Emmy Red Carpet Stars Show Us How to Wear Red
(Young) Ladies In Red
Last night's Emmy crowd at the Nokia Theater thrilled us by perking our star-seeking senses outside the usual sea of black. This year's craze was stunning deep jewel tones -- and at the end of the night, we couldn't stop seeing red.
Crimson hues were all the rage. Young female celebs like Blake Lively and How I Met Your Mother's Cobie Smulders donned red in soft, luxurious fabrics and cuts. Emmy winner Toni Colette stood out in a red fitted bodice and tiered ruffles, and Hayden Panettiere dazzled in asymmetrical, flowy red layers. Always-gorgeous Sigourney Weaver wore red too. So just what's so powerful about the best-known power color?
Tamae Ishii is a New York City-based couture designer whose wares regularly appear on red carpet personalities like Paula Abdul and The Real Housewives of New York City's Ramona Singer. Ishii says that stars wear bright colors to star-studded events like the Emmys when they want to stand out, and the reason so many younger stars suited up in red this year is because they're trying to establish their importance and glamorous maturity among a mass of seasoned, well-known celebs.
We know the TV industry can be a competitive crowd, but red can work gorgeously in the real world too. Here's how Ishii says to try it at home:
* Red is always a good color -- for fall try deep clarets and blood-reds.
* Anyone can wear it. Ishii says that the secret is to "pick a shade that's flattering to your skin type. Olive-toned people can wear orangey tones, but pale-skinned people look better in a blue-red."
* Red is an awesome accent piece for all black. Try a plain suit with a red necklace or earrings to pack a powerful but feminine punch, a black cocktail dress with rubies, or a basic turtleneck dress with a hot red jacket.
* Unless it's a gown or dress, don't go for head-to-toe red. Your red item should be the focus item, so if you're trying crimson on top, go basic on the bottom.
* When choosing accessories for a red gown, offset it with a different color that's in the same brightness category. Try a Toni Colette-inspired turquoise bracelet or go for jewelry in black, navy, or rich emerald green.
