WEST HOLLYWOOD — Celebrity fashion designer Dalia MacPhee offers post-Oscars red carpet fashion tips.
A designer of stunning evening gowns, well regarded in industry circles for her delicate and sensuous style, Dalia MacPhee has dressed Hollywood’s starlets for several seasons now. Now, the young Canadian is turning her attention to red carpet fashion commentary, with the 2013 Oscars and Grammys as her first venture into the turbulent winds of fashion opinion.
Post-awards banter about which girls were the worse dressed reached a fever pitch at the LA Times, Huffington Post and the London Telegraph, prompting Dalia MacPhee to break her self-imposed silence on fashion commentary to speak out on certain celebrity fashion transgressions. But Dalia MacPhee goes beyond traditional commentary to offer fashion advice for girls wanting the red carpet look for home.
Popdecay interviewed Dalia MacPhee in her Los Angeles studio for her Grammys and Oscars fashion commentary. What follows are highlights from the Oscars discussions, with Grammys talk following in one week.
POPDECAY: You’ve seen the dresses worn to the Oscars. You’ve read the commentary:
Huffington Post reported that Anne Hathaway nipples were a ‘distraction’ in her dress; that McCarthy ‘struggles’ to fit in her dress, with pleats distorting the silhouette of the dress and that Amanda Seyfried’s dress was a ‘fuddy duddy.’
LA Times wrote that Kelly Rowland’s dress ‘wears her,’ that it was too architectural; that Amanda Seyfried’s dress washes her out; and that Melissa McCarthy’s dress was ‘joyless.’
And the London Telegraph took aim at Kelly Rowland’s dress, stating: “There’s something very conflicting about the direction Kelly’s dress wants to take; this is what we’ll call a sartorial crossroads.” Regarding Nicole Kidman, the Telegraph reported that her dress resembled ‘old chandeliers.’
The general consensus seems to be that Anne Hathaway’s dress was too revealing, Amanda Seyfried’s dress was too pale, Kelly Rowland’s dress was too fussy, Helena Bonnam-Carter’s dress was outdated, Melissa McCarthy’s dress was drab and Nicole Kidman’s dress was just plain bizarre.
How would you have dressed these ladies for the red carpet?
DALIA: Anne is a stunning woman. I was always partial to her longer locks, but she can carry off any cut — although, I will say that when there is weight loss in the face coupled with a shorter
hair style, it’s important that the fashion add some life. I would have dressed Anne in this French Lace Gown from my Spring 2013 Collection. It is very delicate and feminine, has beautiful movement, and the best part? Built in Bust Cups!!
PODPECAY: It would have worked well with her frame. And what of Amanda Seyfried?
DALIA: Actually, I really liked Amanda’s gown. I do agree, however, that it photographed pale. When you have such a light gown on a pale complexion, it is important to add a pop of color
somewhere ( lips, jewelry, etc). Here’s what I would have dressed Amanda in:
POPDECAY: I thought the Telegraph’s statement that Kelly Rowland’s dress was too architectural was a bit harsh.
DALIA: I do love the black and white concept on her, but something with cleaner lines would have been more flattering. This black and white gown from my Spring collection would have looked stunning on her:
POPDECAY: Now, Helena Bonham Carter, CBE took a lot of fire. She was excoriated nearly head to toe. I, however, thought her choice fit her persona wonderfully — dark and playful. A beauty in crisis, much like Kristen Stewart.
DALIA: Well, you know I never come out and say when I hate a dress on someone because it’s just not my style.
But let’s have a moment of silence for this dress. Okay. Suffice to say, I’m calling Helena over for a fitting ASAP. Here’s what I would have dressed Helena in for the Oscars:
PODPECAY: And what of Melissa McCarthy? I imagine it is hard to find the right plus size in Los Angeles, and a lot easier in the Mid-West!
DALIA: You know, one of my fortes’– and what people come to me for — are our plus sizes. Melissa is a beautiful woman and I would love to see the right gown on her to really bring her out. This Gown from my Spring collection has a lot of support in the bust area, and then focuses on asymmetrical ruffles which visually cut the body in half while providing great movement. It comes with a matching sheer shawl for those wanting some arm coverage. It’s going to be avail on Nordstrom.com soon in sizes 12-24!
And here are two examples of how amazing Melissa McCarthy might have looked on Oscars night. In these two pictures, Amber Riley and Niecy Nash sport Dalia MacPhee dresses on the “red” carpet:
POPDECAY: Those are gorgeous. Now, Nicole Kidman also had a bit of fashion trouble. It seems her dress was too busy at the bottom.
DALIA: Okay. Let’s have another moment of silence. I’ll play the trumpet while you dig the hole…and we’ll give this thing a proper burial. Here’s what I would have dressed Nicole in:
