Oscar

Dior designer John Galliano’s drunken rant on video: ‘I love Hitler’

By mattwalker | February 28, 2011 11:31 am | Celebrity, Fashion, Featured, John Galliano, Oscar | Leave a comment

Watch as John Galliano commits career suicide. The Dior fashion designer initially denied charges of hurling racially motivated insults at patrons in a Paris bar last week. But he’ll have a very tough time denying this video.

The video was posted by the U.K.’s Sun newspaper and shows a slurring Galliano telling two women at the Paris bar Le Perle, “I love Hitler” after they asked him the color of his hair. Galliano tells them, “People like you would be dead today. Your mothers, your forefathers would be f**king gassed.”

Galliano, who has been Dior’s head designer since 1996, tells one woman, “You’re ugly.” When she asks him, “You don’t want peace in the world?” Galliano responds, “Not with people that are ugly.”

Looks like Natalie Portman dodged a PR bullet when she didn’t wear a Galliano gown to the Oscars Sunday (Feb 27). She hasn’t worn the designer’s dresses once during the 2011 awards season. Is it possible that she knew about or suspected his racism and anti-Semitism?

His goose is certainly cooked in the luxury fashion world. And not even Target will touch Galliano now.

Will Dior dump Oscar-losing designer John Galliano? Absolutely

By mattwalker | February 28, 2011 10:37 am | Celebrity, Fashion, Featured, Oscar | 1 Comment

We all know who won and who lost at the Oscars last night. And we’ve all pretty much decided who was the best and worst dressed. OK, maybe we’re still voting on that.

But let’s get down to business. Which international designer was the big fashion loser on the red carpet?

And the winner is — drum roll, please — Dior designer John Galliano, who will go down in fashion history as the man who couldn’t design a maternity dress to please Oscar winner Natalie Portman. To make matters worse,  the day after the Oscars,  a shocking video of a drunken and profane Galliano saying how much he loves Hitler has surfaced, confirming the charges of anti-Semitic insults filed with the Paris police last week.

Dior has achieved fantastic moments on Oscar carpets for many, many years. And usually with their contracted brand ambassadors such as Charlize Theron. But last year,Charlize actually had to defend her Dior gown after critics savaged her smushed rosebud bust.

This year the house was widely assumed to have locked in Best Actress winner Portman, their new and highly paid (reportedly $3-4 million) brand ambassador for Miss Dior Cherie fragrance. But unlike other actress brand ambassadors, Nat’s contract must have been missing that tricky fine print about considering/wearing their designs for important red carpets.

She hasn’t worn a single Dior dress all season, choosing smaller names like Viktor and Rolfe and Azzaro. She’s carried the odd Dior purse or two. And yes, she wore their make-up to both the Independent Spirits on Saturday and the Oscars. Maybe she even spritzed on her Dior fragrance.

But no dress.

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Vanessa Hudgens snags a 3D TV, BCBG frocks at Indie Spirits

By mattwalker | February 27, 2011 1:56 pm | Celebrity, Fashion, Featured, Independent Spirit Awards, Oscar, Vanessa Hudgens | 1 Comment

Vanessa Hudgens had a lot of fun at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica. The adorable brunette actress stopped in the Elle Lounge backstage where all the Spirit nominees, presenters and guests were staying out of arctic wind that had kicked up around the beach on Saturday (Feb. 16)

She smiled for the cameras, posed with a few Elle honchettes and even did a little celebrity looting (that’s what we call Celebrity Gift Suites) picking up some cute new BCBG Max Azria dresses. Size extra small, of course. She also was given an LG Cinema 3D HDTV in the adjoining On3 Gifting Suite. Now that’s what we call one-stop star shopping.

Her new film Sucker Punch opens on March 25 so expect to see a lot more (literally) of Vanessa soon. She plays a character named Blondie and appears in a much-buzzed about fantasy strip show in the film. Oh, her Punch costar Jon Hamm was also in the Elle Lounge.

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Swarovski’s sparkling gifts to Oscar nominated actresses

By mattwalker | February 25, 2011 1:13 pm | Anne Hathaway, Celebrity, Fashion, Featured, Oscar, Red Carpet | Leave a comment

Tom Julian, Oscar.com’s style expert caught up with Nadja Swarovski at the Peninsula this week, where she has been dressing and accessorizing actresses for the Academy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 27). He also got a look at the special gift that Swarovski is giving to the nominees. limited edition and finished. Swarovski and Atelier Swarovski showcased their newest collections and collaborations as well as over 300 unique handbags and jewelry pieces brought in especially for the Academy Awards.

We’re not naming names but the Swarovski suite was besieged  by Hollywood’s top stylists this week grabbing dresses, handbags and accessories for the actresses on the red carpet.  And Nadja also did an instore appearance on Thursday at  Maxfield on Melrose for her book, “Swarovski Crystal Palace Book: The Art of Light and Crystal. ”

Here’s Tom’s talk with Nadja.

TJ: What are your special offerings this year for the ten female Oscar nominees, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jennifer Lawrence, Hailey Steinfeld, Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Helena Bonham Carter, Michelle Williams and Jacki Weaver?

NS: A limited edition evening clutch with an inlaid diamond crystal chunky clasp, a new Swarovski fragrance and Swarovski sunglasses

TJ: What’s next for Swarovski?

