Star Style for August: Katie Holmes & Elizabeth Olsen

Two style stars this month?  That’s right!  Because in fashion as in life, you have the most fun when you break the rules.  So this month we honor two sartorial superstars – Katie Holmes, who has spent years in the spotlight with nary a fashion misstep and Elizabeth Olsen, a newbie to the red carpet scene following in the footsteps of her designer darling sisters Ashley and Mary-Kate. 

Katie Holmes
 

At a Dinner for Tiffany & Co in Calvin Klein

Katie Holmes surprises me with chic and elegant outfits like this white ensemble she wore for an event in August. Her white flowy Calvin Klein dress, Jennifer Meyer Necklace, and Lanvin shoes accentuate her beautiful skin and hair. By belting her dress and adding minimal accessories, Katie dons a perfect summer outfit that can be worn to any summer get together. White can be a very elegant color that is great for many different skin and hair colors. Be inspired by Katie and wear your favorite white summer dress with nude accessories for a fun date night or party.  

- Laura Maruszczak

At the Tonight Show in Madewell and Isabel Marant 
At the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Katie give us a glimpse of this fall's hottest trends: neutral knits and red leather. While the bright-colored Isabel Marant leather pant is a bold step towards experimental fashion, she stays true to her classic laidback style by throwing on a camel Madewell sweater and simple loafer-like Prada heels. 

- Dana Jeong

At a Photocall for Jack & Jill in Gomez-Gracia

As a Texan (always and forever!), my own style veers towards statement-making and dramatic.  What I love about Katie is her predilection for the opposite.  She magically manages to make simple silhouettes and colors look extraordinary.  Even with minimal jewelry and nude pumps, she absolutely glowed in this ¾ sleeve Gomez-Gracia dress this summer in Cancun.

- Lauren Stillman

Leaving New York in a Helicopter

I’m all about hats right now. They are really big and can really make an outfit. Let me just say I think Katie Holmes is totally rocking the fedora with the pattern shirt and neutral suede boots. This outfit is so cute and very trendy. Something I could definitely see myself wearing.

  - Emily Giovannini      

Elizabeth Olsen 

At the Sundance Film Festival

With two of the most influential fashion designers as sisters, Elizabeth has come out on her own as a talented actress and star in her own right. Elizabeth dresses chic and simple in outfits that are both comfortable and easy and accessorized well. Early on this year, Elizabeth looked chic in her layered ensemble attending the Sundance Film Festival. I adore Elizabeth's outfit, as this is the time of summer when I crave the colder weather along with cardigans, leather jackets, boots and scarves galore. In her black suede jacket, grey tee, leather pants, and boots Elizabeth knows exactly how to do effortless cool. To add an extra punch to her look Olsen adds a maroon beanie, patterned eternity scarf, a yellow leather satchel and multiple rings. When fall and winter come soon take a cue from Elizabeth's look by adding fun accessories and warm basics to your everyday outfit.

 - Laura Maruszczak 

At the HFPA Luncheon in T by Alexander Wang

As the third one in the family to inherit the fashionable genes, Elizabeth Olsen already seems to know all the insider’s tips to looking stylish in front of a camera. At the Hollywood Foreign Press Association luncheon, her oversized T by Alexander Wang shirt and coral mini are the perfect minimalist combo, but her ethnic knit necklace adds just the right amount of statement to turn the spotlight on her.

- Dana Jeong

 

At a Photocall in Cannes in Elizabeth & James

Elizabeth Olsen has great style so it doesn’t surprise me that I found so many outfits on her that I absolutely love, but this white raschel lace dress from her sisters Elizabeth and James lines is gorgeous and looks fantastic on her. I love lace, wear lots of lace, and because I am a student at FIDM have learned different styles of lace. Raschel lace is a perfect kind of lace for dresses, long skirts and blouses. I love this type of lace because it is perfect for a cute flirty girl outfit.
- Emily Giovannini

At the Cannes Premiere of Martha Marcy May Marlene in The Row

Once again, I’m left pondering how such a simple dress can look so extraordinary.  This dress proves what Ashley and Mary-Kate have said about their ultraluxe line The Row – they pay attention to the fit and quality and details (see Just Jared: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/08/24/mary-kate-olsen-the-row-is-not-fast-fashion/ ).  From the daring slit to the blouson style beaded bodice, this dress is perfection on Elizabeth. 

