Cate Blanchett in fringed Valentino at the Rodeo Drive event: tablecloth chic?

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OH NOES. Here are some photos from last night’s event for “The Rodeo Drive Committee Inducts Catherine Martin Into The Rodeo Drive Walk Of Style.” Yeah, I’m not sure what that means except that Cate Blanchett was there for her friend and fellow Aussie Catherine Martin. Catherine, like Cate, is up for an Oscar this year. Martin is nominated for The Great Gatsby – she does the costumes on all of her husband’s movies (she’s married to Baz Luhrmann).

Anyway, for the event, La Blanchett wore this absolutely mind-bogglingly terrible Valentino gown. Can we even call this a “gown”? Or is more of a re-worked tablecloth with FRINGE? Seriously, someone at Valentino was visiting their mom and they saw the mom’s tablecloth and they thought, “OMG, fabulous.” I guess it’s supposed to have a southwest/prairie feel, but coming from Valentino, that just seems patronizing. I guess the good thing here is that it looks like Blanchett got her sparkle back. She had a bad few weeks but I’m glad she’s out and about and doing events for Oscar weekend.

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I like Anne V’s dress more than her hair. She’s needs to do something different with the hair, for sure, but the dress is sort of like… bee-chic.

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Here’s Georgina Chapman in one of her own Marchesa designs. Surprisingly, she doesn’t look too bad in this design. Of course, the dress does have that Marchesa cheapness look.

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And here’s little Kiernan Shipka, always looking adorable and appropriate. She’s so stylish! I hope she got to meet Blanchett.

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Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News and PR Photos.

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63 Responses to “Cate Blanchett in fringed Valentino at the Rodeo Drive event: tablecloth chic?”

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  1. Kiddo says:

    I’m thinking more of an old bedspread. Maybe the designer won a Gone With The Wind use- found-items-in the-house competition.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Looks more like the Carol Brunette version of Scarlett’s dress. Really, when she misses, she misses big.

      And she looks so happy, like she thinks it’s great. Wtf

  2. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    Good Lord. Is that…macrame?

    • Jen says:

      Definitely reminds me of a macramé lamp I made in college. I’d recognize those knots anywhere!! I even covered the electrical cord.

    • Size Does Matter says:

      It looks like macramé woven from Cate’s own hair. So bizarre.

  3. Nikollet says:

    It wouldn’t look so bad if it didn’t have the fringe running down the side or on the bottom…

    • Lily says:

      Agreed! I think the dress would be beautiful without all that hideous fringe

    • emmie_a says:

      That was my first thought as well — It wouldn’t be bad at all if it didn’t have the side fringe.

  4. We Are All Made of Stars says:

    I don’t totally dislike it. It’s weird, but it kinda works on somebody who can carry off quirky or avant-garde. The fabric and draping are pretty. Bee lady and Georgina clearly met up at the mall together at Papaya’s and then headed over to Forever 21 to shop for their dresses. Kiernan Shipka for the win!

  5. India says:

    I like Cate’s dress. The golden color is fabulous on her. She always wears something different from all the rest of Hollywood. She ‘s never tarty. I think it’s very cool. And only Cate can pull this off.

    • Sullivan says:

      I agree that the color of Cate’s dress is perfect for her coloring. Her skin is gorgeous.

      Kiernan is quite lovely.

  6. Crank says:

    I like it in motion better than when she’s standing still for a pic. I’m sure it looks better in person than when she’s just standing there…because when she does that it looks like a damn lampshade that belongs to miss havisham from great expectations.

    • ichsi says:

      What I wanted to say. I like the colour as well and it seems to be something you have to see in motion.
      Anne V does make the dress work I think. It’s one of those things that only look good on skinny, tall super-models.

  7. Frida_K says:

    I’m not necessarily seeing a tablecloth here…to me, the “dress” seems more like repurposed curtains. Sort of a “Gone With the Wind” thing, as noted above, but more contemporary, like curtains from maybe the 70s pulled out from storage and made into an ugly dress.

    • LadySlippers says:

      @Frida:
      Yep. Her dress screams curtains to me rather than table cloth or bedspread.

      And I think what kills it is here is too much fringe. If it had it just on the top or just on the bottom it might work (might). Because the fabric and colour are superb.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      It looks like something her kid made at camp.

    • Eleonor says:

      vote for the curtains.

  8. bettyrose says:

    Maybe Woody instructed her to dress like a frumpy matron for awards season.

  9. thinkaboutit says:

    Pure fug. So fug its almost absurd.

  10. serena says:

    Dear god.. what the hell was Cate Blanchett thinking, wearing that awful carpet-mess?

  11. Lahdidahbaby says:

    Omg hold me, I’m scared!

  12. Suze says:

    Well, it’s probably a comfortable dress to wear.

    That is all I have got.

  13. The Original G says:

    I thought we were mad a Valentino for tweeting about Amy Adams carrying one of their bag sat PSH’s funeral? I’m holding still holding the grudge, even if HW isn’t.

    I don ‘t mind the idea here, but it’s too long and it’s execution is still at the arts and crafts stage. Is that supposed to be a formal poncho?

  14. LAK says:

    Catherine Martin is an awesome, visionary, imaginative costume designer. She really pulls her productions UP. I watch films she works on simply to see what she’ll come up with.

    Does anyone remember when she collected her oscar for PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT wearing a dress made of gold Amex cards?? It was fabulous and funny and cheeky all at once.

    I’d say Cate is wearing this dress as a nod to Catherin.

    • Jaderu says:

      This was my thought. It’s not meant to be a stunning red carpet look. Considering the event she’s wearing it at, it’s appropriate and a shout out for Catherine.

    • LadySlippers says:

      Any films you’d recommend then?

