Posts with tag Academy Awards

In honor of Earth Day, we present the top five celebrities who use their fame to help make the earth a better place to live.

Our number one: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Vanity Fair green issue cover model and hybrid driver created the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998. He makes every effort to generate awareness of environmental issues, partnering with organizations that include Natural Resources Defense Council, Global Green USA, and the International Fund For Animal Welfare.

Check out the gallery to learn more about Leo's great efforts and see who else made our list of Eco Celebs.

We're right there with Kristen Seymour on loving a bit of leopard. And Diablo Cody is a full on inspiration to us lady writers -- you will find zero hating round these parts.

But...

Ever since the Diablo Cody awards ceremony (over) exposure tour, leopard skin, either as an outfit theme or accent, seems a bit...tired.

The difficult thing about facial hair is maintaining a balance within your personal style -- not letting the beard take control. A beard that's out of control can make you look pretty silly, and you'd do better to shave that sucker off rather than be caught wearing it. I've seen cases wear once sharp-dressing, clean-shaven guys decided to grow a beard, and pretty soon it was flannel and torn t-shirts -- and they never came back.

For better or worse, stars set the tone in the world of men's facial hair -- it's not necessarily a bad thing. It allows us to take cues from them and their stylists, converting them into lessons about our own shaving techniques. When Russell Crowe grows a beard and it looks cool, every dude on the street quits shaving. Then again, sometimes celebrities screw it up -- then we can make fun of them and feel superior.

The grading system for celebrity beards is simple: it consists of 3 variables. First, is there a reasonably good balance between their facial hair and their hairstyle? Second, is the beard in harmony with the rest of the outfit? The third variable is the interpretive factor, i.e. what's the beard doing for them? and how effective is it?

I'm not a big Coin Farrell fan to say the least. For whatever reason, his cocky demeanor and good looks annoy me to no end. Plus, I think he styles himself a Bono Jr. Nevertheless, I won't let this affect my evaluation of his beard control. I am, after all, a professional.

While I can't give my full approval for his choice to go with the scruffy, hasn't shaved in 5 days look for his Oscar appearance -- it's a little too romance novel for my taste -- I do think Colin shows good consistency and facial hair control. Women seem to like beards at this adolescent stage, more than when they've fully grown in. The unkempt hair is a little over the top, and if the beard were fully grown in, he would definitely have issues with his beard to hair ratio.

As it stands, Farrell does a pretty good job at pulling off the macho Irish brawler look -- if not a little too conspicuously. Nobody believes that he's really been so tied up at the pub he didn't have time to go home and shave, yet he kinda looks like he just threw this tux on and drove on over to the Academy Awards. Purposefully unrefined.

(out of 5)
Beard to Hair Ratio:4
Beard to Ensemble:3
Babe Magnetism: 5

Although he did get a nomination for his role as the 'Demon Barber of Fleet Street,' Johnny Depp's facial hair control was not quite up to his usual standards. The goatee/mustache combo is a proven look for him, he's stuck with it since his Don Juan days. While last night's goatee was definitely under control, it was lacking a little bit of the usual flair.

I think his shaggy hair took away from the goatee, I kept wanting to reach over a push the hair out of his eyes -- it looked kinda painful. I know Johnny's got to be sick of walking the red carpet by now, but his hair to goatee ratio makes him look like someone who just wants to hide from the media while Daniel Day Lewis takes home the Oscar for Best Actor.

In my opinion, the sulking 'I hate the media' look is never becoming to movie stars -- they should suck it up and try to have some appreciation for the media that supports them. At least Johnny is able to complete the ensemble with a sort of casually worn dinner jacket and bow tie. Personally, I like a more bubbly and colorful Johnny Depp, but maybe playing a serial killer has got him down -- no major fashion errors though.

(out of 5)
Beard to Hair Ratio: 3
Beard to Ensemble: 4
Brooding Artist Factor: 4

If anyone can navigate the intricacies of men's facial hair, it's Sean Combs. What can't the guy do? He's already managed a successful music career, fashion design, and now he's making his way into a nice acting career. His stylish goatee was a nice contrast to a night of facial hair abuse.

First off, the mustache and goatee combo is classic and gives him that urban refined look without upsetting the beard to hair ratio -- way to not rock the full beard. He could balance it out with some wild hairstyle, but Sean likes to keep it subtle, keeping the hair in check and topping it off with some earrings just to represent. The tux is cool, I like the low vest and the wide lapels -- everything about the ensemble is very put together.

Puffy doesn't get much credit for taking risks, but graded on general beard control, he's taking home the award. His goatee says: how about casting me in a lead role, Hollywood? Monday was the premiere of his made for TV version of 'A Raisin in the Sun.'

(out of 5)
Beard to Hair Ratio: 5
Beard to Ensemble: 4
Suaveness: 4

It's hard not to like a comic mind as sharp as Seth Rogen. He gave some of the funniest performances of 2007, excelling in such roles as accidental father/stoner and slacker cop. Wait -- he was acting in those movies right? Or will he wake up this afternoon with a post-Oscars hangover and hit the bong as he dines on a breakfast of goldfish crackers?

While he probably doesn't care -- since I think his slacker look is somewhat genuine -- he's dangerously close to having a Bob Ross attack. As we've seen with Adrian Grenier, the combination of curly hair plus a beard can get our of control really fast. The and glasses help make him look a bit more respectable -- far better than Jonah Hill's bow tie. If he would trim back that fro, I think the beard would look good -- but as it stands, were on beard alert level 3 (of 5).

I know Seth is kind of building a brand here. Still, it's never a great idea to advertise yourself as a one dimensional pot-head in front of a group of potential employers. So, it would probably be a good idea to clean up nice for a prestigious award show like the Oscars, right? Not for Seth, he's a rebel. Or he's showing Canadian lumberjack pride. Take your pick.

(out of 5)
Beard to Hair Ratio: 2
Beard to Ensemble: 2
Slacker Points: 4

I must admit, I didn't go see Eastern Promises, but Viggo's creepy beard-action at Sunday night's Oscars certainly made me think he should probably walk away with Best Actor, no questions asked. Did you see the clip? He put a cigarette out on his tongue just before chopping up a corpse. That's the kind of deeply morbid performance that will ruin your chances of ever landing another 'good guy' role. Then, to show up with that beard -- I thought they should give him an Oscar for Most Disturbing Beard.

Most of us know Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and something about his long scrubby beard makes it seem like he's still not totally over the LOTR experience. Does he go back to middle earth between each movie he works on? I think his beard to hair ratio was really hurt by the fact that he chose to sport a phonytail. On closer inspection he's just got it slicked back, but regardless, it looks like he's got a thick beard and a freaky ponytail -- too much.

All that I can really say about the ensemble is that it's consistent -- he looks like an Eastern-bloc hit man from head to toe -- the hair, the beard, the double-breasted suit. The rose is a nice touch, but seriously Viggo, what's up with the werewolf look?

(out of 5)
Beard to Hair Ratio: 2
Beard to Ensemble: 4
Creepiness: 5

Tonight is the night. The Oscars are upon us. It's a nice feeling knowing that even though I'm sitting here in my pajamas on a rainy Los Angeles morning with a cup of coffee and the Times that the stars are probably knee-deep in dresses that cost more than my house, borrowed jewelry, and their third glass of champagne.

I'm guessing that Jon Stewart is as nervous as anyone, if not more so. The comedian will be our host for this, the biggest night in entertainment, despite word that some of the Academy were less than thrilled with his previous job two years ago. Personally, I thought he was hilarious.

His fashion isn't the type that gets mentioned on sites like this, although it is often worn when writing on sites like this, go figure. Hey, you try blogging in haute couture and see how long that lasts.

No, Mr. Stewart is a regular guy with a sharp wit and a panache for exploiting the obvious. The night looks promising. Enjoy your Oscars.

Since the promos this year don't give Stewart any face time we'll share one from his first go:

Excited about who will be sporting facial hair at this year's Academy Awards? Me too! Facial hair is the men's accessory of the year, and it's not just about the full beard anymore. Male or female, facial hair is impressive. It's the visual manifestation of testosterone -- and your ability to tastefully sculpt and control it displays your ability to tame the hormone that makes people go berserk.

