André Leon Talley on the 2011 Academy Awards Red Carpet
This was a banner year for high fashion-I regret not being there to see the sensational sweep of elegant yet hot dresses. Michelle Williams in a superb Chanel column and Hailee Steinfeld in a nude Marchesa were the BDLs (best-dressed ladies) of the evening without competition. In one awards season, the fourteen-year-old Steinfeld has evolved her personal style-her debutante-length dress and skinny diamond-and-platinum Fred Leighton headband were youthful, graceful, and age-correct. Halle Berry was right up there, in a froth of Marchesa tulle and nude illusion, creating a moment of red-carpet glamour not seen in a long time.
Mandy Moore's button-style earrings seemed clunky in relation to the sleekness of her flesh-tone Monique Lhuillier dress with illusion sleeves. Cate Blanchett went for Givenchy Haute Couture pleats in the palest lilac-class and cool. It was nice to see Sharon Stone look so polished, carrying the torch for the great black dress, choosing John Galliano for Christian Dior's fluid, bias-cut one-shoulder; this is the way you expect true Hollywood to walk the carpet. Oscar veteran Hilary Swank anchored her swirled coiffure with bling in just the right place to frame her face, complementing her spangled Gucci illusion with a huge skirt of ostrich feathers-gorgeous. Gwyneth Paltrow, in a shimmering sheath by Calvin Klein Collection and sixties middle-parted long hair, had one of her most outstanding red-carpet moments. (Remember the year she wore the ill-fitting black Alexander McQueen?)
The nude-colored groove section took me to a place I always want to go watching the Oscars-breathtaking and shimmering style, the kind that makes you say the morning after, Didn't she look amazing?
Jennifer Lawrence looked like the 20-year-old star she is, opting for little adornment-the Pop red of her simple Calvin Klein Collection column was enough. Sandra Bullock's Vera Wang strapless was to die for, and for once, she put her hair up in a swept-back chignon. Penelope Cruz wowed in ruby red L'Wren Scott. Amy Adams also chose L'Wren Scott, a midnight-blue sequin cap-sleeved dress that set off one of the most beautiful necklaces of the night, a diamond-and-emerald Cartier.
There was a drama queen group: Mila Kunis in pale lavender Elie Saab: not overkill, but overdrive. Jennifer Hudson's biggest mistake was arriving on the red carpet with a train bearer! She can handle a train. The plunging-neckline tangerine halter Versace with purple heels tried too hard, and her weighty, coiled rope of a hairstyle conveyed a lack of effortless élan. Scarlett Johansson's wine lace Dolce & Gabbana with cutout back: too much drama; her hair: much too casual-she just looked undone.
Two actresses who made interesting choices that went haywire were Marisa Tomei and Helena Bonham Carter. Tomei's fifties frigate of a couture dress with asymmetrical tulle by genius Charles James (from Lily et Cie) wore her. She's too beautiful not to stand out, and she knows to go vintage, but when vintage wears you, stick with something made today. Bonham Carter chose a Colleen Atwood velvet Edwardian bustle dress with her ubiquitous sunglasses and a clutch that looked like a lace fan.
Nicole Kidman used to be one of the red carpet's best-dressed stars, but she seems to be unsure of her choices this season. Her tennis-match ponytail didn't work, and her Dior Couture white column with distinctive kimono details paired with red peep-toe sandals suggested randomness or that she is too cool to care. But what a magnificent Fred Leighton necklace! Reese Witherspoon's high comb-out, blonde fall, swaying in the wind, overpowered her simple black Armani Privé dress with white bandeau. Finally: Rodarte on Best Actress Natalie Portman, in chiffon part garnet, part amethyst in color, and Tiffany chandelier earrings, looked as elegant as she did as a ballerina in a tutu, also by the Mulleavy sisters.
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