The Best Red Carpets of the Year 2014

Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta at the Met Gala

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Couture at the Academy Awards

Kerry Washington in Prada at Screen Actors Guild Awards

Cate Blanchett in Armani Prive at the Golden Globes

Taylor Swift in Gucci at the Grammys

Lupita Nyong'o in Ralph Lauren at the Golden Globes

Lizzy Caplan in Donna Karan Atelier at the Emmys

Angelina Jolie in Saint Laurent at the EE British Academy Film Awards

Blake Lively in Gucci at the Angel Ball

Jessica Chastain in Elie Saab Couture at the Cannes Film Festival

Miley Cyrus in Tom Ford at the amfAR Gala

January Jones in Prabal Gurung at the Emmys

Rihanna in Adam Selman at the CFDA Awards

Taylor Swift in Mary Kantranzou at the MTV Video Awards

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture at the Academy Awards

Ashley & Mary Kate Olsen in their vintage gowns at the Met Gala

Melissa McCartney in Marchesa at the Emmys

Lily Aldridge in Rosie Assoulin at the amfAR Gala

Rihanna in Stella McCartney at the Met Gala

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Emilio Pucci at the amfAR Gala

Kristen Stewart in Chanel at the Met Gala

Teyonah Parris in Christian Siriano at the Emmys

Kendall Jenner in Faust Puglisi at the Much Music Video Awards

Sofia Vergara in Roberto Cavalli at the Emmys

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta at the Met Gala

Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace at the Academy Awards

2014 was a good red carpet year. These lovely ladies enjoyed show-stopping moments and while some of them made worst-dressed lists, they all left a memorable impression. We saw an abundance of glamour, we love that, but we also loved it when the more daring, A-list fashionistas pushed the envelope and challenged the norm. From short rompers to flowing gowns, they brought it.

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Katy Perry ROCKS MOSCHINO

katy-perry-jeremy-scott-moschino-prismatic-fashionado

Katy Perry has become quite the fashionista. She's left behind the cutesy [and tacky] costuming that she's sported for years and has embraced designer fashion. If you watch Fashion Police, as I do, Katy is almost always on the "best dressed" list. SO, it should not be a surprise that Katy Perry turned to the fashion world to create the wardrobe for her Prismatic World Tour. I can't think of a better fit than Jeremy Scott for Moschino

. It's the best of both worlds for Katy. She can have her costume silliness and

real

fashion all in one! I sorta saw this coming when she was spotted at Jeremy's first Moschino show earlier this year. And she's been wearing some of the collection too. You go Katy! From 'teenage dream' to fashion dream.

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Project Runway Editorial

[caption id="attachment_20339" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="WTF is this crap Project Runway??? Looks like Alice in Wonderland meets Chupacabra."]

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I've enjoyed the "Teams" format but I am as happy as you are that the designers FINALLY got to design on their own. This should have happened a couple of episodes ago. Well, better late than never! For the first indepenent challenge,

Project Runway

delivered a biggie. The designers met

Tim Gunn

at

Nina Garcia's

home turf,

Marie Claire's

actually, the beautiful Hearst Tower. The only thing bigger than the challenge to design an editorial look for actress

Jordana Brewster

to be published in the May issue of

Marie Claire

, is the client herself... Nina Garcia.

Hay Dios mio!

It's not that Nina is so difficult. She's just sooooo sure of herself and what she wants and more importantly, what she doesn't like. Nina was very clear in her guidance and instructions for the challenge: no T-shirts, no pants, no gowns, no red carpet... She described what an editorial look should embody. Most of the designers got it. Key word, "most." 

The designers were provided sewing assistants by Project Runway from the fine selection of this season's

aufd

talent. Layana had a happy match up with former partner Kate. They came up with this blue leather chiffony ensemble. I don't care for it. Sure it had runway presence but to me if felt like they tried too hard. Too hard to be different. Too hard to be innovative. As this competition stiffens, Layana's youth is

trying hard

to keep up.

Patricia served Pocahontas realness with this silk chiffon suede fringe costume. Yup, I said costume. Patrica has relied on her artistic merits throughout the competition. It's time to give us FASHION! The fact that she was paired up with that asshole, Richard, didn't help, but dammit Patricia, you're a grown up, take charge!

