Polls on the Givenchy bracket have now closed, but vote on the rest of the March Fabness brackets now!
TAYLOR SWIFT: dress by Asos, jacket by Rick Owens, purse by Rugby // KATIE HOLMES: dress by Ralph Lauren
The race begins with two stars showing off their love of feminine silhouettes. T.Swift strolls around rainy London in an adorable dress and funky jacket, expertly paired with black stockings and oxfords. Katie goes for a delicate, ladylike style in her pale blue dress and strappy sandals.
TAYLOR SWIFT: dress by Tibi // KATIE HOLMES: dress by MaxMara
Both ladies pumped up the volume for slightly more formal events: Taylor’s blue dress is perfectly paired with a skinny belt and soft curls, while Katie’s black-and-white confection needs little else.
TAYLOR SWIFT: dress by Oscar de la Renta, shoes by Prada // KATIE HOLMES: dress by Contrarian, shoes by Lanvin
The ladies go classic on us: V-neck cocktail dresses in ultra-feminine silhouettes, belted/cinched at the waist, with nude pumps and blown-out hair. Do you prefer Taylor’s red dress/red lips combo, or Katie’s cut-out LBD?
TAYLOR SWIFT: gown by Reem Acra // KATIE HOLMES: gown by Holmes & Yang
When things get formal, what’s your style? A classic, exquisite princess gown, like Taylor’s Reem Acra? Or a silk fuchsia draped gown by Katie’s own Holmes & Yang line?
TAYLOR SWIFT: gown by J. Mendel // KATIE HOLMES (with TOM CRUISE): gown by Elie Saab, purse by Lanvin
Say what you will about these ladies: They’re statuesque as hell, and they know how to wear the shit out of a phenomenal gown.
The choice is yours, dear readers. Who will it be?
OLIVIA PALERMO vs. NINA DOBREV
OLIVIA PALERMO: dress by Giambattista Valli, purse by Mango, shoes by Zara // NINA DOBREV: dress by Jay Godfrey
Olivia might have first found fame on an NYC spin-off of The Hills (a show you couldn’t pay me to watch, unless you’re offering, in which case, let’s talk numbers, because I have loans to pay), but she’s developed into a bona fide fashionista over the years. And though she’s not the most famous Degrassi alum (that honor goes to Drake), Nina spent the year making a name for herself (outside The Vampire Diaries) on the red carpet.
OLIVIA PALERMO: top and pants by Tibi, shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti // NINA DOBREV: dress and purse by D&G, shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo
The ladies have a blue moment, as Ms. Palermo dons an exquisite printed blouse and matching pants by Tibi, and Nina goes Dorothy-chic in a blue striped D&G number.
OLIVIA PALERMO: dress by Valentino, shoes by Stuart Weitzman // NINA DOBREV: dress and shoes by Elie Saab, purse by Lauren Merkin
The stars do battle in lacy cocktail attire. Are you a fan of Olivia’s romantic gold Valentino or Nina’s sexy green Elie Saab?
OLIVIA PALERMO: gown by Valentino // NINA DOBREV: gown by Dolce & Gabbana
Olivia’s silver column gown is accessorized with a fabulous peacock purse and a magnificent necklace, but Nina offers up some old Hollywood glamour in a classic white gown.
OLIVIA PALERMO: gown by DKNY, shoes by Stuart Weitzman // NINA DOBREV: gown by Donna Karan, purse by Judith Leiber
Only someone as beautiful as Olivia can pull off that fabulous color-blocked-and-pleated DKNY gown. (And note the fuchsia sandals – the same ones she wore with her gold Valentino dress!) But Nina counters with a Donna Karan creation of her own, the red gown that put her on the red carpet map.
So? Who’s the fabbest?
FREIDA PINTO: dress by Michael Kors // AMBER HEARD: dress by Honor, shoes by Brian Atwood
Freida Pinto is gorgeous in colorblocked Michael Kors (love the matching sandals!), while Amber rocks an LBD by Honor.
FREIDA PINTO: dress by Lanvin // AMBER HEARD: dress by Reem Acra, shoes by Christian Louboutin
Both girls go daring, as Ms. Pinto hits a fashion show in a green-blue metallic ombre dress, pleated to perfection, while Ms. Heard has a floral moment at a film premiere.
FREIDA PINTO: dress by Michael Kors // AMBER HEARD: dress by Christian Dior
When you play dress-up, which way do you go? New-wave and funky, like Freida’s neon Michael Kors frock? Or old-meets-new Hollywood, in a miniskirted Dior Marilyn-esque dress and diamonds galore?
FREIDA PINTO: gown by Salvatore Ferragamo // AMBER HEARD: gown by Elie Saab, shoes by Christian Louboutin
Both ladies serve up a gorgeous color and something draped when they hit a formal event. Do you dig the Grecian vibe of the fuchsia Ferragamo gown, or the sexiness of the red, high-slitted Elie Saab?
FREIDA PINTO: gown by Antonio Berardi // AMBER HEARD: gown by Donna Karan
Both stars have a spectacular metallic formalwear moment. Freida’s ivory Antonio Berardi has a fabulous silver-embellished bodice, and Amber’s sexy Donna Karan lets her body do the talking.
What’s the verdict?
LEA MICHELE: top and skirt by Jason Wu, shoes by Brian Atwood // NICKI MINAJ: jumpsuit by Mark Fast
A hilarious battle if there ever was one, Lea Michele’s “look how demure I am” ensemble fights Nicki Minaj’s Lady-Gaga-at-the-gym outfit. Do you applaud Nicki’s daring jumpsuit, or do you prefer Lea’s 1950s throwback?
LEA MICHELE: dress by Emilio Pucci, shoes by Christian Louboutin // NICKI MINAJ: jacket and dress by Nanette Lepore, shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti
Lea shows off a love of lace – and her legs – in a super-sexy Emilio Pucci minidress, while Nicki gives us bright stripes and fierceness in a Nanette Lepore ensemble.
LEA MICHELE: dress by Marchesa, shoes by Jimmy Choo // NICKI MINAJ: gown by Versace
The ladies do formalwear . . . differently, to say the least. Ms. Michele has a 1920s moment in an exquisite flapper-esque Marchesa LWD, as Ms. Minaj shows off every curve in sexy black-and-white Versace.
LEA MICHELE: gown by Peter Som, shoes by Casadei // NICKI MINAJ: gown by Atelier Versace
Say what you will – these are women who have no problem rocking a color on the red carpet. Lea gives us a fun t-shirt-esque gown by Peter Som, as Nicki makes a statement (I’m just not sure what that statement is) in a dramatic red cape and hood by Atelier Versace.
LEA MICHELE: gown by Marchesa // NICKI MINAJ: gown by Oscar de la Renta, shoes by Alexander McQueen
If you want a touch of old Hollywood, Lea Michele and her classic red gown are on your side. If your dream red carpet has a risk-taker in a daring green gown on it, Nicki Minaj is your girl.
So who will it be, dear readers?
Need more fabulous? Not done judging bitches? Vote on the rest of the March Fabness brackets now!
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© Democracy Diva, 2012.
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The Democracy Diva 
We should put Nicki against Lady Gaga or Katy Perry
Next year, when I cook the books instead of keeping the pairings mathematical according to the bracket. (There’s a science.)
I wanted to vote for Nina but her style is just so blah. I still think that her prom posing ruins every good look.