Awards aside, the Oscars really were a platform, or better, a runway for the actresses to showcase many amazing dresses – and others not so much. Like Natalie Portman and Colin Firth, the big winners of the night, the color red reigned among the stars: Sandra Bullock, in a Vera Wang, Jennifer Hudson, wearing a Versace, Jennifer Lawrence chose a red Calvin Klein, and Anne Hathaway, the evening’s co-host, dressed in a Valentino, were some who opted for the color of passion.
* Let’s face it: no one dared too much. Amy Adams seemed to be wearing a starry sky – and the brightness was so strong that she must have forgotten to do her hair. Helena Bonham Carter bet on a basic black dress, quite a change from some of the outrageous looks we’ve grown accustomed to. New mom Penelope Cruz, proved – a little too much, one might say – that she’s got everything in the right places in a L’Wren Scott gown.
* Gwyneth Paltrow went with a sparkling straight cut Calvin Klein – trendy and fashionable. Reese Witherspoon rocked the night in a beautifully simple black and white Armani Privé,. Hilary Swank, after many slips in red carpet, hit the mark in a long Gucci – the first piece that Gucci has designed for this kind of occasion. Camila Alves looked gorgeous in a black Kaufman Franco. And she won the award for best accessory of the night: her hubby Mathew McConaughey. Mila Kunis scored points wearing Elie Saab Haute Couture, as well as Cate Blanchett in a Givenchy, and Florence Welch, wearing a beautiful lace Valentino with frilly skirt.