Oscar winning actress Marion Cotillard picked up a tribute at the Palm Springs Film Festival last week, and then moved on to Los Angeles, where on Saturday night, Dior – for whom she does print ads – hosted a chic cocktail party for her at the Chateau Marmont, with some pretty heavy hitters in tow. If a list of an actress’s upcoming major projects isn’t enough (Cotillard is starring in “Incenption,” the new Christopher Nolan film with Leo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt; “Second Coming” with Mark Ruffalo, and “The Rivals,” a battle of the actress divas Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse in the 18th century – with Nicole Kidman), check out this list of who went on Saturday night to pay tribute: directors Michael Mann and Jim Sheridan, and actors Sean Penn, Tobey Maguire and Jake Gylenhaal. Cotillard shined in a lovely Dior silver mini and was the belle of the ball – since none of her “Nine” co-stars were on hand. We’ll get to see a lot more of her Dior wardrobe this weekend, we have a feeling.

The Paris spring 2010 couture shows are just around the corner – starting on Monday July 6th and ending Wedneday July 8th, 2009. We have a feeling less Hollywood stylists will be attending than usual this summer season, given the economy. But here at Fashionrules.com, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the gowns and clothes from couture that are relevant to a Hollywood red carpet. We doubt too many of these couture looks from Chanel, Dior or Valentino will end up at the Emmys (Sept 20, the next major red carpet) – but that all depends on WHO is going to the Emmys. (If it’s Sarah Jessica Parker or Drew Barrymore, a couture gown COULD show up. Particularly an Armani or a Versace or an Elie Saab).

But in the meantime, here’s what we know, for you internet fashion voyeurs:

Monday July 6 – two shows by Christian Dior Tuesday July 7 – LaCroix, Givenchy, Chanel Wednesday July 8 – Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino

Maison Martin Margiela will also do a special presentation on July 7 and 8th – is this couture? Or ready to wear?.

You can check out the full schedule online at:

http://www.modeaparis.com/va/collections/2009hahc/index.html

All the press contacts are here, too. What we’re curious about it – there is NO mention of a Versace couture show on this official French calendar. Hmmm . . .

The big news at Valentino is that longtime Valentino pr man, and jewelry designer and NY man about town Carlos Souza, who left 18 months ago when Valentino retired, is back in the hot seat of vp of U.S. pr. Souza – one of the most social and well connected pr gents in the biz – has the job of getting the U.S. press and celebrities to go to the couture show on July 8th. Having dressed many a major star in Val for the Oscars (Gwyneth, Julia, Halle, Reese), if anybody can get famous butts in those Parisian chairs, it’s him! Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are creative directors of the line now, but the last couture show – without master Valentino Garavani – was not well reviewed. But celebrities in the front row is almost as good as good reviews.

Sandra Bullock has never really been thought of as “a fashion girl” – even though she’s worn Dior, Alberta Ferretti, etc, to the Oscars and the Globes. But on screen, she doesn’t usually play glamourous characters – until this week’s number one box office movie, “The Proposal” came out. She plays a chic urban boss in tight suits with over the knee pencil skirts and high heels (Louboutins, mostly), with a tight ponytail as well (it’s ALL tight, baby)– and looks like a New York advertising executive woman, or an L.A. talent agent or producer. A total businesswoman, who’s also very sexy. Lots of women who’ve seen the movie want to know about the clothes.

Here’s our report: The costume designer of “The Proposal” is Catherine Marie Thomas, also sometimes credited as “Catherine Thomas.” She also worked on other fashiony films, including “27 Dresses” with Katherine Heigl,” “Kill Bill,” and the FABULOUS HBO costume drama, “Grey Gardens” (which is going to get a LOT of Emmy nominations on July 16th, when the noms come out). Drew Barrymore was SO enamored of her Edie Beale look in “Grey Gardens,” she hired Thomas to design the costumes for her next two films, “Whip It!” (with Ellen Page) and “Going the Distance,” with her off-again, on-again boyfriend Justin Long.

Meanwhile, we suspect Thomas will get an Emmy nod for “Grey Gardens” – and while “The Proposal” may not get any costume nominations, the tight, body conscious business suit look is a hot one for ladies this fall – and all the fall collections showed that. So if you go see the movie, keep an eye on those skirts. And what they do to your butt.

