Best of the Oscars 2012 Red Carpet

I couldn't summon up the energy to do an Oscars rundown yesterday, because the red carpet left me a little bored.  Yes, there were actresses that looked good, in the sense that they wore something figure-flattering and pretty, but I wanted to be wowed.  Where were the dramatic gowns?  Where were Tilda and Cate Blanchett??  Nevertheless, I am drumming up my favorites from the night.  Keep in mind, even my top picks would get a B- if I were grading them. 

GWYNETH PALTROW IN TOM FORD

Looking sleek and modern, Gwyneth was my favorite of the night.  As a fervent cape lover myself, I was delighted to see her rocking one on the red carpet.  How chic!

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

STACY KEIBLER IN MARCHESA

Angelina did not have the sense to wear this stunning Marchesa number that I recommended for her, but I'm glad someone else snatched it up!  There is no better time to dress like an Oscar statue than when you are attending the Oscars with George Clooney.

Stacy Keibler in Marchesa Fall 2012

JESSICA CHASTAIN IN ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Jessica brought out the big guns for the Oscars--McQueen!  The gold embroidery looked fantastic against her red hair.

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen Resort 2012

MICHELLE WILLIAMS IN LOUIS VUITTON

This peplum dress looked sweet and feminine on Michelle, and was extremely flattering.  The brooch at the waist may have taken it into the "overly-precious" category though.

Michelle Williams in custom Louis Vuitton

MILLA JOVOVICH IN ELIE SAAB

Milla brought the old Hollywood glam in a gown from one of my favorite Elie Saab Couture collections.

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab Couture Fall 2009

EMMA STONE IN GIAMBATTISTA VALLI COUTURE

Love this dress, but I wish Emma had worn something a little more unique.  This look is a bit too reminiscent of Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga at the 2007 Oscars.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli Couture Spring 2012

As for Rooney Mara, she was my biggest letdown of the night. Yes, she wore Givenchy Couture, but it was not the most exciting dress, and the fit was terrible. Here's to hoping she turns it out at the next Oscars!

Let's Play Barbie: Oscars 2012 Red Carpet

Because I love to play pretend stylist to the stars, I am bringing back my "Let's Play Barbie" feature for this year's Oscars.  Of course, all of the actresses will be hitting the red carpet in gowns fresh off of the runways.

ROONEY MARA

Rooney is the actress I am most excited about at this year's Oscars.  She needs something with a slightly weird, creepy undercurrent, but that still says Oscar nominee.  Luckily for her, I have found a few dresses that fit the bill.

Rooney Mara, Givenchy Couture Spring 2012, Armani Prive Couture Spring 2012, and Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2012

EMMA STONE

Emma is always switching up her red carpet style, and I don't believe she has worn British designer Giles or a white gown yet...which means that it is time!  She should ditch the headpiece, obvs.

Emma Stone + Giles Fall 2012

MICHELLE WILLIAMS

Michelle Williams always looks "cute", but the last time she looked drop dead gorgeous on the red carpet was at the 2006 Oscars when she wore a mustard pleated Vera Wang gown.  How glorious would it be if she ditched the crewneck and long-sleeve gowns she favors, and wore this voluminous Giambattista Valli?

Michelle Williams + Giambattista Valli Couture Spring 2012

OCTAVIA SPENCER

Octavia's style hit a high note at the Golden Globes when she wore a lavender v-neck gown. I would love to see her in a similar neckline and soft color, punched up with some statement jewelry.

Octavia Spencer + Badgley Mischka Fall 2012

DIANE KRUGER

This Jason Wu dress was probably my favorite "potential red carpet gown" on all of the spring runways, and yet, no one has worn it yet! Hopefully that means it is being reserved for the Oscars. Diane has the sartorial panache to pull of this show-stopping gown.

Diane Kruger + Jason Wu Spring 2012

ZOE SALDANA

Zoe always wears something bold, fun and youthful.  I'd love to see her in this gorgeous frothy Oscar de la Renta.

Zoe Saldana + Oscar de la Renta

ANGELINA JOLIE

After many a sack-like dress, Angelina hit her stride at this year's Golden Globes when she wore a fitted gown.  This Marchesa dress combines draping and a neutral color--two of Angelina's signature elements--for a bombshell look.

Angelina Jolie + Marchesa Fall 2012

CATE BLANCHETT

Let's face it--Cate can wear anything she wants and look stunning--but I would love to see her in this dark, dramatic Gucci.

Cate Blanchett + Gucci Fall 2012

TILDA SWINTON

Tilda Swinton is going to bring the avant garde (and the awesome), per the usual.

Tilda Swinton + Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Spring 2012

CHARLIZE THERON

Charlize Theron loves her Dior Couture gowns, but without designer John Galliano at the helm of the fashion house, there isn't much in recent collections to choose from.  I would love her to switch things up and have a dramatic Versace moment.

Charlize Theron + Atelier Versace Couture Spring 2012

VIOLA DAVIS

Viola looks stunning in color, so I think the bolder the better for the Oscars.  She could really make this canary yellow number sing.

Viola Davis + Elie Saab Spring 2012

JESSICA CHASTAIN

Jessica rarely lives up to her potential on the red carpet, which is why I'd like to see her take things to the next level with a Chanel Couture gown.  The colors of this gown would look fantastic against her hair and skin tone.

