By NICOLE HORTON
As the Hollywood awards season comes to a close, it is time to assess which actors, actresses and singers were the true stars on the red carpet. These high fashion trends are not solely reserved for celebrities—many are accessible trends that translate in both casual and formal wear.
For the 2014 Academy Awards, one of the biggest, most versatile trends of the night for female actresses was neutral colored gowns. Angelina Jolie, who is known for her effortless confidence and glamour, in addition to her seemingly trademark black gowns, donned a neutral colored Elie Saab Haute Couture gown that featured delicate, metallic beading and sheer sleeves. Jessica Biel rocked two trends—a strapless neutral gown with a hint of metallic and an intricate lace pattern. Cate Blanchett’s neutral Giorgio Armani gown featured elaborate floral detail. Singer John Legend’s wife Chrissy Teigen also brought this spring trend to life while wearing a full-skirted floral Monique Lhuillier creation.
Neutral colored dresses can be paired with bright colored shoes for a night in the city. Neutral sweaters can balance colored pants, whether it’s a spring color like a bright purple or burgundy, a fitting color for winter. Floral patterns are perfect for sundresses, flowing skirts or miniskirts. If you are hesitant about trying this trend, a dark background such as navy or brown, paired with light colored flowers, may be a good fit for you.
Meanwhile, Julia Roberts’ deep-V black laced frock received mixed reviews. Some say that Roberts’ dress was the perfect combination of classic and trendy elements, whereas others argued that the dress took on too many trends. One of the most talked-about actresses of the night was Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong’o, who wore a plunging (in both the back and the front) pastel blue Prada gown with a feminine, flowing skirt. Her Fred Leighton gold and diamond headband has generated a lot of buzz, which may make headbands a new trendy accessory.
Kate Hudson’s plunging off-white Atelier Versace design emphasized sex appeal while featuring high fashion elements, like strong shoulders and a flowing cape in the back. Naomi Watts also wore a white beaded frock in the form of a custom dress from the Calvin Klein Collection. This feminine, fitted creation is offset by a geometric diamond collar, a black and white geometric clutch and black strappy stilettos. Adding edgy elements to a feminine dress or blouse is a great way to create a unique everyday look.
Jennifer Lawrence wore a bright red Dior Haute Couture gown featuring a peplum styled waist. Both Sandra Bullock and Amy Adams wore navy gowns, an always stylish hue. Adams’ perfectly fitted strapless Gucci Première peplum gown was also similar to fan favorite Lawrence’s look. These colors are timeless, stylish choices for any season.
At the Golden Globes, Amy Adams wore a two-toned red Valentino halter dress with a plunging neckline and long train. This dramatic train brought a Royal Wedding fashion moment to the Golden Globes. However, it would have been more beneficial for Adams to switch dresses and wear this more daring choice at the Oscars. Sofia Vergara wore a full skirted black Zac Posen design, a change from her usual curve hugging dress choices.
For the Grammys, women in gold brought true Hollywood glamour to the Red Carpet. Taylor Swift stepped out in a Gucci Première gold gown with short sleeves, a crystal mesh overlap and intricate gemstone detail. Chrissy Teigen wore a shiny gold Johanna Johnson gown with a plunging sweetheart neckline– a fashion forward, flattering choice for the model. Pop singer Rita Ora chose a metallic Lanvin design. This gold knee length number had a strange greenish hue, which did not photograph well. Ora also wore silver heels, which clashed with the strong tint.
Katy Perry rocked a Valentino Haute Couture pale pink tulle gown, straight from the runway. It was also decorated with music notes on the skirt. If you like whimsical fashion picks like Perry, Forever 21 is an ideal store to frequent.
Beyoncé donned a white long-sleeve Michael Costello gown with a great deal of strategically placed sheer inserts. Coupled with a plunging back, some said that the gown was too revealing, while others said Beyoncé looked glamorous and sexy.
If you are concerned with showing off your own “bootylicious” body, then sheer sleeves or a neckline might be a good way to experiment with this trend.
For instance, Colbie Caillat chose a vivid red one-shoulder Ezra Santos dress with a thin sheer panel running diagonally across her chest. Floral embellishments were prominently featured on the top half of the dress, whereas the bottom was a timeless, flowing red.
Although many people debate which female singer or actress “wore it best”, as seen on “Fashion Police,” it is important not to overlook men’s fashion this awards season.
For the Oscars, Best Supporting Actor Jared Leto donned a white Saint Lauren tuxedo jacket and a burgundy bow tie, adding a fun, fashionable flair to the often overdone black and white male tuxedo combination. At the Grammys, John Legend and Jay Z sported debonair black tuxedos, but they still stood out because they were perfectly tailored.
Other guys were more daring, such as Macklemore and Robin Thicke, who rocked velvet suits. Miguel took a cue from the runway by stepping out in a pair of shiny leather pants and matching boots from Yves Saint Laurent.
This awards season brought a great deal of buzz and excitement in movies, music and fashion. Whether you are debating which celebrity “wore it best” or how you can add these trends to your own closet, fashion is abuzz with both classic and innovative looks.
Nicole Horton is Culture Editor at The Fordham Ram.
