utterly fabulous folks behind Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week are proud to bring the fashion loving masses Fashion’s Night Out on Thursday, September 10th. They’ve invited every fashion retailer across the five boroughs of Manhattan to encourage the fun of fashion again—flagships, tiny boutiques, massive department stores, young designers, mainstream chains, and niche luxury names alike—by keeping their doors open late on the evening of September 10th and to implement creative customer experiences welcoming all.

Over 700 retailers and designers across New York City are confirmed participants in Fashion’s Night Out. Most events will take place from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. On Fashion’s Night Out, every participating location is open to anyone and everyone so grab a friend or two and go for it. Neither tickets nor invitations are required to join in the Fashion’s Night Out festivities.

And what’s a big event without a commemorative t-shirt? You can be sure that the very cool tee (shown here) created for this event rocks. At only $30 for short-sleeve and $35 for long-sleeve, made of pima cotton/modal and available in unisex sizes XS through L, they are a bargain with 40% of retail proceeds from the sale of the Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt to be donated by the retailers to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.

Here's a sneak peek at some scheduled events:

• The Oscar Blandi Salon will offer an exclusive Blowout Lessons and Bellinis Master Class at 9:00 p.m. This service teaches clients the necessary skills to style and maintain the look of a salon blowout at home. Customers can sign up in advance to participate. Bellini’s, champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
• The Laura Mercier counters in Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel and Bloomingdale’s will be hosting “Lash Out” events where consumers can receive complimentary lash application with a lash purchase.
• Molton Brown will bring a bit of London to the Big Apple to celebrate the launch of the new men’s range. All Molton Brown emporia locations will be transformed into British pubs serving pints of British Ales with traditional salted snacks.
• At the Saks Fifth Avenue ReVive Skincare counter top skincare expert and facialist, Teresa Celsa will host a “Get the Glow Head to Toe” event, where she will give complimentary skin-care consultations and mini facials. Shoppers will also be eligible to receive a complimentary 1oz. Moisturizing Renewal Cream (a $95 value) with the purchase of a full-size Moisturizing Renewal Cream for the face and a Moisturizing Renewal Cream for the body.
• Celebrate Fashion’s Night Out at the brightest store on the block. Get complimentary Stila makeovers while sipping champagne and previewing Betsey Johnson’s latest collection at her chich boutique.
• Immediately following the fashion show, the Julie Haus Pop-Up store will open its doors to the public in celebration of Fashion’s Night Out from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The first five customers to spend $500 at the Julie Haus Pop-Up Store will receive a $100 gift card to Beauty.com, the world of beauty online.

There will be great sales, plenty of celebrities, and over-the-top fashion experiences to be had in every neighborhood so check out the website at www.fashionsnightout.com and pick a spot nearest you. Happy shopping!

Art Aficionado Hugh Grant In Southampton

Actor Hugh Grant and his brother Jamie Grant hit the streets of Southampton on Saturday night to cheer on their dad, James Grant, who was exhibiting some 80+ watercolor paintings at the Keszler Gallery on Main Street, Southampton. The exhibition benefited the Southampton Fresh Air Home which treats physically disabled children to a vacation at their camp each summer.

Despite a "no photographs" rule, Hugh was cheerful, warm, and friendly to the guests and happily posed to help his father's efforts. You can soon see this lovable leading man opposite the Hamptons (and NYC's) own Sarah Jessica Parker in the upcoming flick, "Did You Hear About The Morgans?" out in December 2009. Cheers to you Hugh!

Red Carpet Interviews At The Art Of Fashion In The Hamptons Opening Night

Talk about star power – Calvin Klein, Betsey Johnson, Vera Wang, Elie Tahari, Nicole Miller, Donna Karan, Reed Krakoff of COACH, Tory Burch, and Ralph Lauren were under one roof celebrating fashion and art merging with their vignettes curated by two people who really know their fashion - Pamela Fiori, Editor in Chief of Town & Country magazine, and Stan Herman, artist and former president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Chatting with these designers was a sweet deal for the fashion junkie in me. How often can you put your arm around Calvin Klein and ask about fashion trends or talk inspiration with Donna Karan? The designers, who had worked on the project for some six months in conjunction with the curators and Guild Hall to choose inspiration art, milled about happy to discuss their inspiration and talk fashion.

The exhibition is open until October.