The official
SAG and
Golden Globe nominees were announced this week, leaving
critics to debate who will dominate the competition. But the real question is, who will dominate the red carpet? Let the countdown to the red carpet begin!
THE 4 VOGUE COVER GIRLS: MERYL STREEP, CHARLIZE THERON, ROONEY MARA, MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Always four steps ahead of the prediction game, Anna Wintour's past four covers have featured nominees announced this week. No doubt she has already nailed which house each talent will be wearing come showtime.
4. MERYL STREEP --
Best Actress in a Motion Picutre for Iron Lady
; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations
Never taking the red carpet too seriously, current
Vogue face Meryl Streep's designer selection is fascinating to watch. For the 2010 awards season, she chose "
Project Runway" alum
Chris March's designs not once, but twice (including at the fashion PR Holy Grail, the
Academy Awards, pictured below). This year while promoting
Iron Lady, the Margaret Thatcher biopic which garnered her both SAG and Globe noms, Meryl chose
Stella McCartney, twice consecutively (below). Could Meryl's portrayal of the former British prime minister lead her to favor the British McCartney for the duration of the season? She could go straight to the source and wear one of Thatcher's favored outfitters,
Aquascutum. If she sticks to what has worked in the past, we could also expect to see Meryl in Elie Saab or vintage, but smart new choices could include
Marni (currently garnering buzz for its
H&M capsule collection set to drop March 8, just after awards season closes) or
Prada (and not just because she
played the Devil in it).
Contenders: Stella McCartney, Aquascutum, Elie Saab, Marni, Prada, vintage
3. CHARLIZE THERON --
Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for Young Adult
, Golden Globe nomination
Charlize shimmers in
Calvin Klein Collection on the December cover of Vogue, but as the face of
J'Adore Dior fragrance, she is obligated to wear
Christian Dior for a number of her appearances. For her only awards season appearance last year, she donned a beautiful (yet controversial) custom Dior gown, pictured below. The
Academy Award winner also has very close ties
Stella McCartney and
Versace. Recently when deviating from the tried-and-true, has chosen
Balenciaga,
celebrity favorite Antonio Berardi, and one of the gorgeous Art Deco pieces from
Gucci's major Spring collection (below). Still, her stand-bys are the best bets.
Contenders: Christian Dior, Stella McCartney, Versace Atelier
2. ROONEY MARA --
Best Actress in a Drama for Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
, Golden Globe nomination
Predicting a newcomer's look is always a challenge, but Rooney has given fashion critics plenty to talk about thus far. She was breathtaking in a dragon-embellished look from
Ralph Lauren's japonaise-inspired Fall collection on the cover of November
Vogue. Since then,
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo costume designer
Trish Summerville (whose
collection for H&M premiered December 14) has dressed Rooney for the red carpet in spot-on looks from
Givenchy and cool-girl label
Prabal Gurung (both pictured below). Rooney has also worn the latest from
Donna Karan,
Calvin Klein Collection, and
Roksanda Ilincic. Other great choices for her could be
Haider Ackermann,
Alexander McQueen,
Altuzarra, or
Hakaan. No one designer has been worn more than once, and with nearly all of these labels represented by in-house PRs, no one PR firm has been featured more than once, either. While every designer and PR vies for Rooney's favor this season, we anxiously await to see who she ultimately chooses.
Contenders: Possibly Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Altuzarra, Hakaan... very TBD!
** Update: Rooney is now working with stylist Ryan Hastings
1.
MICHELLE WILLIAMS --
Best Actress in a Motion Picture for My Week With Marilyn
; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations
October
Vogue cover girl Michelle Williams sizzles in
Oscar de la Renta, channeling the Marilyn Monroe role that garnered her both the SAG and Globe noms. The actress also chooses de la Renta when dressing as herself (pictured below promoting
Marilyn), but shies away from the bombshell silhouette in favor of a waif-like aesthetic. Girlish lines and prim details have also made her a devoted fan of
Miu Miu (which she wore to this year's Met Ball),
Nina Ricci, and
Erdem. For couture, it's
Chanel and
Valentino-- last year, she wore the former to the Academy Awards and the controversial daisy-print latter to the Globes (below). Michelle wears these six houses without much deviation, which means it's a solid bet half will see a SAG, Globe, or Oscar carpet. Factoring in a stylist's influence is somewhat beside the point in this case: Michelle is personal friends with a number of stylists and editors, so she works with different people for different events-- sometimes even enlisting someone new at the very last minute, as with last year's Academy Awards. (Although she may be working with Kate Young this season). Despite this variety, Michelle's personal sense of style is clearly defined and extremely consistent. We can expect to see her in something feminine, understated, and highly chic.
