There is a fine art to projecting effortless chic on the red carpet. And looking effortless does not take hours–it takes days. With the Oscars billed as the most important fashion show of the year, celebrities are primping like never before.
Dress for Oscar success
Gone are the days of swans, ballet poseurs and belly-baring babes. The runways and red carpets ooze unadulterated glamor, an homage to screen sirens Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlene Dietrich. Trends? The ubiquitous column gown, flowing goddess gowns, intricately sequined couture and color, color, color.
The house of Chanel focuses its efforts only on the top of the food chain. My bet is that Charlize Theron wears a Chanel creation: sleek, simple and colorful.
When actresses want to channel the icons of yore, they pop over to Lily et Cie, the country’s premier vintage emporium, to score an authentic gown by Norell, Valentino, Pauline Trigere or Galanos. Celeb vintage-istas previously outfitted by Lily et Cie include Renee Zellweger, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Wynona Ryder. All bets are on Renee Zellweger to wear a colorful vintage gown festooned with deco jewelry.
To turn heads on the carpet, stars turn to show-stopper John Galliano’s Dior. With his over-the-top Egyptian couture collection, he may attract Patricia Clarkson or whip up a zany gilded dress, capelet and matching glove ensemble for Diane Keaton.
Elie Saab’s red carpet endorsement from Halle Berry has put his sexpot designs on the map. We may see Samantha Morton wearing one of his creations.
Holly Hunter, who looked so pretty and demure at the Golden Globes in her delicate Vera Wang gown, may remain loyal to Vera with another soft, pretty look or jump ship to Oscar de la Renta and spice it up with a brocade gown or flirty, flared three-quarter-length cocktail dress.
And what about the the uber preggers Marcia Gay Harden? Earth Mother Donna Karan will probably dress to suit.
I’d love to see Keisha Castle Hughes in a fun Pucci print dress. Nothing serious!
Naomi Watts may parlay her magnificence with a fab silken gown by Zac Posen or a sparkly coral Gucci dress with a fur stole.
We will rock you
To really glow on the red carpet, stars need to amp up their diamond wattage. The trick? Borrowing thousands of dollars worth of bling from prestigious jewelers like Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Martin Katz, Neil Lane and Kwiat.
This season, celebs are going for Old Hollywood elegance with jewels that enhance a glamorous gown but do not overpower. Big trends include sparkly chandelier and stiletto earrings to draw attention to the face and enhance the neck.
Another look will be deco-style cluster earrings a la Scarlett Johansson at the Golden Globes. Bold cuff and stackable diamond bracelets will grace many a wrist. And as always, the killer right hand ring will be working to catch the paparazzi light as celebs work the red carpet. Brooches are being worn in the hair, on the straps of gowns and on fur wraps.
Necklaces get the thumbs down. Most celebs have paid a lot for their decolletage and want to showcase their prized possessions sans competition. Even men may get in on the jewelry game with watches, diamond cufflinks and the occasional pinky ring.
Guy style
As usual, men such as Ben Kingsley, Alec Baldwin, Tim Robbins and Bill Murray will likely go traditional and gravitate toward the tuxedos of Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren. Sean Penn and Jude Law could stand out in slim-fitting Gucci or YSL tuxedos. But spitfire Johnny Depp is sure to deviate from the pack. My prediction? Either a vintage Rat Pack tux or a ratty Vivienne Westwood suit with Parisian cravat.
Ready for their close-up
A-listers Marcia Gay Harden and Sofia Coppola have enlisted in Sonya Dakar’s beauty boot camp four weeks before the Oscars. Why? A series of Sonya’s revolutionary Diamondtone Microdermabrasion will resurface tired skin and add a red carpet glow.
The Arcona Studio has been booked for months for the Instant Facelift for its star clients seeking dramatic glow on the red carpet. Although Arcona won’t reveal its pre-Oscar star bookings for the treatment, which tightens the muscles of the face with special products that lift the tissues, previous clients include Diane Lane, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts.
Anastasia Soare–the undisputed “Eyebrow Queen”–is plucking mad! Mum’s the word on which Oscar nominees have made an appointment, but in the past she has perfected the arches of style mavens Charlize Theron, Renee Zellweger, J.Lo and Oprah.
To avoid the inconvenience of scheduling separate beauty services, private beauty suites are de rigueur to prep for the Oscars.
Estee Lauder sets up camp at the Four Seasons Hotel and invites nominees to indulge in spa services. Frederic Fekkai and Chanel are teaming up for The Ultimate Red Carpet Retreat, where celebs can book appointments for extreme deep conditioning, blow outs, eyelash tinting, body bronzing, botox and microdermabrasion. Stars getting the royal treatment this year will include Thora Birch, Kim Cattrall and Patricia Heaton.
W Magazine Hollywood retreat will offer “well being” with consultations in Pilates, yoga and fitness training as well as spa services by Clarins and hair services by Paul Mitchell.
