In the pink among the glitz

By FIONA HAWTIN, fashion editor

As soon as Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for an Oscar, she knew she wanted a Liz Mitchell creation for the event.

And it had to be pink, one of her favourite colours.

So the Parnell designer came up with a bias-cut, layered silk chiffon dress with a cowl neckline covered in Swarovski crystal ferns.

Over the top, the chiffon cape with more beading - a koru motif this time - skimmed the shoulders and gave the dress a 30s feel, says the designer.

"She loved it," said Ms Mitchell.

Ms Mitchell, who specialises in glamorous, beautiful siren dresses, was mindful of Keisha's age and wanted to avoid anything too sexy or mature.

The whale hair clip aside, the overall look would guarantee her a bridesmaid part in any possible sequel to the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral.

During the build-up to yesterday's ceremony, Keisha has worn some knock-out combinations, from Jenny Walker's hand-quilted tiki dress worn over jeans to the sassy blue Liz Mitchell flower-covered bodice dress.

Keisha's demure look was overshadowed by the body-conscious dresses the A-list stars poured themselves into. Any colour, as long as it was metallic.

Nicole Kidman's silver Chanel Couture number clung on for dear life, as did Scarlett Johansson's emerald Alberto Ferretti dress.

Fortunately for Kidman, she has no thighs to speak of, but Johansson's stylist should have insisted on a Nancy Ganz body smoother before the frock.

The return to old-style Hollywood glamour was everywhere from Charlize Theron's elegant nude-coloured Tom Ford for Gucci dress, to Liv Tyler, unspeakably chic in black Givenchy Couture.

But this year's Oscar for Best Frocked would have to go to Julia Roberts for her metallic silk Armani gown cinched under the bust with jewels and finishing with a train.