Divas and Darlings - Academy Awards 2012

Red Carpet Fashion
The 84th Annual Academy Awards 2012

Awards season reached its pinnacle at last night's Oscars, where the red carpet was abuzz with Hollywood's biggest stars. And every single actress from the movie Bridesmaids. There were far less extravagant looks than I expected, simpler silhouettes that prevailed instead. Popular trends of the evening were shades of red and white, one shouldered sleeves, and mermaid skirts with a short train. Here is the Academy Awards 2012 style file.  


A Twist On Black

Nominee Jessica Chastain was regal in an opulent strapless Alexander McQueen gown, lavishly threaded with gold embroidery. Angelina Jolie put her best foot forward in a luxe black velvet Atelier Versace gown with daring thigh high slit and Salvatore Ferragamo heels. The lighter hair colour does wonders for her. Sandra Bullock wore a black and white Marchesa dress with low back, featuring gold embroidery on the waist and sleeves. 'Bridesmaids' actress Rose Byrne chose a high-gloss sequined look with asymmetric shoulder from Vivienne Westwood. Jimmy Choo sandals fit her feet.

Snow White

Gwyneth Paltrow was superhero-chic in fitted column gown with floor-length cape, bringing designer Tom Ford back to the forefront of Hollywood glamour. Milla Jovovich was breathtaking in an iridescent white one-shouldered Elie Saab gown. She wore complimentary white nail polish, along with a red lip. 'The Descendent's' Shailene Woodley took on a more mature and demure look, wearing a long-sleeved Valentino gown with high neck and empire waist. Best Actress Nominee Rooney Mara was captivating in a white structured gown with fishtail skirt by Givenchy. It's not so much the dress, but her signature blunt bangs and red lipstick that makes her stand out.

Red Haute

Michelle Williams was spellbinding in this gorgeous pleated pomegranate silk mousseline gown with organza ribbon detailing and peplum by Louis Vuitton. Kudos to her for carrying a pink clutch. Emma Stone looked fresh faced and ravishing in a fuchsia red Giambattista Valli gown with floaty skirt and large token tie-up bow. Livia Firth (wife of Oscar winner Colin Firth) didn't shy away from the attention, opting for a scarlet Valentino gown with sheer long Bishop sleeves. Last year's Best Actress winner Natalie Portman went through the archives of Dior and picked out this red and black polka dot dress from 1954. The necklace bothers me.

Glimmer & Gold

Stacey Keibler mirrored the Oscar statue in sumptuous gold Marchesa gown with one-shoulder and large draped rosette on the waist. Her Veronica Lake waves are one of my favourites of the evening. Best Actress winner Meryl Streep wore a molten gold Lanvin wrap-gown with belted waist. 'Bridesmaids' Ellie Kemper opted for a fire-inspired gown by Armani Privé, fabricated from red, yellow and gold palliettes...which also matched her hair colour. Oscar winner Octavia Spencer glowed in her beaded ivory Tadashi Shoji gown. Jennifer Lopez turned up the heat in a plunge-neck shimmery nude Zuhair Murad gown which has cut-out sleeves and linear crystal embellishing. Too risqué for the Oscars perhaps?

Pretty in Pastels

'Bridesmaids' actress Wendi McLendon Covey in a dusty pink lace and tulle gown with crystal beading. Maria Menounos looked charming in a candy apple green Maria Lucia Hohan gown with halter-straps. Kate Mara was ethereal in a petal pink and belted Jack Guisso gown, with intricate floral appliqués and just one sheer draped sleeve. The Artist's Berenice Bejo in a mint embellished Elie Saab gown with deep v-neck and matching clutch. A different hairstyle would have glorified this look. Her co-star in the movie, Penelope Ann Miller wore a pale pink halter-neck Badgley Mischka dress. I'm getting a Miss America vibe from this one.

Dusky Hues

Nominee Glenn Close wore a dapper dark green corset gown with folded fishtail skirt by Zac Posen, and included a matching blazer. Age appropriate I would say. Leslie Mann looked elegant in a form-fitting strapless navy blue Roberto Cavalli gown with embellished bodice. Busy Philipps was toned down in a grey lace Dolce & Gabbana dress with gathered waist. Tina Fey adopted the peplum trend in a deep blue custom-made Carolina Herrera dress.

A Splash of Colour

Missi Pyle wore an attractively shaded and eco-friendly aquamarine dress by Valentina Delfino. Nominee Viola Davis was arresting in emerald green Vera Wang. Her corset dress flows into a fully pleated skirt. Sarah Hyland wore a silky draped amethyst Alberta Ferretti gown. Penelope Cruz was engaging in a lavender blue organza off-the-shoulder dress by Armani Privé. 'Bridesmaids' Maya Rudolph opted for aubergine, in a Joanna Johnson gown with embroidered sleeves and waistband.

A Pale Tale

E! News presenter Giuliana Rancic has really refined her look, she was impressive in a creamy white Basil Soda gown with leaf-like embroidery along the sides and a beaded bodice. Stylist Louise Roe was exemplary in this innovative origami fold gown by Black Halo. Loved her hairstyle too! Cameron Diaz looked a little washed out in a strapless nude Gucci gown, with a layered chiffon ruffle skirt, edged with silver beading. Kristen Wiig is much improved since previous award shows this season. The 'Bridesmaids' star wore a strapless nude J Mendel gown, the lure-factor lying in the fully shredded tulle skirt.

My favourites from the 2012 Academy Awards show are Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab and Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli. Who are your picks?