Mr. Blackwell infamous for fashion haikus
Last year, when Obama was triapsing about on the campaign trail - vigorously purusing the role of Commander-in-Chief - I penned a post with a handful of fashion tips so the upstart from Chicago would cut a fine sartorial path for potential supporters.
Post: 06/05/08http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/06/barack-obamafashion-tips-for-stylish.htmlA blogger stumbled across the fahion spread, and hinted to his readers, that I just might be the next fashion wit, Mr. Blackwell.
Blackwell - formerly a well-respected fashion designer - was King of the Haiku quips - so when he passed to spirit last year there was a cavernous tongue-in-check void to fill.
So, I took up the delightful task, and unveiled my 1st Annual Worst & Best-Dressed lists for Women and Men at the end of the year.
Post: 12/28/08http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/12/10-worst-dressed-listcher-oprah-and.htmlPost: 01/31/09http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/01/julian-ayrs-1st-annual-worst-dressed.htmlCan it really be a year later since the first platform shoe dropped with a thud?
So, now, I tout my 2nd Annual Worst & Best-Dressed list put the spotlight on the ladies, first.
Tomorrow, the 2nd Annual Best & Worst-Dressed list will be published for the man-about-town who curried favor - then again - just maybe did not!
2nd Annual Best & Worst Dressed Women's list
Angelina Jolie
One of the rare exoic females of the species capable of stutting her stuff in a body-fitting sheath that smacks of sensuality and undisputed tantalizing fashion appeal!
The undestanted earrings spark up the outfit - and ultimately - add a touch of understated elegance.
Jolie, is simply a dazzling gem!
Bai Ling
I confess, I have a soft spot in my heart - and fashion musings - for Ms. Ling.
Over the past year, we crossed paths on several auspicious occasions, and became fast friends.
The stunning beauty is a chic clotheshorse - both on the gangway - and off.
In fact, when the talented actress strides out on a press junket to promote a film, the paparazzi go wild; after all, Bai Ling is an intriging subject who never disappoints in eye-catching designer gowns and cocktail frocks that underscore her unique signature style and flair for the exotic and unusual.
In her glory days as the Duchess of York, Miss Ferguson was inclined to sashay over-the-top, all decked out in floppy frothy oversized hats (Hedda Hopper would be proud ) and gowns bogged down with stuffy-old bows and wings and all-manner-of fashion flourishes that went bump in the night.
Ghastly, for the most part.
But, in recent years, the Duchess has nurtured into stylish sensiblity that speaks volumes for her.
At the recent screening of "Young Victoria" (Producer), I got an up-close personal gander at the perky redhead, who was not only ravishing - but correctly turned out, too - for the occasion.
Hats off to weight-watchers for helping her turn the fashionista corner!
Over the past year, 1st Lady Michelle Obma demonstrated a keen fashion sense - especially in respect to the appropriateness of an outfit - while out on public jaunts and on kick-back occasions at home at the White House while holding court.
Oftentimes, casual ensembles were spruced up with pastels, or subtle fashion flourishes.
At high-profile events, Obama's better-half displayed a flair for a defining look, which was never over-the-top or in your face.
A clothes-horse along the lines of Jackie-O (in the making).
Although the feisty gal - with the gift of gab - is getting on in years, Walters doesn't intend to get stuffy, dated, or become an old stick-in-the-mud.
On the recent 10 most -fascinating special, for instance, the likeable hostess-with-the-mostest was gussied up in a tasteful body-fitting gown - and subtle accessories - which not only suited her distinctive facial features but trimmed years off her age.
Always keen on what is socially and politically correct, Walters manages to saunter in-and-of the spotlight in a wardrobe that underscores that a middle-aged woman has many fashion choices given a little thought.
The headlines screamed that the young songbird's pretty cocktail dress plunged a lttle too low, when she appeared for an audience, with Queen Elizabeth at a tony Royal Performance.
Hooey.
The charismatic young beauty was not only a knock-out, but got the nod from this discerning fashionista on his lofty perch in WeHo.
In fact, in recent days, Miley has been coming into her own in a trend-setting sense, with a maturer style that - ultimately - belies her critics.
It will be curious to see what she conjures up next for red carpet soirees in the future.
A perennial favorite who has experienced her share of fashion victimitis over the years, actress Julia Roberts has carved a niche for herself as the down-to-earth girl-next-door who cleans up nicely thank-you very much.
On top of the latest fashion trends, the award-winning actress is inclined to take a stab at fresh couture offerings now and then.
To many, Ms.Roberts is worth her weight in gold when it comes to bellweather trends and fashion influence.
And, therefore, treads lightly.
She's comfortale and pretty in the classy outfit pictured here, but racey numbers suit her, too.
As versatile on the fashion trail as she is up on the big screen.
A fresh-faced beauty - just as comfortable in her skin - when exquisitely trussed up in period wardrobe (Young Victoria) or squeezed into a body-hugging understated cocktail dress sparked up with a dash of stardust.
Pay attention to her lightly-applied make-up, gals, which conjures up a look au naturel that's difficult to hold a candle to.
A star in the galaxy worth keeping an eye on for sure!
Last year, the Beverly Hills dish - with undeniable sex appeal - ended up on the worst-dressed list becasue of ensemble choices that underscored she was prone to become a fashion victim ad nauseam..
