Style Icon: Elizabeth Olsen

She's the up and coming "it" girl of Hollywood, she's so huge you would probably have already heard of her. If you haven't, make a clever guess and you're probably right. Or, just half right. She's one of the Olsens and she's the younger sister of the fashionable twins Mary-Kate and Ashley. While you may be right about her family background, you may not have guessed correctly that the 23-year old carved out her almost ubiquitous name on her own.

The actress began making a name for herself when she starred in the movie Martha Marcy May Marlene released last year. She was an instant crowd and celebrity favorite. You can also catch her in the upcoming thriller Silent House which hits theaters sometime this month (in the US). But Elizabeth isn't just known for her acting skills, she has also become the girl-to-watch on the red carpet, after showing up in repeatedly brilliant outfits and looks. I have also fallen victim to her beautiful features and clever dressing, thus my choice to feature her as a Style Icon on my blog.

At the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, Elizabeth wore a gorgeous white dress by her sisters' label The Row. I love how she didn't try too hard as a newcomer on the scene, and yet looked so pretty in this relaxed get-up with chic jeweled sandals. Her hair and make-up was perfect, completing the sweet look that fits in so well for the photocall held in sunny Cannes.

Switching to formal mode for the movie premiere at night, Elizabeth wore a high-slit number, also by The Row, channeling old Hollywood glamour with her curled locks worn with a pretty embellished headband. She certainly set the trend with this gorgeous hairstyle, which is now a celebrity-favorite look on the red carpet!

I simply adore how Elizabeth takes classic LBD with a twist. While presenting Martha Marcy May Marlene at the New York Film Festival last year, she pulled her hair into a high bun to complement her high collar Alexander McQueen belted number and embellished heels.

Then at the Museum of Modern Art's 2011 Film Benefit event, the actress wore a Chanel dress that features an uneven hemline and matching red inner lining and belt detail. Simply elegant and effortless.

The young star takes the corporate look to a whole new level by kicking things up a notch with houndstooth pumps contrasted against her dotted skirt and shirt ensemble.

 She also shows how flared trousers are done the right way with platforms.

The Silent House actress carries off the vintage look flawlessly as she showed up at the Chanel Pre-Oscar dinner in the label's Spring Haute Couture pieces. She looked so feminine and I must say she nailed this one look that would have been difficult to pull off without looking frumpy.

She does the Hollywood glamour look so well, Elizabeth wore it again with similar curled locks in an updo at the Gotham Independent Film Awards while wearing a Valentino dress. Love the touch of pink with her clutch.

An Olsen is never satisfied just being "safe" on the red carpet. Elizabeth, who inspired her twin sisters' casual label Elizabeth and James (that'll be their brother), takes on prints like a pro. Take your tips on wearing colorful prints from her!

Let the printed piece stand out by pairing it with neutral separates, like Elizabeth at the Nylon dinner with Mary-Kate and Ashley, who wore an Acne tee with her Erdem printed skirt and plain Carven pumps. Also keep accessories to a minimum. 

The same rules apply when you're wearing a full-body printed piece as the actress did at the Toronto premiere of Martha Marcy May Marlene wearing Erdem. Make your printed clothing one that has a classic silhouette and shape to ensure it doesn't get too overpowering. Complete the look with light makeup, effortless hair and simple accessories, like Elizabeth's Ferragamo clutch.

Nominated for Best Actress at the Critics' Choice Awards for her performance in Martha Marcy May Marlene, Elizabeth Olsen wore a bright sunshine-yellow Emilio Pucci body-hugging dress. I love how this look seems to help her proclaim she hasn't forgotten her youthful, fun side when it comes to dressing for the red carpet, amongst all her other matured and feminine looks. Nude, ankle-strap Emilio Pucci heels polished and completed the outfit.

It almost seem like navy blue is the actress' favorite color judging from the many times it has been seen on her.  The color was incorporated into her travel attire as she jets out of LAX wearing an oversized blue blazer over a grey sweater and black denim. I'm so inspired by this simple outfit made up of cool basics and statement-making extras: her blazer, fedora and (I'm guessing) Prada color-block shoes.

Checking out Chanel's Spring Haute Couture 2012 show in Paris, Elizabeth's choice of clothing was a tweed, double-breasted military coat and textured black pants. The ensemble was understated but very cool at the same time.

After making an appearance at Jimmy Fallon's talk show last October, the actress was snapped in her trendy Sandro mixed fabric (of leather and wool-blend) blazer worn to keep warm in NYC over her textured dotted top and skirt. Electric blue suede pumps and Sofia Coppola for Louis Vuitton bag finished up the fun look filled with mixed textures.

At a movie screening in California, Elizabeth Olsen wore a Preen outfit with mixed hues of blue and kept things edgy by throwing in a Helmut Lang leather-trimmed jacket and Chloe booties. I'm not sure if that's a necklace she was wearing but I love the jeweled neckline she created!

And here's the final countdown to my top-5 looks of Elizabeth Olsen's!

