We are at it again. Kiko and yours truly have scoured red carpet slideshows for the best of the 2016 Academy Awards fashion. This year, the women of Hollywood took a refined, controlled, and classy approach to dressing for the ceremony. Bodices were nipped to perfection, hemlines fell in wrinkle-free cascades, and embellishment stayed safely away from vision impairing limits. Except for Heidi Klum. The Project Runway host went wild with tulle but let’s not discuss that further.

The Ankle-Length Dress: Alicia Vikander Vs. Daisy Ridley

It’s the talented Swede against the feisty Brit in this battle for who wore the shorter hemline best. Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander swept onto the stage in a delightful, yellow Louis Vuitton dress. Daisy Ridley presented an award in a shimmering Chanel Haute Couture number

B: Both actresses looked beautiful but Alicia looked so radiant in that beaded, gathered hem Louis Vuitton. I loved the half bun on her and I do not like half buns at all. 

K: I agree that both of these girls did a good look.  However, I would go for Alicia Vikander!  That soft yellow makes her skin glow and the circular hi-lo bubble skirt is a
fabulous finish.

Atelier Versace Gowns: Jennifer Garner Vs. Tina Fey

Too much perfection! Will it be Jennifer Garner in black, or Tina Fey in purple? Will the draped shoulder, sweetheart neckline win, or the impeccably fitted strapless one? Neil Lane emerald earrings or Bulgari necklace?

B: This is tough so…it’s a tie for me! I was so happy to see Jennifer Garner looking absolutely fabulous at the Oscars. And then I saw Tina Fey and I felt just as happy. What a coincidence that both actresses were in the hands of Donatella. The 30 Rock star has her hits and misses on the red carpet but this particular appearance was a big hit!

K: Again, I am torn with these ladies, both gorgeous!  Jennifer looks stunning but it just reminds me of Angelina Jolie, so with that being said, I will go with Tina Fey.  The asymmetric ruching, body shaping fit and purple color brought out the best of Tina.

Best in Sparkle: Saoirse Ronan Vs. Naomi Watts

Brooklyn’s Saoirse Ronan wore a dress fit for celebrating her Best Actress nomination. The Irish actress mader her way on the red carpet in a plunging Calvin Klein Collection gown. The emerald green dress, along with Saoirse’s tousled hair made for an effortlessly sexy look. As for Naomi Watts, the Australian actress dazzled in a Swarovski crystal embellished Armani Prive gown.

B: As much as I was mesmerized by the blues and purples on  Naomi’s gown, I must give Best in Sparkle to Saoirse. Everything worked beautifully for her.

K: Naomi is to die for, the monochromatic hues of blues and purple beadwork is perfection.  I would ding her for her jewelry. I would opt for sapphire or amethyst. Saorise Ronan’s green dress kind of reminds me of the 70s fully beaded gown that Dionne Warwick would wear except with a revealing top.

Plunging Necklines: Charlize Theron Vs. Olivia Wilde

Mad Max: Fury Road’s Charlize Theron in red Dior squared off with Olivia Wilde in white Valentino. Charlize was a commanding presence in her dress, with its neckline plunging down to her waist, her Harry Winston pendant almost grazing her bellybutton. Olivia played both angel and devil in demure pleats that revealed more than just a hint of skin.

B: Sorry Olivia, but Charlize sashayed her way to victory in this style battle. 

K: Charlize’s red jaw dropping low V-neck has that classic shape and it is my choice. I commend Valentino’s play on the pleats, I just think     it’s too much breast exposure for Olivia. I am not a fan of side boob exposure.

Lace Wars: Rooney Mara Vs. Jennifer Lawrence

Rooney Mara has found her signature style with all the Givenchy she favors. For Oscar night, The Carol actress chose a couture gown in a delicate gray hue. The long-sleeved dress featured a cut-out at the waist and gorgeous embroidery and lace. Joy star Jennifer Lawrence chose sheer, black lace. She paired her Dior gown with a simple Chopard necklace.

B: Sadly, both Rooney and Jennifer’s dresses felt underwhelming. Extra points for both their hairstyles though. Jennifer rocked a polished lob and Rooney’s multiple buns made for a slick look. 