In the anticipation of Styledash's list of "best celebrity facial hair at the Oscars 2008," I thought you might enjoy this video, where one man talks about the difficult task of controlling the wild hairs on his face. Enjoy. [via ManoloMen]

Alright, dolls. I know we're all in the middle of watching the golden statuettes being handed out, but you have to find something to do during the commercial breaks, right? As a member of the Styledash Academy, you're obligated to vote for who you believe was the Best Dressed on the Red Carpet tonight. The style ran the gamut from Meryl Streep in Boho Chic to full-on Hollywood glamour, but we were able to narrow down the choices to these six nominees. Make your vote in the comments (and if you followed along during our liveblogging, you probably know who I'm voting for), and if you think we very grossly overlooked someone, feel free to let us know!

• Penelope Cruz - pretty in pink
• Portia di Rossi - braided beauty
• Nicole Kidman - red hot
• Reese Witherspoon - dark angel
• Beyonce - light mint lady
  
• Helen Mirren - golden goddess

So, that's it, friends. It looks like we've gotten to see everyone worth seeing on the Red Carpet. Head over to our sibling site, Cinematical.com for their liveblogging of the Awards Show, and of course, make sure to stay tuned to Styledash through the next couple of days for recaps, including our Top 10 lists and a faboo video from gorgeous girl Brigitte Dale...

[Special thanks to Brad Hill for providing the live shots...]

5:12 PM - Okay, I change my mind about Jada Pinkett Smith. Maybe the lighting during the day was too harsh for her gown and made it look like mustard. The dress looks more like a deep bronze-y yellow and looks pretty fabulous on her toght little body.

5:01 PM - We're switching to ABC, which has the last 20 minuted before the Awards show starts. Lisa Ling is talking to Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts in a banana yellow strapless dress with little sleeves looks adorable, especially with that old school Hollywood hair.

4:57 PM - So far, who is looking the best?

• Penelope Cruz
• Helen Mirren
• Beyonce Knowles
• Nicole Kidman
• Rachel Weisz

4:53 PM - From the waist up, Faye Dunaway looks good with black sheer long sleeves and upper chest over a black bodice, but what is up with that inner tube thing on the hem of her skirt? And honestly, she's a little too old to wear her hair so long and down like that.

4:51 PM - Okay, Meryl looks kind of bad. Whatever black sack she's wearing, she also didn't accessorize very well. Not that orange and turquoise beads are bad, but on the red carpet?

4:47 PM - Meryl Streep in the background. Can't see what she's wearing completely, but she's looking kind of tribal. Reese Witherspoon in a deep eggplant strapless dress with assymetrical layered skirt. Beautiful, but seriously, all, it feels like everyone just ran out of time in getting ready and forgot to put on jewelry.

4:37 PM - Nicole Kidman looks stunning in a bright red dress and clearly the woman has been hitting the gym, but she has some crazy huge bow on her right shoulder. Cate Blanchett, Best Supporting Actress Nominee. Wearing Armani dress in pewter colored beaded gown with one shoulder. Queen Latifah, you own the red carpet in a simple black dress (Carmen Marc Valvo) and smooth sleek hair worn down. Kate Winslet in same color dress as Beyonce, with horizontal gathering at he bust, one shoulder with long sash over left shoulder. It's Valentino.

4:33 PM - Mark Walhberg (nominated for Best Supporting Actor, The Departed) looking fab, of course, and his date in a navy blue dress (yes, navy blue again!) with sparkling all the way across the chest. Gwyneth Paltrow in a salmon colored dress by Zac Posen with stick straight hair worn down. Fire engine red lips is so totally wrong with the dress.

4:26 PM - Anne Hathaway with beautiful updo of hair, but do not love the strapless ivory beaded dress with what looks like a giant black bow attached to the bodice - Valentino, jewelry by Van Cleef. Just got a peek at Beyonce Knowles in a super light seafoam/mint green Armani. One shoulder that looks like a Miss America sash. Eddie Murphy's date's silvery gray dress could have been pretty except that it has full mirrors at the neckline. That dress would look pretty awesome if that breastplate were gone and were just a strapless dress.

