Archive: May, 2008

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

The annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit kicked off in the hills high above Cannes yesterday. Last year, George Clooney auctioned off a kiss for $300,000, but this year Madonna’s alligator Chanel purse was the star of the show. The black alligator bag with a clasp studded with 334 diamonds was the actual purse she carried to the event, and that’s not all. She even gave up everything in the haute couture bag including Shu Uemura blotting paper, lip gloss — “It actually touched my lips”, Madonna noted — lip balm, a magnifying mirror, and throat lozenges. The only thing she took out was her blackberry and phone, explaining “I’m not going to give up my blackberry and phone because that’s too expensive for you.” The final winning bid? 300,000 euros — that’s over $471,000 — for AIDS research! Sorry George, looks like Madonna’s chic purse is worth more than your kiss. As Madonna joked, “That’s cheap. Everyone’s kissed George Clooney.” Check out a behind the scenes peek at the amfAR benefit, including Madonna’s auction and Sharon Stone’s welcome.
– Reporting by Courtney Rubin

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Natalie Portman always takes the edge off of her daring design choices with her innate elegance, and her wardrobe of Chanel and Lanvin at Cannes has been nothing short of gorgeous. But when she hit the red carpet for the AmFAR benefit at the legendary film festival tonight, we had to do a double take over her cut-out white Givenchy Haute Couture dress! There’s something so Jetsons-meets-Swan Lake about the sculptural creation that we just wouldn’t expect from Portman. We love that there is a young star who is always willing to take a red carpet risk (and can pull it off!), but we want to know what you think! Tell us: What do you think of Natalie’s dress? Do you love it or hate it?

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Supermodel Eva Herzigova has become a must-see staple at Cannes for her daring dresses and red carpet panache. PEOPLE’s Monique Jessen had the chance to sit down with her while she picked out her Chopard jewels for the week and got a glimpse into what it’s like to experience the fabulous festival.

On packing for Cannes and preparing: I did prepare this year. I’m usually very laid back and I get dressed five minutes before going on the red carpet. This year I requested look books from all the designers and went through it.

On coping with the crazy schedule: I’m sure it will catch up with me later on. I’m a Cannes veteran, its true! I did rest yesterday. I stayed home and tried my dresses on, there are so many of them!

Favorite dress: There is one amazing one from Dior, just amazing. I have some Ferragamo, Cavalli. And I love Guiseppe Zanotti shoes — I love his work!!

Her look for Cannes: I am still figuring that out. I am going to a very classic look this year, classic glamour but I want to modernise it. Very Hollywood!

Love Cannes because: Its really about the art of cinematography. I like that influence of Cannes and then you have the glamour, the stars, the dresses. I think it is the only festival out of them all that has everything.

Click here to see all the glamorous stars at Cannes!

Fame

Cameron Diaz has gone bald for her new movie My Sister’s Keeper! Well, not really — according to her rep, the actress tucked her famous blond locks under a bald cap for her role in the drama. And amazingly, we think Cameron doesn’t look bad bald! If anything, it almost makes her beautiful teal blue eyes pop even more. Tell us: What do you think of Cameron Diaz bald? Do you love it or hate it?

Peters/PA Photos/Landov; Peters/PA Photos/Retna; KCSPresse/Splash News

While all the stars — Gwyneth, Cate, Natalie — got seriously glam at Cannes, all eyes were on mom-to-be Angelina Jolie, who was beyond radiant on the red carpet. Whether promoting her voice-over role in Kung Fu Panda or her dramatic turn in the Clint Eastwood-directed Changeling, the expectant star turned out in one fabulous look after another. And now we want to know which dress you liked best for Angelina! Do you prefer her floaty jeweled Reem Acra caftan? Or her glamorous green Max Azria gown? Or her summery white floral Thomas Wylde frock? Tell us what you think of the star’s style and vote in our poll below. Click here to see all the star style at Cannes, and click here to see more of Angelina’s maternity style.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty

She may be notoriously adventurous with hair change-ups, sporting a buzz cut for her Oscar-winning role in Boys Don’t Cry, and even letting Oprah chop off her locks for charity, but when Hilary Swank turned up at last night’s Joyful Heart Foundation Gala in N.Y.C., she left us speechless. Gone was the dark brown bob she’s sported for months — replaced by a short honey blonde crop, complete with matching light eyebrows. Of course, this is likely for her latest role as legendary aviatrix Amelia Earheart in Amelia, but we still can’t get over how different she looks! Tell us: Do you love Hilary’s new hair? Or do you prefer her as a brunette?

Pacific Coast News; Jeff Vespa/WireImage; Bauer-Griffin

Vanessa Hudgens has been rocking her silver-tinted 912 “Silverfox” J Brand jeans since last year to everything from movie premieres to days out in L.A. and N.Y.C., but we can’t blame her for the heavy rotation because we too would never part with some things in our closet. For us, it’s a pair of jeweled flats that are beaten up enough to deserve the heave-ho, but are too comfortable and flattering to throw away. Sure, seasons and trends change, but there will always be those mainstay pieces that deserve a permanent place in our closets. Now the editors at StyleWatch want to know what wardrobe piece you’ll always keep. Tell us: What’s the one item in your closet that you’ll never throw away and why?