Hooray for Faux-llywood!
Tinseltown meets Cowtown this prom season, as red carpet-inspired dresses dominate the style scene for your young superstar. More than ever, as stars step out, girls take note."The fashion runway has really become secondary to the red carpet," says Tara McBratney, fashion director for CosmoGIRL! "Celebs have really become the primary inspiration."From the moment a celebrity hits the red carpet, designers, such as prom-dress designer Niki Livas, are in a showroom sketching away, jotting down all the details necessary to emulate the soon-to-be-coveted look."I think it’s natural that teens look to celebrities ... to get ideas about who they want to be and what looks they want to try," Livas says. "Then they re-interpret those looks to what makes sense to their personal style."For our annual prom fashion issue, we’ve combined the popular trend of red carpet-inspired gowns with another re-emerging trend — short dresses."They’ve really been off the market for the past five years," McBratney says of short dresses. "They’re really new again ... and they’re just as formal as the longer dresses."We favor these fun, flirty yet age-appropriate dresses over the other dominant trend of deep V-neck dresses and plunging backs. Our featured frocks are looks students and parents can agree upon — something that never goes out of style.Style star inspirationJennifer Lopez, 2007 Academy AwardsOur dressRose strapless Grecian dress by Flip, with embellished empire waist and subtle bubble hemHow much$209, from WhatchamaCallitAccessoriesKaren Scott silver "Nora" heels with rhinestones, $49, Macy’s; Givenchy necklace, $30, Macy’s; earrings, $6.79, CherishOur modelKam Phillips, 17, senior at Paschal High SchoolStyle star inspirationRihanna, 2007 MTV Video Music AwardsOur dressJessica McClintock satin bustier dress with square neckline, double contrast neck bands with bow and short bubble skirt and side pocketsHow much$129, from Dillard’sAccessoriesChinese Laundry black satin "Willy" heels, $59.99, Macy’s; La Regale black patent clutch, $38, Ruby; cable bracelet with pearl and pave accents, $65, Ruby ; round silver earrings with black stones, $28, Austin Lorin; silver-and-white costume ring, $6.79, CherishOur modelMackenzie Campbell, 15, sophomore at Paschal High SchoolStyle star inspirationCameron Diaz, 2007 Golden GlobesOur dressParis by Tony Bowls strapless chiffon A-line dress with scalloped and beaded lace bustline, black bow and ribbon-trimmed empire waistline and multi-tiered skirt (also features detachable straps)How much$329, from WhatchamaCallitAccessoriesABS Allen Schwartz black satin "Bless" evening slides, $115, Spoiled Pink; La Regale black purse, $28, Macy’s; Jazzy Jems earrings, $12, Chiffoniers; Clover rhinestone necklace, $35, Ruby; Large round pave ring, $130, RubyOur modelCassia Myers, 17, senior at Christian Life Preparatory SchoolStyle star inspirationAmerica Ferrera, 2008 Hollywood film premiereOur dressEva Franco purple sheath with rosette detail on waistHow much$225, from J. Saunders BoutiqueAccessoriesPelle Moda silver metallic "Diamond" heels with embellished stone-studded strap, $138, Spoiled Pink; costume ring, $6.79, Cherish; Metallic silver clutch, $42, Ruby; clear stone bracelet, $34, Chiffoniers; dual-disc dangle earrings, $38, Austin Lorin; rhinestone necklace, $45, RubyOur modelMelissa Nuckolls, 17, home-schooled, Fort WorthStyle star inspirationJessica Alba, 2007 MTV Movie AwardsOur dressJump Apparel red strapless dress with empire waist and full skirtHow much$89, from Dillard’sAccessoriesStyle & Co. gold heels, $49, Macy’s; Charter Club gold earrings, $38, Macy’s; leopard clutch, $52, Austin Lorin; gold cuff, $28, Spoiled PinkOur modelMicayla Brown, 16, sophomore at Paschal High SchoolWHERE TO SHOPAustin Lorin, 5665 Colleyville Blvd., ColleyvilleB. Whitman, Southlake Town Square, 1443 Main St., SouthlakeCherish, 1431 Southlake Blvd., No. 501, SouthlakeChiffoniers, 3905 W. Vickery Blvd., Fort WorthDillard’s, multiple locationsJ. Saunders Boutique, 4303 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort WorthMacy’s, multiple locationsNeiman Marcus, Ridgmar Mall, 2100 Green Oaks Road, Fort WorthRuby, University Park Village, 1540 S. University Drive, Fort Worth; and Southlake Town Square, 119 Grand Ave., SouthlakeSephora, North East Mall, 1101 Melbourne Road, HurstSpoiled Pink, 4824 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort WorthWhatchamaCallit, 4601 West Freeway, No. 400, Fort WorthSMALL AND SWEETTouch up and go? It’s in the bag. Or on your key chain. Or your ring finger.Keep your look fresh and polished with these downsized beauty finds perfectly sized for your evening clutch or even your key chain.Urban Aid On the Go Kit. This silver kit includes one mini emery board, two dental flossers, one sewing kit, one hairband, two adhesive bandages and one stain-treating towelette. $9.50, at www.urbanaid.com"Justine Case" by Benefit. This mini-beautifier kit includes Some Kind-A Gorgeous foundation; Benetint rose-tinted lip and cheek stain; California Kissin’ minty fresh lip shine; and Eyecon brightening eye cream. $30, Sephora/Hurst.Bourjois Mini Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara. On-the-go girls can still have lush lashes thanks to this mascara that hooks easily onto your key chain. $8, Sephora/Hurst.Marc Jacobs "Daisy" Solid Perfume Ring. Stay smelling sweet with a dab of Marc Jacobs’ Daisy scent, concealed in a mod gold ring. Simply twist to find the solid perfume inside. $30, Neiman Marcus/Fort Worth.Hard Candy Lip Gloss Ring. Keep your lip gloss close with this nifty ring that comes packaged in a clear, fun jewel box. $6, www.sephora.com and www.hardcandy.comThe purse: Gold Sondra Roberts clutch, $90, B. Whitman/Southlake— Karalee MillerPROM BY THE NUMBERS$234 average price for a prom dress$790 average amount student spends on prom, including dress, shoes, makeup, limousine and post- prom plans$2.7 billion total annual cost spent on prom16.5 million number of prom-age teens in the United StatesSource: 2007 survey conducted by CosmoGIRL! PROM, SeventeenPROM and TeenPROM (including information from the New York Times)Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
