Best and Worst Dressed at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival: Paris Hilton

 

Interesting... Well, whether you love her or hate her, Paris Hilton is always going to give you something to talk about. Besides getting kicked out of parties at Cannes due to heavy petting and PDA with her douchey boyfriend Doug Reindhart from The Hills, Paris found time in her "busy" schedule to attend the amFAR Cinema Against Aids benefit during the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Initially, the dress was ok. But the more you look at it, the more you start to feel that maybe the designer was quite indecisive when making this rocker belt / pageant contestant / pleated fan at the chest area / studded tin foil / I have extra tulle I don't know what to do with / let's give this to Paris Hilton she'll wear anything, dress. And that silver rosette necklace headgear...wrong. This outfit burns my eyes...

 

Cheap and Trendy Clothes for Guys

I can't tell you how many guy friends I've helped in this year alone. With my fashion obsession and my Asian gene to find the cheapest deals, I can spice up your wardrobe on any budget. If you're thinking to yourself, "I want to reinvent my look, but the recession has been kicking my ass", here are a few suggestions to kick start you into a very trendy guy:

 

Look #1: Bold Colors
I love this look because it colorful and it's now. I've been writing about how colors are hot for girls, and it's really no different for men. If you have been shy about breaking out that pink shirt for quite some time now, don't be. When you're doing colors, chose ones that are direct opposites that compliment each other. For example, blue and yellows are great. Electric dark blue and neon yellow are even better. Wear the blue collared shirt completely unbuttoned or unbuttoned about 3-4 buttons from the top. Layer it on top of the tee. The graphic t-shirt gives you a little more edge and the small white scarf with yellow and black detail pull it all together. When accessorizing, go with a chunky brown leather watch or any other leather cuff.

 

Look#2: Fresh & Clean
This look is fresh and clean for summer. I added this look only because most guys I know would stop at the the shirt and shorts. Try layering on a cardigan for functionality as well as a touch of trendiness. A cardigan is just a simple way for a guy to show that "yes, I too, know what I'm doing". Accessorize with a bead and rope bracelet and you have yourself a complete outfit.

 

Look #3: Pattern Mixing
This look is similar to look #1. The only thing different here is the playfulness of pattern. Don't be afraid to layer it on. Fashion for the girls is all about mixing lots of patterns and guys shouldn't be afraid to do the same. Here, I have a graphic tee with a plaid shirt. I would add a gray/black plaid scarf on top for more interest. Then accessorize with a leather band, and add a straw stripe fedora hat for more texture. This look is great for the daytime or hanging out a lounge with your friends.

 

Look #4: Black & White
If you're not a crazy colors guy or confident about mixing patterns, you can still rock out in plain black and white. As I mentioned before, don't stop at just the t-shirt and jeans. Layer on a vest. Add a small punch of color in with this plaid fringe blue scarf, black leather bracelet with small blue detail, and throw on some dog tags for a little more interest. It's trendy, laid back, and the vest is multifunctional so you get more bang for your buck.

Trendy Spring and Summer Dresses for 2009: Bold Colors and Florals

If your wardrobe needs a little spicing up, there is no better time than the present. This spring and summer, don't be afraid of your grandma's florals. Because honey, they are hot right now! If grandma's flowers are a little too loud for your personal style, I have other suggestions for your spring/summer style that will freshen you up and compliment your personal taste.

1. Cropped Cardigan

2. Shredded Leather Bracelet
3. Silver Pattern Bead
4. Floral Bubble Hem Halter Dress
5. Short Liquid Leggings
6. Jet Heart Cluster Necklace
7. Embellished Multichain Necklace
8. Ruffle Lace Fingerless Glove
9. Charles David Women's Zip Sandal

Where to buy:
Pattern
For pattern, think of southern tea parties. Big floral print in watercolors or small floral print in dark blues and reds. If you want to glam it up and rock it out, do so with lacy gloves, or off the wall jewelry and some patent leather booties. As for the cut of the dress, you can make it sexy with a figure flattering wrap dress or with a silhouette dress. Or cutesy it up with a bubble or baby doll dress. That way, you won't feel like you're 81 years old. For above example: I've paired a halter bubble dress with a crop cardigan, liquid leggings and purple strappy platform shoes. Then I rocked themed the accessories by layering a studded bracelet with a shredded leather cuff, lacey gloves, and layering a black cluster necklace with a multi chain necklace to give it more girth. I don't know about you, but grandma does not wear studded bracelets, laced gloves, or any of the above. This is a great way to modernize the pastel florals.

Some other floral dresses I recommend:
Color
So maybe the mixing of patterns and florals with a million crazy colors just isn't your thing. You can't wear it, you can't pull it off, bah humbug! Well you're in luck because for 2009, it's also all about colors: watercolors, pastels, jewel tones, and any other bold color defines this season's hottest trends. Personally, with my yellow/olive skin tone, I can pull off pastels or hot pinks and oranges like no other. If you have lighter skin with either red or darker hair, go for jewel tones like reds, greens, dark blues. Of course there are a lot of elements to consider to see what color looks best on you. Whatever color it is, choose that color and find a bolder version. If you like soft pinks, try hot pink. If you like blues, go for royal or baby blues. Whatever is the brightest and pops the most is what spring & summer 2009 is all about.

I've chosen some examples below that are solid colors, as well as subtle patterns. That way you can still participate in pattern if you're partial to style somewhere in the middle. A little goes a long way. Check out that orange and white Versace dress. Sophisticated, fun and bold. Yum!

Style With Design: Lady Gaga

As someone who has an interior design background and a love for all things fashion, I thought, "why do I have to pick one or the other? Why not do both?" So I bring to you "Style With Design", a series where I take an outfit, replicate that look and translate that look into interior design. You will see how expressing yourself can go beyond just the clothes you wear by mirroring in your home environment.

Let's start off with Lady Gaga. I know I talk about her a lot, but how could I not? She gives me so much to say! She's just so over the top and always proves she's a performer and she loves what she does. Until MTV cribs unleashes an episode with the Lady herself, we can only imagine what her house would look like. I will take one look of hers and translate it into a design everyone can replicate and live with. Observe!

The Outfit
Here she's wearing an animal print top that is gold and black, most likely with a black body suit underneath from her "Just Dance" video. The blue lightening bolt on her face adds color, and her thick platinum blond hair and bangs demands presence. Classic Gaga. Replicate this look:

1. Georgette top

2. Booty Short
3. Feather Earrings
4. Nine West Aleksander Platform

Where to buy:

The Living Room
Inspired by this look, I put a room together based on this outfit. It's classic with a modern and retro twist. I chose to go with neutral colors with small punches of blue. All of the elements of texture and pattern keeps your guest discovering little details that contribute to the 'wow' factor. According to this outfit, this is where I imagine Lady Gaga to entertain her fabulous friends.

1. Tamara Peacock Pillow
2. Blissliving Home Lisa Pearl Blondie Four Faces Pillow
3. "Luna" Chandelier
4. Leather Recamier
5. Arktura Coral Coffee Table
6. Silk Dupioni Window Panel
7. Cast Iron Flourish Textured Black Window
8. Floral Panel
9. Artecnica Come Rain Come Shine Chandelier
10. "Blanco Hairhide" Rug
11. Seascape Lighting Penelope Aqua Blue
12. "Zebra" Box

Where to buy: