Best Dressed at the Oscars

So Oscars 2015 has been and gone. Sadface.

And whilst the very male and very pale voting panel renders the awards themselves increasingly irrelevant - yes, I am still angry on behalf of The Lego Movie - the red carpet is still where it's at when it comes to event dressing.

In a rather low key award season fashion-wise, the Oscars red carpet at last provided something for everyone to get excited about. Monochrome had its moment, neutrals were everywhere if you like that sort of thing and every colour from chartreuse to regal navy blue was on show, even on some of the boys. My one complaint? No major missteps, save perhaps for Lady Gaga's hideous gloves. Where's the fun in that?

Anyway, my top ten (plus bonus man)...

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy Couture

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Finally! After the least impressive awards season from any actress ever, the beautiful Rosamund hit a home run. And it was a huge one. This stunning embellished number is by far my favourite of the night. The vibrant colour is gorgeous - and perfect for her skin tone - the petal-like detailing is exquisite and the fit, with its exposed corsetry and thigh slit, is exactly the right amount of sexy. Minimal styling and a natural beauty look round out one of my favourite looks of the entire awards season.

Jessica Chastain in Givenchy Couture

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My clear second favourite of the night and another triumph for Ricardo Tisci. Navy blue on a redhead is always a winner for me, as is sophisticated sparkle, so this beautiful gown was always going to catch my eye. The draping on the bodice is simple yet devastatingly effective and I love how it accentuates her waist. A gorgeous smoky eye and single strand of diamonds provide sophisticated finishing touches.

Anna Kendrick in Thakoon

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I love this colour so much and against Anna's flawless skin it's just divine. The look is light and airy, fun but sophisticated and she is working it. The detail on the neckline is just the right amount of bling and the cut out is sexy but not try hard. Top marks for someone whose red carpet looks I often find hard to love.

Jennifer Hudson in Romona Keveza

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I loved Jennifer's simple, sexy Grammys look and this one, playing by the same rulebook, is even better. There's something so fresh about this gorgeous spring colour teamed with the simple cut of the gown, which once again is perfect for her stunning figure. I love the styling too with emerald accented jewellery offsetting the colour of the dress beautifully.

Meryl Streep in Lanvin

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Meryl + Lanvin = perfection, every time. Never afraid to do something different on the red carpet, I love this simple but striking skirt, blouse and tuxedo combination all pulled together with art deco accessories and jewellery. Age appropriate, sophisticated, sexy. Long live Queen Meryl.

Keira Knightley in Valentino Couture

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Just dreamy. I haven't been on board with all of Keira's awards season looks but this one I completely love. There's not a lot to say about this other than that it's a stunning gown which fits her boho-luxe style 100%. I only wish she'd pulled the beautiful headband she's wearing a bit further forward so it was easier to appreciate.

Emma Stone in Elie Saab Couture

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It's not the Oscars without someone completely nailing an Elie Saab princessy confection and this year it was Emma. Although this isn't as daring as her other awards season looks, the colour is so unusual and works so unexpectedly well with her gorgeous red hair that it still makes a big impact. I am by no means a fan of chartreuse generally speaking, but this is a winner. Love the coral lips too.

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

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Simple, classic, perfect fit, expert styling, stunning. What more can you say? Reese has aced this awards season and this is a fitting send off. Love the earrings too.  

Zoe Saldana in Atelier Versace

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This is the body of someone who had twins a few months ago? Ok then. Seriously, the fit of this gown is everything. Fairly tame by Versace standards, it's the masterful draping around the waist that makes it and shows off Zoe's stunning new mum curves to killer effect. I love her sweet, tousled up do and simple, smoky makeup too.

Patricia Arquette in Rosetta Getty

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I have a thing for simple, striking monochrome at the moment, can you tell? This is such a good look for Patricia, who's been on fantastic form all season. She looks beautiful, effortless and regal with the one shoulder cape setting this look off to a T. Gorgeous.

Bonus best dressed man: David Oyelowo in Dolce and Gabbana

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Sweet Jesus I love this tux. I think this is my favourite red carpet look from a man ever, it's certainly in the top five. The contrasting burgundies of the suit and the waistcoat/bow-tie are stunning and I love his man brooch (I hope this becomes a thing). More of this please, menfolk.

Oscars: Best Dressed

I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit disappointed with the Oscars red carpet fashion. I mean it wasn't a car crash like the Grammys or the Brits, but it was all just a bit safe.

Don't get me wrong, basically everyone looked really pretty. There wasn't anyone who got it really wrong, but there weren't many people who got it breathtakingly right either. Even Lupita Nyong'o wasn't doing it for me - her ice blue Prada gown was lovely and she looked beautiful, but it wasn't an 'ohmigod wow' moment for me like her other awards season gowns were. (I was super chuffed to see her walk away with her Oscar though, so deserved.)

