The Academy Awards have always been the peak of the award season, the big night when everyone has the right to dream of stunning dresses and fabulous jewellery. This year, after some honestly disappointing red carpets, I was really looking forward to watching the outfits sported by celebrities for a much needed dose of glitz and glam and most of them gave me enough eye candy to lust over, especially in the jewellery department. As usual, I have divided my best-dressed list in categories, according to the dress shades. Are you ready?
Ladies in Blue-Based Colours
Amy Adams got a nomination as best actress in a supporting role for The Fighter by David O. Russell. Her presence on the red carpet left me speechless. I don’t know if she’s my best dressed of the event, but she’s a serious contender to the prize. She wore a dazzling blue dress by L’Wren Scott, with short sleeves and back slit, which beautifully complimented her hair and complexion.
She had no equal in the jewellery department, wearing a whopping $1,350,000 of Cartier diamond jewels, including a platinum and diamond Haute Joaillerie secret watch bracelet with 30.75-carat carved emerald, a platinum and diamond necklace with carved 33.24-carat emerald and platinum and 2-carat diamond earrings. So much serious bling on one person only! I love the contrast between her blue dress and the emeralds!
Mila Kunis is a good actress and a gorgeous woman, who always has a certain mysterious look in her eyes. She looked amazing with a lavender chiffon Elie Saab Haute Couture dress with lace inserts on the skirt and on the bodice. I particularly like the delicate lace inserts on the neckline.
She styled her hair in a soft wavy updo and wore diamond jewellery by Neil Lane, including diamond and platinum ribbon earrings, a cocktail ring and two bracelets. She completed her heavenly outfit with a crocodile knot clutch by Bottega Veneta.
Ladies in Red-Based Colours
One of the most-awaited celebrities on the red carpet was Natalie Portman, who totally deserved the award as best actress in a leading role for her impressive acting in Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky. She stayed loyal to the designers who made the most impressive costumes for the movie (Rodarte’s Mulleavy sisters) and wore a custom-made creation, a purple chiffon dress with Empire line and the neckline accented by matching Swarovski crystals.
She glowed, also thanks to the wavy hairdo which showed her jewellery off – Tiffany & Co. rubellite tassel earrings with rose-cut diamonds and a diamond ring designed by Jean Schlumberger. She carried a Roger Vivier Boite de Nuit Caviar clutch and Jimmy Choo Macy sandals in purple satin.
I’m not a big fan of Sandra Bullock’s style on the red carpet, but she definitely made a showstopping entry: she wore a stunning Vera Wang crimson taffeta strapless dress: beautifully opened like an exotic flower, it had a bow on the back and a short train. I like the graphic cut on the bodice and the criss-cross detail on the back.
She styled her hair in a chic updo and wore a lipstick matching the dress (it was Chanel Rouge Coco lip colour in Gabrielle); her accessories included Harry Winston diamond ear studs, vintage Harry Winston diamond bangles, a crocodile red envelope clutch and Jimmy Choo Vita sandals.
Ladies in White/Neutral Colours
I’m quite on the fence when it comes to Nicole Kidman, who was nominated as best leading actress for the heart-breaking Rabbit Hole by John Cameron Mitchell: she looked gorgeous and much more natural than what she usually looks like, but the white shade she wore doesn’t convince me much, even if it doesn’t wash her out. She chose a Christian Dior Haute Couture strapless dress, with the bodice and the peplum skirt embroidered in silver. I wish the dress looked a bit more structured: on her, the peplum in particular looks a bit flat.
Her hair was styled in a nice ponytail, but I wish it was more controlled on the front, without those flying forelocks. She wore a stunning 19th century Fred Leighton necklace composed of 150 carats of diamonds and orange red peep-toe pumps by Pierre Hardy.
Michelle Williams and her super-chic pixie haircut are always a vision on the red carpet. She was nominated as best leading actress for Blue Valentine by Derek Cianfrance and I’m sure she was shaking (her face looked pretty frozen with commotion). She wore a dream-like Chanel Haute Couture modified dress, dripping with crystals and beads, which made her look stunning. She also wore Harry Winston diamond sunflower earrings and Jimmy Choo pumps.
Cate Blanchett can work the red carpet like no one: her choices are always daring and unpredictable, and always make her look like a goddess from a distant planet; her countenance and natural elegance do the rest. She wore a Givenchy Haute Couture long dress in pleated pale wisteria silk chiffon embroidered with pearls and crystals – tone on tone in front and charteuse behind.
I really love her short, sleek haircut, and I like the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery she wore – vintage yellow and white diamond earrings and a tassel diamond bracelet, set in yellow gold.
The 15-year-old Hailee Steinfeld, who got a nomination as best supporting actress for True Grit by Ethan and Joel Coen, wore a fluffy Marchesa custom-made dress she had designed. Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig made her dream dress come true: the embroidered bodice, the multi-layer tulle skirt (I love that lenght, very 50’s) and the delicate pink/beige shade turn it into a perfect little princess number. I love her updo, one of the best of the evening – a braided chignon and a diamond headband by Fred Leighton.
She accessorized the adorable dress with satin peep-toe pumps, a silver bow clutch and a cute Fred Leighton heart-shaped diamond ring, set in platinum.
I bet you won’t see the Greek actress Ariane Labed in many best-dressed lists, but I couldn’t leave her out, since she looked stunning in my favourite dress from the Halston fall/winter 2011 collection. She walked the red carpet with the director Yorgos Lanthimos, whose movie, Kynodontas, received a nomination as best foreign language film. The dress was incredibly beautiful, all beaded, with a cut-out on the bodice and the exposed back; I’m glad she kept it simple, sporting a center-parted sleek updo.
