Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Daily Dress: Amber Riley at The Golden Globes

Since we talked about Glee, plus-size actresses, and sleeveless dresses in today's post, I figured now was the perfect time to show this picture of Amber Riley looking stunning in a classic gown by Oliver Tolentino at The Golden Globe awards. I loved this dress the moment I first saw it, and I think she blew the other ladies out of the water, plus size or not. The mermaid shape is incredibly flattering on her, and what's not to love about a sparkly silver gown? The shape of the bodice brings old Hollywood glamour to mind.

The construction of this dress is interesting in that it has a drapey effect, even while being encrusted in sequins. Now, I'll admit, I know pretty much nothing about sequined fabric. The varieties I've researched online seem to be on a mesh backing, so maybe that provides some fluidity? Any thoughts?


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17 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 28, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Gorgeous dress, and beautiful lady! She looks stunning!
    Ashley x

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  2. ms. modisteApril 28, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Oh, it looks like it was made for her. Lovely.

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  3. Ophelia thinks hardApril 28, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    That dress is genius and Amber looks simply beautiful in it!

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  4. Stephanie LynnApril 28, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    It really does give her that va va va voom!

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  5. Bruna CristinaApril 28, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    gorgeous dress!!!!!
    kisses!!!!

    http://munamo.blogspot.com/

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  6. ThePaintedPiscesApril 28, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    I think it looks fabulous on her! I made a red sequin gogo dress in highschool when Austin Powers came out. It was a mesh-type fabric, but wasnt difficult to maneuver for my novice hands.

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  7. KimberlyApril 28, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    She and the dress are quite beautiful!

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  8. Amy Jo of BlueHippoArts.comApril 28, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Gertie, I love your last couple of posts! As a plus size woman who loves clothes, its great to know a lovely straight sized woman like yourself notices such things like the Brides Maids poster issue and the "otherness" with which we are portrayed!

    As a plus sized sewist, its fabulous for someone to acknowledge the issues we face as apparel sewists. Just to sew your own clothes, you have to not only know how to construct a garment, but how to grade up patterns just so you can wear them! Thank you for bringing these things up to your wide & diverse audience! It means a lot for a group that is ostracized by main stream media to be acknowledged and accepted by alternative media sources.

    (Just my opinion as a member of that group! I certainly can't speak for anyone but myself.)

    So thank you! You rock!
    ~~Amy Jo

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  9. Thien-Kim aka KimApril 29, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Thank you for these fabulous posts about plus sized fashion. As a plus-sized woman, it's challenging to find RTW clothing that is hip and stylish. I don't know why companies think plus sized women need to wear large loud ugly prints!

    I love that dress! Thanks for sharing.

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  10. MichelleApril 29, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    Beautiful dress! She looks fabulous in it, love the fish tail.

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  11. JoyanaApril 29, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    Thank you for these posts! I have been dreading the extra weight I have put on and the upcoming summer months I will be spending in the south. My general thought has been "Aw man, sleeves in 100+ weather" But I feel like I can let that go and be comfy in my tanks, thanks to you!

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  12. sorbetsurpriseApril 29, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    That dress on her is simply stunning!

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  13. Hana - MarmotaApril 29, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    I must say I don't love the dress - I don't like the belts very much. But that's just me... and the fluidity of it is truly amazing.

    Oh, Joyana - there's this fantastic post with tips for hot weather clothes - maybe you'll find something useful there. ;-) I, for one, totally agree with the tip for wearing wovens instead of knits. Cotton wovens do wonders even if they have sleeves - they're much more airy.
    http://3hourspast.blogspot.com/2011/04/summer-sewing-plans-retrospective.html

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  14. julieApril 29, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    this is a fabulous dress! love her style and her character on the show.

    i'm assuming today's (29th) dress of the day will be kate middleton's... what references does it make? love the blog!

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  15. ParisGrrlApril 29, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Sequined fabric is often manufactured on a knit background, so it's like working with a heavier-than-normal knit. I'm betting there's some serious underpinning in the bodice to get it to drape that way...the rest of the dress looks like it's hanging naturally from a bias cut. Working with shiny fabric like that is its own artform--not only can it be blindingly bright under the light of the sewing machine, but (unless you like scratchy seams or pieces of sequin flying in and out of your machines) you have to remove the sequins from the seam areas. But for a dress like that, the extra hassle is worth it.

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  16. ReneeApril 29, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    That dress looks so lovely on her.
    In my experience high end sequin fabric is usually a silk chiffon with the sequins sewn on. I'm guessing that is the case with this dress because the drape is so beautiful.And yes, you have to remove them in the seam allowances. This makes for slow sewing, but with stunning results.
    The popular (cheap) versions have heat set dots on a knit base, and are made into some rtw and costumes ( ice skating, anyone? ).

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  17. LindsayApril 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    I loved this dress the moment she set foot on the carpet for the Golden Globes. Her makeup and hair (I LOVE the hair!!) complement the look wonderfully. Stunning!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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