I generally cheat when it comes to awards shows and just watch the red carpet and then YouTube the highlights. Last night, however, my husband insisted on watching the entire show (trying in part, I think, to circumvent my watching “Big Love”).
Anyhow, for those of you who missed it, it was more or less the same flim and flam. Slumdog Millionaire deservedly won everything, and there was an Angelina and Jennifer showdown! And by showdown I mean that poor Jen squirmed while presenting and trying to appear like a STRONG WOMYN while Angelina stared her down from the front row and Brad went to his happy place. The highlight of the show was probably Ben Stiller channeling Joaquin Phoenix. So let’s skip past the unnecessary montages and the you really like me’s and get to the good stuff, yes?
The Award Winners
I heart Kate Winslet, and nobody can deny that this is her year. However, I’ve been less than thrilled with her red carpet choices as of late, and after her sizzling Catherine Deneuve inspired Vanity Fair spread, who wouldn’t expect something a little more va-va-voom? The slate color of the dress is lovely, I’m always a fan of the one-shoulder silhouette, and I love YSL, but even with the lovely hair and make-up it just somehow isn’t entirely working for me. I feel like this all is veering dangerously close to Angelina Jolie territory.
Penelope Cruz wears vintage Balmain paired with Chopard accessories. Again: lovely woman, largely safe and boring ensemble. Such is the bane of most awards shows.
The Style Winners
Now, from a distance Anne Hathaway’s shimmery dress might appear to be one of my much-reviled boring floor-length red carpet dresses. Unfortunately this is not the best picture to see the details, but the dress was composed of millions of paillettes that started small at the top and ended up as gloriously huge globs at the train. This was quite possibly the best dress of the night.
God help me, but Tilda Swinton was definitely one of the better dressed. Mind you, I always think a Tilda Swinton appearance is cause for rejoicing, but she usually turns up to these things looking less polished and more, how do you say, crazy bird lady-esque. Not only is her Lanvin ensemble totally drool-worthy (especially the gorgeously draped top), but her red lips and Fred Leighton bangles tie it all together for a sort of 1940s Katherine Hepburn in Christopher Strong look.
Marisa Tomei’s Versace dress managed to be classic but not dull with its single shoulder shape and jagged pleats.
Marion Cotillard is one of my favorite actresses on the red carpet. Last year she wore a stunning white Gaultier mermaid dress; this year she did an about face and opted for an entirely different but equally noteworthy Dior gown.
Once again, my reluctant fashion darling Evan Rachel Wood (team Dita!) has wormed her way into my heart with her beautifully structured Elie Saab dress.
Usually red carpet spouses are relegated to looking some shade of dowdy and/or tragic. Susan Downey bucks the trend with a fab red draped dress, complete with an asymmetrical belted detail.
In lesser hands this whole ensemble could have gone horribly wrong, but I can only assume that Ahna Riley is some sort of fashion savant. The heavy flounces on the dress could have made the look extremely baroque, but her relaxed hair and double belt make it something else entirely.
I love Mickey Rourke. This is how you come dressed to an awards show (in Gaultier, no less).
The Trends
Purples
Alicia Keys in Armani.
Natalie Portman in Rodarte.
Mermaid Dresses
Diane Lane in Dolce & Gabbana.
Melissa George, also in Dolce & Gabbana.
Pale Neutrals
Jennifer Aniston in Valentino.
Nicole Kidman in L’Wren Scott.
And Then The Rest
Oh, look: Angelina Jolie in a long dark gown. Quelle surprise. I will give Angie credit, though: her Elie Saab gown is actually quite lovely, and at least a departure from the normal dropped waist crap that she’s so fond of. I realize that they’re fairly ridiculous, but I also totally covet her offensively gigantic emerald Lorraine Schwartz earrings and ring.
I like the architectural bodice of her Carolina Herrera gown and would like the multi-colored Fred Leighton necklace paired elsewhere, but as usual I find myself wishing that Amy Adams’ stylist would just follow my wishes and dress her up as a little retro “Mad Men” Barbie doll.
I don’t understand. I love Heidi Klum. I love Roland Mouret. How could it all go so terribly awry?
Jessica Biel’s Prada dress is artistically striking but looked like a granny sack onstage (her general predilection for granny dresses couldn’t have helped). Did you notice that the audience kind of Mean Girl’d her during her presentation by remaining bitchily silent, making her scripted jokes fall flat?
On a similar note, I might love Amanda Seyfried’s Valentino dress on the runway or in an editorial feature, but it just looked all kinds of silly, especially with the somewhat juvenile necklace and hair.
I am very much on the fence about Freida Pinto’s blue John Galliano dress. I kind of hated it until it dawned on me that perhaps he was trying to reinterpret the traditional sari, which made it a bit more interesting. I still wish he had left off the Old Tyme-y tiered hem, though.
Even though I wouldn’t go so far to say that she was a style winner for the night, I love that Sophia Loren is a million years old and still dresses like a lusty barmaid.
All photos: Style.com