 - Lauren Stillman 

 

LSPR Staff Style Tips: July

While pre-fall collections are hitting the shelves at our favorite stores, the dog days of summer are still upon us.  Following are a few of our favorite trends to keep you looking stylish, yet comfortable in summer’s scorching heat. 

Midnight midnights – Katie Holmes in Contrarian

Once reserved for boardroom basics and preppy classics, navy is my new favorite color for eveningwear.  I love the way Katie Holmes worked this Contrarian dress at a recent premiere – the sexy plunging v and backless cut of the dress is balanced with the traditional navy color.  Pure red carpet perfection!    

 - Lauren Stillman 

Rock a pair of denim overalls – Alexa Chung in Madewell

Alexa Chung is one of my favorite style icons. Her laid back and quirky style with a feminine edge is the perfect inspiration when getting dressed in the morning. Chung tends to pair menswear pieces such as a button ups and blazers with printed blouses and girly accessories such as jewelry and handbags. This summer Alexa has been implementing denim overalls as a staple into her wardrobe. She wore a light washed pair to the airport with a black floppy hat, a nautical striped tshirt, black cutout boots, and a lesportsac bag. For the Wireless Festival Chung she paired a blouse and overalls from her own first Madewell collection with a black leather jacket, Illesteva sunglasses, a Louis Vuitton bag, and wedged sandals. Take a cue from Alexa this summer by wearing overalls with your own touch. If you like more preppy laid back style you can try a lighter wash with simple printed blouses in summer colors or if your style has more of an edge try a dark gray, black, or acid wash with leather pieces and neon accessories. Denim is a year around staple, but mix it up this summer by implementing different shades and styles of denim overalls into your summer wardrobe.

 - Laura Maruszczak

Add a Gold Watch – Jennifer Aniston with a Rolex

Jennifer Aniston can keep anything classy. The most recent trend I have seen on her, as well as many other celebrities, is a gold watch. Who needs many bracelets or rings to accessorize an ensemble? Jen does it simple and sophisticated in a perfect rose gold watch. This seems more than just a phase. I’m rummaging through my grandma’s jewelry box tonight to find a vintage gold watch that will match all of my outfits for the coming seasons!

- Jamee Riddle

Say Yes to Yellow - -Emma Watson in Marchesa

From the cover of Vogue to the MTV Movie Awards to numerous press events for the final Harry Potter movie, it seems like it girl Emma Watson is everywhere! To be perfectly honest, that is fine by me because I can’t stop admiring and obsessing over her fabulous fashion choices. At an after party for the MTV Movie Awards, Watson was spotted wearing a stunning yellow Marchesa dress. Many ladies avoid wearing yellow because of its tendency to wash them out, however; Emma’s decision to go bold and wear a risky color proves that if you find a dress that fits well and complements your skin tone that everyone can and should say yes to yellow.  LSPR client Gomez-Gracia has also embraced the yellow trend with this gorgeous belted tunic dress.    

-  Andrea Stern

LSPR Styles the MET Gala

If there's one celebrity fashion extravaganza we look forward to every year, it is hands down the MET Gala.  The New York locale and culture clash of fashion and entertainment worlds mean that celebrities and their stylists can loosen up a bit from stiff-and-safe awards show looks and really make a daring style statement.  Here's a round up of who we think aced the test and who might need to study up a bit for next year.


