Red Carpet Spotlight

SARAH JESSICA PARKER

MY STYLE SECRETS

KNOWN FOR WEARING LARGER-THAN-LIFE COUTURE, THE STAR, 48, SEES GETTING DRESSED UP AS ‘A PRIVILEGE’

What do you love most about a red carpet event?

SJP: The honor of having the temporary custody of a dress. Whatever dress is required for those events, they aren’t your typical “running-your-kids-to-school” dresses. And it’s in my custody. I’ve never gotten over the thrill of that. Never.

How did you decide on the Giles Deacon dress and the Philip Treacy headpiece for the Met Ball?

SJP: The dress was one of the first dresses that I saw. I asked Giles if he would mind if we slashed it up the front. He was delighted to do so. Then I asked Philip if he would consider making a headpiece. I knew I wanted the Mohawk shape because it’s so iconic. The only thing was, I had to sit on the floor behind the front passenger’s seat in order to fit, because of the height of the headpiece!

Are you okay with suffering for the sake of fashion?

SJP: Of course! I’ve spent, easily, half an hour at home by myself, late at night, trying to get a zipper down. My husband [Matthew Broderick] could be working, or asleep and I don’t want to wake him. Or getting home and finally being able to go to the bathroom or just sit correctly [laughs]. There are so many people who would love the opportunity to be in a slight amount of agony and wear a beautifully handmade dress. What a privilege! I don’t complain about it.

You have worn some over-the-top heels. Can we expect the same from the shoes in your new SJP Collection?

SJP: I wanted to make shoes that I knew I wanted to wear. They’re made in Italy and celebrate the single sole. The heels are high, but they’re not insane.

Do you have any rules for your red carpet looks?

SJP: Convention kind of gives me anxiety, and I have an allergy to rules. I have had more works of art on my head, courtesy of Serge [Normant, her hairstylist]. I’ve always loved black liner, so I guess there are things I fall back on. But the red carpet gives you an opportunity to live out a fantasy. That’s what it should be.

“IT’S NOT ABOUT RULES. I BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD DRESS EXACTLY THE WAY THEY WANT TO DRESS”

–Sarah Jessica Parker on personal style

BEFORE THE BIG NIGHT

TO LOOK FABULOUS FOR PHOTOS, STARS TRY OUT TREATMENTS INSPIRED BY FISH, KITTY LITTER AND, YES, EVEN VAMPIRES

CRAZY TREATMENTS!

Vampire Facial

Celeb fan: Model Bar Refaeli

How it works: During the pricey procedure (it costs up to $1,500!), doctors draw blood and separate out the plasma, which is rich in platelets. The plasma is then infused with calcium, and the solution is spread over the patient’s face. It washes off after two hours.

Why it works: After exposing skin to the calcium-rich plasma, the platelets will stimulate growth in collagen. “That’s why the skin plumps, volumizes and looks pinker,” says Vampire Facial founder Dr. Charles Runels.

Slimming Body Wrap

Celeb fans: Tyra Banks, Minnie Driver, Ellen DeGeneres

How it works: Clients are wrapped from neck to toe in bandages soaked in organic minerals while they do light exercise such as bouncing on a trampoline or working out on an elliptical for at least 45 minutes. People can lose 8 to 14 in. all over their body.

Why it works: The combination of the bandage compression and the mineral solution works to pull toxins and water out of the fat cells. “It helps with skin tightening, cellulite reduction and antiaging,” says Afsi Naim, creator of LA Slim Wrap.

IV Vitamin Therapy

Celeb fan: Simon Cowell

How it works: For patients with healthy vital signs, a vitamin-filled IV drip cocktail is administered while they relax for up to an hour.

Why it works: “It makes sure you’re well-hydrated,” says Raanan Pokroy, M.D., medical director of Reviv Wellness Spas in Las Vegas and Miami Beach, where the therapy costs about $99. “The more hydrated you are, the more vibrant the skin appears.” (Translation: fewer wrinkles!)

Vegan Stem–Cell Facial

Celeb fan: Creator Dr. Harold Lancer treats stars such as Victoria Beckham, Oprah Winfrey and Scarlett Johansson in L.A.

