Movie Style

Lionsgate

Moviegoers may be taken aback by Mariah Carey’s decidedly glammed-down turn in the film Precious as a dowdy social worker, and the singer herself had an even stronger reaction the first time she looked in the mirror. “I felt completely rancid!” Carey told PEOPLE at the film’s premiere at the AFI Audi Film Festival. But because the novel that the movie is based on “changed my life,” she gave herself over to director Lee Daniels’ vision for the character’s un-made-up look. “He said ‘We have a part and we really need someone, and I know you can do it,’” the singer explained. ‘”But you’re going to need to let me make you under and over and over again, and that’s what we’re gonna do.’ So I’m a big fan of Sapphire and the book Push which inspired this movie, and a huge fan of Lee Daniels so I let him do what he wanted to do.” Although it took time to adjust to the lack of grooming, Carey said the look helped her achieve a performance that’s now garnering glowing reviews. “I didn’t have to feel compelled to be always glamorous. With the music industry, it’s very like ‘Oh, she’s got a hair out of place! Go fix it!’ You know what I mean? And so this was such a liberating experience and yet humiliated me. But I needed that. We all need that. We all need to understand how to be humble, and it’s a difficult business to do that in.” And now that she’s back to her usual high-glam self, Carey’s moved past the trauma of the first glimpse in the mirror. “I’ve gotten over it,” she laughed, before turning to her husband Nick Cannon for some reassurance. “Have I gotten over it? “A little bit,” he grinned, telling reporters he had no problem with his wife’s makeunder. “I love her in every look — always!” –Scott Huver

Newspress/Splash News Online

Julianne Moore says acclaimed designer Tom Ford doesn’t just have a masterful fashion sense: the role of film director is also a perfect, elegant fit. Moore, who co-stars with leading man Colin Firth in Ford’s much anticipated directorial debut A Simple Man, told PEOPLE at the Hollywood Film Festival’s Hollywood Awards that the former Gucci designer’s renowned aesthetic sense and attention to detail was critical in creating the film’s stylish storytelling and lavish production design. “Tom is incredibly, incredibly meticulous and has a work ethic like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Moore explained. “He works very, very hard and is always very prepared and cares about every tiny detail.” The film, based on the Christopher Isherwood novel, is set in the early 1960s, and Ford recruited the award winning production design team from Mad Men to create a textured environment that painstakingly evoked the era. Moore, who’s long worn Ford-created fashions, said she was just as eager to let him tailor her performance. “Tom and I have been friends for a really long time and he always wanted to make a movie” she explained. “It was one of those things where one day he had the script and he sent it to me and asked me to do it. I loved the part. I love the film, but I LOVED the part and I’m really impressed with him. This is an amazing accomplishment and I’m very happy to have been included in it.” The actress and Firth are already generating awards buzz for their performances, and Moore said she thinks this won’t be Ford’s only foray into film-making. “I think he really enjoyed himself making the movie,” she said. “He really had a wonderful time and I’m sure he’ll direct more films.”–Scott Huver

Andy Fossum/Startraks

It’s not just the ladies who have a jam-packed day of primping before hitting the red carpet. Surrogates actor Jordan Belfi gave PEOPLE.com the rundown of how he calmed his nerves and prepped for the premiere of his new flick, costarring Bruce Willis.

7 a.m.: Take advantage of the perfect weather with a morning run alongside the beach in Venice.

7:45 a.m.: Breakfast on the patio of The Firehouse Cafe.

9 a.m.: Weight-train at the gym. A good workout always energizes me for a big day.

11 a.m.: Haircut at The Salon by Maxime in Beverly Hills.

1 p.m.: Do a phone interview with a magazine about my career, my character Adam Davies on Entourage, the upcoming Entourage season finale and the Surrogates.

2:45 p.m.: Pick up my suit from Starworks. It’s a gray pinstripe SPURR suit by one of my favorite menswear designers, Simon Spurr. It fits perfectly — which is good news since the premiere is only a few hours away!

Click through for more details on Jordan’s glamorous night out!
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INF

Jenny Packham showed her Spring/Summer 2010 collection at London Fashion Week on Saturday and titled it “Pretty Girl No. 1″. Appropriately, after the show, she dished to PEOPLE about working with her newest It-girl client — Emma Watson’s Hermione in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. “Emma was so lovely,” said the British designer, renowned for her glamorous red carpet creations. “It’s the first time Hermione has worn something really kind of glam,” said Packham excitedly, on the red dress she designed for Watson’s more “geek than chic” character Hermione Granger. “You just have to do it and hope that they don’t cut it,” said Packham, adding “I think with Hermione, the dress is featured in a very prominent scene, thankfully.” So can we expect Hermione to turn into a designer diva in the next installment of the franchise? “No, I’m sure Emma wanted to wear something more glamorous, but she still has to look like your average teenager and, of course, a witch at the same time!” said Packham. Having worked on the film sets of Sex and the City and Casino Royale, Packham still gets a buzz from being part of the action: “It’s just an amazing experience, plus I’ve got two daughters so I got so many brownie points for that one!” –Monique Jessen

Courtesy Roger Vivier, inset: Roger Wong/INF

What better way to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz than with a high-fashion reinterpretation of Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers? Some of the world’s hottest shoe designers — including Christian Louboutin, Roger Vivier, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Stuart Weitzman — have taken on the style challenge, and it’s all for a good cause. Singer Ashanti has also joined in the celebration, parlaying her experience playing Dorothy in the Broadway production of The Wiz into a new role as official spokesperson for the film’s birthday. “[Dorothy] definitely needs some stones and diamonds and maybe some Swarovski crystals going up and down the heels,” she tells PEOPLE. And while Ashanti might be somewhat of a modern-day Dorothy herself, she admits that she doesn’t own a pair of ruby slippers–yet. “Giuseppe [Zanotti] made me a custom pair when I did The Wiz, but they were green for the Emerald City,” she explains. “But, I think every woman should own a pair [of shoes] that makes them feel confident and fearless.” And if dazzling red shoes are your idea of fierce, you can bid on any of the 20 designers’ creations — including our favorite Roger Vivier pair (above) — until September 29. All proceeds benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Visit charityfolks.com to view all the designs and place your bid. Tell us: Which pair of ruby slippers is your favorite?

Anna Pocaro/London Ent/Splash News Online

You’d think it would be quite a challenge to fill Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s shoes (and what magnifique shoes they were!). But for Audrey Tautou, who portrays the fashion icon in the new film, Coco Before Chanel, slipping into character was as easy as slipping into a signature ballet flat.  During the film’s premiere at L.A.’s Pacific Design Center this week, the petite actress, striking in an architecturally cut black Lanvin dress, confided that the designer had “…a unique temper, so that it is great to play such a brilliant and rebellious woman.” French director Anne Fontaine said that she couldn’t think of anyone better suited for the part than Tautou.  “For me, it was incredible to have in front of me the similarity between Gabrielle Chanel and Audrey… when you see the ways of the eyes,  the intensity. the French elegance and also the strong personality.  I don’t think I could have dreamed a better actress.” At the after-party, held at Chanel’s trendy new Robertson Boulevard boutique, Audrey appeared on the trademark Chanel white carpet in a slinky silver and purple dress, gold belt and heels, all from the atelier’s collection. It was clear that her enthusiasm for the film is genuine, not mere Coco puffery.  The role, she said, was “complex and enriching…It is very powerful to play a rebel, to play an adventuress, an audacious and clever woman.” And an insider tip to the film — all of the designs in the movie’s final scene are originals from Coco’s own conservatory, which allowed the director and Karl Lagerfeld to make the scene a seamless collaboration. The film opens in N.Y.C and Los Angeles on September 25.–Julie Neigher

Bauer-Griffin

First Sarah Jessica Parker and now Kim Cattrall — looks like Sex and the City 2 is definitely having an ’80s moment! Kim Cattrall’s Samantha Jones is known for her sexy style and love of designer handbags (remember the Birkin episode?), but what was Sam like before life as a high fashion-loving publicist? If this look is any indication, Samantha was working a seriously-sexy, hair metal look. We love everything from her studded denim vest, neon leopard body suit, sheer panel leggings, and buckle-up booties — and check out that hair! Who else could carry this off? No wonder Samantha loves shoulder pads and big earrings so much. Tell us: What do you think of Kim Cattrall’s ’80s look?