The big finale of award show season is that glittering Hollywood glamour in the form of the Oscars. This year’s Academy Awards have been hailed as one of the best for film but it was also one of the best for the red carpet too! Here’s some of the high(and low) lights.
For the first time ever I have a trio of joint best dressed from the red carpet. First up the ever gorgeous and elegant, Jennifer Lawrence in a stunning Dior gown. I feel like the past few events have been leading up to her big Oscar moment and she definitely didn’t let me down here. With the simplest of styling, subtle jewels and simply letting the dress do the talking. Jen has for sure been the Belle of the awards season once again this year! Kristin Chenoweth was giving host Seth McFarlane a hand during the ceremony. She look equally as beautiful on the red carpet in a tulle and bejewelled Tony Ward gown. Like Jennifer, Kristin let the gown do the talking, with a top-knot up do and smokey make up to accompany the look. And finally the last of the three was Zoe Saldana in something a little different. Her Alexis Mabille Couture fishtail gown really captured my attention. It’s fashion forward yet not too OTT, not to mention all lovely little details all over the gown from the applique flowers to the grey tones peeking out of the tail. I tip my hat to all three ladies!
The paler shades were a popular trend on the night. Charlize Theron debuted her new cropped hairdo in a Dior gown. It’s a very minimalistic look and she does look amazing here, I’m also betting she’s been taking hair styling tips from a Ms Hathaway. Jessica Chastain stuck to her guns, but when she looks this good how can complain? Jessica went for a glittering pale gold Giorgio Armani gown with retro waves and bright red lips. Can’t go wrong with a classic Hollywood look. Anne Hathaway picked up her Best Actress Oscar in a simple Prada gown. Like Charlize, Anne went for a minimalist look with very pretty pink styling. It’s another beautiful look but I’ve seen Anne in similar stuff before. I like it better when she goes all out, especially when it’s at something as big as the Oscars.
Anne wasn’t the only Les Mis star to shine for me. Small town girl Samantha Barks rocked up at her first Oscars looking striking in a simplistic Valentino gown. The plunge neckline can go either way but Sam manages to pull it off with class and elegance. I love her slightly edgy look and very much look forward to seeing more of her on the red carpets this year! You can’t go wrong in Alexander McQueen and Amanda Seyfried certainly didn’t. The gown itself is intricately embroidered with a little keyhole detail and high neckline, which looks great on Amanda.
On to the dark side for this next set of actresses. Salma Hayek went for a very regal, high necked Alexander McQueen, I love the gown but Salma looks a bit stiff wearing it? After her foray into colour Adele went back to black in a Jenny Packham dress. I really hope this retreat into her comfort zone wasn’t the consequence of the backlash against her BRIT Award dress? Come back to the lighter side Adele! Halle Berry made somewhat of an improved look in a futuristic Versace gown. This fits like a glove on her, but again. Hair Halle! I’m begging for a hairdo update stat!
Away from the pale hues and darker shades were ladies who dared to go for colour. The fashion forward Fan Bingbing captured my attention in a hot pink Marchesa gown. Some people may complain this was too theatrical but what the hey, it’s the Oscars! Jane Fonda still defying her age and proving you don’t have to be a 20 year old supermodel to look this good in Atelier Versace. Kerry Washington went for a pretty pink Miu Miu dress, with an embroidered empire line leading into an even pinker skirt. I’m on the fence for this one, I think it’s most likely a grow-er. On the arm of her man, Mrs Affleck a.k.a Jennifer Garner wore a pretty purple Gucci gown, with tulle details along the back of the skirt. For her role as supportive wife this was good enough, but I’m expecting more if she comes back into the spotlight soon.
Red hot looks from the red carpet came from Sally Field and Olivia Munn. Nominee Sally wore a long sleeved Valentino and I adore the long train here. Olivia wore one of my favourites from Marchesa‘s collection, the draping and embroidering are just so decadent. Though I am left wishing it was Frieda Pinto wearing it instead.
Two blue hues from Jennifer Hudson and Reese Witherspoon. Jennifer went for a diva-ish look in a sparkling Roberto Cavalli gown. It’s figure hugging, it’s eye-catching and Jennifer works the gown with A-List attitude. Reese Witherspoon went for an electric blue strapless dress by Louis Vuitton. On the surface it’s a classic look, but the cut and details on the gown bring in back into 2013.
Not everyone was on top form on the night. Oh Kristen, you were doing so well on the Twi-sh*te/Snow White promo tours. Kristen Stewart went for a simple Reem Acra gown with neutral make up. The gown just looks ill-fitted her and gah…HAIR. It’s the Oscar’s young lady, brush it! I will give her a little respite as I know she was in crutches for the whole night but still! Jennifer Aniston went for a red Valentino gown on the red carpet, which sounds good on paper but the dress literally fell flat and so did her hair. Compared to a lot of looks on the night she blended into the background (despite the colour of her dress). After her appearance at Grammy’s Kelly Rowland continues to puzzle me with her red carpet choices. I’m completely on the fence here about her Donna Karan gown. Too much of a mismatch of styling? Too much leg? I don’t know but it didn’t set my world on fire.
It wouldn’t be the Oscars without some glittering gowns. Nicole Kidman continues to surprise me at this year’s awards season in her favourite designer L’Wren Scott. Her hair’s a little lack-luster, but the gown certainly isn’t and Nicole just shimmers as she glided alongside her husband. Catherine Zeta Jones gave the audience musical treat singing ‘All That Jazz’ during the ceremony, but also wore a glittering Zuhair Murad dress. It’s OTT glamour that Catherine, thankfully, manages to pull off with ease.
The Oscar are a chance for every actress of every age to have their princess moment and all three of these actresses got their moment to shine. Octavia Spencer went to her go-to designer Tadashi Shoji off the shoulder gown. This is a very feminine look for Octavia, who normally goes from richer shades and minimalist fabrics, but I really like seeing to more delicate side of her. Leave it to Amy Adams to turn up the ceremony looking like a Disney princess. And what designer is the epitome of pretty princess style? Oscar De La Renta of course. Fairytale joke aside, Amy does look beautiful here. The youngest attendee came in the miniature form of Quyenzhane Wallis. The Best Actress nominee (still wtf-ing about that, she’s like 5!) looked pretty adorable in a blue gown, with the coolest accessory of the night…a dog handbag.
Who were your favourites of the night? A great finale to the awards season?
*all images via Zimbio
Keep on wishing…
R.xoxo