GLAM OR SHAM?: Sade, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and More at the Keep A Child Alive Black Ball

The stars were out for yesterday's Keep A Child Alive Black Ball at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, and I have to say this is one event I hate to have missed! Not that I had money for the ticket which I heard cost $50,000 a seat! And not that I was terribly bored yesterday (I was hanging out in Miami for a blogger event I threw for my job! But more on that later...).

I'm mad I missed it because Sade and Alicia Keys performed one of my favorite songs, "Love is Stronger than Pride." Sigh. Live vicariously like me through the video below.

The red carpet was just as exciting! Check out the looks I loved below and vote for your favorite!

Beyonce wore a fuschia gown by Andrew GN which featured a sweetheart neckline and draping at the waist. Not a fan of the color, but love the natural makeup on her.

Alicia Keys chose a gray printed gown with gathering around her baby bump.

She wore Indian headdress again (similar to her look at her wedding to Swizz Beatz) and her hair in an elegant bun.

These two stay with the Sears photo poses. Cute (I guess).

Jennifer Hudson showed off her svelte figure in a velvet, curve-hugging dress, strappy stilettos and sexy, dark lips. Gorgeous!

Whitney Houston gave us a head of wild, unkempt curls and a short black dress. She was...umm...animated on the red carpet. Not her best moment.

Uma Thurman wore a burgundy gown with asymmetric stripes around the waist, a crystal brooch and clutch and a leopard print cardigan. Yikes. Not elegant or polished at all.

June Ambrose continued her turban moment from New York Fashion Week in a black turban and a gown with a sequined black top and blue skirt with floral embroidery. What a fun, high-fashion and exciting look! I'm a fan.

Sade stole the spotlight (in my opinion) in a white gown with a plunging neckline and diamond embellishment. She paired it with her signature flowing black locks and siren red lips. Does it get more beautiful than this?

Vote for your favorite: Who was MOST GLAM?

Who was MOST GLAM at Keep A Child Alive's Black Ball?
	Beyonce
	Alicia Keys
	Jennifer Hudson
	Whitney Houston
	Sade
	Uma Thurman
	June Ambrose
pollcode.com free polls

 


And check out the performance that made my day here:





Kisses,

Coutura

Glam or a Sham: AMA's

Hey Glamazons!

By now, we've all seen and heard about the spectacles at Sunday's American Music Awards that everyone is talking about: Jennifer Lopez falling on her ass-et (what's more appalling to me is performing a "Louboutin" song not wearing Louboutins), Adam Lambert making out with a man, Jay-Z taking an alleged jab at 50 Cent while Chris Brown tweets "Cornball" and Q-Tip tweets about "cocky rappers."



But to me, the fashion was just as troubling.

While some celebrities looked beautiful, others took fashion risks that didn't quite pay off (Rihanna) or made amateur style faux pauxs (Whitney, where was your shapewear?).

Take a look at the celebrities that made us turn heads or scratch our heads and give your verdict: Glam or a Sham?

We loved Whitney Houston's ruched white gown but a Spanx would've smoothed out her (tiny) tummy.

Not at all crazy about Rihanna's Marchesa ballgown with floral cut-outs, and Easter Sunday ready white Mary Jane pumps. However, the red cat eyes (and Neil Lane jewelry) were everything.

We think Rihanna's body is AMAZING but the Fifth Element meets Amber Rose bandaged suit was way too much for us.



Lady Gaga's antics always amuse but the unsightly strap over her panties looks like a diaper or holster. Odd...not in a good way.

Alicia Key's Armani Prive dress was adorable, fresh and sexy. We love how she highlighted her amazing legs and kept her Lorraine Schwartz jewelry simple and stunning.



Her fall may be the talk of the town, but Jennifer Lopez's Marchesa feathery dress with beaded bodice totally makes up for it.


I live for Fergie's studded Armani Prive gown. Equal parts daring and dazzling.

Does it get any chicer than Shakira's yellow Versace minidress and Lorraine Schwartz jewels? Note to Rihanna: this is how cut-outs should be done.

I think the Biker Chic trend is completely overdone here. And Leona Lewis' soft hairstyle with cascading ringlets seems out of place when paired with her leather Vivienne Westwood dress, chains AND a three-finger ring. Not a fan.

We thought Mary J. Blige looked elegant but a tad too dressy for the event. Nonetheless, her expertly-styled blonde cut was the perfect complement to her glowing skin.

We loved Keri Hilson's sparkly Louise Golden minidress and Alaia booties. She always gets it right.


Though some critics feel Toni Braxton's dress is a bit too revealing for a 40-something star, I think her gown---and body---look stunning. The messy updo, on the other hand, is not red-carpet friendly. And she could've put that boy in a suit.

I think velvet is always a controversial choice, but when done right, it looks expensive and dapper. Jay-Z slightly misses the mark, in my opinion, with the brown color.

What do you think about these looks, Glamazons? Glam or a Sham?

Kisses,

Coutura