Oscar’s night of glitz and glamour
February 25th, 2008The superbowl of the entertainment industry was full of strapless and asymmetrical frocks, metallic accessories and old-Hollywood styled hair. I expected silver and gold dresses to shine through, but to my surprise tomato red, black and ink blue were the colours of the night.
My favourite dresses:
- Marion Cotillard was magnificent in an eccentric mermaid creation by Jean Paul Gaultier. It was a bold red carpet risk and it worked beautifully. Her eclectic long necklaces complemented her dress and her asymmetrical hairstyle was pure perfection. An ideal mixture of modern and retro Hollywood glamour and I loved it.
- Katherine Heigl was gorgeous in a fiery red, single-shoulder strapped dress. Her short curly hairdo was refreshing among the multitudes of cascading locks.
Other great looks:
- Amy Adams was pretty in a classic and safe strapless deep green gown. Her red ringlets and gold accessories made the outfit and I loved the contrast that was created against her dark green dress.
- Nicole Kidman was flawless at five months pregnant. She gets my vote for best necklace of the night.
- Cate Blanchett is usually my red carpet favourite, but I can’t say that this year’s Oscar dress was her best. That said, she did look radiant and ultra stylish at 7 months pregnant in a deep purple, bejeweled, halter-neck gown.
- Miley Cyrus represented young Hollywood in the best way. Her look was classy and age appropriate. Her earrings were fabulous and the bow at the back of her dress was suitably playful.
- Jennifer Garner, Penelope Cruz and Hillary Swank looked lovely in their strapless and off-the-shoulder black frocks. Nothing too exciting, but Oscar worthy all the same.
George Clooney wore his tux best and gets my vote for best hair of the night.
What were your favourite frocks?
Follow these thumbnails to see some of my favourites at InStyle and E! Online.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I’m curious why the mermaid creation is a bold red carpet move. What makes it bold–the color? the style? How does it differ from traditional “safe” red carpet gowns?
February 25th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I loved Katherine Heigl as well. She looked great.
Amy Adams picked the perfect color gown to wear in my opinion.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:52 am
A printed fish scale inspired dress for the Oscars is daring because it’s unusual and unique. It’s probably easier to understand if you saw this dress up close. Safer red carpet options are what celebs like Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner wore - sort of flop proof but nothing widely original. Hope that makes sense.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:25 am
my very favorite dress, necklace and woman was Nicole Kidman. She is So beautiful and looks so amazing. She just is fabulous. Jennifer Garner was my 2nd favorite and looked so beautiful - the whole thing was amazing.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:46 am
It was hard for me not to put Nicole Kidman right at the top of my list. I thought long and hard about it. She was top of list last year, and almost every year. She was flawlessly perfect in every way last night, and yet we only got a glimpse of her.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I love the Oscars and Oscars fashion! Katherine Heigl also made my best dressed list, and I loved the many red dresses last night. You didn’t mention Heidi Klum; I thought she looked stunning - very dramatic, very red, and she can pull it off.
In general, I agree with you, Angie, that there were a lot of pretty dresses/looks (including Jennifer Garner and Penelope Cruz), but not too many striking and original ones.
In terms of worst dress, Sarah Larson is high on my list. She looked washed out, boring, absolutely un-sexy, and I just didn’t get it. Wouldn’t you try a little harder when you have George Clooney on your arm??
And one other peeve: What was up with those sloppy pony tails as seen on Cameron Diaz and Ellen Page? I like a little more glamor and style for the occasion.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I also loved Marion Cotillard’s dress. She is a knock out!
February 25th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Forgot one: Helen Mirren looked gorgeous!
February 25th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Heidi didn’t make my list because I was a bit put off by her jewelry and winged shawl. I liked it the first second I saw it and then I ended up not liking it anymore. Something just wasn’t right. Perfect for the catwalk though. Also liked the man on her arm too! He always looks fab.
The only person who got away with her pony tail was Miley Cyrus. It was low and sophisticated, yet completely whimsical and structured. I totally agree that the rest of the pony tails were awful.
I’m sure that George Cloony’s date had a lot to live up to and she did looked washed out. But I don’t think that anyone on George’s arm could shine quite as brightly as the Cloonster himself!
February 25th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I loved Heidi Klum’s dress, too. I don’t get Helen Mirren. She always seems to be 90% of the way to a great dress and then there’s some detail that ruins it; last night it was those tacked on, incompatible sleeves. Angie, way to go for finding a pretext to post a photo of George Clooney. Please try to do that at least once a week!
February 25th, 2008 at 10:23 am
http://www.courant.com/enterta.....9086.story
Marion’s dress up close. A true work of art.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Interesting perspective on Helen Mirren, Mary. I personally really liked the sleeves, I thought they added interesting contrast to the red. I just kept staring at her thinking how can I look like that in my 60s…
February 25th, 2008 at 10:36 am
You have nothing to worry about Antje! Helen Mirren is a truly stylish women. She has a very interesting look and it’s fab. Her dress last night was not my favourite, but her hair and face made up for it. Ruby Dee all glammed up at 83 stole my heart. I hope to look half as stylish as her at that age.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I thought Helen Mirren’s dress was so beautiful on her.
Marion Cottilard was perfection, in my eyes.
I don’t get the beach hair that Cameron Diaz has every where she goes. It was especially tacky on the red carpet. She is really beautiful and it would be refreshing to see her with a polished look.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Something about the prevailing mermaid dress shape puts me off. I really dislike the tightness around the hips and the flare at the bottom. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t particularly care for glitzy over-the-top red carpet style, soI may not be the best judge. I also wasn’t into the feathery theme that came up every once in a whiile.
But I think Katherine Heigl looked really gorgeous. Only Scarlett Johansson reminds me more of Marilyn Monroe than Katherine did last night.
My favorite for the night, however, was Jon Stewart, even if he wasn’t the most snappy looking guy around
February 25th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I am surprised you have not mentioned Laura Linney’s dress. It was perfectly suited to her body shape and I loved the juxtaposition of her modern cuff with traditional necklace. I have mixed feelings about Marion Cottilard’s dress, great daring choice, but flat in photos. As for the rest of the fashion, it was very disappointing and almost boring. Katherine Heigl was definitely a fashion do, but this is a generic look for her now and I would like to see her in something more edgy.
Love your blog by the way.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Fashion Police last night was very interesting. There were SO many opposing views about what celebs wore on the red carpet Oscar night that it became quite comical. The only unanimous decisions for the entire hour were that George Clooney and Ruby Dee looked fabulous. Nicole Kidman and Marian Cotillard made the worst and best dressed lists at some point and no one said anything about Javier Bardem’s unkempt and unshaved look (but I loved his suit). Horses for courses!
February 27th, 2008 at 1:28 am
I love Katherine Heigl (or as I like to call her, Charlize Theron Mk II), but her face and her arms don’t match - she looks like she’s been attacked by a giant bronzing puff. It’s a great dress for her lovely curves, but Anne Hathaway was my pick of the ladies in red. Nicole Kidman should get pregnant more often - I always love her dresses but think she looks a little insipid, but she looked radiant and I WANT THAT NECKLACE!
February 27th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Hey Angie - agree with all your initial picks. I didn’t like either Heidi Klum (dreadful fake tan) or Anne Hathaway in their red numbers. Keri Russell and Hilary Swank looked great. Penelope Cruz was the standout winner in the sea of black gowns - she looked almost ethereal. Marion C is stunning inside and out - her acceptance speech was so endearing. Not that I missed her that much but where was Keira Knightley? She should’ve worn her green Atonement dress again.
Keep up the great work!