The Primetime Emmy Awards, which celebrates 60 years on Sunday, gets some much-needed fashion distance from the other red carpet moments.
Almost seven months separate the TV awards from the gaggle of other honors, including the Golden Globes, SAGs, Grammys and Oscars.
And watching all the red carpet comings and goings from high atop his tower perch will be celebrity stylist and beauty expert Paul Venoit, who is covering his fourth awards show of 2008.
Venoit has good eyes, and he'll be looking for stars who achieve what he calls "the full package."
"That's fashion, hair and makeup," he says from Los Angeles. "All three must work together in order to nail the look.
"Of course, we'll be looking for those baby bumps!"
Who does Venoit think will wow him on Sunday?
"Heidi Klum ("Project Runway" and an Emmy host) always shows up stellar. She's approachable and has a great personality," he says. "There's a certain quirkiness about her that's appealing."
Both Kyra Sedgwick and Sally Field are up for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, but Venoit sees different fashion paths for the two stars.
"Kyra is always appealing," he says, "but Sally could probably pump up the volume a bit on her style."
Venoit, who recently returned from New York Fashion Week, expects some of the 2009 spring trends to show up Sunday, including light fabrics (chiffon, silk, organza) and "a lot of color again, especially blues, purples and pinks."
As for the male attendees, Venoit says he believes the men have never looked better on the red carpet.
"That whole metrosexual thing lasted about, oh, a few minutes, and now we're seeing the classic tuxedo change and evolve," he says.
One of his favorites?
Hugh Laurie, who is up for a lead actor award for his role on "House."
"There's something cool and sexy about Hugh," Venoit says. "He doesn't look traditional; more dirty, clean guy with sex appeal."
Venoit will scour the red carpet for any missteps, noting the television stars "can afford good hair and makeup."
"They should be done to the nines," he says, "because it's what's expected of them."
And a local fashionista, Britt Steele, owner of Britt Steele boutique in midtown, is heading to L.A. on Saturday as the stylist for a photo shoot of Adryenn Ashley for the "Fearless Women" book. Ashley, an author herself and a certified divorce financial expert (sort of the Suzie Orman of her genre), also has ties to Paramount Studios.
That said, she's invited Steele to accompany her to the Emmys as well. Steele is doing a final fitting (alterations and tailoring) with Ashley today in San Francisco before they head south.
"I didn't want to wait until we got to L.A. in a hotel room to make sure the dress fits," Steele says. "I love the gown she's wearing. It's a Faviana Couture in black."
Steele, who says she'll be wearing "Fashion Week black attire," will be documenting Ashley's pre-Emmy and red carpet moments and hopes to catch the live show as well.
"I'm taking backup dresses for both of us – just in case," she says.
Call The Bee's Leigh Grogan, (916) 321-1129.
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