OMFG... really Daniel? I am STILL over you. The only thing was worse than this mustard-yellow leather fuck up was Nina Garcia liking it!!!  AND the only intelligent explanation I have for this lapse in judgement and taste (sorry Nina, you know I love you, but) is that Project Runway wants to keep Daniel around. By having a prominent judge on his side makes that happen easier. In other words, if the judges had trashed the outfit, as the should have, Daniel would need to be sent home...

The clear winner was Stanley with this three piece get up... his attitude, however, was a major fail. Stanley was so rude to his assistant, Tu. It was painful at times to watch.

The plot thickens here. Michelle ... as the Clash would say... Should I stay OR should I go??? No one knows. "To be continued"... said Project Runway.

Michelle was grilled for not following Nina's directions: "no T-shirts; no pants." Okay, lets get something straight. Yes those are pants, bad Michelle, BUT that is NOT a T-shirt! The top is fabulous. She should not go home for this. WE will have to tune into Project Runway to see what happens to Michelle. Heidi mentioned something about a "do or die" moment? I suggest an MTV-styled Death Match between Michelle and Daniel!

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FACE 2 FACE with Katherine Brooks

You may know her from the award winning (Atlanta Film Festival, L.A. Outfest, Paris Cinema Festival) and controversial film, Loving Annabelle. You will know her from her current film, a thriller, starring Sarah Roemer, Elizabeth Shue, Taryn Manning and Will Patton, released last week titled

Waking Madison

. AND you definitely know her from the Emmy Award winning MTV hit shows The Real World, The Osbournes, Newlyweds and The Simple Life (to name a few) where she served as director/producer. BUT now, you will know filmmaker/director/producer 

Katherine Brooks

through a very personal and intimate journey as she takes on the most challenging and possibly most important project of her life, about the

reality

of her life, in a film currently in production titled

FACE 2 FACE

.

In a passionate, spirited and revealing 40 minutes, Kat, as she likes to be called, got up close and personal with me about her new film, life, gay marriage and Lady Gaga.

So Kat, you have packed your life into a vehicle for the next three months and you're spending it on the road traveling to meet 50 of your virtual friends to make a film about the experience. Can you talk about how you conceptualized this?

I was recovering from surgery and was heading back to L.A. to work on reality shows. When I returned home to New Orleans I swore off working on reality tv... I felt disconnected and alone. While surfing on Facebook, I was staring at this huge number of friends and it started to trip me out. How can I have 5,000 and have no one to call a real friend? I needed to connect, to reach out and be face to face with other people. Why the need for so many Facebook friends/fans? Is it like high school, to feel popular? I wanted followers because I thought it made me feel better but instead, I felt invisible.

You're halfway through your journey. What can you say about the Face 2 Face experience so far?

I wasn't expecting to connect as deeply. I wasn't expecting

it

be so much about

them

. [I know] it seems narcissistic because it was all about what I needed. But all of a sudden, these people, these virtual friends, shared their life with me and suddenly it became really about them!

This has been emotionally challenging also because I'm connecting so deeply with my new friends and then I have to leave. They are in my heart, I carry them with me and then I meet the next person and I want to give them all. I am a part of their life for a day and whatever they're going through... AND that's what has been so surprising... not one person has been camera shy or not shared something monumental.

Why do you think this is?

I came into this project 100% authentic, nothing fake. I believe they see that, pick up on it and are being real.

What impact on you is it having to meet these Facebook friends?

This experience is bringing me in touch with humanity.

I've quit smoking after one of my new friends on this journey died from cancer.

This trip has empowered me a little bit. Life means more to me now. And to truly connect with people now has become more genuine.  [I've learned] that you really can't know someone until you meet them face to face. You need to smell them and see them to really connect - you can't do it through a computer!

I know you're an activist, especially when it comes to the matter of equality, so what do you think about the recent same-sex ruling in New York?

Finally! I always try and think very positively about change and it keeps getting better... its inspiring. New York is the hub of all of us and it represents a lot of what we are as a culture in America. [Hopefully] this will set a fire under people's asses and stop being so silly.