K: I love Rooney Mara’s choice, the delicate lace nude look by Givenchy gave her a clean yet sexy and fierce look. I am not sure what’s wrong with Jennifer Lawrence, is it the dress or her hair … I don’t think it’s complimenting

Battle of the Best Actresses: Julianne Moore Vs. Cate Blanchett

A pair of Best Actress winners brought their fashion A-game to the Oscars on Sunday night. Julianne Moore was all about black lace and beautiful embroidery in Chanel Haute Couture. Cate Blanchett flew in like an otherworldly bird in feather-embellished Armani Prive.

B: This was close. Winner by a slight margin was Cate Blanchett. She looked radiant in her sea foam green gown. The intricate feather details were just the perfect amount and her Tiffany jewelry – look at those earrings – were breathtaking!

K: Cate Blanchett is my favorite for this year’s Oscar. She’s the epitome of glamour! The color, shape and intricate detail is perfection.

Bettina and Kiko

Let’s say you’ve solved the hair-up/hair-down dilemma for your wedding day. Next on your endless list of decisions? Hair accessories. Ladies, may I present the case, for flowers in your hair?

How lovely is it to celebrate a Spring/Summer wedding with a profusion of blooms as decorations and accessories? And what better to frame a glowing bride’s face with something equally beautiful. The key is to have it accent your choice of hairstyle. Take the late Peaches Geldof. On her wedding day, the British celebrity chose a crown of daisies. The flowers were set farther back from the top of her center-parted hair, highlighting her face, and not the other way around.

In July 2007, Rebecca Romijn wed Jerry O’Connell. Who says your hair accent needs to be on the side or the top of your head? Rebecca pinned white flowers to adorn her half-up, half-down hairstyle. The result was an effortless look that went perfectly with her figure-skimming, cross-back wedding dress.

For the ultimate relaxed yet polished floral accent, consider Jade Jagger. No elaborate updos or crazy curls for this bride. Jade left her side-parted hair her down in loose waves. Pinned to one side were simple, white blooms.

Finally, a cautionary tale. For how not to wear flowers in your hair, I present Princess Caroline circa 1978. At the Monaco royal’s first wedding, she chose a hairstyle that eclipsed her lovely Dior wedding dress and pretty much everything else. Seemingly inspired by Princess Leia, the bride adorned not one, but both sides of her head with a complicated spray of flowers that looped through her nape!

There you have it. Choose a spot. Pick a flower or two. And think WWPRJD (what would Peaches/Rebecca/Jade do)?

Bettina

In June 2014, Olivia Palermo, one of the fashion scene’s most recognizable faces married Johannes Huebl. As expected, the darling of street photographers celebrated her wedding day wearing something that was oh-so-Olivia!

The former The City reality show star has found success with her fashion collaborations, modeling, and that singular style of hers. Olivia can rock a Zara top in the same way she shows off a vintage Hermes clutch, or her favorite Tibi shoe. What I admire most about Olivia is that she’s always about mixing high with low, print with print, shorts with boots and other unexpected combinations. But always, always still put-together and polished.

For her Bedford, New York wedding, Olivia stayed true to her style. The bride stepped out in a Carolina Herrera ensemble. Cue those Pinterest pins – Olivia wore a cream, cashmere sweater and a pair of shorts! Over those warm-weather bottoms, she wore a frothy tulle skirt. Quite a feat, if I may say so myself. I mean, shorts, right?! But somehow, Olivia still looked every inch the blushing bride, down to her “something blue” – a pair of jeweled Manolos. She pulled her hair into a loose ponytail and kept her jewelry minimal and makeup simple.

So there you go. Why not shorts? And if shorts are too big a leap, consider the effortless elegance of a sweater, a full skirt, and an easy day of dressing for your wedding!

Bettina

Best in Red

B – Rosamund Pike in Givenchy Haute Couture. Rosamund more than made up for the tragic, white gown she wore at the Golden Globes. Her strapless, red dress was spectacular!

Best in Gloves

B – Seeing how there was only one, this goes to Lady Gaga. It wouldn’t be Lady Gaga without that extra something. And what better to go with a custom Alaia gown than eye-popping, red gloves, right?

K – The red glove reminds me of a kitchen glove with the white dress, I think it would have been better if she kept the white classic or wore the red glove with a more appropriate dress. Don’t get me wrong, I love the style and color of the glove, just not with that white ball skirt.

