The Oscars red carpet looks for 2013 knocked our eyes out. There were many stunning looks this year and the over-all quality of the gowns was amazing.
The red carpet at the Academy Awards, like the other award ceremonies, keeps getting better every year. The 2013 Academy Awards, the 85th annual, was exceptionally well-dressed. With all the leading designers and couturiers offering their finest, one would think that the red carpet looks on some of the most beautiful stars would all be fabulous, but such has not always been the case. But now it is de riguer that personal stylists advise and procure the gowns that we see on the red carpet. This trend has been positive, and we see much fewer of those "what was she thinking?" looks at the ceremonies. In addition, the designer gowns that were trying too hard to impress -with all their flounces, ruffles and long trains have for the most part been streamlined to be more elegant - while still knocking our eyes out. On the other hand, this leads to some of the wearers not having to bother finding out what "haute" means in haute couture, as Jennifer Lawrence indicated at the Golden Globes.
In 2010 the Silver Screen Modiste began choosing "The Oscar Most Glamorous Gown (OMGG) Award," for the gown and star that in the tradition of Golden Age Hollywood were the most glamorous. One or two runners up have also been selected. Last year, I selected the white sequined Elie Saab gown worn by Milla Jovovich as the Oscar's Most Glamorous Gown Award, with Jessica Chastain in a gold-embroidered black strapless gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. In 2011, the Oscar's Most Glamorous Gown Award was given to Oscar Hostess Anne Hathaway for her red carpet, red Valentino gown.My runner-up was given to Jennifer Lawrence in her simple but very hot Calvin Klein red sheath designed by Francisco Costa. This year, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Jennifer Lawrence are all nominated for Academy Awards, and they were intent on looking fabulous on the red carpet.
The Most Glamorous Gown Award for this year goes to Jessica Chastain in a stunning Armani Prive gown in a light copper coloring that worked beautifully with Ms. Chastain's hair color and bright red lipstick. The zig-zag lines of sequins both complemented her figure and provided an art-deco look to the gown. Chastain said she was inspired to have a "Happy Birthday Mr. President" gown ( the gown worn by Marilyn Monroe and designed by Jean Louis). She succeeded.
Two runner-up awards are also going to two beautiful gowns on two gorgeous stars.
The first is for Charlize Theron in Dior Couture.
Charlize Theron had a new short-cropped hair cut. Her gown featured a peplum dotted with sequins and a long train. Trains were popular again this year, though they made for difficult moments walking across a stage or climbing steps to get awards. Charlize Theron did however seem to channel Anne Hathaway's previous appearance at the Golden Globes this year, where Ms. Hathaway wore her hair short, and appeared in a white bodice and skirt outfit by Chanel couture.
The next runner up was Amanda Seyfried, one of the stars of Les Miserables.
Amanda Seyfried is a peach, and she looked beautiful in the silver-embroidered over a light violet colored Alexander McQueen gown. The gown's halter top formed a collar.
There were many other beautiful gowns that fitted perfectly the stars wearing them. Of special note were: Naomi Watts in a gun-metal asymmetrical-shouldered, sequined gown by Armani Prive; Sandra Bullock in a black and silver semi-transparent Elie Saab couture; and Jane Fonda in a canary-yellow Versace gown with a cut-away back. Bravo to all the stars and Academy members that graced the stage and red carpet for this year's Academy Awards.
There were some overall trends - certainly the hair worn swept to one side, and the foundation-formed strapless bodice with full skirts. Sequins, beading, and metallics were also in plenty, exemplified by Nicole Kidman's beautiful black and gold sequined L'Wren Scott gown.
The 2013 Academy Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design was given to Jacqueline Durran for Anna Karennina - an award predicted by the Silver Screen Modiste as well as several other writers.
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| Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive |
The red carpet at the Academy Awards, like the other award ceremonies, keeps getting better every year. The 2013 Academy Awards, the 85th annual, was exceptionally well-dressed. With all the leading designers and couturiers offering their finest, one would think that the red carpet looks on some of the most beautiful stars would all be fabulous, but such has not always been the case. But now it is de riguer that personal stylists advise and procure the gowns that we see on the red carpet. This trend has been positive, and we see much fewer of those "what was she thinking?" looks at the ceremonies. In addition, the designer gowns that were trying too hard to impress -with all their flounces, ruffles and long trains have for the most part been streamlined to be more elegant - while still knocking our eyes out. On the other hand, this leads to some of the wearers not having to bother finding out what "haute" means in haute couture, as Jennifer Lawrence indicated at the Golden Globes.
