School of frock: Film Fests & Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week, Toronto and Venice Film Festivals, Creative Arts Emmy Awards - all converging like a fashion celestial event. Alas, so much judgment, so little space.

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DIANE KRUGER (A)

Venice International Film Festival closing ceremony, Venice

Gown: Valentino

Gothic bride or black widow? Either way, Kruger is giving me major tragic-romantic drama with this captivating tiered sheer lace gown and I am lapping it up like a famished puppy.

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RACHEL MCADAMS (B)

Spotlight premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto

Gown: Valentino

Classic case of right dress, wrong underwear. She should have opted for a slip because instead of appreciating the wonderful black sheer embroidered number featuring multi-coloured floral appliques in its full glory, my mind is just screaming BRA, BRA, BRA.

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KATHARINE MCPHEE (B)

CREATIVE ARTS EMMY AWARDS, LOS ANGELES

Gown: Naeem Khan

McPhee is pretty in pinkish nude. The fit, textures and colour palette of this beaded stunner check all the right boxes.

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NICKI MINAJ (C)

Givenchy fashion show at New York Fashion Week, New York

Dress: Givenchy

This could be what a snow leopard looks like if it tried to learn flamenco - right after getting a boob job.

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KIM KARDASHIAN (D)

Givenchy fashion show at New York Fashion Week

Dress: Givenchy

Deranged half-dressed pregnant woman on the loose! She'll force you to look at her bump whether you want to or not.

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RITA ORA (F)

Premiere of Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer, Los Angeles

Outfit: Moschino

Oh brother, here we go again on the Rita Ora fashion roller coaster. This time, it is obviously a, erm, bust. The comically bad red leather chained ensemble boasts micro-shorts that are embarrassingly tight and a top that gives her a paunch. It is crazy how expensive it costs these days to look like a streetwalker.

 

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WHO WORE IT BETTER?

This Valentino layered design is extremely creepy-looking, as if a hundred butterflies are nesting on it. Unfortunately, it also makes me feel itchy. Polish actress Smutniak, with her air of sophistication, manages to tone down the strangeness of her nude gown version. On the other hand, the black and gold cocktail dress rendition looks like crumpled New Year's Eve party decorations and is giving Mara a stocky silhouette. Back to your cocoon, woman.

KASIA SMUTNIAK

Everest premiere at the 
Venice International Film Festival, Sept 2

KATE MARA

The Martian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Sept 11

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MOST IMPROVED

KATY PERRY

Frankly, anything is better than the costume party ridiculousness of Perry's first appearance. Is she going for Jackie Collins impersonator? Has-been diva? Drunk, divorced mother of the bride looking to score? Or all of the above? So versatile, this one. Anyway, she turns up later in a slinky, shimmering metallic gown and I am grateful for the rare show of normalcy. I'll take an auburn wig over a week's worth of hairspray any day too.

Premiere of Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer, Los Angeles, Sept 8

Gown and shoes: Moschino

Harper's Bazaar ICONS Event in New York City, Sept 16

Gown: Saint Laurent

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SPECIAL MAN-TION

TOM HIDDLESTON

I Saw The Light premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival

Suit: Polo Ralph Lauren

Oh Loki, you've been missed. Hiddleston has been MIA for what seems like an eternity, so any sighting is like a life source for his parched fans. Luckily for us, he is still handsome as ever in this classic, well-tailored mix of navy and pale blue. Heart eyes!

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"You end up dressing like a hot Los angeles guy — boyfriend jeans, stan smiths and a grey T-shirt."

- US actress Mindy Kaling on how comedy writers almost always opt for the same outfits at work