No. 5: Elizabeth Olsen continues to demonstrate that black doesn't have to be boring as she wore The Row to the War Horse premiere in NYC. Layering a sheer top with a long blazer worn over a textured skirt, the look was kept chic with some simple jewelry and a textured belt. Green Manolo Blahniks pumps up the look.

No. 4: This is probably one of my favorites because it's definitely a look I'd wear and it's relatively easy to recreate with the right pieces chosen. All you need is a great white shirt of a soft fabric, a colored skirt, some great heels and some genius statement necklaces. Hers are so colorful! And it's brilliant how she cleverly matched the blue beaded necklace to go around framing the fabric psychedelic one!

No. 3: The rising star reveals the right amount of skin with a Proenza Schouler dress, Carven pumps and Edie Parker clutch, balancing the chest/cleavage-baring top with a longer hemline. Absolutely adore her braided hair!

No. 2: At this year's Film Independent Spirit Awards, the 23-year old wore a white Antonio Berardi piece with very intricate details on the top. I really like how this simple shift dress continues to look so elegant and feminine with the detailing. Olsen made the look better than it already is with glittery Cesare Paciotti pumps and that gorgeous Edie Parker boxy clutch. 

No. 1: Finally, my favorite of them all - Elizabeth wearing Chloe, along with Jimmy Choo nude pumps and a matching white The Row bag, accessorized with Alexander McQueen and JewelMint jewelry. I can't simply describe what I love about this look in words, it's just a feeling I had inside when I saw this look. It was an instant recognition that she was a style icon from that moment on. It's a look I'd love to recreate, but I know that you can never replicate the sweetness that oozes from her personality and radiant smile. Last but not least, she has that classic beauty that I would relate to that of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. I can't wait to see more of this girl!

Credits: Just Jared, GossipCenter

Style Icon: Alexa Chung.

Not only is Alexa Chung a TV presenter, she is also a model (which kicked started her career at the age of 16) and most importantly, a fashion icon. While my style differs greatly from her preppy and occasional flirty and girly looks, Alexa Chung has no doubt inspired me with her varying yet personalized way of dressing.

Nobody does the menswear, monochrome look like she does.

Absolutely love how Alexa cleverly mixes girly with a tinge of edge, typically with her footwear.

 P.S. I love the Sofia Coppola for LV bag!

With this stylish girl, you'll never look at a simple sweater in the same way again.

 There's that gorgeous Sofia Coppola for LV bag again!

Learn how to do preppy chic.....

...and full-fledged feminine looks from Alexa.

Doesn't she look like such a classic beauty?
She who never comprises style, even on casual days.

Fun fact, if you didn't know it already: the Mulberry Alexa messenger bag was named after Alexa Chung!
Also, do check out Alexa Chung for Madewell at Shopbop - lotsa gorgeous clothing for you to recreate Alexa's looks!

Style Icon: Vanessa Hudgens

It's been awhile since I blogged but I've been rather busy, and to be honest, I will be till the end of the year, but I will try my best to do something whenever I can.

For now, here's a look at my favorite red carpet looks of Vanessa Hudgens'. Her style has definitely evolved over the years, and while I much prefer her red carpet style in the earlier years, I still dig her occasional out and about looks with a touch of bohemian. But let's take a peek at some of the looks in which the actress had attended events:

Vanessa attended the 58th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards with her High School Musical cast-mates and the show picked up two awards during the ceremony. It was the first formal look seen on Hudgens and while I didn't love it, it was an appropriate dress that was elegant with the soft satin material while her braided locks adds an edge and youthful vibe to the look.

Vanessa was gorgeous in a floor-length thin strap dress when she attended the Billboard Music Awards in 2006 as HSM swept home the Soundtrack Album of the Year award. It was my first favorite look of hers on the red carpet. Her long rosary-style necklace added a little touch of goth to her embellished dress that was also sheer strategically down the chest and waist area. I love that the look was sexy but not overly seductive. Her side-swept hairdo also added to the sultry look. LOVE.

The bunch then went on to attend the 2007 MTV Movie Awards and Vanessa was donned in a summery floral maxi. The color on the dress was bright and the prints were loud, cleverly contrasting against both the pink carpet, as well as Vanessa's soft, almost-nude make-up. The outfit was fun and suitable for the event. What I didn't like about the look was the heavy, black heels she wore beneath her dress. Something in a lighter color and also less chunky would've been great.

At the ABC Summer All-Star Party, Vanessa was in my second favorite look (of all time). The grecian look was complete with her halter-style nude frock by Jay Godfrey that featured a special gold accent, which was well-matched with her giant gold hoop earrings. Not to mention, her curled, messy up-do is so pretty (a personal favorite for red carpet) and the statement-making stretches on to her snake-print pumps.