How it works: Starting at $550 per session, an LED light or micro roller is used to pump the skin with oxygen and protein stem cells.

Why it works: Derived from a protein found in algae, “the vegan stem cell promotes the growth of collagen and elastin,” says Dr. Lancer.

Fish Pedicure

Celeb fans: The Kardashians

How it works: Feet are placed in water filled with garra rufa fish – a toothless animal that feeds on dry, flaky skin using its suction-cup-like mouth.

Why it works: The fish live in warm-water environments like hot springs and are known to survive off dead skin from humans. “It’s a temporary fix,” says John Ho, founder of the Fish-y-Cure in Virginia (due to health-code violations, some states have closed treatment centers). “It’s like electrical waves going through your body when they nibble. Some people feel ticklish; some people feel relaxed.”

Kitty Litter Facial

Celeb fan: Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi

How it works: The reality star admitted to making homemade face masks with kitty litter, water and natural oils (such as rose or chamomile).

Why it works: “Bentonite clay is commonly found in kitty litter because it absorbs water,” says Riquette Hofstein, who administers a similar facial in L.A. As a mask, “it makes your skin feel tighter.”

CHARITABLE FASHION

I BOUGHT A CELEBRITY DRESS!

THREE SUPERFANS EXPLAIN WHY THEY SECURED A PIECE OF HOLLYWOOD HISTORY FROM CHARITYBUZZ.COM

Kristen Stewart’s

Zuhair Murad dress

“It’s just hanging in a bag now, but the intent is that my daughter will wear it to prom!” says Twihard Stephanie Cabellero, 53.

At the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 L.A. premiere

Bette Midler’s

Vintage dress

“I’ve been a fan of hers for many years, so there’s a great emotional connection to it,” says New York City-based store manager Jon Recor, 37.

At the 27th Annual People’s Choice Awards

Charlize Theron‘s

Emilio Pucci dress

“My family donated the dress to a modeling school. My granddaughter Arianna [below] modeled this dress for her class,” says Timothy Madden, 61, of St. Paul, Minn.

At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner 2012

LENA DUNHAM

THE ‘S’ POSE

On the red carpet designer Zac Posen “told me to make an ‘S’ with my body,” said the Girls star, explaining how she positions her knee and places her hand on her hip. “That’s what I was told to do. And let’s hope an even okay moment arises from it.”

In Zac Posen at the Golden Globes

KATE HUDSON

THE PRICE OF LOOKING FABULOUS

THE ACTRESS WORE MORE THAN $47,000 OF DESIGNER WARES LAST YEAR – AND DIDN’T BUY ANY OF THEM!

in Elie Saab at the Novak Djokovic Foundation Gala

$6,500!

in Reem Acra at the Tiffany & Co. Blue Book Ball

$4,100!

in Ann Taylor at the Hot Pink Party (for Cancer Awareness)

$248!

in a Gucci custom gown at the third annual LACMA Art + Film Gala

one of a kind

in Jenny Packham at the Tribeca Film Festival

$5,925!

in Stella McCartney at the Elle Style Awards

$5,380!

in Balmain at the premiere of the HBO series Clear History

$18,170!

in Alexander McQueen at the Golden Globes

$7,160!

“PEOPLE THINK WE OWN ALL THESE DRESSES, BUT WE BORROW THEM! I CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY THAT STUFF. THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS I SPLURGE ON, BUT IT’S VERY RARE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE TWO KIDS AND SCHOOL TUITION. I’M NOT A BIG HIGH-END FASHION SHOPPER. I WISH I COULD, BUT THE TRUTH IS, THINGS ARE JUST SO EXPENSIVE”

–Kate Hudson to Harper’s Bazaar

CAMILA ALVES McCONAUGHEY

MOST STYLISH SPOUSE

MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY MAY WIN THE AWARDS, BUT HIS STYLISH WIFE DESERVES A PRIZE FOR HER WARDROBE

With Matthew McConaughey at the Critics Choice Awards, in Paule Ka

In Pamella Roland

In Dolce & Gabbana

In Donna Karan Atelier

In Kaufmanfranco

In Tory Burch

“THE WAY SHE WALKS, THE WAY SHE POSES. HER LOOK IS SIMPLE AND CLEAN WITHOUT TRYING TO BE VA-VA-VOOM”

–Charlene Roxborough, Camila’s stylist

WARDROBE

MALFUNCTIONS!

