Oscar Fashion
Lights, Cameras, Action…The 83rd Annual Academy Awards are just days away, and much of the drama is expected to play out on the red carpet before the ceremony.
KYW's Melony Roy enlisted the help of local style mavens to talk about this year's red carpet trends, the nominees and Oscar dont's.
Jimmy Contreras - a local fashion and lifestyle expert and the founder of phillystreetstyle.com.
Rakia Reynolds - the Philly 360 fashion ambassador, regional editor for Uptown Magazine, and owner of Skai Blue Media.
The most asked question on the red carpet is "Who are you wearing?"
Dressing the Hosts: James Franco & Anne Hathaway
Host and nominee James Franco will probably go the traditional route in a simple black tuxedo.
Anne Hathaway is sure to "shut it down" and look "totally Ba-nan-nas," as celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe would say. Contreras thinks she is always one of the best dressed, and that Rachel Zoe will pull out all the stops with multiple outfit changes.
The Men:
The red carpet is not as big a deal for men as it is for women. In a sea of black suits and tuxedos, how do the men stand out on the red carpet? Contreras says it's all about accessories like a cool bowtie, neckerchief, a jacket with some depth or texture, or some funky shoes.
"The fashion is not as fun," adds Rakia, "Justin Bieber wore a great white velvet suit to the Grammys but I was over it in two seconds. Add a nice pair of shades, people really pay attention to your face when they are taking your picture."
The Women:
The Oscar red carpet is the Super Bowl of fashion for women. It can take months to create the perfect "look"--from the dress, to the shoes, to the jewelry, to the hair and makeup.
Best Supporting Actress
Melissa Leo - The Fighter
Sparkled at the Golden Globes in a not-so-basic black Marc Bouwer dress, but fizzled at the SAG Awards in an ill-fitting gold Ralph Rahm gown.
• Reynolds: "She should try Zac Posen. His gowns always flatter a woman's body and pull in the waist."
Amy Adams - The Fighter
On trend throughout this awards season, first at the Golden Globes in a deep blue Marchasa gown with rosettes, and then in a long white Herve Laroux dress.
• Contreras: "She was ahead of the curve last year wearing a jewel tone gown, so she probably will not wear one, but she is a trendsetter and I'm excited to see what she wears."
Haillee Stienfield - True Grit
This year's youngest nominee at 14 years old, she has managed to look young and fun on the red carpet in a long white Prabal Gurung at the Golden Globes, and a tropical stripped Prada gown at the SAG Awards.
• Reynolds: "She has her whole life to be long, dramatic and serious; I'd like to see her in something short and rufflely like Kelly Osbourne's purple Grammy dress."
Helena Bonham Carter - The King's Speech
The Lady Gaga of acting, you never know what she is going to wear but you do know that it will be interesting. Who else can pull off two different colored shoes in a Vivienne Westwood dress at the Golden Globes? She kept it a little simpler at the SAG Awards with a two tone Marc Jacobs' gown.
• Reynolds: "She ups the ante! For her, it's another form of expression."
Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom
This unknown veteran Australian actress' only appearance this award season was at the Golden Globes in a black cocktail length dress with sparkling homage to the sea creatures.
• No one knows a lot about the 63 year old actress, but we hope that she finds a stylist.
Best Actress
Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine
Channeling a 60's mod vibe while promoting "Blue Valentine", but fell short with a beige daisy appliqué Valentino gown with side ruffles at the Golden Globes.
• Reynolds: "She's a wildcard, she threw everyone off at the Golden Globes and people are looking forward to see what she will wear to the Oscars."
Jennifer Lawrence - Winters Bone
The 20-year-old actress opted for a statement making black Louis Vitton gown at the Golden Globes and a belted hot pink Oscar de la Renta dress with a high slit at the SAG awards.
• Contreras: "She would look great in a backless dramatic black Zac Posen dress."
Natalie Portman - Black Swan
She has chosen strapless dresses for both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards to flatter her growing baby bump. A soft pink umpire waist Viktor & Rolf accentuated with a red rose, and white Azzaro gown with a little sparkle trim around the top.
• Reynolds: "She may wear something by Narcisco Rodriguez. He's designs a lot for baby bumps, they are sexy and flowy."
Annette Benning - The Kids Are Alright
She was the only female nominee to wear a long-sleeved dress at the Golden Globes. The simple black with black velvet Pokka dot Tom Ford dress was accessorized with red nails and a great pair of glasses. She went in a completely opposite direction for the SAG awards with a metallic gown and a simple red lip.
• Contreras: "I can't wait to see what she wears; I'm hoping to see her in a classic wide leg pant suit with embellishment, jewels or sparkles on the jackets."
Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole
She's no stranger to the Oscar red carpet. Nicole kept it simple at the Golden Globes in a pale yellow one-shoulder Prada gown with bow belt, but took a risk in a cap sleeve, black lace, plunging back Nina Ricci gown at the SAG Awards.
• Contreras: "She wears a lot of Valentino; I'm hoping that she wears green. She has that pale skin and reddish hair."
2011 Red Carpet Trends:
Contreras: "Bejeweled shoes encrusted with crystals, sparkles and spikes, like Jimmy Choos and Christian Louboutins."
Reynolds: "A lot of jewelry, jewel-tone gowns, sparkles, and experimentation with size and shapes of dresses."
Oscar DON'T's:
- Do not pick your own dress. Get a stylist; they know what is on trend and what will work for your shape.
- Do not underestimate the power of shape wear.
- Do not wear all the trends at once.
Favorite Oscar Gowns:
Reynolds: Julia Roberts in 2001 in a black Valentino Dress
Contreras: Halle Berry 2002 in Ellie Saab.
For more on the Oscars, click here.
Reported by Melony Roy, KYW Newsradio 1060
