Style + Beauty - Page 335
Forget the LBD. At a youthful 40-years-old, couture designer Diane von Furstenberg’s most famous creation, the wrap dress, continues to reign supreme as one of the most flattering fashion pieces ever.
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No outfit can easily accomplish what the wrap dress can: Its soft fabric hugs every curve, while defining a waist to show off an hourglass shape. A plunging neckline can instantly shed some pounds and with stilettos, transform into a head-turning day look for day into glammy evening style. Available in numerous colors, prints, sizes, and styles, there’s one made for for every woman.
And von Furstenberg must have known this was the perfect formula for a dress.
The Guardian reports that the wrap dress, created in 1974, unites two of von Furstenberg’s previous designs, the cotton jersey shirt dress and a ballerina-style dress. Within two years after it was released, a reported 5 million wrap dresses were sold, making von Furstenberg “the most marketable designer since Coco Chanel.” Today, one can easily find this style, whether with the DVF label or not, at nearly any retailer.
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“When a dress fits and flatters a body shape, it becomes stylish and timeless on that body,” says Los Angeles-based image consultant and personal stylist Laurie Brucker. “Therefore, it will live in your closet year after year, becoming the perfect piece to use at any given moment.”
“The wrap dress is an absolute must for every wardrobe,” Brucker says.
To discover how you can wear the dress preferred by both Hollywood stars and even one royal family, stylists weigh in with 10 tips:
Lady Mary Crawley is rarely spotted without her signature demure gowns in the hit PBS series, “Downton Abbey,” but real life actress Michelle Dockery prefers to heat things up on the red carpet.
PHOTOS: Stars Sparkle in Sequins at 2014 SAG Awards
While several stars made bold entrances with sparkling ensembles at Saturday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, the 32-year-old British beauty chose a more daring look with a head-turning, oh-so-sultry dress that kept all eyes on her.
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Taking inspiration from classic menswear, Dockery sported a classic tuxedo gown with a seductive twist: a plunging neckline and a thigh-high split.
The monochrome dress, designed by J. Mendel, accentuated the star’s flawless features, fiery red pout, and glossy bob haircut. And according to Dockery herself, the inspiration may have come from a sexy singer.
“I was listening to Beyonce’s new album nonstop this morning while getting ready,” said Dockery to Los Angeles Times. “That album is everything I want in life. It’s brilliant."
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This isn’t the first time Dockery chose to reveal her assets at the SAG Awards. In early 2013, she wore a vintage Chado Ralph Rucci black satin gown that flaunted one of her best features.
See a few more shots of this year’s dress below, including last year’s head-turner:
For Saturday night’s 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, the stars decided to go big and bold with plenty of bling.
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From Sofia Vergara channeling her inner old Hollywood glamour girl to Jennifer Lawrence doing her best impression of a chic disco ball, a slew of celebs opted for loads of sparkle for their coveted couture. And while they could have easily jazzed up their looks with accessories alone, these leading ladies made grand entrances in glitzy, jewel-encrusted ensembles that flaunted curves, and in one case, a baby bump.
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While it may be expected for Hollywood actresses to wear their best glittering gowns for a major awards ceremony, several stylists insist that sequins and all things sparkly are a major do for fashion, regardless of age.
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“My favorite fashion myth is that studs, sequins, and sparkles are only intended for eveningwear,” explains model and fashion expert Jaimie Hilfiger. “Of course, wearing a sequined mini dress is inappropriate for a daytime meeting, but there are ways for incorporating a bit of bling into your everyday look.”
“Next time, when you want to add a little sparkle to your work ensemble, try wearing a top with demure beading or just a bit around the neckline,” she says. “Another way of toning down a sparkly top is to wear a jacket or blazer over a shirt. When wearing a sequined skirt, try pairing it with a structured shirt that is a solid color.”
READ: Rita Moreno Shares Her Secrets to Eternal Youth
For some inspiration, check out how the stars shined on the red carpet at the SAG Awards:
Standing just a little over five feet tall, actress Rita Moreno’s youthful glow and megawatt smile instantly light up the room.
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“I’m probably the happiest person I know,” says the 82-year-old Moreno, the only Latina actress ever to win an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy and an Oscar. Now, she's poised to accept another honor: the Life Achievement Award at the 20th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 18 in New York City.
But happiness isn't the only thing that keeps Moreno looking so ageless: According to the actress, it’s all about skincare.
“I guess it must be the Caribbean genes,” says Moreno, who was born in Puerto Rico. “I used to have very oily skin and acne when I was 18 years old. I also used to stay out in the sun for hours. I’m surprised I didn’t get baked like (Julio Iglesias).”
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“Back then, (doctors) used to apply an ultraviolet light for acne and this acetone alcohol rub,” she recalls of the less-than-glamorous ways once used to combat blemishes, so Moreno chose to take matters in her own hands.
“I used to use one of those rough, nasty brushes to scrub my face every day,” she explains. “It was very harsh, but exfoliating every day helped a lot. I would definitely say that exfoliating was really my main beauty trick.”
These days, Moreno prefers to go bare-faced. When she needs to wear makeup, she's all about keeping it minimal.
“I like to keep it natural,” she explains. “I add a little water to my foundation to make it really light. But that’s really it.”
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When you do wear foundation, use a brush, she advises. Finish with a sponge if needed. One of the most common mistakes Moreno still sees, especially in television, is forgetting one crucial step in creating a flawless canvas.
“You have to blend a lot. You always see the foundation end at the chin. It has to go further down,” says Moreno, pointing at her smooth V-neck line. “The décolleté area.”
And like any trained performer knows, daily exercise is crucial for keeping a trim figure camera-ready. Moreno, who “started dancing almost before I could walk,” no longer dances after knee replacement surgery. (The other knee's not in great shape either, she says.) But she still exercises every day — and she keeps it simple.
“I do a lot of walking, every day,” says Moreno of her current workout routine.
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She continues to act and has no plans to slow down. In her recently published memoir, she recalls her high-profile romances, including a messy affair with Marlon Brando (she later settled down with cardiologist Leonard Gordon to whom she was married for 45 years until his death in 2010).
Her simple advice for lasting love? “Be very careful when you’re hopelessly, obsessively, head-over-heels in love,” she says. “That’s when you have to look out. Love and those romantic feelings you tend to feel? Completely different — but easy to get them confused. That’s what happened to me with Marlon.”
“Don’t let your romantic self take over and consume you. Don’t seek out love and ignore everything else in your life. Focus on your goals and be true to who you are instead.”
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Here's a look back at Rita Moreno over the years:
