No, it wasn’t just you, the Oscars were little odd this year. It was as if there was a huge inside joke that everyone knew and as everyone waited for the punch line with great anticipation ……. it never came. However, this years fashions did not disappoint.
I loved seeing Tim Gunn on the red carpet. This is exactly where he belongs. He asks all the right questions and he saves the acting talk for the interviewers with bigger chops. I have been tuning in since I was a small girl merely to see what the stars will be wearing so, the red carpet is my favorite part of the show!
Penny’s Picks for best dressed:
Mila Kunis – The biggest shocker of the night for me was how much I loved this Elie Saab couture gown. The only reason so many design elements (lace, ruffles, draped chiffon, blouson top) work on this gown is because it was constructed impeccably, like a work of art. Every fold, every drape, every small lace ruffle is sewn to perfection. Mila made every one’s top ten list in this designer gown, and the top of my top ten list. Surprised? Me, too!
Natalie Portman – Although I feel she lost it in the accessory department (hello, beaded tassels?), the purple Rodarte gown looked magnificent and comfortable enough for the mom-to-be to carry home a small statuette and a bun in the oven.
Anne Hathaway – Most critics were all over her red Valentino gown, accusing the star of wearing her window treatments, etc. I disagree for two reasons – the fit was perfect and it was pure Valentino couture. In addition, each and every gown that she wore during her multiple costume changes was A+ with the exception of the midnight blue Versace. I thought it fell flat.
Gyyneth Paltrow – Again, I disagree with most critics. Her gown was sleek, cool and totally retro. She was not nominated and was there to look good. She did!
Sharon Stone – Carried off the Black Swan theme to perfection in this one-shouldered Christian Dior gown, regardless off how the critics slammed her smoky eyes. I thought she looked magnificent for a woman of any age.
Jennifer Hudson -Was a vision in Versace. The tangerine color looked marvelous with her skintone and the fit was unbelievable. The side drape and fitted bodice showed off her stunning slim physique. In all fairness, she was stunning when she won her own Oscar and was much heavier. *Memo to her stylist – “make sure the cleavage is the same color as the chest.”
Mandy Moore – Her Monique Lhullier gown was breathtaking. The fit and the detail of this champagne/nude gown reminds us that this little girl is all grown up and also that Monique Lhullier can do no wrong. Her bridal gowns are equally as impressive.
Hailee Stanfield – Also wow’d the crowd in her champagne/ nude creation by Marchesa. She opted for a fuller, ballerina-length skirt which is extremely flattering and appropriate for a young woman at the age of 14.
Sandra Bullock – America’s sweetheart proves once again that she can look red hot on the red carpet with this amazing red Vera Wang gown. But, we already knew that. Her makeup and accessories were toned down leading me to believe that she and her stylist agreed -when you look this good in this gown, you don’t need any extra help.
Hilary Swank – This Gucci Premiere couture gown is pure Hollywood glamour. Hand sewn crystals, ostrich feathers – who knew this much detail could be so sexy? Grey is not an easy color to wear but, Ms. Swank pulls it off effortlessly.
Celine Dion – She had twins? In this simple, fitted Armani Prive gown it is hard to imagine she has given birth to one child, much less three. The slim fitting gown had an absolutely perfect fit for her, the horizontal darts accentuated her toned physique and the only detail on the gown (other than the silk shantung fabric) was a small band that seemed to help the gown curve perfectly over her bust-line. Was it just me or did this necklace remind anyone else of the gargantuan blue diamond stunner she wore when she sang the theme from Titanic?
Tune in tomorrow for my picks for the Worst Dressed at the 2011 Oscars. In the mean time, you can click on this link to view Bridal Expo’s very own red carpet couture runway show! https://www.bridalshowexpo.com/fos_video_bride.html?PHPSESSID=c2893cac5707631701337f218a200fd2
– Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago
