It saddens me to say that while I normally love Sarah Jessica Parker’s red carpet style, this look just didn’t come together. All the elements were in place; the pale yellow silk Chanel was an irreverent color choice typical of the fashion ground-breaker. The silver embellishment across the strapless neckline was on trend; however, the dress lost its cohesiveness with that strange yellow ribbon that ran across her throat, which Parker couldn’t seem to stop fidgeting with. The amazing silver jewels from Fred Leighton, featuring a 1950’s diamond swirl bracelet, cognac diamond flexible bracelet, rose-cut diamond bracelet in platinum and sapphire, and 9 carat cushion cut old-mine diamond moon shape ring, complimented the silver in her dress and were undeniably the best part of the ensemble, which was topped off with an unflattering hairstyle that was frizzy on top and stuffy in the back.
And now for the best dressed of the night. I have to give the honor to Diane Kruger and Carey Mulligan, whose personal styles shone through all the red carpet glitz and glamour. These two women wore their dresses as opposed to letting the dresses wear them, and the fresh little details of their respective looks speaks to a creative and humorous approach to a task so many find overwhelmingly stressful—getting it right for Oscar.
Sticking to Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Kruger was the epitome of European chic. Not your usual Academy Awards gown, the cream dress with black insets was sophisticated and fragile, and fit Kruger’s silhouette perfectly. She kept the look simple, avoiding heavy earrings that would have distracted from the high neckline. She added Chanel’s black and white diamond “Camelia Nervure” brooch to her chic updo—the perfect accent.
Carey Mulligan balanced her Prada, with its heavy and dark shape and sweetheart neckline, with a blonde pixie look and shoulder-dusting Fred Leighton silver-on-gold diamond earrings. The jeweled bustier of the strapless frock was detailed with Swarovski crystal flowers, as well as tiny forks, knives, scissors, and other charms, making it a curious and stunning mix of whimsical and dramatic, much like the actress herself. And that is the key: the perfect Oscar dress, (or any dress for that matter,) isn’t necessarily the one by the most prestigious label. It is instead the one that is an extension of its wearer—the second skin that makes you feel at ease, confident, and, inarguably, best dressed.