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Dior designer John Galliano suspended for anti-Semitic insults

By mattwalker | February 25, 2011 10:31 am | Celebrity, Fashion, Featured, Oscar | Leave a comment

Has John Galliano just ripped a Dior gown off the Oscar red carpet?

Natalie Portman is a new Dior brand ambassador  and has been rumored to be wearing a Dior couture creation to the Academy Awards on Sunday.

But given the news that Christian Dior has suspended Galliano after allegations of assault and anti-Semitic remarks at a Paris café Thursday, Natalie may change her mind. And her dress. Natalie is — after all — Jewish.

Galliano’s suspension will not be over quickly. It will last until the police investigate charges filed by a couple who had a run-in with Galliano at a cafe in the 3rd Arrondissement. WWD reports that the investigation could take a few months. The police came to the cafe around 9 p.m. Galliano was released by cops, but he blew 1.01. on the French breathalyzer.

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James Cameron: Saving the planet more important than Oscars

By mattwalker | February 24, 2011 10:07 am | Celebrity, Environment, Featured, James Cameron, Oscar | 10 Comments

At Global Green’s Pre-Oscar party, just days before the most important annual event in Hollywood history — the Academy Awards — Oscar-winning director James Cameron blasphemed.

“Let’s not talk about the Oscars,” he told press. “We’re here to talk about something so much more important than the Oscars. I really think that’s not critical.” A hush fell over the stunned red carpet. Instead the Avatar director talked about climate change and the environment, advising everyone educate themselves about climate change. “Maybe Avatar makes you feel like you have to do something, you feel it in your heart. But it doesn’t tell you what to do. That’s why organizations like Global Green are so important.”

“We all know what we’re supposed to do, recycling and all that. But don’t just go home and separate all your bottles and cans and think you’re saving the earth,” he stressed. “Go home, get online and find out the facts about climate change. And then the next time you hear some crap on talk radio or Fox News, you’ll know the truth. Don’t get your science from demagogues. Get your science from scientists.”

When asked if it was up to celebrities or up to Barack Obama., Cameron shot back: “It’s definitely not up to our so-called leaders. They only react in fear based on the polls and they only tell us what they think we want to hear to get re-elected. It’s up to us as citizens, to become educated, take action and to vote wisely. Vote Green.

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Should Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore cohost the Oscars in 2012

By mattwalker | February 23, 2011 3:43 pm | Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Celebrity, Demi Moore, Fashion, Featured, James Franco, Oscar | 1 Comment

After seeing Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore present a Career Achievement Award — in tandem — to esteemed eccentric costume designer Julie Weiss at the Costume Designers Guild Awards last night, I had a light bulb of an idea.

Call me crazy (so many have) but I kinda think Ashton and Demi would make perfect Oscar cohosts next year. Nothing against James Franco and Anne Hathaway. I’m sure they will do just fine on Sunday (Feb. 27). Even though the released promos have us a little worried.

But Ash and Demi seem to have a natural chemistry and a flirty familiarity that could totally work. Plus they are serious fashionistas to boot. Think of the costume changes!

Watch the video and see what you think. If you’re in favor, I will contact the Academy toute suite and put a bug in their ears. By the way, I’ve sat on Julie’s  love seat with the actual love letters from her grandfather to her grandmother.  It’s real. Check out my story on the amazing Julie that ran on the TheEnvelope.com a few years ago.

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The Politics of Oscar Fashion: Why the red carpets are boring

By mattwalker | February 23, 2011 12:10 pm | Celebrity, Fashion, Featured, Oscar, Red Carpet | 1 Comment

Once upon a time, designers dreamed of dressing an Oscar-going actress so they could be a part of fashion history. And during the ’90s, the dream came true if the designer seduced the actress like a rich lover: flowers, expensive gifts, private jet to Paris, front row seats at your fashion show, private fittings, and a discreet under-the-table check for $100-200,000. Eh, voila. She was all yours.

But in 2011, dressing an Oscar nominee or presenter is a lot more expensive ($4-5 million dollar deals), way more complicated (outside agencies broker alliances, control dresses) and far more discriminating for both big and small designers. (A-listers only, please). And all these factors, insiders say, are making real Red Carpet Moments very scarce and the Oscar red carpet rather boring.

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Sally Hershberger’s new SLS Styling Salon is open for Oscars

By mattwalker | February 17, 2011 2:51 pm | Anne Hathaway, Celebrity, Featured, Oscar, Sally Hershberger | 1 Comment

Sally Hershberger — who revolutionized Hollywood hair with her infamous Meg Ryan choppy shag — has a few ideas on what the hot hair styles will be at the Oscars. She’s predicting wavy bobs, low back updos and Anne Hathaway-like center-parted waves.

And just time for the Oscars, Sally has just opened a  Styling Studio in the SLS Hotel — located in it’s Ciel Spa.

It’s designed for women (and men) who want a quieter, more intimate service, from specialized blow drys, full-on curling sessions and intricate edgy updos. Say you spent the day shopping, at the beach, working, and forgot you have a cocktail party, a dinner or (gasp) a photo shoot to go to. And of course  it’s also perfect for Oscar party going actresses next week who might want to change their hair from an afternoon lunch look to an Oscar evening party scene style. Want more deets?

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