Let's talk GAGA? I've been following your tweets about her. They're crazy fun! What's going on? [At this point, Kat revealed a secret!]

People think I'm a super fan, obsessed with Lady GAGA.  [But really] I have been researching Lady GAGA from when she first came on the seen. She is the most original, complex and fascinating individual. There is something about her that is absolutely, without a doubt intriguing. I am doing the research for my next film. Its about a music journalist and her relationship with a mega-pop star. [Its about the] exploration of fame and how someone can be one of the most famous people in the world and still feel very alone and misunderstood.

When is Face 2 Face slated for completion and release?

My main goal is to get it to the 2012 

Sundance Film Festival

.  I hope to be done in October and if all goes as planned it will be screened in January.

Kat is brilliant and engaging. Speaking with her was so comfortable. It felt more like a conversation with a friend rather than an interview. I was moved by her sincerity and openness. There were a couple of times when Kat even got emotional when talking about the experiences of meeting her new friends. She feels (about Facebook/Twitter) "technology is not bad if used in a way to connect with people," explaining that it "gets dangerous when used as a bandaid for loneliness."

What I found so beautifully cosmic about Kat Brooks is that her life seems to have come full circle in such a meaningful way - from reality tv, to scripted, disappointing unreality, to finding fulfillment in making a movie about her personal reality. With this, Kat has embraced humanity and now has a greater, deeper appreciation for life - her own and others'. She hopes through her film that people will become inspired to get out more and socialize with one another, FACE 2 FACE.

Finally, the FACE 2 FACE movie trailer is about as

REAL

as you can get. Its powerful, moving and inspiring:

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New York New York

I have always loved New York.

The abundance of art, fashion and shopping sets New York City not only apart from any other place in the U.S. but also sets trends nationally and beyond.

There is an incomparable energy that exists in NYC that filters through everyone, residents and visitors alike.

Now there is one more (major) reason to love the entire state of New York: Same-Sex Marriage.

This is a victory not just for gays but for the nation as we move towards equality. New York is the 6th state to sign the bill.

CLICK Here to read CNN story & watch CNN Video, AndersonCooper

reports.

There are so many songs about the fabulousness of NY and this oldie is one of my favorites. [Perhaps reveals a little bit about myself.]

Sing it

Nina Hagen!

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Leslie Fram, Matt Pinfield, Iggy Pop: The NY Rock Experience

Atlanta's loss is New York City's gain. Leslie Fram on WRXP 101.9FM with Matt Pinfield is where it's at!

So what do you get when you team up a music television legend and a rock radio icon: The NY Rock Experience with Matt Pinfield and Leslie Fram ... and what did I get by visiting them at work: One hell of a kick-ass day which included listening in on a phone convo between Leslie and Gerald Butler! Leslie has often said to me that you never really know who's going to drop by for a visit. Well, today was my lucky day. Jason, my gracious and hospitable escort at the station, says as he opens the door to the sound booth to let me in,  "Oh, by the way, Iggy Pop is in there with them."

WTF!!! I gasped, entered the room and sat down. They were live on air, so I was very quiet, which was just fine for the moment.  I was in disbelief that sitting 5 ft away from me was Iggy Pop.

I let my eyes wander the small room and take it all in, repeatedly glancing at Iggy, of course. I was mesmerized by his storytelling. One story in particular had everyone in stitches. It was about playing the role of Belvedere Rickettes, Johnny Depp's uncle, in the John Water's film Cry Baby. Iggy was thrilled to be in a feature film. Finally, his first movie--and he gets to play the "ugly guy!" Yes, everyday, his teeth were blackened and he sported a reverse mullet. (Matt pointed that out, by the way.) At this point, I was laughing so hard that I actually put my hand over my mouth so I wouldn't be heard.


When the show came to an end, Leslie introduced me to Iggy and Matt. I was in Rock heaven!


Meeting Matt Pinfield was exciting. I'd heard so many great things about him through Leslie and her husband, Lanny. The only reason I watched MTV in the mid '90's was for his show 120 Minutes.

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