Let’s face it, we’ve been living in very beige times. The last few years have been all about the very smoky eye and the nudish neutral pinkish lip – a look ushered in by Tom Ford at Gucci in the mid nineties, that’s held up for 15 years!!!!! Sure, it’s sexy and louche, but since clothes have stayed mostly in the neutral families for so long: black, white, camels, greys – that faces are kind of begging for color. The smoky eye and light lip combo is starting to look a little – dated. Which is fashionese for “old.”
Milan delivered strong red lips at Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta, and some of the early shows for Paris fall 09 have shown some very strong color, too. As usual, Lanvin (by Albert Elbaz) was one of the strongest shows, with forties style peplum suits front and center. And what works better for the 1940′s wartime look than bright red lips?  The eyes were washed with a gold/rust color, and altogether, the neutral clothes (Lanvin was mostly black or ecru) were really accented and flattered by the color on the models’ faces.
John Galliano for Dior never shows the average “natural” face – the Dior models had flushed heavy pink cheeks and deep deep purple burgundy mouths.  Oddly enough, Marc Jacobs showed dark purple lips in his very eighties fall collection in New York.
Yohji Yamamoto’s palette has always been all blacks and whites, with quiet makeup. But for fall, he had the models sport red orange lipstick, which matched red orange boots and shoes – it made the black dresses pop a lot more, and made the face come alive.
We have a feeling the beauty companies are going to go crazy for reds and purples for their fall makeup campaigns – since it would mean almost every woman would have to make purchases – a lot of purchases, to complete that kind of look. This could be its own little beauty economic stimulus package!!!

It’s a bit strange that the city of Aspen, Colorado initiated a fashion week for the first week of March – exactly when Milan fall fashion week was going on! However, Aspen’s fashion week was an initiative to promote outerwear and ski wear by luxury groups like Fendi, Dior, Moncler, LV and Burberry – so it wasn’t so much about new fashion looks as it was an industry event. BUT – there was an Italian present: retired designer Valentino, who attended a screening of the documentary about his last collection, “Valentino: The Last Emperor” at Aspen Fashion Week (along with its producer, Vanity Fair editor Matt Tyrnauer. Valentino was a big smash amongst the Aspen ladies, and was feted like – well, am emperor. (The doc will open nationally in a month.) And somehow, his perennial tan was still intact, even in the most famous winter town in the world.  Former Gucci Group CEO Domenico del Sole was also on hand, to spend time with his old friend (del Sole is credited with reinventing the Gucci brand with Tom Ford, and they both departed at the same time), and some excellent Italiano was spoken on the slopes this week – as far from Milan as you can imagine. 

Everybody’s weighing in on Oscar fashion – even those highly well-dressed women on “The View” (if you didn’t denote a note of sarcasm in print, we’re letting you know – that’s sarcastic!). Consensus has it that Marisa Tomei’s Versace couture had too much fabric and pleating (that’s what designer Randolph Duke said on KABC last night), that Miley Cyrus was dressed far too old, that Kate Winslet looked amazing in her YSL chicness, that Penelope Cruz (in vintage Balmain) and Sarah Jessica Parker (in Dior couture) stole the night – this is what Fashion Rules has to say, since we certainly have our own opinion:

MAJOR HITS  

• Penelope Cruz in her vintage Balmain – the Oscar winner switched it up from black to white, and while her miles of latte-like froth did look a little bridal – it was still a stunner, with her Audrey style hair.
• SJP in Dior Couture – miles and miles of seafoam tulle – if only she’d run down the streets of Manhattan in it now!
• Natalie Portman in Rodarte fuscia – a strapless close fitting body skimming princess gown. She took our breath away – and definitely had the best makeup of the night. Or maybe it’s just the best face.
• Kate Winslet in YSL two tone steel gray and black lace – a fabulous combo, a new style look for the red carpet, a great label, and a great fit. Lots of controversy about that molded hair – we loved it. It’s SO new.
• Taraji P. Henson in white strapless tiered Roberto Cavalli with a major Harry Winston diamond necklace – she looked classy AND like she was having fun – a rare combo. And it fit her beautifully.
• Freida Pinto in John Galliano one sleeved electric blue lace. It looked Indian and Parisian at the same time, and made her look more impossibly gorgeous than she is. And that’s hard.
• Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab Couture. The dress was all about her body – as well it should be. Those green honking Lorraine Schwartz earrings and ring were amazing on her – and a whole different way to go for Oscar jewels.
• Nicole Kidman in L’Wren Scott feathered white gown – fabulous. She wore her longtime stylist’s designer – very loyal, and it looked great. Why didn’t anyone care, though?