Anyway, my favourites...

Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace

This was the one serious wow moment for me. I love the cape detail and the shoulder pads - it's 80s but good 80s. The perfect plunge neck, lovely draping around the waist and impeccable styling lift this look above everyone else.

Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen

I think I've mentioned my love of navy blue before on this blog and this look is a great example of why I love it. This is old Hollywood glamour at it's very best. A relatively simple but luxe gown, perfectly cut and expertly styled. Lovely stuff.

 

Amy Adams in Gucci Première

Another fantastic navy look. I love the simplicity here - no fuss, just a perfectly cut gown on a beautiful woman. The minimal detailing on the bust proves that less is very often more when it comes to draping too.

 

Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé

Blanchett and Armani Privé is the sort of celeb-designer red carpet pairing that makes J-Law and Dior Couture even more depressing (though I thought last night's offering was one of the more successful examples of that relationship). I love the delicate embellishment and the just-the-right-amount sheerness of this gown. Stunning jewels too.

 

Naomi Watts in Calvin Klein Collection

A masterclass in subtle embellishment. A beautiful, elegant gown expertly styled. I adore the clutch too.

 

All images here.

 

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Oscars: Best Dressed

So this is it. The big one. The climax of awards season. The Oscars.

First of all, HOORAY for Jean Dujardin, Meryl Streep and The Artist, the big winners of the night and deservedly so. I never did get around to writing the blog explaining why The Artist is my favourite film ever, but it is and I'm super chuffed to see it capping off a fantastic awards season with the Best Picture Oscar. Jean Dujardin's performance in it is just astonishing - regardless of the fact he only has one line in the whole film, acting isn't only about speaking - as is Meryl Streep's in The Iron Lady.

Fashion-wise the Oscars did not disappoint. So much so that I gave up trying to whittle down my favourite looks to my usual top 5. Instead, here are my top 10 looks (and also a small dog):

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

It doesn't get more exclusive than Tom Ford when it comes to red carpet wear and this white number, complete with cape is a doozy. I love the simple, clean lines and figure hugging cut.

Natalie Portman in Vintage Christian Dior

This fabulously cute polka dot number is from 1954, proving that a beautiful dress never goes out of style. Love the colour, love the figure flattering cut, love the statement bling.

Milla Jojovich in Elie Saab

Elie Saab is pretty much the king of glitzy, feminine dresses and this one shouldered white number is stunning. The 50s waves and red lip give this look a real Old Hollywood vibe. Super glamorous.

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

Wowza. Flesh flashing it may be, but this gown is just to die for. A perfect union between J Lo's personal style and art deco, twenties styling. Making a trend your own is what style is supposed to be (in my book anyway) so for me this is definitely one of the looks of the night.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

A red head wearing red is always a bit of a risk, but this just works. The runaway favourite on the unscientific poll on my Pinterest board and it's not hard to see why. Love the chunky silver accessories too.

Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Apparently she chose this dress the morning of the ceremony. Seriously. Beautiful stuff and, for once, not black! Excellent, and fast, work Ms Mara!

Meryl Streep in Lanvin

Custom made and eco-friendly, this dress wins all the awards for age appropriate glamour. I love the detailing at the waist and the gold accessories, something not everyone could get away with.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

Just a stunning dress. The detailing is mind blowing. Minimal accessories and natural hair and make up set it off to perfection too.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

A definite contender for most flattering gown of the night. The way the beading draws attention to her trim waist is genius and plays up her gorgeous curves perfectly. Love the sleeves too.

Glenn Close in Zac Posen

Amazing colour, amazing fit, amazing detailing on the bodice and around the waist. The matching tux jacket is fabulous. I want it. Like, badly.


And finally, the true break out star of awards season 2012 shows other up and coming starlets how to rock the bling...

Uggie in Chopard

You read that correctly. Jeweller to the stars Chopard designed a custom collar for The Artist's canine star. Vogue has the story:

"Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of Chopard, designed an 18-carat yellow gold and satin collar for Uggie's Oscars appearance, bearing the now-famous dog's name on a bone-shaped charm.

Following its red carpet appearance last night, the collar will now be auctioned off and all proceeds will be donated to The Amanda Foundation - a charity dedicated to rescuing cats and dogs from death row in the pounds of Los Angeles."

A fab fashion win and a fab cause too.

And the perfect way to end award's season 2012. Hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.

Awesome thing of the day: Jean Dujardin & George Clooney bromance (AKA the Oscar nominees luncheon)

I love Jean Dujardin.

