Julie Macklowe in Zang Toi, Zandra Rhodes, Madonna in Givenchy, Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon

Since 1948 the Metropolitan Museum of Art has hosted the Met Ball (also known as the Costume Institute Ball) to fete the opening of the fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute.  Every year, the event has a theme that attendees are encouraged to channel with their chosen attire.  This year’s theme was deemed Punk: Chaos to Couture and that got the fashion world in a bit of a tizzy.  A stripped down rock starting between 1974 and 1976 characterized by DIY principles and sub-culture rooted in anti-establishment and rebellious youth, would fashion’s elite really relate to the theme seeing as some of them hadn’t even been conceived when punk was present?  The red carpet proved to be a bit of a crap shoot, which was made especially apparent when Hailee Steinfeld referenced Avril Lavigne as “punk.”

Some ladies played it subtle by simply accessorizing with studded jewelery or faux-hawk coifs.  Dramatic dark smokey eyes and deep berry lips were also favored on the red carpet.  But the real stars of the red carpet were the women who really went for it.  Anne Hathaway went full blown blonde, SJP sported an exquisite mohawk headpiece by Philip Treacy, and Madonna said, “to hell with pants!” in Givenchy.  Rooney Mara, Nina Dobrev, and Minka Kelly were the perfect mesh of modern and punk embracing the look in sexy lace and smoldering makeup.  While Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, and Amanda Seyfried were stunning, they veered to the side of safe.  Which can’t be said for some like Coco in Emanuel Ungaro, a tie dyed Elle Fanning, and a seemingly confused Olsen twin.  And I’m left wondering if some of these ladies didn’t get the memo or are just party poopers who simply ignored the theme altogether.

So, who got punk and who got punk’d?

Perfectly Punk:

Donatella Versace, Anne Hathaway in Valentino, Rooney Mara in Givenchy, Lauren Santo Domingo in Dolce & Gabbana, Minka Kelly in Carolina Herrera

Miranda Kerr in Michael Kors, Emma Watson in Prabal Gurung, Dakota Fanning in Rodarte, Carolyn Murphy in Nina Ricci, Allison Williams in Altuzarra

Punky Pants:

Kristen Stewart in Stella McCartney, Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier, Jaime King in TopShop, Jessica Biel in Giambattista Valli

How Supermodels Do Punk:

Karolina Kurkova in Mary Katrantzou, Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello, Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello, Cara Delevigne in Burberry, Brooklyn Decker in Peter Pilotto

Punk Princesses:

Julianne Hough in TopShop, Taylor Swift in J. Mendel, Blake Lively in Gucci, Gwen Stefani in Maison Martin Margiela, Amanda Seyfried in vintage Givenchy

Pretty, but not Punk:

Gwyneth Paltrow in Valentino, Anna Wintour in Chanel, Kate Upton in Diane von Furstenberg, Kate Beckinsdale in Alberta Ferretti, Heidi Klum in Marchesa

 Pieces of Punk:

Jaime King, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Lawrence

Emmy Rossum, Sienna Miller, Jessica Alba

You’ve Been Punk’d:

Ashley Olsen in Dior, Elle Fanning in Rodarte, Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs, Nicole Richie in TopShop, Nora Zehetner in Marchesa

Coco Rocha in Emanuel Ungaro, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Gucci, Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood, Beyonce in Givenchy

Who were your favorites?

xx,

WhyDid

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Another year, another round of award shows doling out little metal trophies to folks who may or may not deserve them. But the fun is not in who wins what as much as it is in who wears what.  So, let the self tanner application, lapses in style judgement, and wardrobe malfunctions begin and let’s kick things off with last night’s American Music Awards.

While it’s been a while since I’ve tuned in, some things remain exactly as they did a year ago… and beyond.  These include but are not limited to:

• They’re still letting Chris Brown perform.  Why they even let him out of his cage, I’ll never know, but this white girl won’t be dancing like it’s her birthday when his songs come on.  Ever.
• Jenny McCarthy is still hot.
• You still can’t touch MC Hammer.
• Christina Aguilera still wears leotards when she probably shouldn’t (but she can still sing like nobody’s business, so we’ll give her a pass).
• Pitbull is still making songs that don’t make any logical sense in English or Spanish.
• Crowding the stage with babes in bedazzled bustiers will still cover up any bad performance.
• Taylor Swift is still singing about some boy who did her wrong in something that resembles a bad prom dress.
• Nicki Minaj is still in need of a time out.
• Pink could still kick your ass.
• No Doubt is still as rad as ever.