    • LAK says:

      Oops. She didn’t design PRISCILLA, that was Lizzie Gardner.

      Catherine designed STRICTLY BALLROOM.

    • Hannah says:

      She’s actually up for TWO Oscars. She also did the production design on Gatsby.

    • Violet says:

      I actually love this Valentino a lot. The craftsmanship is exquisite and she wears it very well.

  15. Kaye says:

    I like the dress, and the color is wonderful on her.

    • LeLe25 says:

      I love the dress and would wear it in a heartbeat. I think the fashion industry is in a style rut, I’m happy with anyone that shakes it up.

  16. Lorgasm says:

    Mr. Ed called. He wants his braided mane back.

  17. Shijel says:

    Chapman’s feet O___O

  18. pru says:

    Not only is the dress bad, but it leaves you with a glimpse of the awful shoes. They look plastic!

  19. Jayna says:

    I watched Notes on a Scandal again last weekend. Cate was just wonderful in that movie, and Judi Dench was simply amazing. I don’t know who won the Oscar that year, but I think Judi Dench should have won.

    • LAK says:

      They were both nominated as was the screenplay(Patrick Maber). Lost out to Helen Mirren( THE QUEEN) , Jennifer Hudson(DREAMGIRLS) and Martin Scorsese (THE DEPARTED) respectively.

      • Jayna says:

        Oh, it was the year Helen Mirren won. That’s okay then. I thought Helen was brilliant in her role.

  20. TheCountess says:

    God, that is just a horrible look, head to toe.

    Kiernan is just adorable. I’d like that dress in a grown-up version, please!

  21. Jayna says:

    I think Cate’s gown is the type of gown that might be beautiful in person and not translate in a photo, because the fabric might be visually very beautiful and elevate the dress. The color of it is beautiful on her.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I don’t like the dress, but agree the color is beautiful on her and she looks luminous.

  22. Jackson says:

    Hmm. I think Kate just saw “rodeo” on the invitation, not “Rodeo Drive.” Yikes. Looks like she’s about to hitch up the wagon and head into town for supplies.

    • hmmm says:

      My first thought, too. Avante-garde cowgirl. I imagine it was a purposeful play. No appreciation from me, though.

  23. jj says:

    And yet she is probably the only woman who could pull this off!

    • Violet says:

      True and that is why I absolutely love her style. No one this award season has come close delivering interesting and edgy dresses all the time. Hope her Oscar dress is amazing as well.

  24. videli says:

    Cate’s weird dress looks like it’s made out of peace silk. It probably looks better in motion, but it’s blanket-terrible in these pictures.

  25. yennefer says:

    I like Marchesa dress the most. Is it or or the world that gone wrong?…

  26. AlmondJoy says:

    Wow. It’s baaaaaad. I think the bottom makes ot worse, along with the shoes with the cutouts. Her face looks gorgeous though!

    Kiernan Shipka is just sooo freakin adorable! I love her style. She seems like such a sweet kid, I hope Hollywood doesn’t ruin her.

  27. taxi says:

    I like Cait’s dress and love this color on her, better than the cool silver/grays she often wears. Very pretty but the shoes fail.

  28. lisa2 says:

    I know people here say that Cate B. can wear anything and make it look good. That is not true. This is a horrible dress to me. I haven’t love a lot of what she has been wearing. SOME yes but a lot of No. I just saw a picture of her in a jumpsuit that looks like paint splatter. I hope Oscar night is different.

    • Mel says:

      Same here. I can’t even remember the last time I liked anything she wore. I am sure there must have been such an occasion, but it must have been a long time ago.
      (I do remember the time she wore that crocheted blanket all too well, though. But that wasn’t it. ;))

  29. Miss Melain says:

    Blanchett’s dress looks macrame’d-in-heaven!

  30. Lux says:

    I never noticed before but up close Anne V looks a lot like Hilary Swank.

  31. starr says:

    Really surprised that you didn’t post a photo of Catherine Martin, given that the night was in her honor. Also, she has been Oscar nominated for both costumes and production design this year for Gatsby.

    Here’s a pic of her arriving at the Rodeo event. Apparently it was cool and rainy out: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhnLH1FCMAAkTFx.jpg

    She changed later into a top and pants for the party after the ceremony. She has pure style and is really nice. I’ve had the fortune to meet her in person. Love her!

  32. manta says:

    So apparently the “ban” on the Valentino house for its absolute tacky gesture during Philip Seymour Hoffman’s funerals lasted about 2 minutes.

  33. Lizzy1013 says:

    I just saw a girl with the fringe bag and thought oh god is fringe back in ? please don’t be so

  34. sunnymummie says:

    Cate Blanchett and Robin Wright could easily play twins. I suggest both as the next season True Detective couple.

  35. Mallory says:

    I just can’t with Cate anymore, after the Allen debacle. Sure, it was not her place to discuss but it’s Woody for crying out loud. Like with Polanski, all the actors working with them, know about them.
    But no, she was a lock for the Oscar, why make any statement. It’s not like she’s not considered a role-model by many women and considers herself a feminist. “A wave of conservatism sweeping the globe” is threatening women’s rights and she’s all concerned by it. Sure, the globe but not her backyard. How convenient. Cuz Hollywood is such a safe have for women.

    I dunno, but for me, she really comes out badly. Lock for the Oscar, why mess the chances, oh she just won’t mention Woody in her speeches. How brave. And if she – whose perceived to be in a league of her own – acts like this, that what sorts of expectations can we have from Scarjo.

  36. allheavens says:

    Take the fringe off the top and the hem (making it three-quarter length) and it would save been wonderful.

  37. A Fan says:

    I like that she makes interesting and unique choices. Plus, the colour is great on her, as is the fit.

    [I happen to like it, too!]