Contenders: Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Chanel, Miu Miu
THE 3 IT GIRLS OF THE SEASON: JESSICA CHASTAIN, VIOLA DAVIS, SHAILENE WOODLEY
Every season there are first-time front runners that kepp the film critics, fashion world, and general public abuzz. For 2012, three names stand out from the crowd:
3. JESSICA CHASTAIN -- Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for The Help
; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations
This may be her first year on the scene, but what a year it has been! With nine (yes,
nine) acclaimed films released and a major
Zac Posen couture moment at Cannes (below), fashion PRs with foresight have been clamoring for Jessica Chastain all year. She accompanied
Emilio Pucci's Peter Dundas to the Met Ball (below), has been embraced by
Gucci and
Louis Vuitton, and has worn both
Oscar de la Renta and
Viktor & Rolf (below) exactly twice each. Still, Jessica has not established a clear pattern of favoring one designer or PR firm, but she is consistently dressed in looks that are classically figure flattering with unexpected colors.
Contenders: Viktor & Rolf, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen
2. VIOLA DAVIS -- Best Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Performance by a Cast for The Help; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations
Viola Davis joins Jessica Chastain as a Girl of the Season, incidentally sharing the same film and same stylist. Although previously nominated for an Academy Award, this year Viola is considered the strong front runner to take home to trophy. Often favoring David Meister (below), Viola has also worn
Reem Acra (to the 2009 Academy Awards, below), Escada,
Calvin Klein Collection (below), and most recently Raoul. However, another thing she could share with Jessica Chastain is Peter Dundas--
Emilio Pucci could be a great look for her.
Contenders: David Meister, Escada, Emilio Pucci
1. SHAILENE WOODLEY -- Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for The Descendents; Golden Globe nomination
When cast in George Clooney's
The Descendants, Shailene suddenly went from
ABC Family's pregnant teenager to
bona fide bright young thing. She has since been gracing the red carpet in smart choices from
Prabal Gurung (below),
Zac Posen, and
Christian Dior. She has been heavily favoring
Dolce & Gabbana (below), a house with a generous lending policy that supports young talent. A particularly killer choice from Dolce was the tuxedo look Shailene wore to the Gotham Independent Film Awards (below), which set the blogosphere on fire.
Contenders: Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, Marchesa, any young designer
THE 2 BEST DRESSED: EMMA STONE, CLAIRE DANES
The two young fashion girls who dominate every awards season's best dressed list are also nominated this year.
2. EMMA STONE --
Best Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for The Help
; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations
Dominating every imaginable
best dressed list of the year, celebrity stylist
Petra Flannery (who also works with Zoe Saldana and Mila Kunis) has established Emma as a veritable fashion force. Emma has killed looks from every major house and insider label, including
Chanel couture (below),
Louis Vuitton,
Lanvin,
Giambattista Valli (below),
Bottega Veneta, and
Carven. But it was her appearance in a stunning minimalist
Calvin Klein Collection at last year's Golden Globes (below) that solidified her status as fashion It Girl. On the cusp of what is hot and exclusive but also thoughtful and beautiful, Petra and Emma will be sure to choose looks that will be the objects of every insider's desire.
Contenders: Chanel Couture, Lanvin, Prada, Stella McCartney, Valli, TBD
1. CLAIRE DANES --
Best Actress in a Television Drama for "Homeland"; Golden Globe nomination
With minimalist aesthetic and a strong relationship with
Calvin Klein, Claire had two major awards season moments with the house last awards season (including the Golden Globes, below).
Oscar de la Renta and
Armani Prive were already worn for Claire's last two Emmy Awards (the latter pictured below), so it is unlikely that she will choose any of these three favorites. This year she could choose other favorite designers, such as
Louis Vuitton or
Lanvin, but based on her recent choices, it could be time for
Valentino (below) to be the victor.
Contenders: Valentino
THE 1 CLASSIC A-LISTER: ANGELINA JOLIE
What is there to say about this ultra-talented woman? One of the most beautiful and sought-after individuals in the world, she always rules the red carpet with stunning style and timeless allure.
1. ANGELINA JOLIE --
Best Foreign Language Film for In the Land of Blood and Honey
; Golden Globe Award
With partner Brad Pitt nominated multiple times for
Money Ball and her own directorial debut recognized, Angelina Jolie will see several red carpets this season. Angelina has, needless o say, worn every major designer, plus has relationships with
Louis Vuitton,
Versace, and
Vivienne Westwood (below at a
Money Ball premiere). However, she also favors less prestigious labels such as
Romona Kaveza (below promoting
Blood and Honey),
Jenny Packham, and
BCBG Max Azria. When she isn't going full impact with her natural smoldering beauty, Angelina prefers easy, comfortable gowns that allow an event's actual purpose to be the focus (as with her flowing
Elie Saab she wore to accept
the Honorary Heart Of Sarajevo award for bringing attention to refugees in the country at the Sarajevo Film Festival, below).
Contenders: Louis Vuitton, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Jenny Packham
