55 Secret Street : 55 Red Carpet

55 Red Carpet: The Met Ball 2011

An Alexander McQueen clutch

The theme of the 2011 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was "Savage Beauty" in honor of the late genius designer Lee Alexander McQueen. You can see the exhibit from May 4 through July 31, 2011 at the museum.

Beyonce in Emilio Pucci. I am not sure who Solange is wearing yet... but maybe Pucci also?

Jennifer Lopez

Iman, representing Legendary Goddesses for the evening...

Shala Monroque is a candidate for later day 21st century Vintage Black Glamour.

Ciara was born on my 16th birthday so, I like her a lot...

Kanye West (in Tory Burch) with Rihanna.

Jennifer Hudson with Vera Wang.

New York Knick Amar'e Stoudemire is definitely serious about getting into fashion.

King Andre Leon Talley. I am calling him "king" in all seriousness and with respect. I am guessing his blue cape is by either Karl Lagerfeld or Ralph Rucci.

Anna Wintour

Mr. and Mrs. Carmelo Anthony

Design legends Donna Karan and Calvin Klein

Janelle Monae holding a full-court press in a (fancier version) of her standard uniform.

Estee Lauder spokesmodel Hilary Rhoda looking stunning.

Kerry Washington

Joy Bryant and Margherita Missoni in... Missoni. Personally, I would love to see Joy in a HUGE Missoni campaign yesterday...

John Legend and his girlfriend Chrissy Teigen, who is far more interesting on Twitter than he is. #justsayin

Madonna in Stella McCartney

I thought model Liu Wen was beyond stunning...

Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen

Rihanna with Paul McCartney.

Zoe Saldana with Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa.

Keri Hilson and Jennifer Lopez.

All photos via Vogue.com and WWD.com

Posted by Nichelle Gainer on 2011.05.03 in 55 Red Carpet, Cocktails, Parties & Premieres, Fabulous | Permalink | Comments (0)

55 Red Carpet: 2011 NAACP Image Awards

Kerry Washington backstage at the 42nd annual NAACP awards. She was a presenter along with Anthony Mackie.

Usually, after any awards show, my inbox is overflowing with press releases eager to tell me what celebrity wore who, what & why. Not so with the 42nd annual NAACP Image Awards. That means (in most cases) I have no idea which celebrity wore whatever designer so... let's just look at the pretty pictures, shall we?

Halle Berry on the red carpet in Emilio Pucci. She presented an award to General Colin Powell.

Co-host Holly Robinson Peete found time to tweet backstage. Holly and her daughter Ryan Peete also won an Image Award for "Outstanding Literary Work-Children" for their autism-themed book "My Brother Charlie."

Writer/comedian Robin Thede wrote and tweeted about the hilarious opening sketch that she wrote for Holly and Wayne Brady.

I remember Image Award winner Vanessa Williams' emotional winning speech at the awards show in the late eighties thanking the African-American community after her Miss America mess. Talk about full circle moments.

Vanessa and Cicely Tyson chatting backstage. No "old age" jokes about Ms. Tyson around me, thanks...

Angela Bassett, a presenter at the show, on the red carpet. I can't wait for her new film "Jumpin' the Broom" to hit theaters this spring!

Actress Viola Davis arrives for the ceremony.

Anika Noni Rose tweeted that her dress was by Simin Couture in Beverly Hills.

Sofia Vergara won the first award of the night for her role in Modern Family. She also tweeted from the show.

I was surprised to see that Tatyana Ali won in the soap opera category since I know she has a new Martin Lawrence-produced show on TV One called "Love that Girl." Then again, I don't watch soaps...

Salli Richardson-Whitfield, star of the new film "I Will Follow," written and directed by Ava DuVernay, arrives on the red carpet.

Image Award winner Kimberly Elise's latest movie, "Highland Park" with Danny Glover, should be out later this year. The red, white and blue ribbon that she and other celebrities wore was in support of union workers in Wisconsin and other states struggling to protect their collective bargaining rights.

Regina King won an award for her role on the show "Southland."

I remember hearing about director Millicent Shelton when she first began her career. I had no idea that she directed one of my favorite shows, Men of a Certain Age. She won an Image Award for Outstanding Direction for a Dramatic Series for the show.

Director Sanaa Hamri (Something New, Just Wright, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2) arrives for the after party.

Sandra Oh got a shout out from Wayne Brady in the opening sequence.

Niecy Nash signing something backstage. I looove her makeup here.

Texan Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008, was Tyler Perry's date for the evening.

Mom-to-be and star of The Game, Tia Mowry backstage with her sister Tamera and Vanessa Williams. Both twins did quite a bit of tweeting at the show.

I hear LL Cool J's wife Simone (flanked by her husband and Samuel L. Jackson) is launching a new jewelry line this year.

Halle Berry chats with Vanessa Williams...

... and admires Tia Mowry's baby bump.

Vanessa and actress Viola Davis chatting backstage.

Photos: Getty Images

Posted by Nichelle Gainer on 2011.03.05 in 55 Red Carpet | Permalink | Comments (0)

55 Red Carpet: 2011 Oscars... Scarlet Red & Tangerine

Loooved Jennifer Hudson's tangerine halter gown by Atelier Versace. She was my favorite for the night - especially the train!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaas girl!

Jennifer's Neil Lane jewels: 10 carat diamond long basket earrings; 35 carat diamond platinum leaf bracelet and 20 carat fancy colored diamond ring; two wide platinum diamond bracelets - 100 carats combined.

Sandra Bullock's lovely scarlet Vera Wang.

Zoe Saldana red & pink Prabal Gurung topped off with a black leather belt.

Garcelle Beauvais at the Elton John AIDS Foundation gala. The gold clutch is a nice touch.

Jennifer Lawrence was smart to show up first on the red carpet. Her Calvin Klein Collection dress did indeed set the (high) standard for the night.

Brand new mom Penelope Cruz in blood red L'Wren Scott.

Serena Williams at Vanity Fair's Oscar party. Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but I haven't seen her in a while. I think she looks fantastic.

Selita Ebanks in red ruffles at Vanity Fair's Oscar party.

Anne Hathaway in vintage Valentino couture with the man himself.

Photo credits: Getty, Wireimage, Reuters, People Style Watch, Essence.com

Posted by Nichelle Gainer on 2011.02.28 in 55 Red Carpet | Permalink | Comments (1)

55 Red Carpet: 2011 Oscars... Platinum, Nude & Ivory

Halle Berry in a nude, crystal encrusted gown with a ruffled train by Marchesa. Stunning. In other news, the president of the United States is a fella with big ears named Barack Obama.

Hailee Steinfeld's sweet, pretty look: a crystal hand-embroidered tulle tea length Marchesa in ballet pink (that she helped design!)

finished off with shoes and a clutch by Ferragamo and a very pretty heart-shaped diamond ring set in platinum by Fred Leighton. Fred Leighton also designed her diamond headband.