In 2010 the Silver Screen Modiste began choosing "The Oscar Most Glamorous Gown (OMGG) Award," for the gown and star that in the tradition of Golden Age Hollywood were the most glamorous. One or two runners up have also been selected. Last year, I selected the white sequined Elie Saab gown worn by Milla Jovovich as the Oscar's Most Glamorous Gown Award, with Jessica Chastain in a gold-embroidered black strapless gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. In 2011, the Oscar's Most Glamorous Gown Award was given to Oscar Hostess Anne Hathaway for her red carpet, red Valentino gown.My runner-up was given to Jennifer Lawrence in her simple but very hot Calvin Klein red sheath designed by Francisco Costa. This year, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Jennifer Lawrence are all nominated for Academy Awards, and they were intent on looking fabulous on the red carpet.
The Most Glamorous Gown Award for this year goes to Jessica Chastain in a stunning Armani Prive gown in a light copper coloring that worked beautifully with Ms. Chastain's hair color and bright red lipstick. The zig-zag lines of sequins both complemented her figure and provided an art-deco look to the gown. Chastain said she was inspired to have a "Happy Birthday Mr. President" gown ( the gown worn by Marilyn Monroe and designed by Jean Louis). She succeeded.
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| Sequin pattern in Jessica Chastain's bodice |
Two runner-up awards are also going to two beautiful gowns on two gorgeous stars.
The first is for Charlize Theron in Dior Couture.
Charlize Theron had a new short-cropped hair cut. Her gown featured a peplum dotted with sequins and a long train. Trains were popular again this year, though they made for difficult moments walking across a stage or climbing steps to get awards. Charlize Theron did however seem to channel Anne Hathaway's previous appearance at the Golden Globes this year, where Ms. Hathaway wore her hair short, and appeared in a white bodice and skirt outfit by Chanel couture.
The next runner up was Amanda Seyfried, one of the stars of Les Miserables.
Amanda Seyfried is a peach, and she looked beautiful in the silver-embroidered over a light violet colored Alexander McQueen gown. The gown's halter top formed a collar.
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| Getty Images |
There were many other beautiful gowns that fitted perfectly the stars wearing them. Of special note were: Naomi Watts in a gun-metal asymmetrical-shouldered, sequined gown by Armani Prive; Sandra Bullock in a black and silver semi-transparent Elie Saab couture; and Jane Fonda in a canary-yellow Versace gown with a cut-away back. Bravo to all the stars and Academy members that graced the stage and red carpet for this year's Academy Awards.
There were some overall trends - certainly the hair worn swept to one side, and the foundation-formed strapless bodice with full skirts. Sequins, beading, and metallics were also in plenty, exemplified by Nicole Kidman's beautiful black and gold sequined L'Wren Scott gown.
The 2013 Academy Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design was given to Jacqueline Durran for Anna Karennina - an award predicted by the Silver Screen Modiste as well as several other writers.
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14 comments:
Right on target as usual. Loved Jessica Chastain's gown, while I'm so glad you mentioned Jane Fonda, because she still has it.
Congratulations on predicting the costume design winner, Christian! I've always had a soft spot for Dior couture, and (as always) Charlize looks stunning, but the Armani and Alexander McQueen gowns are absolutely and equally gorgeous.
Thanks Classicfilmboy. Jane Fonda looked fabulous, and she was brave to choose a yellow gown. I understand she'll be attending the TCM Classic Film Festival in April. I'll try to get a photograph of her there.
Thanks Lady Eve.It seems like the Alexander McQueen gowns (now mostly designed by Sarah Burton) have ruled the Oscars red carpet lately, and Armani is always outstanding. There were lots of great gowns to choose from. And although Anna Karenina won Best Costume as predicted, my favorite was Snow White and the Huntsman.