Best in ‘That’s Blue Not White’

B -Reese Witherspoon.Tom Ford dressed one actress at the Academy Awards and Reese was the recipient of Mr. Ford’s splendid creation. She looked effortlessly elegant in what looked like a black-trimmed, white gown which turned out to be the palest of blues. And Reese’s wavy, high-gloss hair? Perfection!

Best in ‘Look at My Neck’

B – Scarlett Johansson in emerald green Atelier Versace wins! Felicity Jones in a high-neck Alexander McQueen gown is a runner-up. Margot Robbie is right at Scarlett’s heels thanks to her Van Cleef and Arpels zip necklace which complemented her Saint Laurent dress.

K – Again another mismatch, Scarlett’s neck piece, which came with the dress, and the dress itself, were spectacular but I don’t think it’s a good match. All those Swarovski crystals overwhelmed the beautiful detailing of the dress.

Best Keyhole Neckline

B – Oscar performer Anna Kendrick takes this title. I was so pleased with Anna’s red carpet look. In her coral Thakoon dress and loose updo, the ‘Into the Woods’ star has never looked better.

Best in Nude

B – And by nude I mean nude-colored dresses. Two Jennifers win this award. Jennifer Lopez was a vision in Elie Saab Couture while Jennifer Aniston gave black dresses a break and looked fantastic in glittering Atelier Versace.

Best in White

B – I am sad to say that I am settling when it comes to this category. While Julianne Moore in Chanel Couture and Marion Cotillard in Dior Couture both looked beautiful, I was a bit underwhelmed by their choices. A clearer winner would be the luminous Lupita Nyong’o in white pearls courtesy of Calvin Klein.

K – I wonder how true is the rumor that the pearls were faux, according to the person who stole the dress and had the pearls appraised. But to me, real or faux, Lupita’s look was a show stopper!

Bettina and Kiko

It’s Oscars weekend, everyone! If your household is anything like mine, there will be butts parked on couches for hours on end. Let the cocktail drinking, snack food munching, and nonstop fashion commentary ensue! To get us in the mood for Sunday’s fashion extravaganza, here are my favorite looks from each of this year’s Best Actress nominees.

“Still Alice’s” Julianne Moore is a talented actress and a seasoned red carpet star. One of her most memorable looks came courtesy of Givenchy Haute Couture. At this year’s Golden Globe Awards, Julianne outshone her peers in a stunning silver creation complete with a luxurious, feather skirt.

Felicity Jones and Dior make for a divine combination. In September 2013, at the Toronto International Film Festival, Felicity stepped out in a strapless black dress. I know what you’re thinking. Black? Boring. Not in this case. The dress, with its fitted bodice and bustled, tea-length skirt was a study in impeccable fit. Another winning look? A high neck Christian Dior Haute Couture ball gown in teal for, “The Theory of Everything” actress’ Golden Globes appearance in January.

Before Rosamund Pike’s spine-tingling portrayal of Amy Dunne in “Gone Girl,” she once played co-star to Tom Cruise’s “Jack Reacher.” For one of the movie’s premieres, Rosamund stole the spotlight in a yellow Alexander McQueen gown.

2006 was a year to remember for “Wild’s” Reese Witherspoon. Not only did she win an Oscar for “Walk the Line,” she also won hearts for her red carpet choice. Reese wore a Christian Dior vintage gown from 1955. With its low v-neckline, intricate embellishment, and flared skirt, Reese’s gown was a success!

Yes, there is another Dior dress on this list. It can’t be helped as it just so happens that “Two Days, One Night” actress Marion Cotillard is the face of Lady Dior and rarely wears any other label. One of the best Marion/Dior moments was the 2013 BAFTAs. Marion. Dior Couture. Rich yellow hue. Red lips. I rest my case.

by Bettina Palileo

Holiday alert! On Sunday, there will likely be a brunch, lunch, or dinner on your schedule. While florals and sweet looks reign supreme during the joyous Easter holiday, there’s no reason not to switch things up.

I love a long-over-lean silhouette, especially when the event calls for eating. What’s easier on a happy tummy than the elastic waistband of a pair of leggings, underneath a nice, roomy top? This Sunday, why not try that long, lean look while giving a nod to bunnies and soft hues. Throw a long sweater over a fitted skirt, add some flattering D’Orsay flats or sleek heels and sneak in some whimsical jewelry.