MINOR HITS  

• Amy Adams in red Carolina Herrera with a Fred Leighton collar necklace. Redheads in red, it’s an old topic. Essentially, it was a risk – and while the dress fit perfectly, we wish it was green – or blue – red on a red carpet just screams. The necklace was gorgeous, flattered her eyes – but stole the dress’s thunder, and didn’t really work with the color red.
• Viola Davis in an accordian pleat gold deco gown by Reem Acra – very pretty, very appropriate. Very flattering on her.
• Evan Rachel Wood in pale Elie Saab couture – very pretty, and less Goth than usual.
• Marisa Tomei in pale silver Versace major pleated gown with train – okay, so it was a whole LOTTA dress, and the train was high maintenance. It was quite a stunner and a major high fashion dress. Marisa has emerged this awards season as a real fashion risk taker. We applaud her, and loved it.
• Diane Lane in a black Dolce & Gabbana corset gown. It’s impossible for this woman to look bad.
•  Anne Hathaway in white sparkly Armani Prive – okay, we liked the pailettes, even if it weighed two tons, and she always looks pretty – loved the clean hair and red lips. But she looked uncomfortable and weighed down, and we think she could have done better. And she has done better – the Globes dress was MUCH better.
• Tilda Swinton – she toned it down in a blouse and skirt ensemble that was chic, and we like evening separates. Her red lips looked great with it. She’s an Oscar avant gardist, and we love her bravery.
• Tina Fey – she didn’t wear BLACK!!! She wore silver!! She looked HOT!! And cool! In Zac Posen – what a cool NY girl should wear.
• Halle Berry in black strapless and gold Marchesa – pretty.
• Beyonce in a mermaid black and gold House of Dereon design, probably her own. Very sexy.

MAJOR MISSES      

• Heidi Klum in the red thigh-high slit giant collared Roland Mouret: sorry, Heidi – but a fashion professional gets judged even more harshly. You wore a red dress like this to the Oscars before. Come ON, the whole idea is to look different. We love Roland Mouret, but this one looked like something out of “The Jetsons” – and the high slit was more becoming to the Grammy’s. Do you really need that much attention? They better get “Project Runway” back on the air, pronto!
• Vanessa Hudgens in an encrusted Marchesa fishtail black and white gown – too much texture on too tiny a girl. Her hair and makeup were pretty, though.
• Sophia Loren – okay, so she’s an icon, and she’s nearly eighty. She was wearing a child’s dress in an adult size – and a deep fake tan in a yellow dress – please, let’s leave that to Donatella.
• Miley Cyrus – You’ve dressed like you’re 12. Now you dressed like you’re 40. What about 16? That dress by Zuhair Muhrad looked like it might have worked at the Oscars in 1958.
•  Goldie Hawn – Does it matter who designed that beige nightgown? Her tan boobs were falling out, and it was just – embarrassing. Has she ever heard the word “class” – ?

MINOR MISSES  

• Reese Witherspoon’s two tone black and blue Rodarte was fashion forward, but overwhelming on her – she’s too tiny for all that dress. Also, her hair and makeup just flopped. Stylists Claire and Nina Hallworth just don’t do her justice.
•  Jessica Biel – the bow front white Prada was a cool move, a very fashion move – but it obscured her amazing figure. Maybe women liked this dress – but men wanted that big bow GONE. Interesting choice, though.
• Meryl Streep – the dress actually wasn’t that bad. She’s done worse. Now that hair  . . . . .
• Alicia Keys – that lavender Armani Prive gown was great. The hair was WAY too big, and so were those earrings!!!!!
• Jennifer Aniston in silver Valentino strapless – again, she didn’t wear black – that’s major for her. However, leaving her hair down and undone, and wearing an old-school style gown – she looked like she doesn’t care about fashion. And she doesn’t.

We at Fashion Rules are NOT label whores.

Well, okay – maybe we are!

Look, a great dress is a great dress – but for fifteen years, we’ve heard very little on a major red carpet outside of “Valentino,” “Chanel,” and “Dior.” So it’s really nice and even refreshing to hear OTHER names, particularly those that rarely show up on a red carpet – and have beautiful things.

Hats off to Katie Holmes, who looked JUST HOT in a tight Jil Sander spring 09 dress to the knee – with her short hair, slim cut sheath, and cool label, you could tell she’d lived in New York for the last few months. Jil Sander’s spring collection is one of the hottest ones of spring 09.

January Jones’s dress was lovely – a black halter gown with a hard gold breast place that surrounded her neck and waist – it was simple and dramatic at the same time. And who’s EVER worn Paris designer Andrew Gn on the red carpet?  His clothes are beautiful – and expensive – but they never get on red carpets because he has no Hollywood pr.

Kyra Sedgwick, not exactly known for her fashion forwardness – although she always looks good – donned a strapless vintage Chanel, with a white bustier top and simple black bottom. All Chanel is good – but vintage Chanel is even BETTER – because you can’t identify what collection it’s from. Plus black and white is so hot right now.

Penelope Cruz in her couture Azzedine Alaia was just scalding – have you EVER seen a dress fit like that? Not only that – this was NOT an easy dress to procure. Azzendine’s people just don’t care about red carpets.

Laura Dern wore Burberry – and we are big fans of Burberry designer Christopher Bailey. He rarely does dressy clothes, but his cocktail dresses are always first rate – this was a very interesting way to go.

