Dayanara Diaz on Orange Is the New Black has long been one of my favorite characters on the show—I even dressed up as her for Halloween last year. When the goddess, aka Dascha Polanco, came by the office to chat about season 3 (and model in the fashion closet), her warm, friendly personality only made me relate to her on and off-screen persona even more.
"It's interesting to see how something so negative as being incarcerated has opened up this dialogue and attracted people all over the world. People are able to relate regardless of the language and settings," she told us. "The storylines make you question—would I do that? Would I be provoked to that extent? There's a level of understanding as to why a crime, from a woman's perspective, is committed. There's many things a woman goes through and we're so complex, there are a lot of layers and a lot of reaching deep to psychologically understand everything going on."
How (awesomely) crazy are these? InStyle Fashion Assistant EJ Briones was spotted at the office in a pair of too-cool two-toned Thom Browne pants with a subtle fringed trim. It's classic menswear tailoring with a charming twist. We love!
What We Wore (Governors Ball Edition): Claire Stern and Jennifer Davis
For our collective fifth time at Governors Ball, we decided to forgo the stereotypical festival uniform of flower crowns, crop tops, and flash tats in favor of pure, unadulterated comfort. (On Day 1, we also had the additional challenge of embarking on our pilgrimage to Randall's Island straight from the office, so we had to opt for outfits that would transition appropriately.) Jennifer chose her no-fail Madewell dress that essentially works for just about any occasion, and Claire opted for outrageous paisley flares out of solidarity to Florence Welch. Two days later, we returned dressed even comfier: Jennifer in an airy romper and sandals, and Claire in red jorts, a muscle T, and Supergas, to fully embrace the muddy grounds.
– Claire Stern, InStyle Assistant Editor, and Jennifer Davis, InStyle.com Associate Editor
For my second trip to the Côte d'Azur to hit the Cannes Film Festival, I decided to channel more Hollywood-sur-mer and less reporter-with-sensible-shoes. Parisian chic meets nautical street is relatively straightforward: Throw slightly undone hair into a silk scarf, add luxe shades, match both to a flowy sundress, et voilà! Classic French Riviera style. But with a calendar full of late-night festivities, I wondered, Is it really possible to go from beach to cocktails with just a minor wardrobe tweak?
These gray-and-yellow kicks, intended as a glib response to #shoegate, 4½-inch heels and all, never truly had their moment on the red carpet. And I wasn't daring enough either, to have them make their début at amfAR's 22nd annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala, not even for the marine-themed after-party presented by Moncler at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. (Though one intrepid partygoer—my hero!—wore Converse with her short beaded dress, see slideshow).
Such high-stakes glam is not your run-of-the-mill "cocktail party." So just maybe I did change my shoes and add a bit of diamanté. But the maritime effect of Eden-Roc's terrace gave me pause. Are casual or even yacht shoes the most appropriate footwear for these events? In heels you could slip on the residue covering the floor from the popping corks of all that champagne. Not to mention the danger of high-stepping in stilettos to keep up with John C. Reilly's dancing like crazy or the close call in which someone-who-shall-remain-nameless's pointy-toe shoe almost pinned a chiffon feather dangling from Paris Hilton's dress to the floor. Grippy Top-Siders could surely navigate those choppy waters.
Safety first! That's our party motto. (Or, Three sheets to the wind.)
– Stephanie Rushia, InStyle Deputy Copy Chief
Top and dress: BCBG Max Azria Sunglasses: Dior Scarf: Vintage Dior Heels: BCBG
