Natalie Portman – Signature9

Skill vs. Social: How Will You Remember Galliano’s Final Dior Collection?

YM Ousley — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:45:57 +0000

Galliano’s gone, but it seems the show will go on.

Which leaves a question that’s been posed many times: how do you praise the professional, without being sullied by the personal?

Roman Polanski, R. Kelly, Woody Allen. And John Galliano.

The first three may have more in common when it comes to the allegations that follow their personal lives, but all four pose similar problems for would be fans. How do you support Polanski’s work on film without personally supporting a man who plead guilty to drugging and raping a 13-year-old? Can you enjoy R. Kelly’s music without contributing to the financial standing of a man who allegedly has sex with young teens? Is there a conflict with someone who enjoys Woody Allen’s work but finds his affair with, and later marriage to, his adopted daughter a bit… gross?

Natalie Portman’s decision to wear Rodarte for the Oscars, and later statement condemning Galliano’s words on the now infamous video, makes her position on the matter clear. She’s a face of Dior’s perfume, but wants nothing to do with Galliano, even if it’s only through fabric.

It’s unlikely the wider fashion industry will follow suit though, and while that may have been acceptable in a time where Twitter and blogs didn’t exist, it’s sure to create divisions in a time when they do.

We’ll take a bet that Galliano’s as yet to be seen Dior collection will be beautiful. We’re not sure of the colors or materials or silhouettes just yet, but going on a professional history, his skill as a designer has rarely faltered. Collection after collection, you can count on Galliano to wow. Though Dior was never the most profitable brand in the LVMH stable, sales did amount to approximately $1.14 billion which is no small thing. While Dior has been quick to distance themselves from the designer personally, if the show goes on, then so to will the normal industry cycle. The collection will be shown to editors and buyers, and lated promoted in advertisements and editorials.

Galliano may not profit from future collections, but even though Dior is proceeding with dismissal measures (which can take weeks in France, depending on the nature of Galliano’s contract), he will likely have to be paid for the collection which has already been created – if he hasn’t been paid already. The normal fashion cycle means that in some way, support of the current collection will support Galliano.

So where does that leave the line of accepting demonstrated skill without supporting abhorrent social behavior? Drunk or not, aware of being filmed or not, alcohol does not make someone a Hitler fan or racist. It may lower inhibitions and allow those things to be spoken more freely than they otherwise would, but with all the risks that alcohol carries – liver damage, impaired motor skills, alcohol poisoning, vomiting – racism and bigotry are two that have never been listed as a side effect of drinking too much.

None of the circumstances mitigate Galliano’s behavior, but it if pop culture history shows anything, it’s that eventually artistry seems to outweigh the abhorrent. Many of the most iconic French fashion houses had founders who created garments for wives of Nazi officers’ wives and supported extremely antisemitic behavior in some way. For good or bad, even in an age where social outrage can spark a revolution that takes down a president, it’s still not enough to take down artists (completely, anyhow). So when the glowing show reviews praising the genius of a disturbed mind come in, and the ads and editorials begin to appear in the September issues of popular fashion magazines, and a Dior gown pops up at an event, don’t be surprised. No one will hold it against you that you don’t hold it against them.

Fired: John Galliano Will Not Close the Next Dior Show â€˜As Usualâ€™

YM Ousley — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 23:19:03 +0000

John Galliano has gone from suspended to unemployed after video of the designer making a number of disgusting comments surfaced yesterday.

The New York Times reports that Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, himself Jewish, confirmed that proceedings were moving from suspension to dismissal.

“He condemned â€˜â€˜in the strongest termsâ€â€ Mr. Gallianoâ€s words, â€˜â€˜which are in total contradiction with the essential values that have always been defended by the Christian Dior house.” – NYT

This follows a statement by recent Oscar winner Natalie Portman, who is also the face of Miss Dior Cherie perfume. Though her publicists wouldn’t allow her to comment in a question posed in the press scrum after the Oscars, Portman did speak out saying that she was “deeply shocked and disgusted by the video. As an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way.”

It’s not clear if the actress’ statement had any effect on the decision to move from suspension to firing.

Galliano maintains that he did not use antisemitic language in the incident which sparked the initial complaint, even going so far as to file defamation charges against the couple. Police are still investigating, and though Galliano faces a fine and jail time if he should be convicted, no official court proceedings have been announced.

Both the upcoming Dior and John Galliano fashion shows are scheduled to go ahead on schedule, though it’s highly doubtful that Galliano will fulfill his lawyer’s promise of appearing at the end of the show “as usual.”

5 2011 Golden Globes Fashion Trends to Save and Skip

YM Ousley — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:47:30 +0000

Unlike online influence, red carpet influence is one of those things that’s difficult to measure. Supermarket tabloids and gossip columnists usually play it safe and give best dressed to stars who go with a cookie cutter gown, while worst dressed goes to anyone who takes a fashion risk. Fashion blogs normally go the other way, praising those who aren’t afraid to look more runway than red carpet, and applying a snooze label to those who play it too safe.

We haven’t found a measurable way to tally best and worst dressed just yet, so we’ll just just round up the larger trends and add our favorites to the mix. Click on images to view at a larger size.

Golden Globes 2011 Fashion Trends

Pretty in Pink and Red or Dead

Save: Julianne Moore in Lanvin, Julianna Margulies in vintage Yves Saint Laurent

Skip: January Jones in Versace

Don’t get us wrong, January Jones looks great and men probably got a lot more interested in the red carpet after seeing that dress; but the line between vamp and tramp is thin and we’re not sure how many women would be able to toe the line in this dress or any “inspired by” designs.

