On one spectrum of the globe, fashion juggernauts and industry darlings alike pound the pavements by the Italian palazzos in their red-soled Louboutins – speculating what the next fashion maison might send storming down the runway. From Missoni’s signature tweeds dyed in a magpie mix of popsicle hues, to Cavalli’s armour-like bodices; fashion week’s Autumn-Winter offerings were the only talk of Milano town. Au contraire, on the sunnier side of downtown LA, lays a sartorial spectacle of its own. It was once again the time of the year for Hollywood Boulevard to dazzle under the spotlight (and sometimes, unforgiving scrutiny) cast by fashion pundits, as the 83rd Annual Academy Awards rolled round.
Though some may beg to differ, the defining Oscars moment is when a celebrity saunters down the iconic crimson runway in her sartorial best. Why else would millions so willingly subscribe to the pre-show dress coverage? Surely that lies with the guilty pleasure of marvelling at the fashion triumphs and mishaps of Hollywood’s finest. Esteemed to be ‘The Holy Grail’ of all red carpets, Tinseltown’s A-listers know full-well that scoring praise for their red carpet ensemble is almost as elusive, if not more so, than clinching one of the coveted golden statuettes. Consequences are dire – you’re either elevated to fashion icon status or immediately typecast as a passé. Here you’ll find seasoned red carpet guests pulling out all the stops - glitz and glam amped up to the ninth degree.
It seems that most got the memo dictating sensual siren reds to be the look du jour of this year’s Academy Awards. Vivacious rogue colours ranging from high-wattage tomato hues to tangerine brights studded the red carpet. Jennifer Lawrence in particular ravished as the seductive femme fatale (Jessica Rabbit anyone?) in a basic figure-hugging, bright red Calvin Klein dress. Some opted for the embellished route with trains and frills as Sandra Bullock – a classic purist – donned a strapless red Vera Wang while Anne Hathaway oozed old school Hollywood charm in a vintage red taffeta gown by Valentino Haute Couture. Jennifer Hudson showed off her new-found svelte figure in a vibrant tangerine piece by Versace alongside Penelope Cruz who flaunted her amazing post-baby figure in a bold L’Wren Scott sequinned gown.
Jennifer Lawrence in figure-hugging, bright red Calvin Klein dress
Fiery reds aside, others explored calmer waters with gowns in metallic and neutral palates. Gwyneth Paltrow – the queen of subtle elegance - shone in a liquid Calvin Klein molten gunmetal gown proving yet again that clean aesthetics were her forte while ‘Blue Valentine’ star Michelle Williams played up her gamine appeal in a pearly white Chanel gown that was devoid of any frippery. Hilary Swank was yet another red carpet stunner who capitalized on understated evening glam with her silver Gucci feathered gown.
Cate Blanchett in a lavender-hued, avant-garde Givenchy
While others played safe, Cate Blanchett delighted in a lavender-hued, avant-garde Givenchy crafted couture piece which garnered surprisingly mixed reviews. They say that only the bravest few dare to stray, but whether you’re making a statement in a provocative Galliano gown crafted for the fashion daredevil, or wowing in an Elie Saab sequinned sizzler fit for the vixenish starlet, remember, there’s nothing duller and more forgettable than being formulaically safe. No one remembers a mediocre dress, but a statement dress? Now that will burn a lasting impression into people’s minds for years to come. Case in point? Bjork’s notorious Marjan Pejoski swan dress – complete with giant egg no less – back in 2001’s Academy Awards. Mentioned to death? Perhaps. Forgotten? Never.
(By Florence Song)
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