Out supporting her then-boyfriend Zac Efron at the premiere of Hairspray, the Sucker Punch actress wore a short, single-shoulder Jay Godfrey frock with a large ribbon detail. The plain dress was accented with metal details on her ankle-strap heels, bangles and black clutch, and not forgetting her unique, single-side long earring worn on her right ear.

Vanessa's bold red gown was a perfect contrast against the sea of blue at the premiere of the second installment of High School Musical held at Disneyland. The look was elegant without heavy accessorizing except for the gold teardrop earrings and matching clutch. The messy up-do really works on Vanessa.

Vanessa was cute at the TCA's green carpet back in 2007, as she opted for a strapless floor-length Thread Social dress. It's not the perfect, nor her best red carpet look, but it was event appropriate. I was crazy over her initial-V pendant necklace! Still wish I had one like this. What I hated, though, was her choice of clutch, that didn't fit into the look at all. 

Vanessa showed off her legs in a short sparkly dress by Marc Bouwer at the American Music Awards the same year. The young star demonstrated how gold works for her tan complexion as her strappy sandals and earrings complete the look.

Vanessa was effortlessly chic in a black number by BCBG Max Azria which featured a unique sleeve design. It was one of the few occasions I see Vanessa wear silver accessories and she managed to wear them so well too. I wouldn't like the silver heels individually, but with this outfit, they seem to work. Doesn't she look amazing with bangs?!

At MTV's TRL with her HSM mates in 2008, Vanessa looked smart in an Eric Hart grey dress worn with a blazer. She kept things stylish with thigh-high socks and black heels. I love how Vanessa's make-up and hair is always so perfect. 

Vanessa was flirty in her short, floral Rebecca Taylor dress worn to the premiere of Watchmen. The colors looked great on her and she cleverly matched the pinks and purples with a pair of lilac ankle-strap suede heels (which I absolutely love, by the way). The outfit showed the right amount of skin, at the same time, elongating her tanned and toned legs. A great casual outfit, this made.

Vanessa kicked start a great year 2009 with an ultra feminine Alberta Ferretti gown at the Golden Globes. The dress was absolutely sweet and I love how the bodice reflects the light of the shutterbugs and ends with a softer fabric towards the floor-grazing hemline. The Beastly actress looked gorgeous, with just the right amount of accessories.

At the MTV Movie Awards in 2009, Vanessa was glowing in her orange BCBG Max Azria number. The asymmetrical hemline showed off her tribal heels by Jimmy Choo. The color worked wonders against her sun-kissed skin and nude make-up, I was so glad to see her in a bright color, and that almost made me forget how shapeless the dress made her look. It's still a "yes" for me.

Then at the TCA's, Vanessa hit all the right notes with her altered, short version of the Christian Dior dress and Brian Atwood pumps. Her matching eye make-up was equally amazing. I loved everything about this look.

I wasn't exactly a big fan of this look, 'cause I didn't really like the dress. What I did like love, was her blowout and her bangs. The hairstyle was really fresh, and I was always so envious of how she could carry both permed and straight locks. 

Supporting Zac Efron at his 17 Again premiere was Vanessa in a Zac Posen frock. The actress stylishly added some elements of edge by belting up her dress with a leather waist belt and throwing on a pair of gladiator-style heels. Needless to say, her hair, make-up and accessories (consisting of a peach-colored clutch and giant gold hoops) are perfect, as always.

Vanessa looked like a goddess at the premiere of Charlie St. Cloud, also in support of then-boyfriend Zac Efron, as she wore a backless Reem Acra satin frock. I was crazy over this look, as the embellished neckline of the dress sets off her eyes and beaming smile. I thought she could have picked better footwear over this pair of Jimmy Choos though, 'cause the silver seems to sing a different tune with the dress and her Ferragamo clutch.

I love Missoni and it's signature print and here's Vanessa at a Neutrogena event wearing a brown dress by the label. I loved everything about the look, what's there not to? From her piled on necklaces, to the dress, to her pretty hair and ankle-strap platforms - I like!

Vanessa made a statement at the Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides premiere when she showed up in a high slit black wrap dress. The dress gave the illusion of longer legs as focus is drawn to them, thanks to the thigh-high slit. It was a great look, and a great pair of shoes (*drool*) but I wasn't sure about showing this much (plus cleavage, plus backless) at family-friendly Disneyland.

This look at the Beastly premiere reminded me of how much I love Vanessa in color. The colorful strapless Julien MacDonald dress brought some color to the red carpet event, especially with that train, which was held at night. Cobalt blue suede heels by Giuseppe Zanotti and contrasting red Judith Leiber clutch completed the look with perfection.

Finally, the latest look of Vanessa's that I dig, was that at the Concept Korea presentation for Fashion Week in New York sometime ago. The velvet knee-length dress was modest but spelled elegance. Loved her look from head to toe.

Sadly, most of Vanessa's recent red carpet looks were a turn-off for me. It could be her personal style shining through, but she still needs to know what works before the cameras and for her. However, I take consolation in that she's taking risks and finding her own style, which is always a good thing. 

So which look did you like?