Oscar Fashion: Fashion Versus Celebrity

I put together a selection of my favorite looks from the pictures of the Oscars last night. I thought it was a pretty interesting year, fashion wise. There's always a big divide between the fashionistas and the celebrity commentors when it comes to Oscar night. Those in the celebrity-industrial complex like stars to dress like Barbies. Big shiny ball gowns, preferably pink, with little diamond chokers. Gwyneth Paltrow in the Ralph Lauren dress she wore to collect her Best Actress award is their idea of fashion nirvana.

People in fashion like to see more innovative looks. And, thanks to a crop of adventurous-dressing nominees and presenters including Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard, this year we got our way.

Here are my fashion awards:

Most Controversial:

Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gaultier's mermaid gown.

Most Under-Appreciated:

Tilda Swinton in Alber Elbaz's one-armed Lanvin gown.

The more I saw of it, the more I liked it. (And I just bought those shoes at the Barneys sale in New York.)


(Plus you have to love Tilda for telling WWD that Alber Elbaz designed the scratched devore velvet material himself adding, "I look like a cat's been at me."

Best Maternity Dress:

Cate Blanchett in Dries Van Noten. With a few nips and tucks I'm sure she can wear it when she's not pregnant too.

Best Accessory:

Nicole Kidman's 1,399 carat necklace by L'Wren Scott. Lets hope this puts a dagger into the heart of the boring diamond choker.

Best Hair:

Heidi Klum. She told People that she was hiding snacks in it.

Best Vintage Dress:

Calista Flockhart in Valentino.

Best Credits by New Accessories Brand:

Roger Viver for putting bags into the hands of Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Garner

Best Dress Least Suited for The Red Carpet:

Lydia Hearst in Roberto Cavalli. The beautiful print was hard to see until she got some space at the Elton John party.

Then, for a laugh, I went to the Us magazine site to see what they put on their Worst list. Suffice to say, they loved what I loathed. And loathed what I loved.