First look @ Met Costume Institute Gala!

Islandistas and fashionistas all! [picapp align="right" wrap="false" link="term=Met+Costume+institute+gala&iid=8691891" src="1/c/2/7/_American_Woman_ab15.jpg?adImageId=12736635&imageId=8691891" width="234" height="352" /]

Pay attention because coming hard on the heels of the White House Correspondents' Dinner in D.C., it is one of the biggest nights on the social calendars of those in NYC and in fashion - the Met Costume Institute Gala.

Co-hosted by Oprah, the event is kicking off at the Met all now ... and we have the first look at the islandistas making their entrance on the red carpet.

We start of course with Zoe Saldana, who is one of the early arrivals, in a cold-shouldered navy column dress. While the dress itself is right on-trend, we're actually a bit disappointed at this from Zoe. She's usually so fly and fearless on the red carpet that a simple navy column dress seems so tame for her for a fashion night as big as this.

Gorgeous but could be better - we know she could!

Keep checking islandista for all the fashion notes from tonight!

Islandistas at the Kids Choice Awards

The biggest night in kiddie-dom was on last night - the Kid's Choice Awards.

Islandistas and their families were out in force - both on the orange carpet, and on the stage as Rihanna, who is top of the charts again with Rude Boy, performed.

Check the pics from the night of family fun.

[caption id="attachment_2187" align="aligncenter" width="324" caption="Mel B hit the orange carpet with her two children, husband and a young relative."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2186" align="aligncenter" width="339" caption="Rihanna on the orange carpet in Dior dress and heels."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2188" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Rosario Dawson on the Kids Choice orange carpet."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2189" align="aligncenter" width="341" caption="Zoe Saldana also made an appearance."][/caption]

Trend alert: true blue @ the Oscars

[caption id="attachment_2147" align="aligncenter" width="435" caption="Precious producer Oprah and star, Gabourey Sidibe, both wore blue on the big night."][/caption]

The Oscars were last night and from the Kodak Theatre to the after parties, one colour stood out on the red carpets -blue.It seems as if everyone was wearing blue, including many of the nights' biggest stars.

 

 From 'Precious' star and best actress nominee Gabourey Sidibe wore a cobalt blue Marchesa to her co-star and Best Supporting Actress winner Mo'Nique in royal blue, it was all over.

Check out the rest of the blue parade after the cut. 

Islandistas on red carpets across the globe

Islandistas (and an islandisto) hit red carpets from London to Los Angeles last week. Fashion, film and music all collided as island folk graced red carpets for the Elle Style Awards in London, the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles and further down the fame totem pole, BET's Rip the Runway fashion show in New York City.

The Elle Style awards kicked things off with Naomi Campbell, Corinne Bailey Rae and Leona Lewis all attending. Check these and other pics.



[caption id="attachment_2134" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Photo credit: elleuk.com"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_2119" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Leona was demure yet hot in Alexander McQueen. (Photo credit: elleuk.com)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2120" align="aligncenter" width="239" caption="Photo credit: elleuk.com"][/caption]

Check out photos from the NAACP Image Awards and Rip The Runway after the cut.

Islandistas at the Brit Awards

The biggest night in British music came off two nights ago and plenty islandistas were in the mix and while none of them won any awards on the night, they at least looked the part.

X-Factor divas Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis played against type in their outfits. Alexandra, who often rocks short dresses to show off her great legs, went very formal award show in a lovely long, strapless red Notte by Marchesa dress with a huge bow at the top.

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Good girl Leona on the other hand, went edgy with a funky gun-metal silver William Tempest dress and bubble-gum pink Stella McCartney heels.

Love it. It looks like something Rihanna would wear and we mean that in the best way. Definitely hot.

'Strictly Come Dancing Host' Alesha Dixon and American singer Alicia Keys, who both have Jamaican fathers both went sparkly, dark and short for their dresses - but in very different ways.


[caption id="attachment_2018" align="aligncenter" width="406" caption="Photo credit: Getty Images"][/caption]

Alicia (or rather her makeup artist?) also went a biiiiit too happy with the bronzer. Not. a. good. look from the heck up. Great all the way down.

And we love the contrast of the juicy orange pumps with Alesha's sparkly dark mini.

Fabulous at the Grammys - island folk

Island folk were fabulous at the Grammy Awards last night.

Bajan islandista Rihanna put the awfulness of last year's Grammy experience behind her, winning her second Grammy for rap-sung collaboration for Run This Town with Jay-Z and Kanye West. She kept it succint on the mic, saying thanks and giving a 'lift-up' to Solange's son/ Beyonce's nephew, the too-cute Juelz.

And of course her dress... was... stunning. Definitely going to be making lots of best dressed lists in her pale pink Elie Saab.

[caption id="attachment_1978" align="aligncenter" width="296" caption="Photo credit:Cohan/Granitz via YBF.com"][/caption]

Too gorgeous. And the simple understated makeup with it is on point.

