The winners and losers were spotted and tagged before the ceremony even began...winning at fashion, it seems, can be even harder than winning an Oscar, writes Phyl Clarke
It's no country for old men, the red carpet. All about the dresses, this is where the real drama is played out live to the world, with no second takes.
The weeks leading up to this year's ceremony were more tense than usual for the A-list - with the cancellation of the Golden Globes ceremony and the Vanity Fair party, last night's red carpet gave the "actors" their only fashion shot at being "film stars" in true Hollywood style.
The most glittering night of the year is the culmination of months of preparation, involving stylists, hairdressers, personal trainers, make-up artists and friends and family. No wonder the stars end up in a flurry of indecision, with some not making their final choice until the limo has arrived. Having too much choice can be as difficult as having too little, and the kudos for getting your dress right is (almost) as coveted as the golden statue itself.
It's a designer's dream to see an A-lister gliding up the red carpet in one of their goddess gowns, but, in recent years, they have ceased to send out press releases linking certain celebrities to their dresses for the ceremony as, alas, many a star has used her woman's privilege to change her mind at the last minute.
Fashion-meets-film success stories have made household names of designers. High priestess of bridal couture Vera Wang's career was lauched when Sharon Stone wowed in her white satin and chiffon creation in 1993.
Uma Thurman's lavender silk Prada gown in 1995 made the world look at that label in an entirely different light. The colour of Susan Sarandon's hair was the inspiration for Dolce & Gabbana's 1996 voluminous copper silk taffeta creation, along with matching shawl, shoes and bag. Nicole Kidman bravely chose a chartreuse John Galliano number slit to the thigh, which sounds like one of those ideas best left on the drawing board, but the Aussie was the hit of that 1997 night.
Armani clocked up the highest number of hits with Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Julia Roberts and Jodie Foster all in his classic, elegant style in 1990, not to mention the fact he dressed six men on the same night.
This year, the horror of ending up on the worst-dressed lists sent the majority of stars into ultra-safe mode. How disappointing. It was a night of classic couture for the most part, with red taking the starring role, supported closely by black. Despite its reputation as the last colour you should wear, given its relationship to a certain carpet, so many got it right, including 83-year-old Ruby Dee and the queen herself, Helen Mirren, in a Georges Chakra scarlet dazzler.
The two red standouts were Heidi Klum, in a fabulous John Galliano creation (auctioned for charity after the show) and Anne Hathaway in crimson Marchesa chiffon which gave us block colour, one shoulder and grecian all in one dress.
This year, certain stars were blooming mothers-to-be and, for the most part, got the fine line between "too much information" and "I'm still a glamorous star" just right. Jessica Alba glowed in aubergine Marchesa, while experimental Cate Blanchett chose Belgan designer Dries Van Noten to great effect, also in purple accentuated with green accessories. Our own Saoirse Ronan looked charming in emerald Alberta Ferratti chiffon, channelling the now famous Atonement dress.
Black is always a regular at these events, but this year made the stars who chose it look unadventurous. Some made the mistake of "doing down" their hair and make-up - Cameron Diaz chose a strapless petal pink Dior, but looked as if she'd done absolutely nothing in the hair and make-up department.
Ditto Renee Zellweger, whose hair was falling into her eyes. Of course, the other extreme is just as bad - stand up Catherine Heigl, who ruined her stunning figure and dress with overdone hair and too much slap.
The red-carpet look is so difficult to get just right that maybe they should consider giving an Oscar for best dressed next year.
