Cameron Diaz

Oh, the Oscars – Tinseltown’s annual glamour fest, the fashion-filled night where the stars save the best for last as they strut their style down the final red carpet of the awards season.  In a night as important for fashion as it is for film, the celebrities at this year’s Academy Awards seemed to be taking a cue from Oscar himself.  After all, this was the night to shine!

Finally breaking from the recent tradition of safe and subdued, three major tone trends could be spotted outside of the Kodak Theatre this year: metallics, vibrant blues, and nude hues.

Following the metallic trend was Kate Winslet in a strapless Yves St. Laurent paired with Tiffany diamonds, Sandra Bullock in embroidered Marchesa, Nicole Richie in a full-sleeved Reem Acra, and Cameron Diaz bringing old Hollywood glamour in a stunning Oscar de la Renta.

Nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal gave us a pop of color in her printed Dries van Noten, while all three “Precious” players arrived in nearly identical shades of blue – Gabourey Sidibe in gilded Marchesa, Mo’Nique in homage to 1939 winner Hattie McDaniel, and Mariah Carey in a slitted Valentino.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Fleshing out the nude hues, we found Diane Kruger channeling a 1920s flapper in Chanel Haute Couture, nominee Anna Kendrick in Lebanese designer Elie Saab, and Demi Moore in ruffled Atelier Versace.

In a sea of ruffling sparkles and flowing princess gowns, it was easy to spot the few standouts of the night.  Newcomer Carey Mulligan wore a youthful black Prada adorned with mini cutlery; red carpet darling Sarah Jessica Parker (in vintage Chanel Couture) wore some of the most impressive jewelry of the evening, with stacks of diamond-studded bangles teamed with the latest skin art trend — a temporary tattoo from Les Trompe-l’oeil de Chanel resembling a pearl chain.  And how could we forget the over-the-top ensembles of Avatar’s Zoe Saldana (in a confectionary piece from Givenchy), nominee Vera Farmiga (in a sculptured Marchesa), and Charlize Theron (in an attention-grabbing “cinne-bust” by John Galliano for Dior).

The Oscars is like a grand, celeb-studded fashion show — stars dress to impress, and there’s no reward for playing it safe.  The 2010 Academy Awards provided us seasoned fashioniSTAs with plenty ensembles to ogle and we honor those who took a chance and dazzled on the red carpet.  Vogue Editor-At-Large Andre Leon Talley, in his program notes for 2007’s ‘A Celebration of Oscar Fashion,’ may have said it best…

“Oscar fashion is an extraordinary experience rooted in the power of individuality. Since the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929, Oscar fashion has been a laser that beams around the world through the various levels of high fashion… the glamour, the aesthetic sensibility of one fabulous night, when the individual, the illusionist, the movie star, gave the world a glimpse of their personal style.”

~Kim, fashioniSTA

Vera Farmiga

Carey Mulligan