Melanie Fiona also looked beautiful in a black gown - she went for a very natural makeup look but she was glowing so much with happiness at being there that it just made us smile - like our fave lil cousin had finally got near her dream. Too sweet.

[caption id="attachment_1979" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="Photo credit: Cohan/Granitz via YBF.com"][/caption]

For more pics of Caribbean folk at the Grammys, read on.

Pre-Grammy fun - swag and parties

It is Grammy weekend people and that means celebs, style and lots of free swag (lucky, lucky them!).

Islandistas Rihanna and Melanie Fiona have been out and about this weekend, scooping up goodies in swag booth, and hitting the pre-parties - both to perform and to party.

Rihanna worked this architectural tulle Viktor & Rolf dress to Clive Davis' famous Grammy pre-party. It's a very hmmm... dress. Like hmmm do I love this bold fashion foray or hmmm is this just absurd? 

[caption id="attachment_1972" align="aligncenter" width="355" caption="Photo credit: JustJared.com"][/caption]

Ri-ri always pushes the fashion envelope, though doesn't she? Our thought was -how do you do anything that involves your left arm or left side in this dress? Can she even see over her shoulder to that person getting scrunched by tulle on her left?

[caption id="attachment_1970" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="photo credit: JustJared.com"][/caption]

 

She was in a much more laid back outfit earlier on the day while grabbing some free stuff from the swag booth set up for the Grammys, getting a home stereo system hook up and fittingly - some Marley Coffee.

Melanie Fiona was also turning her swag on and getting some free goodies.

She also hit the stage for the SRC Pre-Grammy party.

[caption id="attachment_1975" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Photo credit: @KaRaMaRiE_2009/Twitter.com"][/caption]

 

And of course, check Islandista later for more Grammy suss and style!

Islandistas at the Golden Globes

While film award ceremonies are not usually as big islandista spotting grounds as music awards, Sunday's Golden Globes did turn up a few islandistas at the ceremony and at the after-parties.

Chief among them of course, was Zoe Saldana. You would well know from checking islandista that Zoe can do no wrong on the red carpet - honestly we have not seen a bad outfit from her since 19-how long. She always bring it and she did again for the Globes, where the mega block-buster she starred in, Avatar, took the top awards of the night - best director for James Cameron and best motion picture drama. We're going to give you two looks at her raw-edged, ruffled, scarlet Louis Vuitton dress.

[caption id="attachment_1927" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Zoe poses with the two Golden Globe awards won by Avatar."][/caption]

Do 'um girl!

Guyanese-descended Leona Lewis, also part of the Avatar crew as she sang its theme song 'I See You', was also in fine form in a deep purple satin Roberto Cavalli with a lovely fold detail at the bodice.

And Haitian-American actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon was out at the InStyle Golden Globe after party in a form-fitting black and flesh toned dress. Good thing Garcelle have form to fit because this dress could be dicey on anyone a bit skinny or a bit plump.

Brit Islandistas run the red carpet

British islandistas were ruling the red carpet at the party Cash Money Records threw recently to celebrate their British signing, Jay Sean, reaching number one in the States, with his hit 'Down'.

Most of our favourite British islandistas were present to support Jay - Alexandra Burke, Jamelia, Keisha Buchanan and Alesha Dixon.

Alexandra Burke dazzled in a royal blue sequinned mini shift dress by French Connection.

Alesha also wore blue - but in velvet, one of the trends of the season. It's difficult to wear velvet without looking old and fusty but she managed it, in a short turquoise-blue velvet dress and sharp white jacket.

Loving it. It's a whole set of disparate looks (velvet dress, sparkly clutch, nude heels) but it all pulls together beautifully.

 Former and original Sugababe Keisha Buchanan also made a rare appearance in what appeared to be a little black dress which was mostly hidden under a white jacket.

Jamelia was also there in a rather blah black jersey dress that looked like something any chick could get in any high street store or strip mall or sidewalk store with her eyes closed. It just ain't saying nutten. The 'LOL' necklace is cute and cheeky though.

Red carpet islandistas - Soul Train, EMAs and Latin Grammys

Islandistas have been spotted on red carpets all over the place in the last week or so - from the Soul Train Awards to the Latin Grammys and the MTV European Music Awards.

Check them out below.

Estelle has been showing up on red carpets galore in recent weeks. We saw her down south in Brazil at the Fashion Rocks event in a Manish Arora dress that thrilled some and turned off others.

We're sure opinions will be less divided on her look at Sir Richard Branson's Rock the Kasbah gala in Los Angeles. It's beautiful and on trend in every way - colour, cut, fabric and shoes. A +!

 She also was in form at the Soul Train Awards earlier this week, in this gold and black number.

 Melanie Fiona also brought some shine to the red carpet - in pewter instead of gold, with this gorgeous one-shouldered dress with a peplum skirt. See even more red carpet looks when you read more.

Islandistas at the AMAs

The American Music Awards were last night and there were a few islandistas speckled here and there amidst this mostly 'pop' awards show. 

 

 Rihanna aka the real hottest chick in the game was on the red carpet and on the stage, performing her new song 'Rehab' (Amy Winehouse anyone? hm.)