4:23 PM - Kirsten Dunst is the biggest StyleFoul so far. Light gray does not work as a color for her, and the beading and feathers on the dress is just straight up ugly. Gray sheer top with a wide neckline that has a tiny collar? Her hair is HORRIBLE.

4:21 PM - Navy blue is the new black.

4:15 PM - OK, I'm about to fall over. Ryan Seacrest just flashed his Calvin Klein underwear. Forest Whitaker looks adorable and his date in bright yellow gown with a fishtail looks awesome. Speaking of forest, Celine Dion in forest green sleeveless dress with deep V - it's James Gallanos for Lilli. Her hair all loose looks pretty.

4:03 PM - Helen Mirren looks positively radiant in ivory, gold, and Champagne colored lace bodice with a pretty deep neckline - showing quite a bit of cleavage! The skirt is some odd yellow floral print that's not great.

4:01 PM - Giuliana and Jay think Cameron Diaz looks amazing? I must have missed something. Ok, looking at Penelope Cruz again, I think she should have done her hair a little less sleek so her ears don't stick out so much.

3:59 PM - John Travolta and Kelly Preston in D&G leopard print dress that's straight across the chest with straps that originate from center and opens like a V. Judith Ripka gold jewelry. John Travolta looks good in a classic tux with bow tie.

3:56 PM - Rachel Weisz in a Champagne colored, strapless Vera Wang that's embellished with bling across the chest. Gorgeous sparkling pendant.

3:54 PM - Back to Penelope Cruz, nominated for Best Actress. Dressed in Versace, diamonds by Chopard. The dress is definitely Versace in the bodice, almost looks like Madonna of the cone bra era, but definitely am not loving that weird ruffle feather full skirt.

3:50 PM - Cameron Diaz in a white Valentino off-the-shoulder dress that is a little too flappy at the neck, but that smile makes up for it (even though her bed head hair doesn't). Jessica Biel has the most interesting dress so far, since it's HOT pink Oscar de la Renta, high neck, showing off her amazing shoulders, but what a shame with that black belt. Unfortuantely, she also matched her makeup to her dress, with bright pink cheeks and lips. Atrocious. Jada Pinkett looks pissed, probably because she realized that her mustard yellow dress is really uncomfortable - looks like a knight's armor.

3:47 PM - Jennifer Hudson, you are one hell of a woman, and that mocha colored dress is probably gorgeous on you, but why are you hiding it under that ridiculous gold pair of football shoulder pads!??!

3:44 PM - Emily Blunt (royal blue strapless gown, but again, where is the jewelry?) and Michael Buble might be the cutest pair on the red carpet.

3:40 PM - JLo, you done good this year. Looks fabulous in a peachy pink draped dress with some incredible bling on the dress at he neckline and on chest. Short, curly hair. Just caught a glimpse of Penelope Cruz in a dress that's a similar pale pink/peach color. I think the bun wrapped in a braid on the back of her head, um, looks bigger than her head.

3:38 PM - Catherine Deneuve in her black dress - the straight-across neckline makes her a little, um, big.

3:33 PM - Oh, mama, love the black lace strapless dress and retro wavy hair pulled back but the severe wings on eye makeup has got to go on Rinko Kikuchi. Yes honey, we know you're Asian. Again, no necklace, and earrings that are a little small, especially with hair pulled back like that.

3:22 PM - Jodie Foster in a periwinkle Vera Wang gown with short hair, looking pretty good, but needs more jewelry - her earrings are hidden under her hair and isn't wearing a necklace. In fact, there is a noticeable lack of bling on the red carpet so far. Portia diRossi's got her hair in teeny tiny braids and pulled back in a ponytail, kind of matching the neckline on her deep ink blue dress - a thick braid wrapped around the neck that's a sort of halter.

3:20 PM - Debbie Matenopoulos, do you eat? Wow, she actually admitted that she doesn't eat. No wonder her scapula and clavicles are about to burst out of her skin.