At the recent premiere of her documentary "Paris" - up-close-and-personal - I was literally dazzled by her charm, elegance, and stand-out style.
You've come a long way, baby!
Oh, such a darling!
Over the years, Katie has continued to smile sweetly, as network brass transformed her on-camera image from girl-next-door, to conservative newsie and onward to trusted night anchor.
During those topsy-turvey days of bending, shaping, and primping, American TV viewers gobbled her up.
Would the real Katie step forward, please!
Something tells me, the outfit pictured here, is more along the lines of her own fashion taste; if so, get out the applause soundtrack,
After all, I'm always partial to chic black party dresses and pearls.
But Katie, dear, you need a little coaching with the hands
Ten Worst-Dressed Women
(would you bed any of these inductees)
Is that a banana in your shorts, Amy, or are you just happy to see us?
Fashionista impressions?
The pop star couldn't compete with a West Hollywood Drag Queen on Karaoke night, even after two-or-three drinkie-poohs too many!
Toss that broad some spare change, will 'ya, so she can spring for a sex change!
Cher
Bound and chained more-often-than-not, all the Pop Diva needs is a oil-soaked gag, to deliver up the perfect scintillating image of a slave-mate!
You'd think Cher - who usually pays a lot of attention to Details! Details! Details - would have at least swept up the pube shavings (rear right) before posing for the alluring publicity still.
If a gaggle of fans are lucky, she'll auction 'em off at Caesar's next opening night.
A booby-trap waiting to happen!
And, the perfect poster chick, to warn about the perils of botched botox injections.
The porky Diva is a role model for all hefty African-American women with an unwitting taste for the tacky!
In one fell swoop, Latifa underscores a myriad of fashion debacles hot-to-trot single mammas (packing twenty pounds too many) should avoid to ward off nick-names like "old lard ass" (etc. etc. etc.)
Bottom line?
The popular torch-singer is better off slipping into a free-flowing Kaftan, than the stringy garb cutting into the folds of fat (which don't flatter and tend to contrict her).
Palin, fashion innovator (oh, yeah!) first and foremost (unless the clothes are rented by the Republicans) unveils a clever twist on a once-charming fashion accessory - known to college goodie two-shoes - as the "fur muff"
In the great white north, Palin is inclined to raucously shout out:
Fur's up!
If you pry the former ice Queen for the fashion specifics, she'll sure as heck give 'ya a scrunched up wink, and proudly note matter-of-fact: for the record, that she killed the dumb fur-bearing with her own handsanimal while donning her Sunday best on the way to Church.
Amen!
Comedian Wanda Sykes is quick on the uptake with rat-a-tat rapid-fire jokes that tickle the funny bone, alright.
But, she's more of a hoot to take a gander at!
In a nutshell, the comic is a ghastly mirror-image of an ovestuffed pheasant with ubiquitous fringe on the top
Don't ruffle her ragged feathers, or she'll make you the butt of a joke in a punch-line, for starters.
Being the butt of talk-show fodde, is in Vogue, though.
Totally, dudes!
Obviously, Ms. Streep didn't nab this coveted award for any innate sense of style!
After all, the talented actress is basically a mish-mash of stylish after-rthoughts that end up crying out for sympathy (no encore, please).
Meryl, you're over-the-hill, out-of-the fashion loop, and gone-to-seed.!
And, the baubbles?
Toss 'em before swine
No problem!
A smorgasbord of fashion flourish disasters!
Having gobbled up too much of each, it's obvious, the tell-tale signs of indigestion (and our indignation) has set in.
Style misfires - scooped neck, gaudy buckle, spitting fabric belt - amount to a belly-flop (not the divine swang song) Ms. Piggy was reaching for.
A tidal wave of frump gone awry and on its way to cable hell (and back?).
Good riddance.
A pretty woman plagued by boyish tendencies.
Is Stahl off to audition for the role of a bobbsy-twin playing opposite TV lesbo, Ellen?
Or is she just smitten with the perky talk show host's waif-like persona?
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they say.
Thin-legged jeans which accent skinny gams, out-of-place T-shirts, and manish leather jackets in off-color shades of brown, also accentuate the obvious.
Stahl doesn't have the Hepburn pannache (or style DNA) to pull it all off.
Best-Worst Dressed Woman
Pop Diva alights in a spanking new category
Sizzling stage performer, Lady Gaga, tends to be an eclectic mix-and-match hodge-podge of eye-catching fabrics crafted into show-shopping get-ups that drum up wild roars from the crowd.
Even still, she usually managess to hit a top that usually strikes a balance, which resonates with her die-hard fans and Pop Music afficianados.!
The mercurial Diva - with a penchant for chapeaus of the wild and whoolly variety - on occasion saunters into a fashion faux pas (or two) - like the night she squeaked by during the occasion of her audience with the Queen of England.
Naughty, yes!
But, endearing, too.
A likely candidate to mug for "No Excuses" commercials, eh?
Her fashion sense (and scintillating style) is all over the map, though - which is the major crux of the dilemma for fashionistas pulse-takers who strive to slot their subjects into neat & ttidy packages for easy consumption.
For this reason, and with her stage persona at the forefront of my style-concious sensibilities, I crown her Best-Dressed Worst-dressed because she is a stand alone fashion wonder which will continue to rage on amidst thunderous applause for decades to come.