FOUR CLOTHING DISASTERS THAT BEFELL THE STARS

Robin Wright

at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills

While accepting her Golden Globe award, Wright’s Reem Acra dress shifted.

Mariah Carey

at a Good Morning America appearance in N.Y.C.

Carey gasped on live TV when her figure-hugging dress by Donatella Versace burst before her audience, adding, “I love you, Donatella, but it popped, darling.”

Robert Downey Jr.

at the Iron Man 3 premiere in Seoul

The actor, in Vivienne Westwood, strutted on the carpet with an undone fly.

Julianne Moore

at the Cannes Film Festival

The actress coined her catastrophe “toe-mageddon.”

JUNE SQUIBB

MY FIRST AWARDS SEASON

HOW THE NEBRASKA NOMINEE, 84, GOES GLAM

Your career spans more than 50 years, but you’re really new to the red carpet!

I am working with a stylist [April Steiner] for the first time. Before her, I would wear whatever I had in my closet. Now I feel like Cinderella.

What do you like to wear? I like dresses with sleeves or trousers. I also like bling! Clothing with silver or gold on it is fun.

Any fashion rules? That’s one thing I love about being an older woman: When you get to a certain age, you can say, “I don’t want to wear heels anymore.” I wear flat shoes.

What’s your plan for the Oscar dress? Tadashi Shoji has offered to make me a dress. I feel important!

In Tadashi Shoji at the Golden Globes

In Alex Evenings at the Governors Awards

In an Alex Evenings suit at a screening of Nebraska

In Alex Evenings at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards

STYLE STATS

OSCARS BY THE NUMBERS

WITH THE HELP OF HARVARD STATISTICIAN VICTORIA LIUBLINSKA, WE HANDICAP THE LAST 15 YEARS OF ACADEMY AWARDS FASHION*

Actresses with a SHEATH DRESS were more likely to come out on top over trumpet, mermaid, ballgowns and others …

Anne Hathaway in 2013 and Diane Keaton in 2004

… No one has won an award wearing pants in 15 years!

Nicole Kidman in 2003

Actresses who wore a ONE-SHOULDER gown were most likely to win an Oscar above other popular necklines

The luckiest accessory has been … THE SCARF! No one has won wearing … gloves or a belt

Jennifer Connelly in 2002 and Julie Christie in 2008

More winners graced the Oscar red carpet in WHITE than any other color.

No one has ever taken home an award wearing

ORANGE, SILVER OR GREEN

Julianne Moore in 2003, Queen Latifah in 2003 and Joan Allen in 2001

Penélope Cruz in 2009

Cate Blanchett in 2005

The most popular designer among Oscar nominees and winners was VALENTINO (In the past 15 years the fashion house has dressed 8 nominees and 2 have won.)

PLUS: Odds were in an actress’s favor if her look came from a European-based designer

Valentino Garavani

Only 3 Oscar winners have walked the red carpet in VINTAGE

Penélope Cruz in 2009 (left), Julia Roberts in 2001 and Reese Witherspoon in 2006

Meryl Streep in 2012

Hilary Swank in 2005

Actresses who chose a dress with a dramatic back were 2X more likely to win over those with a basic back

83% of winners since 1999 have worn a ring

Nominees who wore only earrings had an 8% chance of winning

Stars who wore a ring, necklace, and bracelet—but no earrings!—were most likely to take home an Oscar

BRUNETTES BLONDES & REDHEADS only had a 7% chance of winning

were twice as likely to win than

Halle Berry in 2002 and Laura Linney in 2008

Nominees who worked a gown with a slit had a 50-50 CHANCE of accepting an Oscar.

No nominee who has worn a look with a ballerina or high-low hemline has ever won

Charlize Theron in 2004

Imelda Staunton in 2005

Female Oscar nominees were twice as likely to win an award if they wore a NUDE LIPSTICK as opposed to a bold lip color.

Gwyneth Paltrow in 1999 and Renée Zellweger in 2003