LOS ANGELES: Shimmering beads, jewels in pale hues and dresses in bold tones brightened an unusually dreary rainy afternoon in Hollywood on Sunday as the film industry’s stars hit the glamorous Oscars red carpet.
Actresses Julianne Moore was in shimmering Chanel, while Felicity Jones and Emma Stone donned dresses with sparkle and shine as they arrived for the biggest night in the movie business.
Jones, nominated for best actress for her role in The Theory of Everything, wore a fairy tale-inspired Alexander McQueen grey gown with a beaded halter bodice and full skirt. She said she chose the design for its “strength and femininity”.
“This year was a turning point for fashion on the red carpet. We are really starting to see almost everyone take chances,” said Eric Wilson, fashion news director at Instyle Magazine.
Lupita Nyong’o, closely watched on the red carpet, opted for a custom Calvin Klein white halter dress that she helped design and which was embellished with 6 000 pearls.
Light metallic tones were popular among actresses such as Jennifer Aniston, in a blush beaded Versace number, and Anna Faris in a silver beaded Zuhair Murad. Jennifer Lopez and Emma Stone both opted for shimmering Elie Saab dresses – Lopez preferring a plunging bronze, full-skirted gown while Stone went for a light green sparkling fitted dress that offset her red hair.
Best actress nominee Moore wore a strapless white-beaded Chanel gown with black accents, while Birdman actress Naomi Watts shimmered in an Armani Prive gown with head-to-toe silver and black beads.
Lady Gaga made a statement on the red carpet in a silver beaded white structured, full-skirted gown by Azzedine Alaia with red gauntlet gloves. Wilson called her gown “a big fashion moment”.
Best actress nominee Marion Cotillard also opted for white in an embroidered Christian Dior couture gown.
Red was a popular choice for actresses, including Dakota Johnson in Saint Laurent Paris, and best actress nominee Rosamund Pike.
Scarlett Johansson wore a curve-hugging deep green Versace gown, while Anna Kendrick donned a coral halter Thakoon gown. Best supporting actress nominee Patricia Arquette bucked the shine trend with an understated black and white off-the-shoulder gown. – Reuters