A Standing Ovation

Wearing my little black dress, accessorized with Chanel and my silver Manolo Blahniks, I walked into the Boston Park Plaza Hotel's Ballroom with my fabulous friend Christine. She looked amazing in a little black dress draped in all the right places, killer shoes and a vintage clutch.

We were greeted by two impeccably dressed servers who held trays with glasses of champagne.

Couldn't think of a better way to start the night.

The room was full. Everyone was here to see Boston designer Michael De Paulo's Fall 2011 collection. The event is tres chic....literally. It's also a fundraiser for Ovations for the Cure of ovarian cancer called CHIC: Cure Her in Couture. Tres bien, non? Mais oui!

We found our seats and waited for the show to start.

And what a show it was! Michael De Paulo is known for his attention to detail when creating his fabulous dresses.

He used bold colors such as red, purple and royal blue.

This dress was one of my favorites. It's architecture chic. The combination of colors is breathtaking.

All of his dresses have movement whether the beautiful fabric is draped or pleated. The models, don't just walk down the runway....they float.

So maybe you'll be floating down the aisle soon....lucky for you De Paulo also showcased a few of his new bridal designs like this one. Amazing!

Every dress was beautiful and there was something for everyone in this collection. Oh, but how to choose?!

The show closed with a jaw dropper. The theme song for the movie "The Social Network" played and Tonya Chen Mezrich (her husband Ben Mezrich wrote the book "The Accidental Billionaires" on which the screenplay for the movie was based) came out in the dress she wore to the Oscars this year. Loved it!

I gave a standing ovation. Not just for the show, but also for the cause.

Ovations for the Cure and events like this one, raise money to help women with ovarian cancer through programs such as Healthy Habits (meals for ovarian cancer patients). Funds raised also go toward ovarian cancer research and education about the disease.

Lisa Collamore, Director of Ovations for the Cure, told me "Fashion shows give (patients) something to look forward to, a girls' night out."

I'm sure the founder of Ovations, Patricia Franchi Flaherty, would have been proud of Michael's show and the supporters that packed the Park Plaza Ballroom.

Fashion for a cause.

A fabulous reason for a standing ovation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Photos Courtesy of:

Dimonika Photography http://www.dimonikastudio.com/

Want more? Find me on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Fabulous-Fashionista-Files/140944165939514

The Oscars: The good, the bad and the what was she thinking?!

I love this time of year! Award show after award show, capped off by the best one of all...the Oscars!

Ok, so I really just love the red carpet and seeing what and who the celebs are wearing....and how they're wearing it.

And this year's Oscar red carpet had the good, the bad and the what was she thinking?!

The Good
Jennifer Hudson in a tangerine/orange Versace gown was AMAZING! Everything was perfect. The hair, the makeup and accessories only accentuated the beautiful gown. She took my breath away!

Mila Kunis in a flowing, lavender Elie Saab with ruffles and lace. A refreshing feminine look in a color not usually seen on the red carpet. Loved it!

Michelle Williams in a short-sleeved, white, beaded Chanel Haute Couture gown. With her pixie hair cut and perfect makeup she carried herself with an understated glamour that only a few celebs can pull off. She did it beautifully in Chanel.

14 year old Hailee Steinfeld. Um, are we sure she's only 14?! She looked like a princess in her beaded, custom made Marchesa nude, crystal gown. The fitted bodice and the full skirt which stopped just above her ankles was not only age appropriate...it was gorgeous! Thank you for looking your age and not trying too hard.

Halle Berry in a nude, crystal encrusted Marchesa gown with flowing tulle at the bottom. BREATH TAKING!

A glowing Natalie Portman in a plum colored, off the shoulder Rodarte gown. Fabulous! But of course, her best accessory was her baby bump.

Reese Witherspoon. Seriously, she can do no wrong. I did have a conversation about her hair with a fashionable friend and we were split. I thought it looked retro and different. She thought it looked like they added a too much hair to her head to make the high ponytail. But the Armani gown? THAT we agreed was a highlight on the red carpet. Simple elegance. She does it best.

The Bad
Oh Gwyneth....what were you thinking?! You are an Academy Award winning actress with a grace and class that only a few women in Hollywood possess The Calvin Klein straight gown with the straight hair was boring, boring, boring. I actually thought of that line in the Cee Lo song you sang on Glee when you whine, "Whyyyy, whyyyy?!"

And I definitely expected more from Cate Blanchett who wore a pink, pleated silk Givenchy Couture gown that looked like some sort of strange table cloth. Definitely left me confused...

Sandra Bullock. Oh boy. Her red, Vera Wang gown just looked like it didn't fit. Maybe if the top of the dress was pulled higher up? And she definitely did NOT need that bow on the back of the dress. The dress screamed for a necklace or maybe some drop earrings. Something to make it look Oscar ready. And maybe another fitting...

What Was She Thinking?!
Nicole, Nicole, Nicole. Oh Nicole Kidman, I adore Dior, but I did not adore your Dior. The awkwardly placed material on her hips looked like small wings. What woman wants anything extra on her hips? Odd. And her orange shoes. Um...what? I just didn't get it.

All in all I suppose the red carpet had something for everyone. It was nice to see a lot of color on the carpet. What I didn't see was a lot of bling. No huge diamonds or rubies. Very little jewelry. Maybe the celebs were toning it down this year.

Or maybe I just expect more. It is the Oscars after all.

So! Thank you to those who put their best foot, and gown, forward to take my breath away and make me say WOW!

But wait....if anyone sees Gwyneth could you ask her to pump it up a little more next year? Just a little more dress, maybe an updo...but all is not lost! I am glad you're going to be on Glee next week...

Want more? Check out The Faboulous Fashionista Files fan page on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Fabulous-Fashionista-Files/140944165939514