3:16 PM - OH NO. What is wrong with Melissa Rivers' bangs? Okay, and now I know why Joan had sunglasses on earlier - are her eyes even open?

3:12 PM - Keith Robinson of Dreamgirls with a shiny silver tie looks great.

3:10 PM - Maggie Gyllenhall in a black Proenza Schouler dress with one shoulder, apparently there are feathers somewhere on the skirt, and she's got a few in her hair. Dress is gorgeous, but she looks a little unhappy. Wow, her hair and jewelry are a little too plain for her dress. In fact, from the neck up, Maggie just looks like she's going out for lunch and shopping.

3:08 PM - Ryan Seacrest with James McEvoy from the Last King of Scotland. Does an accent count as a killer accessory?

3:03 PM - Whoa. Joan Rivers is wearing a pet, and it's a teeny bit annoying that she's doing commentary with sunglasses on.

3:01 PM - Giuliana Depandi's olive drab dress with criss-cross straps across the chest is really, really ugly.

2:55 PM - From the TV Guide channel -- "this is the SuperBowl of Entertainment." Gee, ya' think? And a question for the readers...which red carpet coverage are you watching? Joan and Melissa on the TV Guide Channel? The broadcast on ABC? Ryan and Giuliani on E!? We've got all three.

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Where will you be this coming Sunday evening? Having your usual roast chicken and potatoes for dinner with your family? Getting ready for the week ahead? For goodness' sake will you be sitting at your desk checking email and working?!?

If you do plan to be at a computer on Sunday night when everyone else will be watching with bated breath as Oscars are handed out left and right, then save this page! We'll be liveblogging the red-carpet arrivals, sighing over ball gowns that take our breath away, pointing and laughing at fashion atrocities, and generally just having fun. We'll start at 6pmEST / 3pmPST. Of course, we'll also have recaps in the few days following ...

We're counting down to 3pm PST/6pm EST when we start liveblogging all the action on the red carpet. No, we're not there, but we're following three channels of coverage.

See you in a few minutes!

Styledashers, we are excited. The Academy Awards show is on tonight, and sure sure, while we're interested in seeing Little Miss Sunshine take home the big win, we know the real reason why we're all sitting on the edge of our seats -- the fashion.

So don't forget to come join us later this early evening as we liveblog Oscar style, for which we are getting ready as we speak! Who looks glamorous? Who looks ghastly? We'll be looking out for not only StyleFouls, but complete StyleStrikeouts, and we'd love to share the fun with you.

See you all in a few...we've got to get fabulous for the red carpet!

Where will you be this coming Sunday evening? Having your usual roast chicken and potatoes for dinner with your family? Getting ready for the week ahead? For goodness' sake will you be sitting at your desk checking email and working?!?

If you do plan to be at a computer on Sunday night when everyone else will be watching with bated breath as Oscars are handed out left and right, then click through and stop by Styledash. We'll be liveblogging the red-carpet arrivals, sighing over ball gowns that take our breath away, pointing and laughing at fashion atrocities, and generally just having fun. We'll get started at 6pmEST (3pmPST). Of course, we'll also have recaps in the few days following...In any case, we'll see you on Sunday!

It's all very hush hush, with both stars and designers working hard to keep their red carpet fashion choices a secret, but that hasn't stopped the speculation surrounding Oscar night fashion.

According to Bronwyn Cosgrave, author of "Made for Each Other," a book on Oscar fashion, actresses should shoot for "sexy and refined" when choosing their look -- finding the classic, vintage look that is also in keeping with the growing trend towards individuality.

Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Uma Thurman top the fashion-forward A-list for Marcy Medina, West Coast bureau chief for Women's Wear Daily. Because of the recent runway success of "bubble" skirts, she things these actresses might go all out with big gowns heavy on volume.

It's also rumored that Giorgio Armani might be dressing one of the most impressive stars, as he's holding a couture show in town the night before the awards. But players at Fantasy Fashion League (where you get points depending on the media exposure of your favorite designers and celebrities) also put Chanel and Dior in the running for top designer on the big night.

What do you think? Who will have the hottest looks on the red carpet this year?<