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 With stylists eying the upcoming Fall/Winter collections at
New York Fashion Week in search of the perfect Oscars dress for
their A-list clients, the stakes were high for designers as they
opted for sophisticated elegance on the runway.
"It moves the needle in terms of publicity and recognition,"
said James Mischka, of the design duo Badgley Mischka, about
being featured on the red carpet. "It can make a career."
Mischka and his partner, Mark Badgley, harkened back to old
Hollywood style with dramatic, ornate gowns in rich brocades of
red, black and blue, and long, shimmering dresses inspired by
the 1941 bull fighting film "Blood and Sand" starring Tyrone
Power.
The look was luxurious, sensuous and dynamic, with jewels
interwoven into the fabric and shapes inspired by futuristic
architecture.
"I think you will see bigger shapes on the red carpet this
time," Mischka told Reuters before his runway show. "Women want
to look like princesses these days; princesses and queens."
CASCADING GOWNS, UNDULATING RUFFLES
Even if a designer sends a gown to an actress, there is no
guarantee that it will appear on the red carpet at the Academy
Awards, thus drawing both designers and fashionistas into
watching the Oscars live on Sunday for fashion surprises.
Nina Garcia, creative director at Marie Claire Magazine, said
fashions at the Oscars are always unpredictable, although dark
colors and metallics have been popular choices on the red carpet
so far this year, along with deep plunging necklines and
one-shoulder gowns.
"Considering who is nominated, I think it is going to be a cross
between very sophisticated and very feminine,” she told Reuters.
This year's nominees include Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon,
Rosamund Pike, Felicity Jones and Emma Stone, all closely
watched on the red carpet.
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Venezuelan-born designer Carolina Herrera, a favorite among stars
such as Renee Zellweger, exuded sophistication and played with
movement with full, billowing gowns in blues and grays, inspired by
waves and water.
Herrera paired a navy off-the-shoulder pleated bodice with a water
colored, multi-ruffle bottom in a gown that was among the highlights
of the show.
"If one is looking for that uptown elegance of super-lux, then
Carolina is a go-to choice," said Avril Graham, the executive
fashion and beauty editor at Harper's Bazaar.
HOLLYWOOD'S NIGHT TO SHINE
Designer Monique Lhuillier is no stranger to the red carpet, with
Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry and Catherine Zeta-Jones donning her
creations.
Like Badgley Mischka, she found inspiration in a bygone age, taking
her cue from the 1920s with deep tones of plum, midnight blue, teal
and bronze for her sultry evening gowns.
"I think you'll see a lot of close-to-the body silhouettes,"
Lhuillier said of the Oscars. "Women in Hollywood take such good
care of themselves and this is their night to shine, so they do show
a little skin and shape."
Draped silk chiffon and satin fabrics featured prominently in her
collection that included long-sleeved gowns and bias cuts that
skimmed the body.
Gowns in tulle and chiffon, lots of lace and embellished beading and
embroidery were also popular among designers in looks that could be
transported from the runway to the red carpet within days.
"The jury is out," said Harper's Bazaar's Graham. "Certainly,
designers will be keeping all fingers and toes crossed."
(Additional reporting by Elly Park; Editing by Piya Sinha-Roy and
Marguerita Choy)
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