Style in New York - Part I

Sandra Bullock in a dress designed by
costume designer Gary Jones at a Charity Ball
on her boss's - Hugh Grant's - yacht

I've watched Sandra Bullock's Two Weeks Notice a few times, mostly because I like her, and I think she's a good actress (although contemporary actresses basically play variations of themselves, and do not venture into real role playing), and also for the scenes of New York City. Hugh Grant, is the upper-class Englishman in a high profile job (a law firm head) in NYC - a role which actually fits him better than it sounds.

First Sandra Bullock:

Here's a lovely dress that she wore to a charity ball on Grant's yacht (yes, poor children are better remembered while wining and dining in expensive and beautiful surroundings).

Jones's sketch of Sandra Bullock's gown

According to this website, here's Jones's creative process for this dress:

In creating Lucy’s wardrobe for the gala sequence, costume designer Gary Jones designed a striking black and white gown inspired by vintage Yves St. Laurent and Valentino. "We wanted a classic look that meshed with Lucy’s professional style: feminine but fitted," says Jones, who took further inspiration from films of the 1930s and 40s, as well as the cinematic style of Audrey Hepburn and Katherine Hepburn.

This blogger claims that another inspiration was Grace Kelly's dress in Rear Window:


And the dress does live up to its mentors: Audrey Hepburn, Valentino, Grace Kelly. As does Sandra Bullock.