Lauren Stillman's Picks:
Hailee Steinfeld in Stella McCartney -- Grade: A+
She might be a youngster, but Hailee always beautifully straddles the line between youth and sophistication.  The hi-low hemline keeps the dress formal without looking too stuffy and allows Hailee to show off a killer pair of statement-shoes. 

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu -- Grade: A
I absolutely love the effect of the sheer beaded bodice countered by a darker skirt.  The look manages to ooze old Hollywood glamour while still remaining modern.   

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci -- Grade: B
I love the fresh berry color and shape of her dress, but it is difficult to see beyond that feathery bolero.  She is too young and beautiful to be covering up that way.  I would love to have seen her rocking a different look from the Gucci runway as shown at right.  If there's anyone who could pull off a sheer skirt over hotpants at the MET Ball, it would be J. Lo. 

Beyonce in Emilio Pucci -- Grade: C
Beyonce, you declared yourself Fierce with a capital F and we agree!  But sadly, this look is reading a bit more fussy than fierce.  I would have liked to have seen you go for something a bit more effortless like Pucci's amazing jersey gown with beaded sleeve and cut-outs.   

Kirsten Dunst in Chanel Couture -- Grade C
While this look wasn't my fave, Kirsten remains one of my perennial favorites on the red carpet.  I admire that her choices are always a bit quirky and unexpected.  I think she looks best in light and airy looks like this one from Chanel's Spring 2011 Couture show. 

  
I was saddened that one of my MET Gala must-sees, Sienna Miller, wasn't in attendance last night.  If she had been, I would loved to have seen the sassy Brit in this gown by emerging UK-based brand Gomez-Gracia.  The gown perfectly mixes glamour with the bohemian sensibility Sienna for which Sienna is known. 

Laura Maruszczak's picks:
Cara Delevingne in Burberry -- Grade: A
British newcomer and the new face of Burberry, Cara looks striking in her silver and gray Burberry dress with its deep neckline and gorgeous tailoring. Her sultry makeup and matching clutch and necklace  complement this model's classic outfit.

Liv Tyler in Givenchy -- Grade: A+

This actress who is always a risk taker when it comes to the red carpet pulled off another exceptional look in a yellow and white feathered accented dress paired with a bright yellow clutch. The Givenchy creation's color palette and ombre effect accentuated Liv's hair and makeup giving her an all around gorgeous look. 

Blake Lively in Chanel Couture: Grade B 

Blake has been wearing numerous Chanel pieces recently as the new face of Chanel's handbag campaign and always knows how to pull off amazing look. Although I love the color and sparkle of the dress, I would have rather seen Blake in another Chanel couture dress that complements her figure and new red locks. This long white crystallized dress from 2011 Chanel Couture runway would have been the perfect match.  

Rihanna in Stella McCartney -- Grade: C 

Pop sensation Rihanna has a unique sense of style and daring personality that allows for unexpected red carpet choices. Although I love Rihanna in black lace, I would have enjoyed seeing Rihanna in a different hair hair style and dress choice. This Stella McCartney dress from her Fall 2011 Ready to Wear collection is a mix of funky and classic just like Rihanna. 

Ashley Olsen in Christian Dior -- Grade: C 

Ashley Olsen has become a fashion style star and for the event wore a vintage Christian Dior black and white gown. I love the actress/designer's simple hair and makeup, but think she could pull off an even more elegant and unique dress like this 3d Christian Dior dress from their 2010 Couture Collection.  

Reader's Question: The 2011 Met Gala was attended by many fashionable dates. Who was your favorite? 

Sisters: Dakota and Elle Fanning both in Valentino 

Daughter and Mother Duo: Bee Shaffer in Balenciaga and Anna Wintour in Chanel

Model and Rockstar Couple: Lily Aldridge in Ralph Lauren Collection and Caleb Followill in Ralph Lauren Black Label

Hollywood Couple: Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren Collection and Cash Warren in Ralph Lauren Black Label