Cold as Fire Baby, Hot as Ice

Ice age man at Manhattan's Museum of Natural History (Left) and Brad Koenig and Baptiste Giabiconi in Chanel F/W 2010 (Right)

Ice Ice Baby

35 Ice sculptors 

6 Days

15 Trucks

265 Tonnes of snow and ice flown in from Scandinavia 

That is what it took Karl Lagerfeld to completely transform The Grand Palais into the arctic wonderland that acted as the backdrop for Chanel's A/W 2010 show.  The ability to dream and act with such grandeur says a lot about Karl Lagerfeld's imagination, creativity, perception, and budget. He reinvented the classic tweed jacket (with fur trim), updated the 2.55 bag (with fur patches), and re-imagined evening bags (as fur snowballs).  Most surprising however was that the yeti boots, fur trousers, fur bags and mohair coats were all faux. "It's so good now, technical advances are so prefect you can hardly tell fake fur from the real thing...Fake is not chic--but fake fur is" explained Karl backstage after the show. Personally, I've always preferred real fur, and worn my grandmother's hand-me-down's (including a beautiful white Dior mink thankyouverymuch) proudly--but if the faux is good enough for Karl, it's good enough for me.   

Overly excessive? Maybe. 

A statement on global warming? Unlikely.

Completely crazy Karl and unprecedented? Definitely.

*images via style.com and Reuters

Uncle Oscar

Best Dressed

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa

Sandra Bullock looks flawless in this metallic and embroidered gold (with vintage lace) Marchesa number. In one word, she looked elegant. This dress was perfect for a best actress nominee as she resembled the statue she took home at the end of the night. With her old Hollywood hair, bold red lip and simple accessories, Sandy B truly sparkled. 

You go Gracie Lou Freebush!

Best Color

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

This regal lavender and purple gown was the most vibrant thing on the red carpet tonight. Many critics felt the dress was too long, too big, and too much but personally, I disagree. This is the kind of dress we need to see more of--glamorous and special runway finales (this was the Givency's finale number). I think the crystal beaded bodice and ombre tiers looked femine and Zoe Saldana pulled it off nicely. 

Most Pleasant Surprise

Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham

Miley wore an embellished champagne Jenny Packham bustier dress with just enough sparkle. It was totally age appropriate and the best surprise look. 

(Note: next year Miley, stand up straight)

Best Volume

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab Haute Couture

Rachel McAdams totally switched up her usual 1950's retro look and opted for a marvelous watercolor printed gown. It featured a pleated bodice and sweetheart neckline. The dress's volume was perfectly balanced with it's muted colors. She looks fresh-faced and natural. Simple hair and accessories completed the look.

Biggest Disappointment

Diane Kruger in Chanel

Diane looked chic and classic in Chanel but I really expected more from her, especially after her amazing dress choice at the Emmy's. I always eagerly anticipate Diane's red carpet looks but her adventure and vision fall short here. The dress is bottom heavy, unflattering and drab.  Diane usually can't go wrong in my books, (as an actress who has the vision to successfully do her own styling), but tonight she should have hired a stylist.

Most Overrated

Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive

I just don't like the dress and don't understand how everyone else does.  I agree that her makeup and hair look beautiful but the dress doesn't do it for me. I feel like I've seen it before both on this red carpet (On Amanda Seyfried also in Armani Prive) and others (Lady Gaga's Armani Prive at The Grammy's). I also think the heavy tiers and bunching made her 'ass'ets a little over-pronounced. 

Most improved look

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten

I am usually really anti-MG. I think she's plain, boring and makes fashion choices that feel drab. Tonight however she proved me wrong. She looks vibrant and youthful in this Dries print and the hot pink lipstick  perfectly completes the look.

Other wow's:

-SJP in Chanel Couture, supplied by my very own Kouba (the hair was a bit much, but all is forgiven with SJP)

-Meryl Streep in white Chris March (A Project Runway contestant--Bravo!)

-Charlize Theron in Dior by John Galliano (Am I the only one who didn't mind this? I get it, the roses are a little cinnabun but I like it!)

*images via getty & WireImage