WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: “Cleopatra” 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival Premiere on May 21, 2013.
WEARING: Versace Collection dress, BVLGARI jewelry

MY VERDICT: Jessica was the epitome of refined elegance when she made her way down the red carpet for the Cannes Film Festival premiere of “Cleopatra” today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film, which starred the late Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, wearing a long sleeve ivory silk Versace Collection gown with a floor-length cape. Although the front of the dress was modest–and slightly ill-fitting, the exquisite attachment sat below a stunning deep v-cutout at the upper back.

The amount of accessories were minimal, but what Jessica wore packed a lot of power. | continue reading..

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: 85th Academy Awards on February 24, 2013.
WEARING: Giorgio Armani Privé dress, Christian Louboutin shoes & Harry Winston jewelry.

MY VERDICT: Jessica was simply heavenly on the Oscars red carpet in her custom made Armani Privé copper-toned silk satin strapless corset gown with sparkling embroidery.  It should go without saying that the “Zero Dark Thirty” played it a bit safe compared to what she could have worn, but I would be totally lying if I said I didn’t like this.  Jessica looked divine, and as I predicted, she was definitely giving nods to old Hollywood glamour—and it was appreciated, at least by me.

A side-parted mane with sculpted curls were accented by diamond earrings, a matching bracelet, and a siren red pout.

Bravo, Miss Chastain!

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: Women In Film’s 6th Annual Pre-Oscar Cocktail Party on February 22, 2013.
WEARING: Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

MY VERDICT: Jessica added a tiny pop of color to her dark navy Preen dress when she attended the Women in Film’s 6th Annual Pre-Oscar cocktail party. The Best Actress nominee stepped out on the black carpet wearing the “Audra” dress, from the Pre-Fall 2013 collection, which features a lime citrus floral embroidery along the sides of her waist and above the popped skirt.  Jessica wore her long ginger hair in cascading curls before finishing with a rose lip colour and strappy bronzed open toe sandals.

It was simple, but lovely.

It’s almost time for, arguably, the biggest award show of the year!   The 85th annual Academy Awards will be taking place in Hollywood in less than two days time, and while we wait with baited breath for who will take home the honors this year–let’s play with fashion!   We won’t know who’s wearing what until Sunday, but it’s always fun to dream up possibilities–isn’t it? Normally I don’t “predict” as much as I “wish”, but this time around, I believe it went hand-in-hand.

Enjoy my picks (and the reasons behind all of them) for some of this years Academy Award nominees and presenters below.  Come back to The Fashion Court on Sunday, February 24th for a recap of all the red carpet style.

To follow along with me as the stars arrive, and get some quick designer ID coverage on the gowns, make sure you’re following my tweets on @TheFashionCourt. Once all the stars are inside for the big show, come back here for all the fashion recaps! | continue reading..

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: TheWrap 4th Annual Pre-Oscar Party on February 20, 2013.
WEARING: Andrew Gn dress, Christian Louboutin shoes

MY VERDICT: Jessica hit the red carpet in her best color when she opted for a sapphire silk cocktail dress by Andrew Gn for the annual pre-Oscar party hosted by TheWrap. The “Zero Dark Thirty” nominee selected this new version of a capelet dress with an embellished neckline that was seen in a two-tone ivory and light mauve on the Spring 2013 runway. I have to say that I prefer the richer color for Jessica even though I’m a bigger fan of the embroidery on the model. Hey, whatever works. Jessica wore her hair out in full waves before finishing off with nude “Pigalle” pumps by Christian Louboutin. | continue reading..

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: 2013 Writers Guild Awards on February 17, 2013.
WEARING: Christian Dior dress, Jimmy Choo shoes

MY VERDICT: I adore Jessica, and had been looking forward to everything she selected for awards season this year. I’ve liked more than I’ve disliked, but sadly this particular look fell under the “not so good”. The “Zero Dark Thiry” wore a shortened, nude version of the silk bustier and tulle skirt from Dior‘s Resort 2013 collection, and I can’t figure out why considering the flesh tone colors completely wash her out.

This outfit was a giant letdown, but Jessica’s makeup, hair, and gold Jimmy Choo “Fayme” sandals were all lovely. | continue reading..

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: 2013 EE British Academy Film Awards on February 10, 2013.
WEARING: Roland Mouret dress & coat; Jimmy Choo shoes & Harry Winston jewelry.

MY VERDICT: Jessica was bursting with radiance on the BAFTA red carpet!  The “Zero Dark Thirty” selected, perhaps, her best dress this year thus far when she opted for the gorgeous asymmetrical “Azul” gown by Roland Mouret in a vibrant electric blue.  I can’t get over how absolutely perfect this color is on her, especially against that strawberry red hair–which was elegantly styled in retro Hollywood waves.  I’ve said before that I believe a bright blue is Jessica’s best color, and I stand by it. | continue reading..

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: The Hollywood Reporter Nominees’ Night 2013 Celebrating Oscars 2013 on February 4, 2013.
WEARING: Givenchy dress, Christian Louboutin shoes

MY VERDICT: I’m kind of over this dress.  Don’t get me wrong, I like it—but after seeing many, many variations of this Givenchy peplum design over the last year, I can take a break. You feel me?  Perhaps Ashley Greene‘s red carpet moment was the most popular as it was this exact Resort 2012 style.  That being said, Jessica looked great as per usual.  I’m just torn on whether I liked the fact that she left the peplum detail unfastened and tried to be a bit edgy and different, or if I’m bothered that she disrupted the intended silhouette.  I may never come to a decision, so in the meantime I’ll just tell you that she finished the look with Christian Louboutin nude “Pigalle” classic stiletto pumps. | continue reading..

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: 85th Academy Awards Nominations Luncheon on February 4, 2013.
WEARING: Erdem dress, Christian Louboutin pumps

MY VERDICT: Oh, Jessica was such a beautiful fresh breath of air today!  The “Zero Dark Thirty” nominated actress brightened up the red carpet at the annual Oscar nominee luncheon wearing a lovely floral embroidered navy and pink “Anna” dress from the Resort 2013 collection by Erdem. The cotton-blend cocktail dress features a scattered confection of contrast flower appliqués, a blending belted waist, and lace three-quarter length sleeves with scalloped edges. Spring can’t come soon enough!

This is such a sweet and flattering pick for Jessica—she always looks great in botanical patterns!  She punched up her pout with a peony lip color to match her dress while vibrant red tresses cascaded down her shoulder.  | continue reading..

WHO: Jessica Chastain
WHERE & WHEN: 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 27, 2013.
WEARING: Alexander McQueen dress, Charlotte Olympia shoes & Harry Winston jewelry.

MY VERDICT: On the bright side, Jessica’s strapless red Alexander McQueen gown was a grand improvement over her Golden Globes look. However, it still failed to live up to what I thought we’d be seeing from the “Zero Dark Thirty” star this awards season.  The dress is very pretty, I especially love the crossover detail at the bodice, but it just didn’t have the spark I was hoping for.  Regardless, she’s still beautiful and I loved her “Splash” diamond necklace from the Water by Harry Winston collection. | continue reading..