And while it’s nice to have a bit of stability in your life, I’m a little concerned about America’s choices in music.  Perhaps that’s a better indicator of the state of our nation?  One thing that does seem to be changing is Justin Bieber’s voice (anyone else catch that?) which was quite clear after hearing him dedicate his win to the “haters” (he realizes he’s an eighteen year old 98lb white kid, right?).  So, I decided I was going to come up with my own award categories that seem much, much more important:

Best Legs:

Color of the Evening:

 Most in Need of a New Hairstyle:

So, let’s step it up, folks.  We’ll consider this a “warm up.”  A “rehearsal” if you will.  Last time I checked, which was just now, my socks are still on, so no one particularly blew me away.  Bring on the crazy… I’ve gotta have something to write about.

xx,

WhyDid

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Maybe you aren’t the ballet flat type of gal, but your tired feet need a bit of a vacation from the daily torture and masochism of skyscraper stilettos.  No longer for athletes and hip hop moguls alone, the designer sneaker is having a major moment right now.  So rather than the dainty flats you’re used to, you can now slip into something more comfortable that is actually stylish (and they’re not Uggs).  I’m also not talking about white sneakers and tights like those of the commuting professional.  That will never be okay with me.  These chic designer sneaks are the answer to your poor aching feet and they are sure to thank you for it… maybe not your wallet, but definitely your feet.

1. Lanvin Diamond Print Canvas and Leather High Top Sneakers, $775, 2. Miu Miu Anthracite Glitter Studded Cap Toe Hi Top Sneakers, $396, 3. Isabel Marant Betty Leather and Suede Sneakers, $680, 4. Converse Leather Sequin High Tops, $90, 5. Nike Dunk High Casual Shoes, $81.99, 6. Pierre Hardy Metallic Leather High Top Sneakers, $650, 7. DSQUARED2 High Top Sneakers, $348, 8. Miu Miu Patent Leather High Top Sneakers, $495, 9. Christian Louboutin Louis Jeweled Sneaker, $2,395, 10. Giuseppe Zanotti Studded Metallic Leather Sneakers, $850

xx,

WhyDid

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Being bombarded with news about celebrities breaking up and being rushed to rehab on a daily basis, it’s time we looked for some news that might make us smile rather than snooze.  It’s a rough world out there… for a celebrity.

• Welp, seems I’m not alone in my love of all things neon. [Nylon]
• You could probably sport something bright to stand out at the newly re-opened 40/40 Club.  Oh wait… [Huffington Post]
• Hmph… well, there’s always that documentary about cassettes.  That’d be fun. [TechCrunch]
• BeachMint (mother company of JewelMint, StyleMint, ShoeMint, and BeautyMint) just keeps on growing with more “Mints” to come! [TechCrunch]
• Not a Mint fan?  ShopSavvy is a pretty amazing new way to comparison shop while on the go by scanning barcodes. [TechCrunch]
• Pretty soon your car may be very sensitive.  So sensitive it will respond to your very touch.  [Business Insider]
• Speaking of touching, Victoria’s Secret’s new “Designer Collection” is sure to make your Valentine squeal with delight. [Fashionista]
• Did you ever think you’d squeal with delight over an aardvark?  Today’s the day. [Huffington Post]
• No, no.  Aardvarks aren’t endangered species, but these guys are. [Huffington Post]
• Know who else isn’t endangered?  These six new breeds introduced into the Westminster Kennel Club [Huffington Post]
• Hell, might as well throw in a cat video while I’m at it. [Gawker]

How did we get here?

xx,

WhyDid

photo via A Yankee’s Southern Exposure

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Hey Nicki?  Johnny 5 called… he wants his look back.  I should have figured the opening performance would set the tone for this year’s American Music Awards.  The tone being one big hot shiny mess.  I should have changed the channel… I should have looked away, but alas, I could not.  I’ve had about enough of Nicki’s wacky get ups. I’m on team Johnny 5.  What about you?

The AMA’s weren’t all bad though.  Here are five lovely ladies sporting what was most certainly the trend of the evening- metallics.  Sadly, this is about where the “good” ends and the eye gouging begins.

Watching the AMA’s only confirmed the fact that I might need to relocate to a tropical island– or at least place where it takes a lot more talent and several fewer sparkly bra tops to get ahead.

Exhibits A, B, and B 1/2.  It pains me to see Christina Aguilera look like… well, that.  What happened to that little Genie in a Bottle of yore?  It also pains me to see the mother of two wearing a sequin covered costume that may or may not have belonged to Britney Spears circa 1999.  Those jewel encrusted bra cups have got to be a breast feeding safety hazard.  Am I right?  Let’s not even get into the incestuousness of Pitbull’s pelvic grinding performance with J. Lo followed up by another performance with her ex-hubby Marc Anthony and sequin braziered fly girls.  Ew. And as for Adam Lambert, well, I really just wanted to throw him in so I could coin his new nickname, “Glambert.”  You’re welcome.

Let’s get it together, America.  We’re better than this.  All that glitters is not gold.

xx,

WhyDid

P.S. Ending the show with Hasselhoff in his manties? Classy touch.

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