Photo gallery: Red carpet arrivals
Photo gallery: Red carpet arrivals: Part 2
KEY POINTS:
THE "I'M PREGNANT BUT WHO'D KNOW IT?" AWARD
Nicole Kidman
Why ruin a perfect black dress with such a fussy necklace?
The gown is designed by Balenciaga, but suffice to say that the powers that be at the label must be none too pleased with this flourish. Kidman is looking slim, as always, even in her condition. This is fashion, after all. We're supposed to care about these things.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SERVICES TO FASHION, PART 2
Tilda Swinton
At the Baftas, she looked radiant in shimmering gold Dior haute couture. For the Oscars, she opted for a liquid black Lanvin gown designed by Alber Elbaz. Once again her hair and make-up - or indeed lack of it - makes all those around her seem overdone.
THE "LITTLE MERMAID AWARD FOR BRAVERY IN FASHION"
Marion Cotillard
At the Baftas she based her look on the world's most glamorously fluffy little white dove. For the Oscars, she turned to sea creatures for inspiration.Or at least Jean-Paul Gaultier, the brains behind the gown, did.
THE "PREGNANT AND PROUD" AWARD
Cate Blanchett
This Dries van Noten design is the perfect choice. Unlike all too many of her contemporaries, she wore jewellery that complemented the look and her hair and make-up were equally well judged.
She was, apologies in advance for the cliche, glowing.
THE "WHEN IN DOUBT PLANT SOME PARSLEY IN YOUR BODICE" AWARD
Jessica Alba
This might also have been given The Most Boring Dress In The World Award were it not for the appearance of a bunch of strange, beetroot-coloured foliage. Still, the colour is on trend and it looks suitably dramatic against the red carpet.
THE "IT'S GOOD TO BE GOTHIC" AWARD
Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis
She's wearing Chanel.
And he's wearing Giorgio Armani, not to mention a pair of impressively Mad Professor-esque glasses. Neo-Gothic is the mood of the season.
THE "MAKE-DO-AND-MEND" AWARD
Julie Christie
Given that she could have had her pick of anything the world's leading designers have to offer, it seems somewhat perverse that this dress was made by a mere costume designer. Presumably she is above pandering to the big brands, but did the alternative have to look quite so Eighties?
THE "IN SEARCH OF A LEAD ROLE IN A COSTUME DRAMA" AWARD
Penelope Cruz
Is it a good idea to drape a dress around a woman's hips horizontally? Not necessarily, but one might argue this accentuates her gorgeous curves. The Victorian silhouette proves that a role in any adaptation of a Poe classic is hers for the taking.
THE "AM I BOVVERED?" AWARD
Diablo Cody
Devil by name and devil by physical appearance. In her leopard-print gown with a tattoo proudly on display, the Juno screenwriter comes across as the sort you wouldn't want to mess with on a dark night. Oh, and she also has diamonds on her shoes so why should she care if her frock is a little too sauvage for everyone's tastes?
THE "ONCE A BEACH BABE ALWAYS A BEACH BABE" AWARD
Cameron Diaz
So just when everyone else is pale and interesting to the point of sickly, Cameron Diaz is just as gorgeous, pouty and sunkissed as ever.
Her tousled, undone hair amid a sea of otherwise ultra-chic sleek chignons is equally, like, so LA it's not true.
- THE INDEPENDENT
