The stars came out to celebrate talent in film Sunday, but the real winners of the night were not necessarily the best actors and actresses but the individuals who brought old Hollywood glamour to the red carpet.
A glowing Natalie Portman paid homage to "Black Swan" costume designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy by wearing a custom designed dress from their line Rodarte. The plum gown with an empire waist was perfect for accommodating her growing baby-bump. Her purple and gold Tiffany & Co. earrings and soft wavy hair served to accentuate her chic ensemble.
Portman's "Black Swan" co-star Mila Kunis was radiant on the red carpet in a lavender Elie Saab Haute Couture dress. The dress only added to the effortless beauty for which Kunis is known. Though the dress was accentuated in lace, it was in no way prim or fussy. It was instead elegant in the most understated way possible.
Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld has received rave reviews for her red carpet fashion at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards, and she did not disappoint this weekend. She looked age appropriate in a tea length Marchesa dress made of layers of nude tulle and sequins. Her fresh fashion sense is a much-welcomed breath of air.
Presenter Reese Witherspoon showed up in a simple black column dress from Armani Privé. The dress itself was simple but the styling choices made it a home run. She wore a 1960s inspired voluminous ponytail updo and kept the makeup minimalistic save for thickly-lined eyes. The emerald earrings are reminiscent of something Angelina Jolie has previously worn, but the smaller size was just right and did not attempt to compete with the eye-catching hairdo.
Another star sporting Marchesa was Halle Berry. Her nude tulle and sequin mermaid gown was clearly from the same designer of Steinfeld's youthful look, but Berry was nothing if not sophisticated. She wore her hair in its signature tousled pixie, and her makeup was flawless as always.
Following the nude trend was an almost unrecognizable Mandy Moore. Moore is most often dressed down in jeans and T-shirts so it was a welcome departure to see her looking impeccably chic. She wore a nude tulle Monique Lhuillier gown with a smattering of sequins across her torso and arms. It was nowhere near casual and a perfect fit for the Oscars red carpet.
Gwyneth Paltrow was a vision in a silver Calvin Klein column dress. The dress, though fluid and seemingly unforgiving, complimented her body perfectly. The actress paired the dress with accessories including earrings, a brooch and a ring from Louis Vuitton, and they served as a welcomed burst of color in an otherwise monochromatic palate.
Jennifer Hudson has truly never looked better in a tangerine Atelier Versace gown. Her newly slimmed down figure was accentuated by the flattering dress and her hair was pulled back highlighting her glowing face. She was dripping in diamonds and yet her smile was the focal point of the entire ensemble.
One of the most controversial choices at the Oscars was Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Haute Couture. The intricately beaded lilac dress was without question the most incredible work of art on the red carpet. Though she may not win an award for choosing the most wearable or the most effortless outfit, Blanchett was the most fashionable person in attendance and was a beacon of avant-garde in a sea of safe dresses.
The Academy Awards are the ultimate showcase for celebrity fashion, and this year there were few, if any, real disappointments.
