Red carpet sparkles with variety
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The Academy Awards' red carpet took twists and turns where couture had gone before but hasn't gone for a while. No, Lady Gaga wasn't there, and Bjork's swan remained in hiding. But the women took chances, and as the fashion police and watercooler crowds gather for Oscar chats, we all say, amen to that.
Two of the first ladies on the red carpet were best supporting actress nominees Anna Kendrick, in an Elie Saab romantic, rosy gown with a wispy up-'do, and Mo'Nique, in electric blue, with all-over ruching, an asymmetrical neck and a touch of glitter at the shoulder. Mo'Nique, the mortal lock in that category, had a severe bun decorated with white flowers.
It's fair to say the rest of the night went very much that way -- no two gowns in a row were alike. In fact, it was hard to find a trend that stood out in the red-carpet glam parade.
Golden girl Sandra Bullock wore a fabulous vintage-fabric gown that beamed as wide as her smile; the appliqued bodice was reminiscent of Halle Berry's Elie Saab gown in her Oscar-winning year.
Ms. Bullock, with presenters Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, bucked the trend of hair pulled up or back into loose or structured buns and instead went with Veronica Lake-era hairstyles that poured over one shoulder.
If you were looking for a trend, shades of striking red were seen on Vera Farmiga, Penelope Cruz and Sigourney Weaver. Ms. Farmiga's dramatic Marchesa gown had a "Project Runway" look to it -- the episode when contestants used coffee filters as accents.
Meryl Streep's gown did have a "Project Runway" pedigree; it was designed by contestant Chris March.
There was a definite lack of black, thank goodness.
Singer Faith Hill and young Carey Mulligan of "An Education" were among the few in all-over black.
Ms. Mulligan's blond hair is ultra short these days, and it was off-set by long, dangling earrings, one of the main jewelry trends of the night. Diamond earrings of a certain size -- large -- and glittery cuffs were by far the favored accessories.
First Published March 8, 2010 1:20 am