[caption id="attachment_405" align="alignnone" width="399" caption="Mazur/Granitz"][/caption]

 

 Truthfully, not too sure about this dress. Love the concept and material but something about the way it is cut around the waist is making Rihanna look short-bodied and at 5"9, she is far from.

 

[caption id="attachment_411" align="aligncenter" width="402" caption="Mazur"][/caption]

 

Avast there me hearties! What is up with the bejewelled eye-patch Ri-ri? Even you can't stop that from looking slightly ridiculous.

Ms. Alicia Keys also hit the red carpet and performed 'Superwoman along with Queen Latifah and opera great Kathleen Battle.

 

[caption id="attachment_407" align="aligncenter" width="377" caption="Mazur/Granitz"][/caption]

We ... LOVE... Alicia's shoes ... hotness cyan dun!

Brit-Guyanese singer Leona Lewis was also on the red carpet looking gorgeous as usual and yes, yes we know Guyana is not an island, so how she get an islandista? Because Guyana is part of the Caribbean and this blog is for Caribbean women and we decide we want to include her in our islandista hot list so if we say so, is so.... lol! Plus, Guyana has some islands within it... like in its rivers and ting... ok we're stretching it now!

[caption id="attachment_409" align="aligncenter" width="368" caption="Mazur"][/caption]

Notes on the BET Awards 08 - Islandistas on the red carpet

 Trini-descended islandista Nia Long was absolutely working this plum-coloured dress. I loved everything about it - the rich colour, the daring back with just the two suspender-like straps down to the waist, the draped pockets at the sides, the plunging neckline - it was a winner from every direction. And of course, Nia herself is just fabulous - she really harkens back to the late 90s, early 'noughties' heyday of black romantic cinema featuring all those fabulous buppies - Love Jones, The Best Man, Soul Food ... what happened to those movies anyhow? There was a good run there in the late 90s.

Another islandista by descent, the half-Nevisian Mel B aka Scary Spice was also at the awards and showed off her fabulous body in this close-fitting champagne-coloured dress. As opposed to Nia's dress with its complex structure, this dress is deceptively simple but the gorgeous colour and Mel's great shape is all it needs.

Half-Jamaican and sometime dancehall songstress islandista Alicia Keys had three outfit changes on the night. First was her fuschia dress with the slight origami-like folds on the bodice that she rocked on the red carpet. Didn't so much like how the skirt of this fell - it wasn't quite a bubble shape, not quite straight... hmm. But the colour was definitely pretty.

Next was her performance outfit.

And... well!

Ms. Keys was never rail thin or anything but laaaaaawd gaad ... she a tek fowl pill or what? Since when she had all that bumper? I know her skinny jeans had to be struggling!

And third was her post-performance, acceptance dress - a beige number that would have been blah-ish were it not for the dramatic silver and gold embellishment running across the bodice and along the shoulder. Not everyone's cup of tea but I liked it. I like artistes to wear something a little daring and different. 

I wasn't sure whether to include this last one but I'm feeling generous. Islandista-by-marriage (though maybe not for much longer what with all the scandal facing her hubby, Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick) LisaRaye McCoy-Misick wore a great short metallic dress. Quite daring for a red carpet but allowable I think for a music show. And for a woman that is 40-pushing-41, she looks great!

(photo credits: YBF.com)

Notes on the BET Awards 08 - Mellow yellow

The colour on the red carpet at last night's BET Awards 2008 was definitely yellow - the perfect colour for summer and a big trend for Summer 08.

It's actually my favourite colour choice out of the neon brights that are so in for this season.  Hence I've been pouncing on cute yellow items whenever I get the chance - already snagged a gorgeous strappy yellow sundress and a thin sweater top. Plus, yellow just pops against dark skin.

 (photo credit: BET.com)

Islandista Rihanna looked gorgeous in her tiered, frill-edged long yellow dress. Even though Rihanna is pretty light-skinned and yellow can sometimes be dodgy for people that are well ... kinda yella, it still worked well for her, especially because it was offset by the darker makeup. Also, it was a paler, kind of lemony yellow rather than a strong, sharp yellow which might have played up the yellow tones in her skin.

Since she's so young, the brightness of the dress and the tiers prevented her from looking too old which can be the downfall of a lot of young starlets trying to look sophisticated at formal occasions. Bright yellow is just a lovely young looking colour that made the long dress more age-appropriate for a hot young thang like Ri-Ri.

Rapper Trina and singer Keyshia Cole also wore beautiful lemony yellow dresses. Keyshia and Trina carried the summery theme to its hilt with short, flirty dresses. This is probably one of the nicest looks I have ever seen on Trina - for once she does not look too fussy or overdone (aside from the big ole over-curly weave but let us be positive). The simplicity of the dress is really heartening and with such a lovely colour who needs to be too fancy?

Keyshia's bubble dress meanwhile was accented with a great contrasting black sash. Paired with her new jet-black hair it was very sharp - nice Keyshia!

More notes on the BET Awards later...