14 DAY TRIAL // Last night, as the Academy Awards celebrated the best the movie industry had to offer in 2009, fashion critics also took a step back and savored the show, for this once-a-year “prom night” promised to be full of surprises from the first moment stars started stepping on the red carpet. And surprising it was, with the ladies choosing understated shades of metallic gray, pale pink or even white, as JustJared can confirm.
Helen Mirren, for one, looked stunning in a body-hugging, long dress from Badgley Mischka, punctuated with crystals. She was also one of the few to put on a diamond necklace, this year, most stars choosing to go au naturel, or with more jewels in the lower part of the body, like rings, brooches and bracelets. Dame Mirren also wore Chopard earrings and took the red carpet stroll with friend Christopher Plummer.
“Avatar” star Sigourney Weaver, though not nominated, is familiar with such fancy events, therefore she did superbly in terms of her choice for a red carpet gown. Though some critics insist that women should never wear red on the red carpet – for the obvious reason of putting themselves at risk of literally getting lost in the background – Mrs. Weaver did good in an off-the-shoulder Lanvin creation, with Jimmy Choo ‘Akuna’ jeweled sandals.
Meryl Streep opted for white: the Oscar nominee, of whom rival Sandra Bullock said in her acceptance speech she was a wonderful kisser, rocked the red carpet in a white, draped Chris March gown with Jimmy Choo “Zena” Platform heels and the Mysthic clutch from Swarovski, covered in crystals. Another star who chose a rather plain color and made it look fabulous was Kate Winslet, undeniably one of the most stylish ladies ever to walk the red carpet.
Dressed in an Yves Saint Laurent gray number with a structured top and overflowing skirt, Kate topped off the look with a yellow diamond necklace from Tiffany & Co. (estimated at no less than $2.5 million) and silver sandals. Also for this special occasion, the British actress went California blonde and wore her hair loose on her back and swept to the side, thus managing to be one of the most natural and charming appearances of the night.
Jennifer Lopez also chose a more understated color, though there was nothing understated about the design. Decked in a gown from the new Giorgio Armani Privé collection, with a giant ruffle on one hip and closely following the body’s natural curves on the other, the singer was like a vision from heaven. She matched the dress with a clutch also by Armani Privé, diamond earrings and a bracelet by Cartier and shoes by Ferragamo.
Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz also kept it traditional, though opted to bring a splash of color on the scene, with a dark red, strapless, structured gown by Donna Karan Couture. She matched the dress with a clutch by Haute Couture Folies.
