Natalie Portman and Jessica Alba are two Hollywood actresses who have this in common: they are both gorgeous, and they both have amazing taste in clothes. Their tastes are quite different, but both amazing – and a little unpredictable, which is a good thing. And since both are debuting new films at the Venice Film Festival right now – Natalie with “Black Swan” (she could easily win best actress at Venice, although the film doesn’t open till December in the U.S., and Jessica stars in “Machete,” which opens here tomorrow) – the looks just keep on comin’ – and get better and better. Natalie wore a fall Miu Miu strapless little dress in purple for a photocall, from Miu Miu’s fall 2010 collection. Adorable. Funny, we looked at the Miu Miu fall show and could not find this particular dress in the collection presented – but that isn’t all that unusual. Jessica attended the big Venice premier of her movie “Machete” in this smoke grey Valentino couture dress – very short in front, very full and poufy in back. We saw some of this trend at the Emmy’s (January Jones in particular), and we have a feeling it could be the new one-shoulder look in eveningwear. It’s got flirty and formal all built in.

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Christina Applegate plays second banana to Drew Barrymore in the upcoming rom com “Going the Distance” – and this week was the big press push, late night talk show appearances, premieres, etc, and both Drew and Christina were out and about everywhere pushing the project – and working some good looks at the same time. Christina is pregnant, so her clothing options weren’t as available – but she did very well, in very varied looks. The black and red dotted dress is by Valentino, and it’s quite flattering, because it’s fitted in the bodice, and flowy on the bottom. The blue, pink and white paisley print dress isn’t nearly as helpful to Christina – big colorful prints make the body expand in the mind’s eye – and the skirt of this dress bunches up in an unflattering way. The lavender fitted shift is the most flattering dress of all for a pregnant woman – it’s cut so well, she looks much curvier and chicer here than in either of the other looks. And the color is amazing on her.

Leighton Meester, queen of the Gossip Girl and therefore, fashion, universes, usually has the best outfit of anyone from miles around. First off, she’s tiny and super slim – and she plays a fashionista on a very popular tv show – the guilty pleasure of many a fashionista. But this Emilio Pucci long sleeved resort 2011 dress is a rather odd choice for a summer awards show: long sleeves with a VERY short hem. It seems quite out of balance, right? We like its textured bunching of fabric, but it’s WAY too warm to wear now – and would better with tights and boots in the fall. Okay, Leighton, your fashion batting average just dipped a bit. Meanwhile, Ashley Greene, a beautiful girl who often wears very obvious looks, trying very hard, got it SO right at the Teen Choice Awards. In a very unusual move, she wore a lovely and tasteful Valentino cocktail dress. It’s still sexy, but it’s tres tres chic. Ashley, your fashion batting average just improved. Who’s at bat next?????

Valentino couture, shown in Paris this week, always has some lovely pale or black sleek gowns for the Oscars or the Golden Globes – although most of what you see on celebrities on those occasions is made particularly for them. They are usually understated and tasteful. But this fall 2010 couture collection, designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, contained some new style Valentino looks as well. For instance, going with the floral trend that hit Paris like a ton of roses – there is a black short dress with a large white rose on it. The rose is almost the whole dress. It certainly makes a bouquet of a statement. Then there was a collection of “cage dresses,” in pale shades, that literally had dressmaker cages under them, or over them. And there were some short very textured looks, new for the Val buyer. So it’s true – you can teach an old house new tricks. Even during couture.

Even though maestro Valentino is much retired- and Valentino couture is not what it used to be – which was, The Best – its show is still a Paris hot ticket, and draws big celebs and big editors. Now designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, it draws on the archives and influences of Mr. Valentino – the Last Emperor – who made the house the great name that it is. Everything he did looked like couture. The two American celebs who’ve made the rounds of the big name shows this week – Jessica Alba and Claire Danes – made the scene in the V. front row, as well. Danes wore a Valentino red ruffled cocktail dress – not her usual, but perhaps in the spirit of the day, as she got an Emmy nomination for her role in the HBO movie, “Temple Grandin.” Alba continued her run of whites and pale dresses. Elizabeth Hurley, a longtime old school Valentino loyalist, brought her husband Arun Nayar. This seems to be a new trend – bringing one’s husband and having him sit front and center with you. (Danes did this with her English actor husband Hugh Dancy.) But we also love THIS rare photo: the editor of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani (in a black feathered dress) and the editor of French Vogue, Carine Roitfeld, in her trademark lace up shoes, seated next to each other at the Valentino couture show. You sure wouldn’t see Anna Wintour wearing anything like these two ladies. But of course – they’re European!!!