And Jennifer Morrison wore Paris designer Anne Valerie Hache, who is another great designer who flies below the radar – hopefully now her name will be – maybe not household – but at least, livingroom. – Merle Ginsberg

We here at Fashion Rules have decided that our readers are no doubt trying to figure out the conundrum of dressing for holiday parties while not wanting to spend a bundle of money – and not wanting to look like they’ve spent a bundle of money, either! So we decided to consult the experts! Today, we interviewed stylist George Kotsiopoulos, who has worked with the New York Times Magazine, now is the style director of C Magazine, and who has dressed many many celebs, including Kerry Washington, Katy Perry, Heidi Klum, Anne Hathaway, Julianne Moore, Amber Valetta, Christina Ricci, etc. He is also the fashion blogger for “The Young and the Restless” tv soap opera – and has been appearing on the famed soap opera – as himself! He’s made appearances on “Y & R” with both Katy Perry and Shiva Rose. (MG)

FASHION RULES: George, what’s your answer to the problem of what to wear to a holiday party – in the middle of the worst recession in twenty years???

GEORGE KOTSIOPOULOS: I went to a party the other night with my friend, designer Magda Berliner. We’d gone to the Santa Monica flea market that day, and she found an eighties’ style sequin blazer – for $10.00! (Chanel has one for spring 09 for $5,000.00!!) I think holiday parties are the time for something sparkly and sequined, or for wearing red or gold or both. I even yank out the red velvet blazer for Christmas parties – because when else are you going to wear it?

FASHION RULES: So where would you recommend our readers procure such items?

GK: Any vintage or thrift store in Los Angeles – the more obscure the better, because the prices will be much better, and the merch will be much less picked over by vintage dealers. And of course, flea markets. There are a ton of 80s sequin jackets – just rip the shoulder pads out! Do you remember when Madonna stole a sequin blazer from Rosanna Arquette’s closet in “Desperately Seeking Susan” – ? She tossed it on over shorts, and looked SO chic. I feel vintage shopping for holiday parties gets you much more bang for your buck. You can also buy an 80s sequin dress, hack off ten inches, and you’ve got a great mini look. But Ebay is a great source, too.

FASHION RULES: What insider tips do you have for vintage shopping?

GK: Look for a dress with no label inside. That way, it’s “mystery vintage,” and that’s much more interesting. Trust me, the vintage dealers will snap up those mystery vintage dresses and hang them next to vintage YSL’s for five grand, and charge five grand for them. And unless the label says “Dior” or “YSL,” it’s not that important, vintage-wise.

FASHION RULES: What about accessories?

GK: Ebay is genius for jewelry – you can search for vintage jewelry lots. Cocktail rings are really hard to find right now – they’re really popular, and really expensive. I just bought 15 cocktail dresses for about $50.00 on Ebay – I will use them for shoots. And you can bid on these lots at the last minute, jump in – you don’t have to wait. Buy lots of junk jewelry and make your own Tom Binns’ style necklace!!

FASHION RULES: Shoes?

GK: I would just go to Barneys here, since everything’s 60% off now, and buy Loubutins – you ladies need your Loubies! And they’re a more reasonable price now, and you can wear them forever. There are also Miu Miu pumps from fall that are covered with sequins, that are now two hundred bucks. The Miu Miu store on Rodeo has them in every jewel tone.  But if you don’t want to spend that, go to Aldo – you can get good dressy shoes for under a hundred bucks. If you don’t know they’re Aldo, you would never know. I know all these celebs who wear Aldo all the time.

FASHION RULES: What about jackets and coats? It’s gettin’ a little chilly in Hollywood right about now.

GK: That’s a very easy to thing to get at vintage stores. Vintage furs are great to find. You can get a long fur coat and lop off the bottom, and use the rest for a mink pillow – and you’ll have a fabulous fur jacket!! And it’s recycling, which is environmentally correct!!

The Washington D.C. film critics just put their picks in for top actors and films of 2008 – and none of the expected glamazons were there – not Anne Hathaway, not Penelope Cruz, not Kate Winslet, not Cate Blanchett. The D.C. crits voted Meryl Streep best actress for “Doubt,” Rosemarie DeWitt best supporting actress for “Rachel Getting Married,” Mickey Rourke best actor for “The Wrestler,” and Heath Ledger received his first posthumous award for “The Dark Knight” as best supporting actor. Best film was Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire,” and its lede actor, Dev Patel, was named best breakthrough performance. So it looks like the odds have shifted a bit – of course, the Golden Globe nominatins are out on Thursday December 11 – but right now, the glammest lady to dress and look for on the red carpet is “Slumdog’s” lede actress, former Mumbai model, Freida Pinto. She’d look a lot better in Dior, Chanel or Valentino, than a pink and gold sari. And she has done a lot of Indian fashion magazine modeling.             

Then again, let’s not count out Rosemarie DeWitt. The former co-star on “Mad Men” is being dressed lately by superstylist Cristina Ehrlich, who also dresses Amy Adams and Penelope Cruz.