Costume institute gala 2011: beautiful blondes
Published
03rd May 2011
by rachael
There's never a shortage of beautiful blondes at celebrity events and at last night's Costume Institute Gala we spotted shades from strawberry to champagne - here are the best of the blondes from Madonna to Mary-Kate and Ashley, with commentary from Gary Hooker and Michael Young and Warren Holmes at Nicky Clarke.
Nothing says old school glamour like a sideswept Rita Hayworth-inspired look, as rocked by both Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Diane Kruger. With the added advantage of showing off dazzling jewellery, this elegant style screams sophistication.
Warren says: "Rosie's style is a younger, chicer nod to the seductive Jessica Rabbit look. The youthfulness is not just in the looser wave, but also the height on top and the movement of the fringe - it's not manicured and perfected."
"Diane usually wears her hair up on the red carpet, so I was surprised to see it down and in a classic Veronica Lake-inspired style. She did her own thing by wearing the parting not so deep and the curls a little less brushed out."
Proving that life begins at 50, both Iman and Madonna looked sensational with tumbling blonde curls. While Madonna kept things classic with a brushed out 1940s style and ruby red lips, supermodel Iman went for on-trend, all-out 1970s style with mega volume and glossy shine.
Gary and Michael say: "Bronzed goddess springs to mind when you look at Iman! If you're going go metallic, do it like this -her whole look shimmers from top to bottom. Love the metallic tones to her blonde."
"We think this is a good look for Madonna; grown up, sophisticated but still sexy and very Madonna. Her hair is a great blonde, not to bright or brash, and sits well against her skin tone."
Queen of the icy blondes, Gwyneth Paltrow kept things simple with a centre-parted, super-natural style. Also opting for a simply styled blow-out, actress Claire Danes gave her bombshell blonde look movement with gently curled ends and bouncy volume.
Gary and Michael comment: "As always, Gwyneth looks cool, sophisticated and on-trend. Love the beautiful colour palette of nude and natural tones."
Warren says: "Claire wore her hair understated, allowing her dress to be the focal point. it was still kept very red carpet though, by covering the eye and wearing just off-centre level with the brow of the eye."
Brazilian beach-babe Gisele always looks super-natural with darker roots and glossy polished lengths in an icy shade of blonde. Fresh from her recent red-head experiment, Blake Lively's locks still show a hint of strawberry blonde.
Gary and Michael say: "Very glam, retro red carpet. Loving that 80's supermodel glamour, it's very Jessica Rabbit."
Warren says: "Blake Lively seems to be the poster girl for this years Met Ball, aided by her arrival with Karl Lagerfeld. I'm into her hair; it's cool and effortless with good movement. Her colour suits her too, it's good to mix it up and she's done that with her colour."
The Olsen twins never vary far from their natural blonde, although the sisters styled their locks very differently for the big bash.
Mary-Kate stuck to the twins' trademark grungy look with long, loosely waved lengths in a simple centre parting, while Ashley opted for a fluffy, textured updo complete with loose strands of hair swept softly across the face.
Gary and Michael say: "As usual, Mary-Kate has her signature hair - and why not? She makes the aristocratic bedhead work and we love it! Great dress, love the contrasting green collar and cuffs against the bright red."
Warren says: "Ashley has made the grungy effortless look her own - she has gone for an updo yet still maintained that thrown-together effortless feel. The texture is key here, matted to the point it seems almost candyflossy. The tendrils falling over the face are key to making the look have a feel of ease about it."