Any event related to “Sex and the City” relates to high fashion. So a full-on movie premier for “Sex and the City 2″ is almost like observing the gowns at the Cannes Film Festival – these girls don’t hold back! Interesting how the four ladies harmonized and complimented each other on the red carpet at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Monday night – clearly, they discussed the color combos. Sarah Jessica Parker looked absolutely amazing – and not overdone – in a neon Valentino Haute Couture yellow chiffon gown – and yellow is the hardest color to wear, as we all know. Later, at the after party at Lincoln Center, she changed into a black semi-sheer Elie Saab cocktail dress. The yellow look was a lot more exciting – but it’s nice to have two very different looks at one premier. And a lot of work. Cynthia Nixon’s black strapless simple chic understated gown was by Carolina Herrera – a very good choice for her. Kim Cattrall got sexy in a tight gold Naeem Khan metallic shiney gown with Kimberly McDonald earrings. Clearly, this woman does not want to disappear into the background. Kristen Davis went with candy pink, a vintage Jean Desses gown from Decades in L.A., and it actually might be the most perfect black tie dress she’s ever worn. She looks fresh, young and pretty, pretty, pretty. Have you booked your SATC2 party yet? It opens this Thursday!!!!

We are so wrong, and we can’t believe it. Our favorite fashion movie of all time, “Valentino: The Last Emperor” did NOT
get an Oscar nomination today (Feb 2, 2010), and we were SO sure it would. What happened? We’re sure the producers campaigned like crazy to get one. Here are the films that DID not Documentary Feature nods from The Academy:

• Burma VJ
• The Cove
• Food, Inc.
• The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
• Which Way Home

Which means Mr. Valentino Garavani will probably NOT be at the Oscars this year, and the Oscars will be a lot less glamourous as a result!

Fashionrules.com has been wondering when it comes to Valentino gowns for this year’s Golden Globes and Oscars – what will the offerings be? After all, ever since Julia Roberts wore her divine black and white vintage Valentino when she picked up her Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” – and couturier Valentino retired and then appears in the movie “Valentino: The Last Emperor” – gowns actually made by Valentino (who stopped designing about 3 years ago) are MUCH more desirable. There’s no actress or stylist who wouldn’t want to get their hands on an original Valentino. But unless they buy them at a vintage store like Decades, that won’t be possible this year. Carlos Souza, who is dressing celebs for Valentino again this year (after decades in the job), has couture Valentino’s from the spring 2009 collection, by former Valentino accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who are now designing both Valentino ready to wear and Valentino couture. These gowns are amazing, and we’re sure some celebs will be wearing them – but they were not made by the master!

One of the not-great things about Gwyneth Paltrow’s having had two children is that we don’t see her at that many events – or even in that many movies – anymore. She’s currently shooting “Iron Man II,” but we’ll have to wait a while for that. But we did get a look at her from last night, when she appeared at a cocktail party in New York co-hosted by VBH’s Bruce Hoeksema (the handbag designer) for Valentino, Giancarlo Giammetti and Matt Tyrnauer, the trio behind “Valentino: The Last Emperor.” Here’s the low down on her amazing glittery look: that’s a Roland Mouret dress, Christian Louboutin cage heels (that look like the YSL ones from last spring), a VBH square compact bag, an a VBH diamond bracelet. We admit to complete and utter jealousy. Of the outfit, yes – but of her body, her face, her husband, and her whole life. It’s not fair!!! – Merle Ginsberg