Jessica Chastain + Chanel Couture Spring 2012

Best of the Oscars 2011 Red Carpet

1.  CATE BLANCHETT

                                                                           Givenchy Couture Spring 2011

Givenchy Couture Spring 2011, enough said.  This lavendar gown was a bold choice, being one of the only avant garde dresses on the red carpet, and it paid off.

2.  ANNE HATHAWAY

           Givenchy Couture Fall 2009

Atelier Versace Spring 2011

                  Armani Prive Spring 2011

For me, the highlight of the Oscars was Anne Hathaway's rotation of fabulous dresses.  I was thrilled to see her wear the red Atelier Versace that I picked! 

3.  SUNRISE COIGNEY

                                                                            Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Fall 2010

Nailed it.  I had no idea who she was before the Oscars (actress, Mark Ruffalo's wife), but this dress got my attention.

4.  AMY ADAMS

                                                                                                             L'Wren Scott Fall 2011

This midnight blue sheath looked so stunning on Amy.  Bonus points for wearing a dress nearly identical to the Neem Khan I picked out for her.

5.  CAMILA ALVES


                        Kaufman Franco

Right dress for the right girl.  Camila looks like a total knockout and is styled perfectly.

6.  MILA KUNIS

                              Elie Saab Couture Spring 2011

I absolutely loved this Elie Saab Couture dress on the runway.  It didn't translate perfectly to Mila (the fit is slightly off), but looks gorgeous none the less.

7.  MICHELLE WILLIAMS

                           Chanel Couture Spring 2011

This is not what I envisioned Michelle in (it's a little bland), but I cannot deny that she looked stunning.  This was the only Chanel Couture on the red carpet. 

Let's Play Barbie: Oscars 2011 Red Carpet

The Oscars is The Event of all events for actresses (or their stylists) to pull out all the stops and dazzle viewers with world class fashion.  Unfortunately, everyone is afraid of being on worst dressed lists and ends up playing it safe.  But!  What if I could choose what actresses would wear on the red carpet?  Well, I'm glad you asked...

ANNE HATHAWAY

Anne is hosting, which means many costume changes (I hope!).  Her uber important role, coupled with an incredible ability to pull of tricky couture gowns, should result in some stunning fashion moments.  I have an amazing lineup chosen for her.

                    Christian Dior Couture Spring 2011, Rodarte Fall 2011, and Prabal Gurung Fall 2011

Louis Vuitton Spring 2011, Gucci Fall 2011, Atelier Versace Spring 2011, Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2011

MICHELLE WILLIAMS

Michelle has a penchant for slightly frumpy and overly twee dresses.  She is never going to do straight up  bombshell, and I am ok with that.  Keeping this in mind, I have chosen some modest, yet fabulous, couture options for her. 

                                     Christian Dior Couture Spring 2011, Valentino Couture Spring 2011, Elie Saab Couture Spring 2011

NATALIE PORTMAN

The Best Actress Oscar favorite (or so I hear) needs a fierce maternity gown to live up to her Black Swan role.  These dresses would be perfect for a Black Swan reference, and I think they would work as maternity wear...although I am not an expert in this area.

                     Christian Dior Couture Spring 2011 and Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011

DIANE KRUGER
This is a woman after my own heart, who actually takes risks on the red carpet.  I have decided it is time for her to have a McQueen moment.  She can pull it off, so why not?

                                       Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011 and Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

TILDA SWINTON

Tilda always brings the avant garde to the red carpet.  With her striking features and commanding presence, she can pull off just about anything.

                                Haider Ackerman Spring 2011, Givenchy Couture Spring 2011, and Alexander McQueen Spring 2011

CATE BLANCHETT

Cate the Great has proven time and time again to have impeccable taste.  She would work these sparkley column gowns to the max.

              Armani Prive Spring 2011, Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011, and Ralph Lauren Fall 2011

JANUARY JONES

There is a 99.9% chance that January Jones will wear Versace, since she is the face of their spring ad campaigns.  I would be completely happy with that, because these gowns are works of art.

        Atelier Versace Spring 2011

HELEN MIRREN

Helen Mirren looks indisputabley awesome for her age.  I am always amazed at how stylish and well put together she is on the red carpet.  She seems to favor Elie Saab, whose feminine designs work well for her.

 Elie Saab Couture Spring 2011, Naeem Khan Fall 2011, and Ralph Lauren Fall 2011

AMY ADAMS

Amy is kind of run-of-the-mill when it comes to the red carpet.  I think she should amp up her style with this dramatic Gucci (fresh off of Milan's runways) or Reem Acra.

                   Gucci Fall 2011 and Reem Acra Pre-Fall 2011

JULIANNE MOORE

Julianne is a gorgeous woman; it's a shame she usually ends up wearing dresses that don't work for her on the red carpet.  I think she should stick with a sleek, flattering silhouette.

Atelier Versace Spring 2011 and Neem Khan Fall 2011

HELENA BONHAM CARTER

And lastly, Helena always brings the kooky to the red carpet, which is why I love her!  She likes her dresses dark and a little bit crazy, and I found just the one for her.

                         Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Spring 2011

That's a wrap.  I can't wait to see what turns up on the red carpet on Sunday!