I didn't catch even a moment of the Oscars last night (for the first time), Christian, and your post was my first news of any of the winners and my first glimpse of the gowns on the red carpet. Have since perused the winners list at the AMPAS site and photos there and on Vanity Fair's site. Noticed many scarlet dresses and didn't like any of them - Sally Field and Hilary Swank were wearing very similar Valentino gowns - neither of which was very flattering. Also loved Jennifer Lawrence's Dior gown - so elegant. And Naomi Watts- with that stylish new 'do and her sparkly, futuristic Armani gown - stunning. As for Jane Fonda, Wow! Talk about making a potentially risky look work, in spades.
Lady Eve - the Oscar show itself was uneven. The red carpet had some great gowns and dresses. My post here can't do them justice but you got the idea from the AMPAS website. What is surprising is that, unlike the costume awards themselves, you can never predict which stars will look terrific. Anne Hathaway is as close as they get to being consistently "best dressed," and Jessica Chastain is too. I was high on Jennifer Lawrence but I think now she is just following her stylist's advice.
Christian, I totally agree with your choice of best gown -- gorgeous! I didn't like Charlize Theron's though. I thought the bodice was unattractive. I think that's the first time I've ever disagreed with you on anything! LOL! The Oscar show itself -- all prints should be burned, and the ashes spread in secret. Crass, tasteless and amateur in direction. It made James Franco and Anne Hathaway's host year look good. But oh, the gowns were spectacular!
Thanks for your comments Becky. I agree with you about the show - from the sublime to the ridiculous. I had several gowns in contention for my runner up picks. There was something I liked and something I didn't like about each - so Charlize's gown made my list because of its bold white silhouette, minus the voluminous (and really impractical) skirts like those of Jennifer Lawrence. I understand your point of view though and thanks for letting me know about it.
BINGO! I picked EXACTLY the same gowns and for the same reasons. I wonder what you think of Jane Fonda's yellow gown? It put me in mind of Adrian, with the delicious shoulder pads, targeted embellishments and knock-out color. I loved it, but it's not getting much media love. When I saw her (and who could miss her in that color?), I shouted 'ADRIAN!' but not in a Rocky kind of way. Seems to me that Halle Berry's Art Deco sleeved sheath has Adrian elements too...please discuss!
Loved this, Christian! (Oh, and didn't you think that Kay Francis was smiling down on the backwards necklace that Jennifer wore? And the LOOOOOOOOOOONG trains a-trailing on the red carpet? Warmly, Kay
And, may I add, I SCREAMED in delight when I saw the costume designer backdrops...our beloved Edith Head's sketches...and were the others Travilla? Maybe Helen Rose? Why don't those darned newscaster pan the cameras over the stuff we WANT to see...the backdrops! LOL! Kay
Thanks for your comments Kay. I'm glad you agreed with me. I really liked Jane's gown (including the color) and thought of Adrian too. I almost selected Jane and this outfit instead of Charlize as the runner up. I really liked both. I like the look of trains but I think that for all the potential of moving around at the Oscars they became an encumbrance - and a bit too much of trying too hard to be noticed. Jane really had the right balance of boldness, elegance, and practicality. I liked Halle Berry's gown too - but I liked it better in close-up than from a distance. The pattern of the sequins at the bodice made it look like lapels - an impression more evident from afar than from close-up. And yes, Jennifer's Chopard necklace worn backwards was great - enough for all the fashion journalists and bloggers to state what a bold idea it was. Thanks Kay!
100% agree with you, Christian. Jennifer was beautiful, but Jessica was my #1 pick. Now that I know you picked the same dress I feel as though I have such good taste!
Thanks FlickChick. I'm glad you agree
(and you'd have good taste even if we didn't). There was much at the Oscars to like - and I could have had many other very worthy picks. It must be crazy getting dressed for this ceremony - and if you are a nominee, your head must be splitting.
Kay - thanks for you comment on the blow-up costume sketches lining the red carpet. I almost gagged when one newsy fashion blogger called them "cartoons." It is too bad that they didn't show them off more - but I saw Edith Head, Helen Rose, Walter Plunkett (GWTW)and Travilla. I'm sure there were more.
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