Fashion is always the real star at the Oscars ceremony and this year, while trends did vary, thankfully there were the usual hits and misses, writes PHYL CLARKE
THE 2011 red carpet threw up a mixed bag of styles – good to know that even with the best that money can buy, some still get it spectacularly wrong and we can smugly enjoy the results.
RED ALERT
A "look at me" shade such as red must deliver the wow factor, but it turned out to be the least successful colour of the night – apart from JENNIFER LAWRENCEwhose blonde mane and scarlet slip by Ralph Lauren equalled fashion gold. On others, the shade resulted in a series of dated and old-fashioned gowns.
Witness JENNIFER HUDSON(superbly svelte, but who among us could take their eyes off her décolletage, which looked as if she'd packed a couple of pancakes in case she got peckish during the ceremony), SANDRA BULLOCK(yawn) and poor ANNE HATHAWAYwho let the occasion completely overwhelm her and was buried under a stiff and structured red dress and overly heavy make up.
FOUR OF THE BEST
CATE BLANCHETTrarely puts a fashion foot wrong – here she pulls off the seemingly impossible combination of a military gown in soft lavender silk chiffon. The structured armour-style shoulder and breast cut-out gives way to a floaty pleated skirt. The appliquéd beads with yellow highlights finish off the standout dress of the night. Divine
GWYNETH PALTROWshows how to do modern glamour with this metallic sheath dress by Calvin Klein. Wisely letting the fabric do the talking without fussing it up with unnecessary detail, Gwyneths gym-toned body and "curtain of silk" hair are all the accessories she needs.
MILA KUNISworked two trends in this lavender lovely by Ellie Saab. The sheer diagonal lacy panels give it a lingerie feel, in keeping with her sex siren image in Black Swan.
MICHELLE WILLIAMSrevives Chanels disastrous red carpet showing last year with this elegant beaded gown, topped off by that wonderful hairstyle. Proof that you dont need hair extensions or flesh on show to look sexy.
ALSO RAN
Chiffon featured strongly with Marchesa scoring highly with two nude-coloured beaded gowns (reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe in Some like it Hot) worn by HAILEE STEINFELDand Halle Berry.
Jewellery is always a big part of the night and while diamonds are always on show, statement earrings in bright shades gave a modern twist to some classic gowns. Annette Benning and Reese Witherspoon both chose emerald green.
Another fashion runner-up was AMY ADAMSin a royal sequined sheath by LWren Scott, but marks were deducted for the unnecessary neckpiece
FOUR OF THE WORST
MELISSA LEOlooks like she raided the art supply shop for "something different" and boy did she get it. How did she stand in front of the mirror and not see a giant doily looking back? The effect is compounded by the gold foil underneath, and the upstanding collar. Elvis lives.
NICOLE KIDMAN's origami project turned out so well she decided to wear it – pity she ran out of time to do her hair and ended up with this last-minute GHD fringe. Starship Trooper, oh sorry, Dior Haute Couture
Dear HELENA BONHAM CARTER– gothic role playing in a costume straight out of one of partner Tim Burton's movies: corset, velvet, lace, cut-outs and fan all in funereal black. Shes just short of a broomstick to complete the look.
SCARLETT JOHANSSONthought dressing as a lacy grape would be flattering, but this design left her with an X-shaped pattern on her chest which should have set the alarm bells ringing.