What They All Wore

1st row L to R: Julianne Moore (large image) in Lanvin, Claire Danes in Calvin Klein, Megan Fox in Armani Prive, Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta, Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs

2nd row L to R: Naya Rivera, Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf, Emma Stone in Calvin Klein, January Jones (large image) in Versace

3rd row L to R: Â Julianna Margulies in vintage Yves Saint Laurent, Christina Hendricks, Edie Falco in Valentino, Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

Natalie Portman Is Pregnant and Engaged to Benjamin Millepied

YM Ousley — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 04:26:34 +0000

Mazel tov!

Congratulations are in order to Natalie Portman and her ballet beau Benjamin Millepied. The couple, who met on the set of Golden Globe nominated film Black Swan, announced their engagement and Portman’s pregnancy. {People} That can’t be bad for keeping interest around the film up.

What’s that you hear? The sound of millions of geek hearts breaking around the world. Don’t worry, the delusion that led them to believe they had a shot with Natalie Portman will cushion the blow. If there’s any more good news to be had from this, Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger will no longer have to respond to any more requests for dates with a nice girl like Natalie Portman (read: Natalie Portman, and only Natalie Portman, please). With Scarlett Johansson’s divorce a done deal, we’re assuming she’ll be back at the top of the list of women most men are unlikely to date, but hold out hope for anyway.

Portman’s background is probably familiar: the Harvard grad has garnered admiration for having the smarts and talent to compliment her good looks. If you’re not a ballet fan, her fiance may be a bit more of a mystery.

Millepied (may we add, that’s the best name we can think of for a ballet dancer?)Â is a Bordeaux, France born, New York bred ballet dancer and choreographer. He choreographed the dance routines in Black Swan, but lists principal dancer at the New York City Ballet as his day job. Details magazine called him a “once-in-a-generation crossover star and actress-courting boldface name previously embodied byÂ Mikhail Baryshnikov.”Â {USA Today}Â Looks like he found a leading lady who agrees.

We’re looking forward to seeing the couple on the red carpet come awards time, and what will inevitably be a collection of really beautiful maternity gowns on Portman.

Golden Globe Nominations Offically Kick Off 2011 Awards Season

YM Ousley — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:11:47 +0000

This morning, the Golden Globes nominations for 2011 were announced by Josh Duamel, Blair Underwood and Katie Holmes; and with them the official start to the 2011 awards season. For film, the Golden Globes are seen as a predictor of Oscar success (at least nomination wise). For television? Well, there’s an open bar which normally makes for a pretty entertaining ceremony. Of course, we can’t forget the red carpet fashion, so without further ado here are the nominees who will probably be on the receiving end of some expensive designer swag next year.

BEST MOTION PICTURE â€“ DRAMA

Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kingâ€s Speech
The Social Network

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE â€“ DRAMA

Halle Berry inÂ Frankie And Alice
Nicole Kidman inÂ Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence inÂ Winterâ€s Bone
Natalie Portman inÂ Black Swan
Michelle Williams inÂ Blue Valentine

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE â€“ DRAMA

Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network
Colin Firth in The Kingâ€s Speech
James Franco in 127 Hours
Ryan Gosling in Blue Valentine
Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter

BEST MOTION PICTURE â€“ COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Alice In Wonderland
Burlesque
The Kids Are All Right
Red
The Tourist

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE â€“ COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Annette Bening in The Kids Are All Right
Anne Hathaway in Love And Other Drugs
Angelina Jolie in The Tourist
Julianne Moore in The Kids Are All Right
Emma Stone in Easy A

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE â€“ COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Johnny Depp in Alice In Wonderland
Johnny Depp in The Tourist
Paul Giamatti in Barneyâ€s Version
Jake Gyllenhaal in Love And Other Drugs
Kevin Spacey in Casino Jack

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Amy Adams in The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter in The Kingâ€s Speech
Mila Kunis in Black Swan
Melissa Leo in The Fighter
Jacki Weaver in Animal Kingdom

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Christian Bale in The Fighter
Michael Douglas in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Andrew Garfield in The Social Network
Jeremy Renner in The Town
Geoffrey Rush in The Kingâ€s Speech

BEST TELEVISION SERIES â€“ DRAMA

Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Dexter (SHOWTIME)
The Good Wife (CBS)
Mad Men (AMC)
The Walking Dead (AMC)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES â€“ DRAMA

Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss in Mad Men
Piper Perabo in Covert Affairs
Katey Sagal in Sons Of Anarchy
Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES â€“ DRAMA

Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall in Dexter
Jon Hamm in Mad Men
Hugh Laurie in House

BEST TELEVISION SERIES â€“ COMEDY OR MUSICAL

30 Rock (NBC)
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
The Big C (SHOWTIME)
Glee (FOX)
Modern Family (ABC)
Nurse Jackie (SHOWTIME)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES â€“COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Toni Collette in United States Of Tara
Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey in 30 Rock
Laura Linney in The Big C
Lea Michele in Glee

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES â€“ COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock
Steve Carell in The Office
Thomas Jane in Hung
Matthew Morrison in Glee
Jim Parsons in The Big Bang Theory

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Hope Davis in The Special Relationship
Jane Lynch in Glee
Kelly Macdonald in Boardwalk Empire
Julia Stiles in Dexter
Sofia Vergara in Modern Family

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Scott Caan in Hawaii Five-o
Chris Colfer in Glee
Chris Noth in The Good Wife
Eric Stonestreet in Modern Family
David Strathairn in Temple Grandin