OSCAR GOWN AWARDS

Last year the Silver Screen Modiste began presenting a Most Glamorous Gown award for the best combination of glamorous gown and glamorous star from the Academy Award ceremonies. Sandra Bullock won last year in a long gold-beaded Marchesa gown. I gave the runner-up award to Rachel McAdams in a beautiful Elie Saab printed gown. The 2011 Academy Awards on February 27 displayed an amazing collection of designer gowns worn by a galaxy of stars. This was the best year in recent memory for the over-all high quality of the looks. The Silver Screen Modiste just had to love the fabulous outfits of Anne Hathaway and her seven costume changes on stage. But the Most Glamorous Gown award went to her red carpet, red-hot Valentino worn at her arrival, accessorized by Valentino himself.

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This combination of a fabulous Valentino gown from 2002 and the beautiful Anne Hathaway made for a totally winning look. Mr. Valentino Garavani had designed the gown in his trademark Valentino red color before his retirement. His attendance with Anne Hathaway on the red carpet was a tremendous coup for both of them. But the color of the red carper, I must say, did not flatter the various red and tangerine colored gowns seen on the runway. This stunning red gown with its side rosettes and gathered train looks best against a dark background - where it pops off the page.

The runner-up for the Most Glamorous Gown went to Jennifer Lawrence in another red-hot and thoroughly sexy Calvin Klein designed by Francisco Costa. The silk crepe, scooped neckline, sleek fitting gown was perfect for the beautiful blond Jennifer Lawrence. She was the first star shown on the runway and immediately made a big splash. In fact her gown was designed by Costa for her personally and based on a swimsuit photo of herself that Lawrence loved. In such a simple gown the fit and fabrication also had to be perfect. Jennifer Lawrence was nominated for Best Lead Actress in Winter's Bone. 

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The Academy Awards had many stunning gowns with silver beads and light colors of champagne, flesh-toned, or white. As beautiful as these were, they seemed to pale in the busy red-carpet or its entourage. The ever-beautiful Halle Berry was stunning nonetheless.

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Halle Berry wears a strapless Marchesa gown with silver sequins and ruffled tulle.

Anne Hathaway stole the show in her costume changes for her role as co-host. This amazing liquid blue columnar gown was an Armani Prive.

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Here's another fabulous gown by Oscar de la Renta, featuring a one-shoulder strap and rows of fringe. Anne showed was fringe is all about when she did a brief Twist dance on stage. See my On the Fringe post for more on fringe in fashion

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Anne Hathaway used the services of stylist Rachel Zoe for her 83rd Academy Awards gowns. Ms. Hathaway also wore a gun-metal colored long sleeve lace gown from Tom Ford, and a burgundy colored beaded Atelier Versace gown.

Other remarkable gowns appeared: Hillary Swank looked wonderful in a Gucci silver-beaded strapless gown with feathered skirt; Jennifer Hudson looked terrific in a tangerine-orange colored halter-top gown by Atelier Versace; Mila Kunis in a beautiful lavender-colored Elie Saab gown; Amy Adams in a blue-beaded sleeveless L'Wren Scott; Gwynneth Paltrow in a stunning silver sheath by Calvin Klein; Reese Witherspoon in a black gown with white bust line trim by Armani Prive; and Mandy Moore in a champagne-colored beaded gown with flowing skirt by Monique Lhuillier. One could go on and on. Bravo to the stars, the designers and the stylists for this fabulous fashion evening.

On another note, the Silver Screen Modiste was pleased with the selection of Colleen Atwood for Best Costume Design for Alice in Wonderland. The costumes were very creative and perfect for setting the characters in their unusual world. Brovo to all the nominated, and non-nominated, costume designers for their excellent work.