If you’re a dress kind of gal, how about skipping the typical Spring look and borrowing a few things from the guys? Choose a waist-enhancing, fit-and-flare dress in a graphic print or an eye-catching pattern. Topping the dress off with a moto jacket or vest will add just the right edge. Pair with a bold shoe and bold lip, then, hop, skip, and jump to your destination!

Feeling denim instead of fancy duds? Why not? Pair your favorite skinnies with pieces that bring to mind prettily painted Easter eggs and tempting Easter candies – hints of pastel colored lace, a coat in charming peeps yellow, mint green sunglasses, and baby blue shoes.

Whichever style direction you end up going this Sunday, have a lovely time and we wish you a happy, happy Easter!

Bettina

For more outfit ideas, check out http://ttinar.polyvore.com/

Now that the glittery, hazy veil of the holidays has been lifted, the new year’s slightly scary, almost red-eyed stare is before our eyes…or was I just looking in the mirror?!?! LOL, Happy New Year!

Ladies, we know that once all the wine and champagne bottles have been tossed in the recycle bin and those foil serving trays thrown out that it’s time to fold your sparkly sweaters and take off that metallic nail polish. Like the shop windows and fashion glossies are heavily hinting, Spring is just around the corner! I’m in no hurry to step into a kelly green mini but I do like the fresh, clean vibe all these brighter colors are giving me – it helps pull me out of that post holiday slump.

Speaking of that post holiday need for a holiday, here are three things that are getting me energized and excited during the first blush of 2014.

Awards Season! I feel like I run a three-month race during awards season and I Iove it! I cannot wait to see who wears what and what sort of red carpet trend emerges during this time. There are up and coming fashion stars this year. Keep an eye out for Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years a Slave and Margot Robbie from The Wolf of Wall Street. Mark your calendars for the Golden Globes on January 12!

Our shows are back! After that mini break we get to have our quality time with Revenge, American Horror Story: Coven, not to mention premieres for Downton Abbey (oh, Lady Mary), and best of all, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6. Shout out to Seattle’s own BenDeLaCreme! May the best woman win!

Vacay Inspo time! And I don’t mean just scrolling through those annoyingly perfect vacay photos on Instagram. There’s really nothing like our minimal sunshine winters to get us hopping on the internet to plan a vacation, or staycation, or just any sort of break from the daily grind. I know I am going on one and the anticipation has lit a fire in my brain. They say that planning your vacation actually boosted happiness for eight weeks, so come on people, let’s get happy!

Bettina Palileo
Co Blogger

Photo Sources:
Lupita Nyong’o – Twitter.com/eightyandsix
BenDeLaCreme – Instagram.com/bendelacreme

Just like literary clichés, traditions are what they are for very good reasons. There is truly something to be said for a ceremony wherein every gesture, every fold of cloth and every piece of jewelry stand for something. And so, Kiko House of Couture recommends taking a peek at your heritage and incorporating it into the wedding of your dreams.

Consider the delicate intricacy of a Spanish mantilla, draped as a shawl or as a veil. Why not the elegant silhouette of a butterfly sleeve, taken from the Filipino terno? How about incorporating bright colors and hand embroidery found in Indian saris? Even a single item, can make a difference, like one of your Japanese aunt’s Kanzashi combs to adorn your hair or something red to signify luck, the way the color is used in a traditional Chinese wedding.

Think of it this way, in this day and age of minimalist dresses, no wedding veil and self-written vows, what is traditional may just be what makes your wedding stand out. So take your pick from your own rich history (and even make parents and relatives happy along the way) and adapt it to a style all your own.

It’s an exciting day at Kiko House of Couture! Our new website has launched! Pardon the exclamation points, but I just cannot wait to share with you all the features on my site. Everything you need to know about me and my At-Home Atelier can be found here – contact information, testimonials, services, and all those practical, technical tidbits. But, on to my favorite features. The gallery has the most beautiful photos of my brides. They still take my breath away and I am so pleased that I can show them off to you! Take a peek at my sketches for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of my garments and then click on some fashion shots of models in my gowns. Check on my blog for anything and everything – a sneak peek at the projects I am working on, what inspires me, a playlist here and there, an instagram shot of my lunch…all that fun stuff!

Before I sign off on my first entry, I owe many, many thanks to Malcolm Smith, web designer extraordinaire.

Click away and enjoy my new website!

Cheers!