Red Carpet Fashion: The 2022 Oscars

Lots of things happened at the Academy Awards last night. Some good, and some not so good. I'll leave those to other people to hash out. All I'm going to discuss here is the red carpet fashions. So let's look at the looks! These reviews are alphabetical by first name, simply because that how I saved them in my computer.

Amy Schumer was one of the three hosts for the evening. Although I didn't love her dress in closeup, torso-only shots, I actually liked it quite a bit at a slight distance. I though the glitter bow outline was cute without being cutesy, and the simple, slightly clinging silhouette of the dress was very flattering, although the deeply plunging neckline was not as much. I also really liked her softly waved hair, but I wish she'd worn just a hint of lipstick, as she tended to look slightly washed-out next to her more heavily made-up co-hosts. 

I loved so many things about Ariana deBose's look: the color, the wide-legged trousers, the short curly 'do, the fabulous diamond jewelry (including a diamond-encrusted watch), and the long wrap which was cleverly attached to her elbows to keep it in place. The one thing I didn't love was the super-plunging sweetheart neckline. It looked fine in still photos, but as she moved, it looked very stiff and uncomfortable and not always well-fitted. But overall, a really terrific look. 

Aunjanue Ellis wore one of many voluminous and frothy gowns on parade last night, and one of the most successful. The color was lovely on her, and the various textures of the wrapped bodice and the tulle details on the skirt were interesting, as was the structure of the barely-off-the-shoulder sleeves, which proved that a structured bodice can move comfortably and flatteringly with the wearer's body. 

Ava DuVernay's black dress was voluminous but in a more understated way than some others. I liked its gathered, belted column style with attached drape, but the sharply squared-off shoulders studded with spikes didn't quite work with the rest of the look. I liked the little pop of color in her square pink clutch. 

Billie Eilish surprised me with this drastic change from her usual casual look. Her raven-black, flipped hair and soft, feminine makeup were simply gorgeous, and the black dress set off her perfect, alabaster skin. But the yards and yards of ruffles overwhelmed her and didn't quite seem to suit her natural style. A slimmed-down column with about half of these ruffles would have been amazing. But kudos to her for trying something different. 

Caitriona Balfour's white column was trimmed with a bubble peplum that cascaded into a deeply ruffled train. This style of gown could very easily have gone south (see Nicole Kidman, below), but the proportions were so beautifully balanced that it absolutely worked. I especially loved the jeweled straps which served to highlight her beautiful diamond necklace. 

 

I missed seeing H.E.R. on the red carpet, so my first look at her dress was when she walked onstage as a presenter, and I was not impressed. The dress did not move well, the train was clearly wrinkled, and she was fighting to get it out of the way as she walked and then to arrange it once she hit her mark. Even worse, the lime green color - which I loved - clashed horribly with her co-presenter's emerald green tuxedo. But seeing it in photographs, I did like it, and I absolutely adored her shoes. But two lessons learned: 1) Presenting is like going to the prom: always consult with each other to avoid clashing; and 2) Practice moving and walking in your gown ahead of time so that it looks as good on stage and in your seat as it does standing in front of a mirror and walking the red carpet.

Jada Pinkett Smith wore what I considered the most successfully voluminous gown of the night. The bodice was an elegantly ruched jacket with a standup collar and the skirt was full all over with a long, puffy train. I wondered how she could sit in it, but when I saw her in the audience it was gracefully spread around her and she looked very comfortable, so clearly she had already learned the lessons above. Also, I adored her large silver earrings and lush lashes. Simply gorgeous. 

Jennifer Garner frequently wears red columns, and this was a lovely example. Its neckline plunged as deeply as some other gowns that I disliked, but it was narrow enough and well-designed enough to look flattering and comfortable, and the draped shoulder details softened the stark angles of the neckline and the sleek silhouette just enough. 

I loved Jessica Chastain's lavender gown, but it wasn't quite the right color on her. The copper-sequined bodice was wonderful, and the frothy ruffles at the hem gave the skirt a nice little bounce, but I just didn't feel it was as flattering on her as it might have been. (But I understand I am in the minority here.)

Jessie Buckley's simple champagne gown had a lovely silhouette and a graceful, large train, but the fullness of the skirt had a heavy, bulky feel to it that seemed to be at odds with the rest of the look. She wore minimal, natural makeup and a simple short hairstyle, which were fine, but I felt like she needed some kind of brighter accent somewhere to give the look a "pop," such as a necklace, earrings, or bag with a little color to it. 

Julianne Hough's bright yellow gown was very similar in style to Jennifer Garner's, except with the addition of a soft train. The gown itself was fine, and although it was not the best color on her, it could have worked, if not for the pale makeup and overly dark lips and the stark hairstyle. Soft waves and more gentle color would have been a better choice.

Kristen Stewart's punk look was not terrible, but it could have improved a few details. When I saw her during the show, she was wearing thin ankle-length socks that I HATED, so I was happy to see that she hadn't worn them on the red carpet. I did feel that the shorts were just a bit too short, and I didn't love the shirt narrowly open all the way to the waist, but her bleached, side-swept hair was perfect, her makeup suited the look and her personality, and she was clearly comfortable in her outfit, so I'm calling this a success even though it wasn't quite perfect. 

A brunette Lily James stunned in this ice-pink lace frock with a thigh-high slit and one of the many fabulous diamond chokers seen on the red carpet last night. My only objection was that it was just a tiny bit too see-through under the bright lights (I'm glad to know she's wearing underwear but I don't need to see it, thanks). But the lines and the tailoring were utter perfection.

Lupita Nyong'o shone in a lovely coppery-gold metallic dress. The bodice had small white flowers all over it, and the skirt had long fringe-like strips that caught the lights and shimmered when she moved. Her piled-high updo added even more old-school glamour to this fabulous look.

Maggie Gyllenhall is not a red carpet favorite of mine, so I was very pleased to see that she chose an interesting but not too weird dress. I really loved the structure and simple lines of this simple black column with its stiff bodice, and the metallic accents hinted at an Asian influence without being overdone. Very nice!

Marlee Matlin proved that covered can still be incredibly sultry in a wrapped red satin gown with a jewel neckline, long sleeves and a short train. Her blond waves channeled Hollywood glamour at its finest. 

A slightly less successful version of "covered up," Maya Rudolph wore a loose orange v-neck muumuu style dress trimmed with marabou. Although I didn't hate it, I prefer her in slightly more tailored, fitted looks, although I do appreciate that she always looks lovely even in more conservative styles.

Megan Thee Stallion was one of many attendees in asymmetrical waist-baring looks. It wasn't one of my favorite trends, but I was fascinated by the cascading ruffles that managed to be soft yet have some body to them at the same time. I also really liked the silvery-grey-blue color. This gown was nicely tailored so it moved with her body and hugged her curves in a very flattering way. The best example of this style, in my opinion. 

Mila Kunis's satin gown had a lovely asymmetrical bodice with a belt and a full side train that was elegance personified. Her long dangling earrings and an adoring husband on her arm were all the accessories she needed. Lovely!

Another look that worked in red carpet photos but somewhat less as the wearer walked and moved, Naomi Scott's deep purple column featured a structured cape-like jacket with elaborate beading and quilted patterns. But both the cape and her heavily gelled hairstyle looked stiff and awkward when she moved. Next time, save this look for a photo shoot and wear something less structured on the red carpet.  

Nicole Kidman was very close to hitting it out of the park with this look, if only the giant "pouf" at the waist had been a bit less giant. The dove-gray column with its narrow twin strips of train, paired with deep red lips, a soft chignon with a few loose tendrils, and a stunning diamond necklace were all marvelous, but the pouf was just out of proportion and clearly wrinkled after sitting. But I will admit that I spied her later in the evening topping her look with hubby Keith Urban's tux jacket and she looked perfectly adorable, so all is forgiven. 

Another successful "covered up" look was worn by Olivia Colman, in this softly pleated, silvery-white belted gown with high neck and long bell sleeves. It moved and caught the light beautifully, and her dark hair and eyes contrasted nicely. Such a great look for her!

Penelope Cruz wore what may have been my favorite look of the night. Her black gown had a full skirt (WITH POCKETS!!) but what really caught my eye was the wide ruched bodice with tiny buttons up the front and gathered over the bustline, with unusually-structured halter-style straps brought together in front with a cute black-and-white print bow. 

Another gown I really loved was Reba McEntire's deep emerald green column. These squared-off shoulders were executed better than many, and I loved the way the asymmetrical bodice gathered on one side without looking lopsided (not an easy feat), and was echoed by similar gathering at the waist.

I wanted to love Rita Moreno's look, I really did, but I just didn't. The general structure of the dress was lovely, but the one-shoulder ruffle dropped too low on one side, and the ruffle itself was too big and heavy. I don't know what was going on with that hat (and anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge fan of hats) - I think it just blended too much with her natural hair color and looked like badly frosted tips - but I did love the giant diamond buckles on her shoes. But in the end, she's Rita Moreno and she can wear whatever she damn well pleases and I'll still love her for it. 

Rosie Perez knocked it out of the park in one of many similar red gowns, this one with a slightly clinging silhouette wrapped at the waist, halter straps, shoulder drapes, and a chiffon train off the shoulders as well as a short train on the skirt. 

Ruth E. Carter, in true costume designer fashion, wore a striking black-and-white ensemble with a fantastical structured jacket that arched stiffly out to each side. It was an interesting look that unfortunately lost its shape over the course of the evening and turned into a lopsided mess. But I loved it anyway!

 

15-year-old actress Saniyya Sidney was positively radiant in this delightful floral print ball gown. She and the dress are both so fresh and pretty. This look should set the standard for young actresses on the red carpet - beautiful, age-appropriate, flattering, and clearly enjoyable for the wearer.

Serena Williams' deep mauve and black gown was a bit of a mix for me. I loved the general silhouette, especially the soft pleated skirt with a hint of a train and a thigh-high slit; the full, gathered sleeves; and the black appliques along the neckline; but I found the squared-off shoulders to be less than flattering on Serena's athletic figure; the neckline was a little too widely open for my taste; the black lace gloves looked bulky and industrial; and the sheer skirt showed too much granny panty. Close, but not quite. 

Metallic silver and gold dresses are popular at the Oscars, and Sian Heder carried the look off exceptionally well. Her soft column was barely sheer fabric covered with thousands of tiny mirror discs, which sparkled when she moved and created an illusion of sheerness while revealing only shadows. Its simple tailoring, with long sleeves and a jewel neckline, allowed the fabric itself to (literally) shine without distraction. Just wonderful. 

Sofia Carson's full black ballgown felt light and airy, and I loved the sheer wrap that went over and around her shoulder. My only objection was that the sheer bodice revealed a structured corset top that looked out of place with the rest of the look. One more wrap of chiffon to make the bodice opaque and this gown would have been number one on my list. 

Tracee Ellis Ross wore a bright red gown that was absolutely gorgeous from the waist up and absolutely horrible from the waist up. I loved the skirt that was fitted at the waist and hip, but then flared out at the sides into a modern version of panniers. But the stiff flaps of the bodice were both unflattering and constantly in danger of being in the wrong place relative to her body. I only realized how much I loved the rest of the dress when Ross held the red envelope with the winner's name in front of her chest, covering up the terrible bodice. I hope her stylist has it remade with a different bodice or a jacket, because with that change it will be a winner. 

Venus Williams' look also fell a bit short for mer.  The overall line of her white column with its short side train was lovely, and I adored her wide silver cuff bracelets and loose wavy hair, but the deeply plunging neckline was too broadly open and did not flatter. Bring that opening into a large keyhole, keep the silver trim along the edge, and this would have been a much more successful look. 

Zendaya could wear a burlap sack and look stunning, so it's no surprise that she made this cropped white satin dress shirt paired with a sleek narrow silver skirt with train look elegant and glamorous.

Zoe Kravitz's pink gown came very close to succeeding for me, but the waist was slightly higher than her natural waistline and the skirt was a little bulky at the waist, which resulted in her looking like she had terrible posture. I also found her slicked-down bangs and tightly pulled-back hairstyle a little too severe for the delicate color and cut of the dress. 

Overall, a lot of hits, very few misses, and a handful of almost-but-not-quites. Best of the night for me? Jada Pinkett Smith, Penelope Cruz, and Zendaya, with a special Youth Award for the adorable Saniyya Sidney. Congratulations to all the winners, nominees, and everyone who walked the red carpet with their heads held high!

The 2017 Oscars Red Carpet Review

Marilyn Monroe and Carol Channing both helped to make the saying famous: "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." Indeed, last night's Academy Awards ceremony proved that diamonds (and rubies, and emeralds, and sapphires) are indeed a girl's best friend. There weren't a lot of particularly memorable gowns, but there were plenty of gorgeous statement pieces of jewelry that served to make a look memorable (mostly for good, but a few for ill). Here are some of the most interesting looks of the evening and the jewelry that made them so interesting.

Scarlett Johansson: Gown by Alaia; bracelets by Belperron

Johansson's gown was a beautiful watercolor fabric that swirled gracefully and lightly as she moved. Under the stage lights, the skirt was nearly transparent, but fortunately she wore a white miniskirt (or possibly boy shorts) underneath so it wasn't too tacky. The gown was cinched in with a sparkling leather and silver belt which coordinated surprisingly well with her pair of coiled diamond cuff bracelets. It was a very soft and feminine look, which helped to offset the harshness of her hairstyle, with its shaved sides and upswept crown, revealing lots of dark roots and blonde tips. 

 

Taraji P. Henson: Gown by Alberta Ferretti; necklace by Nirav Modi

Henson's look was the ultimate in the perfect pairing of a beautiful but relatively simple gown with an amazing statement piece of jewelry that brought the outfit to a completely new level. The gown itself was a deep midnight blue, nearly black, velvet sheath with an off the shoulder wrapped bodice with plunging neckline and thigh-high slit. Dramatic, but simple. But add on this gorgeous diamond necklace with a flower at the center and smaller diamonds cascading from the triangular collar, and it turns a lovely look into an absolutely striking one, arguably one of the best looks of the evening.

 

Salma Hayek: Gown by Alexander McQueen; headband and earrings by Fred Leighton

I loved the lines of Hayek's black-over-nude gown, from the lace skirt, to the diagonal lines of the crushed bodice, to the pretty patterning of the triangular see-through front panel. It fit her beautifully and had interesting textures. But it could have still been a bit bland if not for the lovely large chandelier earrings and especially the glittery diamond headband. I wish the headband had been worn further forward to make it more visible from the front, but that little bit of sparkle even as worn gave it a pop of glamour that turned a good look into a great one. 

  

Alicia Vikander: Gown by Louis Vuitton; necklace by Bulgari

Vikander's black lace gown with corset-style, cap-sleeved bodice and cascading ruffle skirt could have been too frou-frou and ingenue-ish, but the addition of this stunning diamond collar, with its series of curved triangles with center diamonds, was elegant and mature enough to elevate the entire look. This stunning piece made a "just okay" look into a lovely and memorable one. 

  

Viola Davis: Gown by Armani; earrings by Niwaka

Davis' striking scarlet column didn't need any assistance from jewelry to be perfectly stunning on the red carpet, despite its simple column structure. The gathered halter neckline and cascading shoulder straps, along with a mid-length train, added all the visual interest and glamour needed. But the addition of these understated gold and ruby earrings and coordinating bracelet gave just a hint of added sparkle without drawing focus. 

Nicole Kidman: Gown by Armani Prive; earrings by Harry Winston

Kidman is one of the few actresses who successfully wears nude gowns on a regular basis, and this bejeweled halter sheath was no exception. The Indian-inspired pattern of the beading and the line of the gown, with its straight silhouette and short side train, was reminiscent of a traditional sari, both very nice nods to her film, Lion. I love to see a subtle pop of color with nude gowns, and Kidman's ruby and diamond drop earrings, along with coordinating scarlet lips, added just the right touch. Anything more ornate would have been too busy, and anything larger or more colorful would have been too distracting, but these earrings were the perfect finishing touch. 

Halle Berry: Gown by Atelier Versace; earrings by Nevermark

I admit that I found Berry's wild, voluminous, two-toned hair to be somewhat distracting from her overall look, but I did love the lines of her gown, which was a one-shouldered gold base which became feathery at the knee (I didn't love that part quite as much) and ended in a short train. The detail that really made it work for me was the sheer (or possibly black-dots-on-gold) fabric swaths wrapped around the bodice and cascading to the knee in a few wide ribbons. It created interesting geometric lines and varied textures and broke up the similarity between the color of the skirt and her lovely golden skin. Her choice of long narrow triangle earrings lent a touch of stark geometric lines to the softer lines of the dress and the curly hair, yet also reflected the diagonals of the bodice, helping to tie the look together. 

Naomie Harris: Gown by Calvin Klein; jewelry by Bulgari

I first saw Harris' gown only from the waist up, and I didn't like it very much. Then I saw it full-length under the lights and I truly hated it. The sleeveless sweetheart sheath wasn't horrible, but the horizontal slit fell in an odd place and opened and closed as she moved, making the dress look poorly fitted although it was clearly not. The stiff train was too stark and formal for the cocktail-length dress, and combined with the bare shoulders gave the impression that it was weighting the whole thing down in back. But the feature that really turned me off was that the shiny sequined fabric looked like cheap vinyl under the lights. However, the beautiful and feminine drop earrings, paired with her long, sleek, dark hair and subtle pink-toned makeup, saved the look from being too terrible. Extra points for the quirky diamond additions to one ankle strap and one toe strap, which both coordinated with the earrings and cuff and prevented the shoes from being overly yellow. It was not a great dress, but the jewels did the best they could to save the look.  

 

Charlize Theron: Gown by Christian Dior Couture; earrings by Chopard

Theron's Grecian-inspired gown consisted of pleated metallic gold fabric with a sheer black overlay, gathering at each shoulder and plunging to the waist, where it gathered into a wide sash and then fell into a full, slightly flared skirt with a side slit nearly to the waist. I loved the detailing of the sheer black fabric slightly filling in the neckline and the fullness of the skirt hiding the slit until she moved. But the huge chandelier earrings, paired with the pulled-back coiffure, pulled attention right back to her gorgeous face, where it belonged. Another perfect pairing of what could have been an overly simple gown with simply amazing jewelry to create a stunning and memorable look. 

 

 Chrissy Teigen: Gown by Zuhair Murad; earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

I didn't love the overall silhouette of this gown, although the look really grew on me over the course of the evening. What I did love from the very beginning, was the beautiful "firework" patterned gold and silver beading on the bodice, which descended down the sleeves and onto the top part of the skirt. The metallic belt and high slit lent some nice straight lines to the soft, clingy fabric, and although I didn't love the single sheer sleeve, I did like the way the train came down as a kind of cape. However, the earrings were the perfect tie-in to the beading of the gown, echoing the mixed metallics of the beads, and the long triangle shape in turn echoing the line of the exposed arm and leg. It brought the look together and made Teigen look even taller and leaner than she already is, drawing the eye up her body to focus on her face. 

Kirsten Dunst: Gown by Christian Dior Couture; jewelry by Niwaka

Dunst wore a basic black strapless ballgown with a barely curved, nicely-fitted bodice and a slightly bi-level skirt ending in a short train. It was pretty but unremarkable, and would have looked at home at a high school prom (with the possible exception of the train). But her gorgeous diamond choker with elegant fleur de lis pattern added some softer lines, a touch of mature elegance, and some much needed sparkle to pull attention to her face. The large but simple diamond earrings also drew focus to her face, but without detracting from the lovely lines of the choker. These diamonds turned this look from utterly boring into one of my favorites of the night. 

 

Dakota Johnson: Gown by Gucci; necklace by Cartier

I'm not sure that anything could have saved this dress, but least of all this particular necklace. The dress suffered from the worst features of several decades: gold lame from the 60s, high ruffled neck from the 70s, and squared-off shoulders from the 80s (we won't even mention the giant bow in front that adorned the backside of a many a bride in the 90s). It's disproportionate and droopy and unflattering, and her drab hairstyle and uninspired makeup isn't helping any. The necklace by itself is lovely, but other than the color, it just doesn't seem to work with the style of the dress. The pointed leaves are too sharp for the soft lines of the dress, the length is too long to lay nicely against the dress collar, and the ruffles of the collar compete with the necklace. Sadly, this look was definitely one of those 50 shades of grey. 

Janelle Monae: Gown by Elie Saab Couture; jewelry by Nevermark

Let me begin my remarks on this look by admitting that it's much better than a lot of outfits we've seen on Monae on various red carpets. But it's still just too much. The sheer bodice with sequined trim and embroidery, while reminiscent of Halle Berry's stunning 2002 Oscar gown, does not provide quite enough coverage. I love the black buckled belt and the way the skirt cascades in stripes of black, silver, and sheer panels, but the sheerness starts just a little too high up for good taste. The giant silver-spangled black tulle hip puffs a la Marie Antoinette are so voluminous that they tend to overwhelm Monae. Similarly, the heavy gold and black choker collar is lovely, but disproportionately large and bulky for a gown that is already too busy. I do, however, love the black and gold tiara/headband. I would love to see this look without the black tulle and without the necklace. Those two changes could have made this look into one of the top looks of the night. 

 

Emma Roberts: Gown by Armani Prive; earrings by Swarovski

I loved a lot of the features of this gown: the delicate vintage lace, the two-tiered A-line skirt, the crushed black sash. But the skimpy bodice, while it looked pretty when Roberts was posing for photos, bunched awkwardly and suffered from "double-stick-tape-itis" when she moved. A modesty panel holding it in place might have prevented those issues, but without it, the best hope of saving the look was these striking crystal earrings. I love the look of long wavy hair tucked behind one ear to expose a large, simple drop earring, and these earrings fit the bill perfectly, calling attention to her gorgeous hair and echoing the lines of her narrow face and the plunging neckline. A good look made even better by the choice of jewelry. 

 

Faye Dunaway: Gown by Esteban Cortezar; jewelry by Bulgari

Dunaway's red carpet gown was an interesting cut; deep blue satin in a fitted double-breasted jacket dress style, but dropping into swirls of alternating satin and sheer panels from above the knee, with an angled opening in front. It was very flattering and had lovely seaming and tailoring. But what set off the whole look and brought out the glam factor was the almost Egyptian-looking sapphire and diamond necklace and matching earrings. Styled as a narrow collar with a curved triangular pendant composed of four diamond triangles with sapphire centers, it was geometric enough to work with the angled tailoring of the gown, but also soft enough to avoid being stark. A really flattering and age-appropriate look. 

Emma Stone: Gown by Givenchy; earrings by Tiffany & Co.

Much like Nicole Kidman, Emma Stone often wears nude and gold tones and generally pulls them off well (must be a redhead thing). I absolutely adored Stone's metallic gold lace, art deco gown with layers of fringe from just below the hip, and high side slits. I loved the contrast of the lace scallops at the top with the straight lines of the fringe, and the darker gold at the tips of the fringe, which emphasized its graceful movement. Like the other Emma (Roberts), I loved the contrast of the softly waved hair tucked behind one ear and the long, straight, sparkling earrings. Stone's lovely auburn hair and deep coral lips added just enough color to draw attention up to her face, where it belongs. A really gorgeous, flattering, and well-balanced look, and probably my favorite of the evening. 

 

Karlie Kloss: Gown by Stella McCartney; jewelry by Nirav Modi

Kloss' white column had potential, but I felt like it suffered from a severe lack of supportive undergarments and a bodice that looked droopy. I loved the overall silhouette of the dress, and even the one-shouldered long cape worked for me. But Kloss's bust looked unsupported and uncomfortable, and visible nipples in a white gown is never elegant. The round neck and shallow armholes emphasized the sagginess. Kloss hit it out of the park, however, with a perfectly paired diamond and silver wide choker with a flower motif, and diamond earrings echoing the blossom. The jewelry helped, but didn't quite bring the dress to the level of success it might have reached with a little structural improvement.

Jessica Biel: Gown by KaufmanFranco; collar by Tiffany & Co.

I hated this dress. From the moment I saw it, I just absolutely hated it. (I believe I remarked, "I think she mugged a mummy.") But once I realized that the collar detail was actually a necklace that was completely separate from the dress. I decided that the gown itself was actually rather attractive. I liked the texture of the metallic gold column, and the fabric clung beautifully to Biel's curves, but the long sleeves were bland and the fringed gold collar was not the right detail to add interest to the look. Instead, it looked ragged and mismatched. Losing the collar and adding long drop earrings, perhaps even with a hint of color, could have turned this mess into a winner, but as is, this was not a good pairing of gown and glitter. 

Octavia Spencer: Gown by Marchesa; jewelry by Forevermark

Spencer's red carpet looks can be hit or miss, so I was delighted to see her in this lovely silver ballgown. I'm not generally a fan of marabou or eyelash fabric, but the trim here was subtly added to emphasize the graceful metallic silver patterning on the skirt, and the softness of the wrapped satin bodice worked well with it. I loved the way her tiny but long drop earrings peeped out from under her sleek bob - anything fussier would have competed with the skirt. Her purple eye makeup was all the added color she needed. A truly gorgeous look, and a well-chosen pairing. 

Olivia Culpo: Gown by Marchesa; rings by Neil Lane

Culpo's silver art deco gown featured a plunging lace bodice and multi-tiered skirt covered in fringe. The design was meant to represent water - both drinking water and tears - and was a combined effort of designer Marchesa, the makers of Stella Artois beer, and Matt Damon's non-profit foundation water.org, in support of a clean drinking water campaign. The gown is partly made from pieces of the "chalices" being sold by Stella Artois as part of the "Buy a Lady a Drink" campaign. The dress had plenty of sparkle on its own, so Culpo wisely opted to accessorize with only a few understated rings, a black beaded clutch, and a tiny black ribbon belt. Well played, ma'am. On several levels. (Please click on the links above for more information about the campaign or to donate to the cause.)

 

Hailee Steinfeld: Gown by Ralph & Russo; bracelet(s) by Neil Lane

Steinfeld's gown was a combination of really great details and design missteps. The fabric and general silhouette of the gown worked well together; the soft fabric moved well and had a subtle metallic and peach floral pattern that caught the light nicely. However, whether by accident or design, there were silver patches over each breast that caught the stage lights like headlights, and the skirt became perfectly sheer under the bright lights, transforming the delicate, ethereal gown into a rather trashy one. The high ruffled neckline and slicked-back hairstyle with heavy eye makeup did not lend themselves to eye-catching earrings or a necklace, but the bare arms were nicely accessorized by a graceful, linked-teardrop diamond bracelet and a tennis bracelet (it's not clear whether this was two separate bracelets or whether they were joined together, but they worked perfectly as a pair). If only this gown were as lovely on the stage as it was on the red carpet. 

Rosalind Ross: Jewelry by Bulgari

Mel Gibson's companion looked unhappy and uncomfortable during most of the awards ceremony, but she was luminous on the red carpet in a strapless ice-blue ballgown with a multi-seamed top, ribbon belt, and full skirt. Ross' deep blue, nearly violet eyes and dark hair were set off perfectly with a two-toned jewel necklace with ice blue stones matching her dress and violet stones matching her eyes, and matching earrings peeking out from behind a few dark tendrils escaping her ladylike updo. The combination drew focus to her lovely face, exactly where it should be.

Ruth Negga: Gown by Valentino; tiara and earrings by Irene Neuwirth

I am apparently one of the few who did not love Negga's Victorian-inspired scarlet gown. I found it to be unflattering and overwhelming on her slight figure, making her appear even tinier than she actually is. The scarlet was too bright and coral-toned for her complexion, and would have been much more flattering in a bright cranberry or burgundy. But the ruby (or possibly garnet) tiara and dangling earrings were sheer perfection in her dark hair and against her pale gold skin. Had the color of the gown been matched to the jewelry more closely, and perhaps the high neckline been converted to a sweetheart neckline, this look would have been a real winner. 

 What was your favorite gown + glitter combination of the evening?