Best Dressed Woman at the 2005 Grammys, Christina Milian

While music was the focus of the Grammys on Sunday night, the dress of the celebrated and their dates is always a hot topic -- no matter which Hollywood "Red Carpet" our favorite artists or actors walk down.

We say "Red Carpet" but did you notice it was a teal green this year?

That's because Heineken sponsored the pre-ceremony celebration.

Last weekend, there were many 2005 Grammy Award celebrations -- from MusiCares luncheon to Clive Davis' annual party to the event which announced the majority of this year's coveted music prize. The event the world got to see on CBS, showed off celebrities of all music genres and fashion styles.

Here is Rugged Elegant Living's list of "Best Dressed" at the 2005 Grammys:

Laura Dern looked radiant in red, especially having just given birth nine weeks ago.

Dern was at the 2005 Grammys supporting her husband, one of our favorites musicians of all, Ben Harper.

Harper arrived on the "Red Carpet," and offered proof that he is one of the most romantic men when prompted by E! Live pre-show co-host, Star Jones Reynolds.

Harper & Dern

Ben grabbed the back of Laura's head and gave her a convincing kiss.

He told Star that he puts on Barry White to get his wife in the mood, as well as Marvin Gaye. Laura added, "And Stevie, to get it goin'."

Harper and Dern went home with awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "11th Commandment" and for "There Will Be A Light" with The Blind Boys Of Alabama at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards.

Amanda Byram

TV personality, Amanda Byram will join Sharon Osbourne and Jamie Theakston as co-anchor's of Sky's coverage of the prestigious Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Febuary 27th. Sky's live coverage will begin with a preview show at 7pm on Sky One.

"Say Yes" to Floetry's Natalie Stewart

Floetry was up for a Grammy for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group" on Sunday night. The U.K. dynamic duo, who earlier in their career wrote "Butterflies" for Michael Jackson's Invincible, was up against Destiny's Child's "Lose Your Breath," Earth, Wind & Fire & Raphael Saadiq's "Show Me The Way," Alicia Keys & Tony Toni Tone's "Diary" and Usher & Alicia Keys' "My Boo."

Usher and Alicia Keys took home the Grammy. But we still say "yes" to Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius and emcee Natalie Stewart for the poetry that comes from their voices (a fusion of soul and the spoken word), and the beautiful stones Natalie wore around her neck.

Usher's Grammys Date

Speaking of Usher, whose "Yeah" was the most played song for 2004, Usher's Date, his tall date dressed in beige, was gorgeous.

She was stood confidently behind him as he did his thing on the "Red Carpet."

Now dubbed the "Godson of Soul" after his performance on stage with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, Usher and Brown wowed the fans with their fancy footwork.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper wore silver from head-to-toe. We especially loved her shoes.

She was at the Grammys on Sunday having been nominated for "Best Instrumental Composition Accompanying a Vocal" for her interpretation of the song "Unchained Melody" on her At Last album.

The winner of the night: Ray Charles & Johnny Mathis, "Over The Rainbow."

Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson looked sophisticated, elegant and regal holding her Grammy award on Sunday night.

She won the 2005 Grammy for this year's "Best Jazz Vocal Album."

Her album: RSVP (Rare Songs, Very Personal)

Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul, American Idol judge now in her fourth season, looked beautiful in a long simple brown halter gown. Perhaps we will see her back on the "Red Carpet" with a nomination of her own. We hear she may soon return to singing, in addition to judging the best new found talent in America.

Kyra Sedgwick & Kevin Bacon

Kyra Sedgwick wore a shimmering low-cut gold lace Ream Aqua gown that hugged her beautiful figure. It was no wonder her husband of sixteen years, Kevin Bacon, held her close on the Red Carpet.

Joss Stone

Joss Stone looked like a flower child to whom she was paying tribute on Sunday night.

The stones around Stone's neck were some of the most rugged elegant of the night. Joss' dress was a long beige slinky gown with colorful floral appliques that looked most appropriate on a beautiful teenager like herself.

Janis Joplin would have been proud.

Even more than the gown she wore down the "Red Carpet," the dress Joss wore for her Joplin performance was stunning.

Last week, Stone won two Brit 25 awards.

Newcomer soul singer, Joss Stone was nominated for Best New Artist of the year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her song "You Had Me" and Mind, Body & Soul as Best Pop Vocal Album.

While she did not win a Grammy for that which she was nominated, she likely won a whole lot of fans during her Janis Joplin tribute with Melissa Etheridge.

Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone

b>Melissa Etheridge wore a dark brown velvet jacket with purple trim.

On The "Red Carpet," Etheridge said:

I feel like the real music is coming back. And I like it.

I like real singers, real writing, real music; I like that.

When asked what makes a song a great song, Etheridge responded, "When it has truth in it, and it comes from your soul."

Sheryl Crow wore a Roberto Cavalli canary yellow halter gown with gold trim that was cut-out around the tummy. She looked tan and happy. She also looked like she had been working out with her boyfriend, Lance Armstrong. With abs like those, Sheryl could wear anything "live strong yellow" and be a hit.

Sheryl Crow

When asked with whom she would like to collaborate on a future album, Alicia Keys was suggested by Star Reynolds. Crow said she was honored that Star would say Alicia.

Sheryl said, "I'm glad you said that because I think she is the hope of music write now."

Ashanti

Ashanti was wearing Gucci from head-to-toe with space in between. Oooh la la.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys, who was nominated for Song of The Year, Album of The Year and Best R&B Album, wore a beautiful white and gold gown that looked like it was designed by a Greek designer.

Upon receiving the Grammy for Best R&B Album of the year, Alicia credited the people on her production team, her management, Clive Davis, fellow musicians, "all radio and retail, Elroy WGCI (who was first to play my record)," God, everyone who loves music and all the fans who care.

"You are the reason I am here," Keys said.

I've said it once before, but everyone should have this album in their collection.

Beyonce

Beyonce also had the Grecian-look going, only her gown was black with gold and silver accents. Beyonce described her low-cut Roberto Cavali dress as "sexy and simple."

Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz, who was at the Grammys to present, wore a light colored Chloe suit and black Fedora felt hat. Hats off to you, Penelope!

Cruz said:

I feel I can dance in this outfit and I am going to. I saw the rehearsal yesterday, and it is very hard not to dance with all the talent in the room.

The audience was drawn into an onstage Jennifer Lopez Marc Anthony bedroom to hear them sing the Spanish duet, Escapemonos.

Jennifer Lopez

Before the live telecast, Anthony was awarded a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album of the Year. His album: Amar Sin Mentiras.

Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony

Perhaps her gown at this year's Grammys was not as steamy as the famous green "barely there" Versace gown she wore to the 2000 Grammys, but she and husband tried to bring the heat into their boudoir performance.

Last Friday, during New York's Fashion Week, Lopez introduced her new fashion collection. Did we see a taste of it on stage?

Christina Milian

Christina Milian wins our vote for "best dressed, most rugged elegant" at the Grammys.

She looked stunning in a white sparkly Versace halter gown with simple Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

For as beautiful as she looked, Milian said, "I feel like I'm wearing broken glass glued onto my body." Perhaps the ruggedness of her jewels will be offset next year with pure shimmering slinky elegance around her waist and jewels only around her neck.

As far as "best dressed" musicians go, our #1 vote goes to four-time 2005 Grammy award-winner, Alicia Keys with the attire Joss Stone wore on stage as a close second, barefeet, and all. (Perhaps Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon needs to call the barefoot beauty - for at least her future walks down the "Red Carpet.")

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "ooh la la" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King

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