COAT TALES
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LESS MAKE-UP, MORE MATERIAL GIRLS
WHAT a week for frock watchers.
After the black of the Golden Globes, the weekend’s Screen Actors Guild awards saw a riot of colour on the red carpet, with nominees Margot Robbie in Miu Miu and Saoirse Ronan in Louis Vuitton among the style highlights.
While money was no object for attendees in LA, budgets were probably tighter at Tuesday’s National TV Awards in London which allowed our homegrown small screen stars to shine in the spotlight.
Some fared better than others dress-wise. Largely the ones with amazing stylists on the payroll.
Holly Willoughby, styled as usual by the skilful Angie Smith, looked incredible in a baby blue and lemon gown by Italian designer Elisabetta Franchi.
My pick though, goes to Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley. Styled by Martine Alexander, she was clearly channelling Hollywood in her bespoke Zeynep Kartal strapless number.
Extra points for perfecting the nonchalant ‘just brushing my hair from my ears’ paparazzi pose, copyright Victoria Beckham. Bafflingly, and without naming names – before someone serves me up a saucer of semiskimmed – many of the younger stars seemed to be using Jane McDonald as their style inspiration. No offence to the singer – she looks fabulous in sequins and chiffon. She is also 54 years old.
It should be remembered that age appropriate clothing goes both ways. When you have looks that stop traffic, often a simple dress is the most effective.
Cases in point, the Gwyneth Paltrow picking up her Oscar in pink Ralph Lauren almost 20 years ago, or Angelina Jolie in a white Dolce & Gabbana suit at the 2001 Academy Awards.
My other gripe with our young actresses at these events is the apparent inability to grasp proportions. A gown that looks amazing on the 5ft 11 former ballet dancer Charlize Theron doesn’t work on a 5ft 2 slip of a thing straight out of drama school.
And can make-up artists please stop covering beautiful young things in a level of slap that would make Rupaul scream ‘too much!’?
In fact, less make-up, more material would be a worthy mantra for our small screen sirens. Particularly those who make their money from reality TV shows.
If I want to see acres of orange flesh, I’ll take myself tangerine picking. IN other news this week, Sir Elton John announced he is to retire from touring... well, in three years he is, after his 300-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
One of the most flamboyant men in music, to sing his goodbyes Sir Elton has chosen arguably the most flamboyant man in fashion – Gucci’s Alesandro Michele to design his costumes.
He even made his retirement announcement in a jacket emblazoned with the words ‘Gucci loves Elton’.
It’s hardly surprising given that Michele’s spring/summer 18 collection, all sequin jumpsuits and oversized glasses, mined the Rocket Man’s 70s closet.
Never mind Circle Of Life, that’s the circle of fashion.