And the Award goes to....

As awards season wraps up for another year, here's the 'After My Own Fashion' round up of the Oscars, with the Award for " Most Hollywood A-listers you can fit in a Selfie" to kick us off:

Photo: Bradley Cooper

The Award for "Most Beautiful and Natural" goes to Lupita Nyong'o in pastel blue pleated Prada - Pantone's Colour of the Year 2014 may be Radiant Orchid but from now on, it's all going to be about 'Nairobi Blue' this Summer - heaven.

Photo: Getty

The Award for "Most Comfortable in Couture" goes to the resplendent Meryl Streep in Lanvin:

The Award for "Most Age Appropriate" goes to Emma Watson in edgy Vera Wang, teamed with a bright red lip - the coolest kid on the block:

The Award for "Most Stylish in your Sixties" goes to the 'Divine Miss M' in Reem Acra:

Photo: Getty

and the Award for "Most Magnificent in a Tux" is a tie between Pharrell and Ellen, in Lanvin and Saint Laurent respectively:

Photo: EPA

Pharrell has even remembered to moisturize his shins, which gets points in my book,

whilst only the sartorially brave can carry off delivering pizza in white.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Hats off (geddit?) to both and here's to Hollywood not taking itself too seriously for once.

Pharrell Williams & Lupita Nyong'o getting 'Happy' Photo: AP

Pizza anyone?  Photo: AP

Grown up glamour

Awards season is well and truly underway, and with just a month to go until the Oscars the red carpet fashion frenzy is in full swing. What I am finding so refreshing this year is how many of the more  mature Best Actress nominees are giving their younger counterparts a real run for their money in the style stakes. Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Julia Roberts have all been strutting their stuff, taking risks and showing us just how good 40+ women can and do look.

Photo: UPI/Jim Ruymen

When you are walking the red carpet year in year out (this is Streep's 18th nomination!!!) I imagine fashion choices become rather less important, but Meryl Streep has really upped her game this season, wearing a casual black and gold Michael Kors combo at the Palm Springs Film Festival (below) and a blue Stella McCartney tunic dress at the Critics Choice Awards (above with Julia Roberts in Juan Carlos Obando) to great effect:

Photo: Jeff Vespa/Getty Images for PSFF

And here is Meryl, in Stella McCartney again, at the SAG awards, goofing around with her new best friend Emma Thompson, who having thrown away her Louboutin's at the Golden Globes, is rather glorious in a vintage dress with silver flats. They actually look like real women, having fun, which makes rather a change for Hollywood, non?

Sandra Bullock has also been rocking a more directional look recently. I love this bright Alex Perry dress  - perfect for Palm Springs, with the pop of pink lip colour adding that final touch of glamour,

Photo: Fame/Flynet

whilst the Burberry sweater and skirt combo she wore at the AFI awards luncheon with nude Brian Attwood shoes is understated and classy:

Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America

Julia Roberts has been away from the red carpet for a while but thanks to "August: Osage County" she's back, looking modern and fresh in leopard print Gucci with a messy up-do for the Palm Springs Film Festival,

Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

and in pink Valentino with loose waves and a smoky eye for the SAG awards:

Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Last, but by no means least, awards season 2014 wouldn't be complete without la Blanchett. Does anyone else think she also seems to be getting more beautiful as she gets older? Her hair and make-up at the Golden Globes were so elegant, beautifully offset by the high neck on her Armani Privé lace gown, and those gorgeous earrings:

Here she is wearing sophisticated dark green Lanvin, with a stunning red lip at the Critics Choice awards,

and looking somewhat more edgy in Givenchy at the AACTA awards in Sydney. Whilst I can't condone the side-boob here - it is so hard to pull off, even for someone as classy as Blanchett - I do applaud her mussed-up hair and low-key make-up. In fact I feel a bit of a style crush coming on....

Whilst this is most definitely a post in praise of the older woman, I will just give a small shout out to this year's triumphant young newcomer - Lupita Nyong'o who hasn't put a Jimmy  Choo wrong yet with her bold, exciting dress choices - seen here at the Golden Globes in glorious Ralph Lauren,

and in tropical turquoise Gucci, getting photobombed by Emma Thompson at the SAG awards.

Photo: Wireimage

 

I can't wait to see what they will all be wearing come Oscar night, and who the After My Own Fashion Best Dressed awards will go to - watch this space.

Belles of the Ball Part 2

So, the biggest night in the Hollywood awards season is over. The statuettes have been given out, acceptance speeches made, agents thanked, tears shed and my general impression for the Oscars 2013?  It was all a bit underwhelming really. There were no upsets, no crazy speeches (well Quentin and Ben did babble a bit but we'll forgive them...), no catfights and no bonkers frocks - where are Cher or Bjork when you need them?

Photo: Michael Greco/Getty

Photo Caulfield/AP

Everyone played it pretty safe, which is no bad thing - good taste was prevailing, but as there was no standout winner for me, the 'After My Own Fashion' award is going to 4 women who have really proved the 'style at any age' adage. So, going from youngest to oldest:

Photo: Getty

First up - Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture. Although it proved tricky to walk up steps in (don't they practice for weeks beforehand??), this is a fairytale gown for the 22 year old Best Actress winner.  She looks fresh, without being overdone and keeps it simple. The backwards necklace is a witty touch.

Picture: AP

Next - Naomi Watts in Armani Privé.  I just love this look. The slightly undone updo, her dewy glowing skin, there is just the right amount of cut out on the shoulder - it shows off her toned arms and amazing figure to perfection. A class act.

Picture: Getty

Sally Field in Valentino Haute Couture. This could be too fussy but instead she looks youthful and very pretty. If I can look this good when I'm her age (66!) then I'll be delighted. Her hair frames her face beautifully and she looks 'bien dans sa peau' (comfortable in her own skin).

Picture: Huffington Post

 

 

And lastly, Emanuelle Riva in Lanvin. 86 on Sunday and completely stunning. This, (and I'm looking at you Heidi Klum) is how to do it. Elegance and class personified.

They are all winners in my book.

PS - I know I was supposed to be putting in my Bafta best dressed too, but I'm sticking with Ben and George, the men have it.

Oscars 2013

So tomorrow night we'll find out who the winners are on Hollywood's biggest night, and who will have to smile through gritted teeth when their name isn't called out....

Photo: Getty Images

Whilst some of the awards seem to be a shoo-in - Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress, Daniel Day Lewis for Best Actor, I have to admit to being completely biased and wanting 'Les Mis' to win Best Film as that would mean my former boss of 10 years being up on that podium and nothing would make me prouder or happier, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

In the meantime, you can play the game and see how many of the Best Picture winners (1927 - 2011) you can spot in this 4 minute montage:

(Hint: there are 84).

And the old adage that you should never work with animals and children? These kids have those Best Picture Nominations nailed...

So, go 'Les Misserahdbfjiwbv'!

Plus, we all know it's really all about the frocks...