The Lady in Gold
The only celebrity who dared wearing a gold dress (you know, the Oscar statuette-effect is always behind the corner) was Gwyneth Paltrwo, who looked gorgeous in her Calvin Klein Collection sequined pale gold dress, a triumph of minimalist lines and sequins, with a long skirt and a plunging neckline. Her blonde locks were straight and center-parted and her make-up was natural, even if I don’t think the combo Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Canotier/Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Insouciance was the best option (it washed her a bit out).
She chose incredible accessories, including Louis Vuitton L’Ame du Voyage earrings, made of yellow gold with diamonds and colored stones and a matching brooch, plus Brian Atwood gold Martina peep-toe pumps with ankle straps.
I’m having a hard time in choosing my best dressed of the event; if I really had to pick one, I think I’d go for Amy Adams, who looked incredibly beautiful and refined. What about you? I’ve added a poll to the post, so you can vote for your favourite actress!
Dallo Spazio 
I voted for Sandy because I have a soft spot for her and she came a long way from the ugly 90s dresses (she should wear red more often), but my showstopper was Penelope Cruz in L’Wren Scott: she had a baby in January and she looked fab!
http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2011/02/28/penelope-cruz-in-lwren-scott-2011-oscars
Penelope looked amazing, but the embellishment on the dress was a bit too confused for my liking, which is the reason why I didn’t include her in my list.
Sandra was lovely, even if she had a sad look in her eyes 😦
I voted for Cate Blanchett, but I also liked Michelle Williams a lot. I love Mila Kunis and her dress, but i think that shade washes her out a bit! oh, and I love how Amy Adams wears her jewellery, she looked extremely elegant and not over the top (quite a big risk when you’re wearing so much bling AND a sparkly dress)
Yes! That’s the point. All that bling on another actress would have turned into a faux pas, but on her it was heavenly.
I’m thinking of Jennifer Hudson, for example
Her Versace tangerine dress was lovely, but not on her, and she definitely wore too many pieces of jewellery.
Le mie preferite:
1. Mila Kunis (che ho anche votato)
2. Cate Blanchett
3. Halle Berry in Marchesa (che però non hai inserito)
Ammetto di aver riflettuto sull’abito di Halle Berry, ma alla fine non l’ho inserito nella mia lista perchè non mi ha convinta del tutto. Non saprei indicare un motivo particolare, forse il colore, forse semplicemente l’effetto su di lei.
I was quite disappointed by Natalie Portman’s look. That dress looked so 1997. Anyway, my favourite was Hillary Swank in Gucci.. she looked amazing. Hats off for Sandra Bullock (surprisingly well dressed) and Amy Adams, but in general I found this year’s red carpet quite boring.
Il mio voto è scontato perchè Riccardo Tisci ha creato un’opera d’arte che indosso a CBlanchett è pura favola.
Non posso però non citare anche io Amy Adams perchè era perfetta,i colori sono i suoi,il taglio dell’abito l’acconciatura i gioielli tutto superlativo(ohh cavolo quello smeraldo è gigante…).
Ahh dimenticavo Anne H in Tom Ford,gran bel vestito.
A.
Concordo in tutto. A dire il vero, la Blanchett dà il meglio di se quando indossa abiti dai colori più drammatici (penso allo straordinario abito-kimono di McQueen al Festival di Cannes nel 2006); ciò non toglie che fosse bellissima.
Sulla Adams smeraldi, diamanti e paillettes blu hanno fatto un miracolo, trasformandola in una visione!
Uhm, la Hathaway non mi ha impressionato particolarmente. Bei vestiti, è vero, ma lei, secondo me, non ha quel fattore WOW che ci vorrebbe per rendere loro giustizia. Sarà pur vero che ha pagato più che profumatamente Rachel Zoe, ma il risultato non è all’altezza delle aspettative. Non a caso, la mise che mi è piaciuta di più è stato quel meraviglioso smoking Lanvin, abbinato alle scarpe più belle del mondo, le Fiona di Brian Atwood tutte sbrilluccicose, l’unica che l’abbia resa davvero originale.
I voted for Gwyneth Paltrow. Her dress was simple, elegant, but so stylish and had great impact on the red carpet. I thought her hair and accessories perfectly accented her look.
Some of my other faves: Sandra Bullock – her dress was beautifully designed, dramatic and fit her so well.
Natalie Portman – emphasis on her shoulders balanced out her silhouette. Michelle Williams – so sophisticated. More other faves: Hilary Swank, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry, Hailee Steinfeld.
On my worst list: Annette Bening, Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Hudson, Marisa Tomei, Cate Blanchett, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Nicole Kidman and Anne Hathaway (on the red carpet). I did love several of her looks on the show itself.
I rarely feel connected to Gwyneth Paltrow, because she’s completely different from her old 90’s persona (which I loved), but this time she nailed it: great dress, perfect accessories and hair.
Hilary Swank wore a lovely dress, but – I don’t know why – she rarely convinces me on the red carpet. Reese Witherspoon is a huge question mark for me. I mean: her dress was plain boring, imo, but what shocked me was her frozen face. Did she have something done? Faces without any sign of wrinkles or marks scare me.
I agree on part of your worst-dressed list: I didn’t like Scarlett (hair disaster), Jennifer Hudson (don’t you think she is literally disappearing?), Marisa Tomei (tragic), Melissa Leo (but her spider pendant was gorgeous) and Anne Hathaway (nobody spoke of her highlights, she looked so old!).
I voted for Mila Kunis. I love that shade of lavender, an unusual colour for the red carpet, I think. Amy Adams is amazing too but in my opinion she looks older than she actually is.
I agree: lavender dresses (well, beautiful lavender dresses, to be precise) can be rarely seen on red carpets, and Mila surely did justice to her gorgeous outfit.