Like, obsessively.

Since seeing The Artist (genuinely the best film I've ever seen) he's joined the elite list of men over whom I obsess like a fifteen year older. George Clooney is also pretty easy on the eye. Or smoking hot, to be accurate. So the awesomeness of them getting all bromance-y at the Oscar nominees luncheon is colossal.

 

Bonus Brad Pitt FTW

And, from the same event, some added awesomeness: Kenneth Branagh meets Brad Pitt:

That's a whole lot of hotness, or at least a whole lot of men I fancy, in one place. I'm off for a cold shower.

Oscars 2011: best dressed

Is it just me, or was the actual awards bit of Oscars 2011 a bit of an anti-climax? Take nothing away from Colin Firth et al but I can't remember the last time the Oscars were just so predictable. Even I called all the major categories right and my powers of prediction are legendary for their shiteness! 

Thankfully my interest in the Oscars is very rarely to do with the awards and very much to do with the dresses. And this year was exceptionally good in that regard. There were no truly legendary Oscar dress disasters (think Bjork laying an egg) although quite what Marisa Tomei was thinking I'm not sure. Kudos to her for going vintage, though. I found it quite hard to get my favourite looks down to a top 10. But I have done, and here they are:

1. Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

I am actually in love with Mila Kunis after this awards season. She hasn't put a foot wrong, and last night was no exception. Her beautiful lilac Elie Saab (who, let's be honest, is pretty much the king of the red carpet) was perfect. The lace and the plunging neck line kept it young, whilst the draping and frill to the skirt upped the glamour. Pared down hair, make up and jewellery kept her from looking too try hard and kept the look from being fussy. She looks breathtaking. And I love her.

2. Halle Berry in Marchesa

Halle Berry's gorgeous, nude, strapless Marchesa had just the right amount of froth and bling to look special without looking showgirl. The shade looks amazing against her skin tone too. Again, hair, make up and jewellery were kept minimal to let the dress do the talking. Beautiful.

3. Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott

As previously noted, midnight blue is having a moment. Amy Adams was its main ambassador at the Oscars and she looked stunning. Her beautiful, sparkling L'Wren Scott looked incredible against her red hair and incredible Cartier jewellery. I love the cap sleeves too. 

4. Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana

This girl knows how to dress her figure. Her beautiful, plum lace D&G with a cut out back looked demure but not boring, classic but not ageing. Both purple and lace were trends at this year's ceremony so Scarlett yet again flexes her fashion savvy. I love her tousled bob too, and her statement cocktail ring is to die for. 

5. Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein Collection

The best of many gowns embracing the 'less is more' feel that's been big this season. The simple lines and lack of embellishment on this lush CK Collection showed off the brilliance of its cut. Pared with poker straight hair and Louis Vuitton jewellery, Gwyneth looked super cool. A triumph all the sweeter given some of the disasters she's had in past years...

6. Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa

The most age appropriate Oscars dress ever made for a young starlet, probably due in large part to the fact said young starlet had a hand in designing it. There was a definite ballerina feel to this pale pink, gently embellished Marchesa number which, largely thanks to Natalie Portman looking amazing in Black Swan, is very on trend. The skinny alice band and not-floor-sweeping hemline kept the look young. As it should be, given its wearer is 14. Wish I'd been that cool at 14!

7. Celine Dion in Armani Privee

Believe me, I'm as surprised as you are! But this simple, long sleeved, pale hued dress by red carpet specialists Armani Privee is just gorgeous. I have a serious fashion crush on dresses with sleeves and this one is executed perfectly. Also, Celine gave birth to twins four months ago. She's looking pretty damn good for it!

8. Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Rodarte famously were behind the costumes for Black Swan so it was only a matter of time before the film's (now) Oscar winning star turn wore one of their designs on the red carpet. The off the shoulder plum number she eventually went for was beautiful and worked on the very pregnant star's body perfectly. Teamed with minimal accessories and sideswept hair, this was the best dressed bump I've scene in a very long time. 

9. Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein Collection

From the same house and in the same mould as Gwyneth Paltrow's nude column gown, but also completely different. The stunning newcomer went for a daringly simple red CK Collection dress that flaunted her 20-year old figure to perfection whilst keeping everything covered and classy. Teamed with almost no jewellery and perfect blonde waves, the up and coming actress cemented her status as one to watch both on and off the screen.

10. Hilary Swank in Gucci

Hilary Swank always seems to get just the right amount of drama into her big red carpet event dressing and this stunning silver sequinned AND feathered Gucci number was a real showstopper. The rest of the look was kept as simple as could be which really let the dress shine. On other stars this could have looked awful, so double thumbs up for (as Tim Gunn would say) making it work.