“If fashion was porn, this dress is the money shot.”

Yes, Gabourey Sidibe said it right.  Last night, the Kodak Theater hosted the 82nd Annual Academy Awards as Tinsel Town welcomed celebrities, designer names, limos, publicists and I’m sure…tons of Swarovski crystals! I could try to argue that the awards are a celebration of the year in film, but who are we kidding? The event has become the epitome of runway shows on the red carpet – “The Superbowl of Fashion” as some like to put it.

Once again, the carpet was swamped with style-safe numbers, which, though award ceremony appropriate, lacked the wow factor that some of us so eagerly fish for at events like these.

The film might not have lived up to its “best picture” nomination, but there was certainly an Avatar effect of some sort on last night’s fashion as we witnessed a strong sea of blue.

Oprah in Carolina Herrera; Mariah Carey in Valentino Haute Couture; Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa; Mariska Hargitay in Vera Wang

The dominating metallics were a go-to for many.  I’ll give them brownie points for their sparkle strategy in an attempt to stand out from the mundane colours.

Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta; Kathryn Bigelow in Yves Saint Laurent; Sandra Bullock in Marchesa; Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent

Making another appearance on the Red Carpet after the Golden Globes earlier this year are the elegant blush tones.

Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka Couture; Anna Kendrick in Elie Saab Couture; Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture

I’m not a huge fan of classic trains but I love the contemporary twist designers have given to some of them.  Adding elements such as ruffles and playing with fabric resulted in these stars sporting a Spanish appeal.

Demi Moore in Atelier Versace; Elizabeth Banks in Versace; Diane Kruger in Chanel

After January Jones wore that to-die-for mint green Versace Couture sculptural dress at the Emmy’s last year, countless Hollywood A-listers have followed in her footsteps.  The sculptural look is a bit more daring than a simple silhouette but it’s beginning to become overdone.

Amanda Seyfried in Armani Prive; Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan; Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive

To me, prints are a great way to stand out in a crowd.  These actresses paired classic silhouettes with the soft brush strokes of a painting.

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten; Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab Haute Couture

Some stars chose to cover it up showing that baring all arms is not the only answer to looking smoking hot.

Meryl Streep in Chris March; Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka; Nicole Richie in Reem Acra

Of course, I’m always on the lookout for the crowd standouts.  I appreciate the risk takers so much more.

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

Vera Farmiga in Marchesa

Carrey Mulligan definitely took the biggest risk.  Her Prada number had a fun touch of whimsy, embellished with Swarovski crystal flowers as well as tiny forks, knives, scissors, bolts, watch gears and other charms!

Carey Mulligan in Prada

And of course, my favourite of the entire night is none other than Carrie Bradshaw herself! Parker wore a stunning satin-like yellow gown that set her apart from everyone.  I adore the neck detail of the dress and love the embellishment in the front that drapes down her back.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel

Image Sources: Film.com, Style.com

Guiliana Rancic in Pamela Roland

Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent

Marisa Tomei in Versace

Queen Latifah in Georges Chakra

Freida Pinto in John Galliano

Floral Inspired Elegance

Most of these gowns incorporated elements of flowers such as petals from the waist down taking elegance to another level.

Miley Cyrus in Zuhair Murad

Taraji P. Henson in Roberto Cavalli

Maria Menounos in Randi Rahm

The Power of Red

You would think that stars in red gowns would blend in with the carpet but these women popped in the variations of sharp red gowns.

Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera

Amanda Seyfried in Valentino

Heidi Klum in RM by Roland Mouret

Virginia Madsen in Kevan Hall

Subtle Glamour of Creams and Nudes

These gowns in light shades of cream brought some chic-ness to the red carpet.

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive

Evan Rachel Wood in Elie Saab

Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott

Penelope Cruz in Vintage Balmain

Jessica Biel in Prada

Return of the Fish Tail

We saw this silhouette dominate at the Golden Globes earlier this year so it’s no surprise that it’s appeared again.  Tight fitted bodices and a free-flowing bottom definitely flatter a woman’s figure!

Beyonce in House of Dereon

Halle Berry in Marchesa

Vanessa Hudgens in Marchesa

Melissa George in Dolce & Gabbana

Fairy-tale Ending

These stars prommed it out like they were Cinderella looking for their Prince…in their own way of course!

Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior

Miley Cyrus in Zuhair Murad

Penelope Cruz in Vintage Balmain

Sarah Jessica Parker in Christian Dior Couture

Sculptural Pieces

These gowns seemed like they were made from origami, giving the stars a very modern look.

Heidi Klum in RM by Roland Mouret

Jessica Biel in Prada

Marisa Tomei in Versace

Jewel-Toned Beauty

Paillettes, sequins and crystals let these stars shimmer in their gowns.

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive

Jennifer Anniston in Valentino

Leslie Mann in Pamella Roland

Tina Fey in Zac Posen

Pretty in Pink

These stars brought some fresh shades to the red carpet and it paid off!

Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Lisa Rinna in Gustavo Cadile

Alicia Keys in Armani Prive

Bringing on the Belt

Sitting high at the waist, these stars accented their gowns with belts giving them an edgier look.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Christian Dior Couture

Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior

Miley Cyrus in Zuhair Murad

Statement Jewellery

Aside from the gowns, the jewellery on the red carpet this year were very much in tune with the trends on the runway.  Big, chunky, colourful, statement making jewellery is what everyone was trying to pull off.

Image Sources: Instyle.com, Film.com, Oscars.Movies.Yahoo.com