VMA AWARDS: DULL SHOW, YEA RIGHT!

Thank music heaven VMA's returned home--back to NYC! What a lineup of spur-of-the moment unpacked events! Kudos to Janet on representing MJ glowingly and Madonna for the heart-stirring mark of respect. I will dare NOT highlight Kanye's look-at-me buffoonery. Mr. MSR ears perked up for good quality music and honed in an edited eye on knockout fashions.

Music's best talents pulled up in flashy rockish and glittery looks! The ladies went micro mini and bare sheen leg while the men went sharp-suited and simple!

Side reflection: Jay-Z and Alicia thank you for exciting a deeper appreciation for my city. NY'ers stand tall!

My favorite style moments of the evening:

Solange, great understated glamour in the one-shoulder number.

Diddy, don't care for this pigeon-toe stance. However, highly appreciating the sharp-fit black white-edged suit. Also loving the jazzy patent-glossed footwear!

HOV'... you're so B-R-O-O-K-L-Y-N and the look, so time-appropriate. The swagger, tilted Yankee fitted (urban term for baseball cap), and relaxed layering gets my approval!

Taylor Lautner represented a Tom Ford appeal on last night’s VMA reds. A very subtle finesse and low-key flamboyance I would comment. Well done Taylor!

GRAMMY MANIA!!!

What a musical presentation last night?! I didn’t get to witness the live telecast but my DVR had I fully covered—from red carpet arrivals to award show departures. Overall, the Grammy’s was OK-cool! Not great or fantastic, but OK-cool. I wanted to be jolted over the wall but I simply remained posted on the top wall. I think Chris Brown and Rihanna ala Ike and Tina fiasco soured my Grammy hopes. I’ll give my Grammy’s review breakdown in three paragraph segments.

RED CARPET ARRIVALS/STYLE

For the most part the Grammy attendees came glowing with style togetherness. Of course you had NO-NO’s that fell short of the style mark. Some examples: Cindy Lauper, Bai-Ling, John Mayer (major FUG), and shocker Sean Combs (dressed in a spiffy light purple perforated bomber jacket, dark denims, white t-shirt, and jacket-matching NIKE trainers). Attendees kicking with attention pizzazz in my opinion were: Katy Perry (donning a bubblegum hued frock that accentuated the positives), NeYo (although decking the usual Grey, blended in sleek Black elements), Taylor Swift (in a swift knockout black jersey ensemble), Jennifer Hudson (dressed in an artsy color-block dress), Kim Kardashian (I was blown away) and the Jonas’ looking smartly fit in traditional penguin suits. For the most part, the Grammy’s summoned a nice plethora of well-dress individuals.

AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant for cleaning up 5 golden phonographs. Also great seeing Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Estelle and Kanye (no winy tantrums this year), Adele (love this new songstress. I encourage getting her album), Radiohead, Al Green, Sugarland and all other winners whose music earned Grammy accolades.

DURING SHOW

I was very impressed with the overall Grammy’s performance lineup. First off, Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder rocked out well. The Jonas’ really shocked me out—like really. As did Justin Timberlake (I coined him Soul Prince after last night) with Al Green and Boyz II Men. I won’t even charade or front, but Jennifer Hudson’s heart wrenching number jerked the tear ducts. T.I.’s performance (I am still hunting down the super-killer leather piping black trench he showcased) with Soul Prince. It was refreshing to see Sir. Paul McCartney still jams out. The Four Tops tribute had me reminiscing and jamming in my apartment confines.

But, you and I both know, the show stealer was “The Rap Pack” performing Swagger Like Us. Were you also bewildered by a pregnant M.I.A (who’s in labor as I write) as I was? Girl is a trooper! The performer wasn’t the bit taken back or discouraged from rocking with the men (in a Henry Holland creation) with a baby-is-due-today stomach. Side note: I think I will implement Jay-Z’s diamond encrusted brooch pin-to-lapel approach very soon.

Overall, I gave the Grammy’s a resolute 8 from a 1-10 scaling.

STYLE MOMENTS FROM LAST NIGHT:

GOLDEN GLOBES: AWARD SHOW HIT!

