American Music Awards 2008 Fashion Review

I intended for this review to go up yesterday but you must forgive me as I was recovering from a long day and late night. I had a total blast at the show, but it is exhausting standing in the press line on the red carpet for 4 hours! And nobody shows up until the end but they make the press show up super early so we don’t interfere with arrivals. But what I am really suffering from is the free drinks at the after party. I know, nobody feels sorry for me but it doesn’t change the fact that I could not function all day! Anyway, here is my review, finally.

For the most part, everyone looked great. It seems like everyone has a stylist these days and they played it safe with evening gowns from big designers. What happened to rock stars and their fun, bold fashion? Even on stage it was all very proper and demure. Well, until Rihanna came out in a fully studded and extremely pointy body armor. She even started off with a rhinestone encrusted eye patch. It was a definite contrast to her fluttering red carpet mini dress and nude Louboutins. Is she trying to look like Prince? Cuz it cannot be a coincidence.

Alicia Keys was the most stunning on the red carpet with an asymmetrical navy gown with rhinestone embellishments but she kicked it up a notch in a similar toned short corseted dress for her performance. It is a huge improvement as far as fashion is concerned but she did lose her own style with this new glamorous magazine cover look.

Pink was another who impressed on the fashion front but disappointed in entertainment value. She showed up in a gorgeous mermaid gown with plenty of bling in tow. One piece of particular interest was the wrap around ring that went from ring finger to pinky, with twisting, curling leaves centered around a flower. I just saw a ring at Van Cleef & Arpels that I fell in love with in a similar design. Who knew I would have the same taste as Pink? Either she is getting conventional on us or I’m acquiring new rock ‘n roll taste, I’m thinking it’s the former.

Even Mariah Carey went off-the-rack on us with a black gown with rhinestone detailing. yawn. Give me short and inappropriate, Mariah!! But holy crap, her body is smoking!! Is that what happens when you date a younger man?

The show was extremely young, American Idol alumni and Nickelodeon stars but they all came properly dressed looking as if they had all gone through the phase when fashion sense is tragically missing but came out clean on the other side. I want to enjoy the ill effects of teenage fashion sense, or lack thereof. Miley Cyrus wore Marchessa, I mean I still feel too young to wear it but from the way he said the designer’s name, “Mark Aysa”, it was obvious she took no part in her choice of wardrobe. It was black with gold lamé, I mean, come on, what 16 year old would choose that on her own accord? Like I said, even I am too young for this particular look.

The only unique look on the red carpet was from Colbie Caillat who wore a dress made from fresh flowers. She had to keep it in the refrigerator overnight! She is adorable and was the only one who showed any individual style, that is why she is the Snob favorite!

The Snobbiest look of the night was Leona Lewis who wore the most amazing beaded spaghetti strap with delicate feathery looking flower details on the skirt. First of all, she is gorgeous and talented but she also has some sense of how to stand out without deferring to gimmicks. Whereas, that cannot be said about Kanye West who wore the ugliest and weirdest color block letterman type jacket with a raccoon tail hanging from his belt. I love Leona’s hair, too, the messy curls are sexy, glamorous and carefree – not something that is easily achievable.