Stars shine on Oscars red carpet as sun comes out
Lupita Nyong’o, a favorite to win the Oscar for best supporting actress for her searing turn in « 12 Years a Slave, » rocked a sleeveless pale blue pleated Prada gown with a deep-V neckline — and a headband.
« It’s a blue that reminds me of Nairobi. I wanted to have a bit of home, » the Kenyan actress — who has become a darling of fashion critics during Tinseltown’s awards season — told E! television’s Ryan Seacrest.
Australian actress Cate Blanchett, the frontrunner for the best actress prize for her work in Woody Allen’s « Blue Jasmine, » sported a gauzy bejeweled nude Armani gown.
« It’s heavy but I love it, » she said.
Fellow best actress nominee Amy Adams, who donned sparkling glam 1970s gowns with deep cleavage in « American Hustle, » was understated and flawless in a strapless deep blue Gucci gown with pocket flaps.
Adams admitted she wore her long red tresses in a bun because of the threat of rain, and told ABC the up-do was inspired by Kim Novak’s look in the Alfred Hitchcock classic « Vertigo. »
Her « American Hustle » co-star Jennifer Lawrence, who is competing against Nyong’o in the best supporting actress category, was striking in a strapless red Christian Dior peplum gown and slicked-back short hair.
In a scene mirroring her famed fall last year as she went up on stage to claim her best actress trophy for « Silver Linings Playbook, » Lawrence slipped on the red carpet Sunday.
For fashion and jewelry designers, having an A-list star show up on the Oscars red carpet in one of their creations is worth more than any print advertising — thanks to the global coverage of the awards ceremony.
Idina Menzel, who will perform the nominated song « Let It Go » from the Disney animated hit « Frozen » during the broadcast, wore a strapless hunter green Vera Wang gown with a sweetheart neckline and a long train.
Hollywood’s men, not to be outdone, had a few fashion statements of their own to make.
White dinner jackets were all the rage — Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, both frontrunners to take home acting prizes for their roles in « Dallas Buyers Club, » adopted the trend.
McConaughey’s bow tie was black, while Leto’s was burgundy.
Leonardo DiCaprio, a best actor nominee for « The Wolf of Wall Street, » and Kevin Spacey, a producer of best picture nominee « Captain Phillips, » both sported blue tuxedos.
Pharrell Williams, a nominee in the best original song category for « Happy » from « Despicable Me 2, » sported a classic tuxedo jacket… and long shorts, designed by Lanvin.
Williams made waves at the Grammys in January in a huge Canadian Mountie-style hat designed by Vivienne Westwood.