Before I recap killer fashions trampling the red carpet, I must salute SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE! The top dog film garnered four golden statues. I told you after previewing the picture; it would gain loads of awards and industry recognition. A true rags-to-riches sensation! The Oscar lead-up buzzes began fiercely circulating after last night nomination scorings. I digress.

With mental note-taking mode ON, I tuned into the pre-shows to analyze sartorial flairs. The majority of ladies of course smashed 100% but real in view focus zoomed on Gents. The men came sharp, dapper, and award-winner-ready in modern penguin tuxes and suiting. The impeccable manly looks continuing buzzing after the ceremony were:

T.C.

The award presenter came cut in a sharp double-breasted handmade suit! Fresh choice, I say!

Simon Baker

The popular Aussie actor's dashing notch lapel Italian-tailored trimmed suit seized my full attention.
Side note: Next time, Please Simon, shine or polish shoes before suiting up.

Terrence Howard

The minute he graced the podium, I knew his fit-like-a-charm peaked lapel suit won my best-dress title!

Chris Pine and Zachary Pinto

One donning a mod type suit, the other a modernize tux (properly shape might I add) , the pair had to receive wardrobe approvals.

Sean "Diddy" Combs

The natty Gent always round our red carpet favorite list! I favor the footwear switch up from angular square toe to semi-pointy toe. Well done!

Colin Farrell

The rebel always jazzes up the carpets. Last night he came fresh in a luxe peak lapel suit and svelte tartan-print vest.

Blair Underwood

Actor Blair confidently showed off his smooth-looking tuxedo to the flashing paparazzi.

GRAMMYS SPOTLIGHT

First off, can I say kudos on so many levels to Kanye for his tribute to Donda (late mother for anyone wondering) West. No lie, the emotional rendition rocked my core. And so did every other attendee sobbing and in ovation to Kanye. Also, you clothes fiends (talking to myself too) wasn’t Kanye’s outfit fresh tech-savvy! The glasses alone had me gawking and ogling for a logo.

I normally tune in to pre-coverage on E! to get outfit close-ups. However, family dinner at Grandmas only allowed only me to ketch the last half. Honestly, I didn’t really mind because I was feasting on grandmas' succulent curry chicken.

Ok, back to the GRAMMYS…

So our rehab girl—Amy Winehouse—won golden (5 trophies) last night. Unfortunately because of a late arriving Visa, she had to perform in London. Following her was Kanye West with 4 record players. Ok, I’m stopping the news reporting and more style reviewing.

I only caught a few gents on the pre-show, but saw more shots via-online: WIREIMAGE and Getty.

Here are my thoughts on the GENTS of the night.

Daughtry

I like the fact Daughtry was eclectically fashionable. Each gent had their distinct style offering.

Chris Brown w/ Fergilicious

Chris Brown customized out in a red/white three-piece. I respect the accessory pairing (belt) as well.


Jay-Z

Jay sporting the Oscar-esque look. Jay's definitely in his own style class on the carpet.

Let's not overlook the glistening brooch on his right lapel.

A Mod looking Mark Ronson

Will.I.Am in refine tailored separates. I thought this getup should have been sans aviators.

John Legend

MS R favorite of the night! The underneath arrangement looks like fabric styled into a shirting effect. The lily-white pocket square and slim fitting bachelor vest is a true channeling of ‘The Great Gatsby’! A true style legend indeed on the carpet.

THE BELOW RECEIVED TWO STYLE THUMBS DOWN FROM MS R. YOU CAN CLEARLY IDENTIFTY WHY.

SAG Styling!

Red Carpet restlessness came to a screeching halt last night in LA. The current writers’ strike couldn’t stop celebrities from presenting their fashion best. I watched the SAG red carpet and thought the gents showcased Old-Hollywood and Mod-Hollywood with their wardrobe selections. Traditional single breast suits were popularized by gents on the red carpet. And their suit togetherness was much laid back (many actors went sans tie)…..almost too suave for this type of award show.

MaleStyle Review Best Dressed:

1. Ryan Gosling (hands down!!!)

2. Brad Pitt

3. Ben Foster

4. Jeremy Piven

5. Forest Whitaker

MaleStyle Review Worst Dressed:

1. Jay Manuel

2. Viggo Mortensen

3. Julian Schnabel

4. Judah Friedlander