Fashion police: 68th Golden Globes Awards 2011

Natalie Portman's Viktor & Rolf creation worked wonders to hide her baby bump

The Golden Globes are unique in that they represent both worlds of television and motion pictures in a relatively intimate affair with round table dining and champagne, leading to some movie and TV stars exhibiting, shall we say, more entertaining behaviour than at other black tie events.

Here, pre-Oscar accolades are awarded to outstanding film categories, and post-Emmyrecognition is given to the finest in television.  The Globes are also about fashion on the scale of fairytales—dramatic couture, dazzling diamonds, gowns with trains, upswept hair, exquisite shoes, beautiful clutches, all worn by some of the western world’s most captivating actors.

When it comes to Hollywood, the red carpet is every bit as interesting as an awards ceremony itself. This is where fashion houses and jewelers vie to be worn by A-list celebrities; where stylists’ careers are made or ended; where fashion magazines pick up trends and the high street begins its knock-offs; and where viewers see tinsel town at its best—and, in some cases, at its most bizarre.

Best Dressed:

1.Olivia Wilde (Tron: Legacy) dazzled in sparkly Marchesa.

2.Jane Fonda looked fabulous and fifty years younger in sequined black.

3. Anne Hathaway glistened in champagne sequined Armani Prive.

4. Sandra Bullock looked chic in flowy Jenny Packham.

5. Scarlett Johanssen evoked old Hollywood in a pretty Elie Saab.

Most Disappointing: Unfortunate choices for the evening included Romona Keveza’s designs on Jennifer Love Hewitt (a ludicrous baby blue confection) and on red-haired bombshell Christina Hendricks’ red bomb of a dress; Julianne Moore in a uni-sleeved fuschia Lanvin; Claire Danes (winner for Best Actress in a TV Series or TV Movie) in a custom-made candy-pink Calvin Klein that only elongated her already-long torso; and Halle Berry in a black corset-and-train disaster by Nina Ricci.

Most Figure-Flattering: Curves were amplified and waistlines defined by clever choices made by Sofia Vargara in scarlet Vera Wang; January Jones in a daring red Versace that was the only overt cleavage-barer of the evening; Eva Longoria in exquisitely tailored black Zac Posen; and Christina Aguilera in beaded Zuhair Murad.

Most Eccentric: Unsurprisingly, Helena Bonham Carter won this one hands down in a whimsical Vivienne Westwood that recalled 80’s-era Madonna, wearing a red shoe on one foot and a green shoe on the other; Annette Bening (Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical Motion Picture winner) unnecessarily wanted to be taken seriously in a Tom Ford outfit with glasses and spiky hair.

Most Blah: These ladies normally look striking, but their choice of white lent a ghoulish hue to their complexions this year: Tilda Swinton (in a white shirt with an unflattering off-white skirt, both by Jill Sander); Nicole Kidman (in a bland Prada design); Jennifer Lopez (in sparkly white Zuhair Murad with unfortunate white eyeshadow and too-pale lipstick); Leighton Meester (in pale beige schoolmarm Burberry); and Megan Fox (skeletal in soft pink Armani Prive).

Biggest Bling: The biggest rocks on display this year were on the $1.6 million diamond Cartier necklace worn by Dame Helen Mirren. Mirren carried off the necklace without letting it overwhelm her, and, true to form, wisely covered her upper arms in sheer fabric as part of her delicate Badgeley Mischka ensemble.

Best Backrest: Angie Jo made up for her lack of statement jewelry with her favourite accessory in the form of Brad Pitt—Mr. Pitt’s form also provided a useful backrest while the duo were seated.

Single-tastic: Newly-single starlets included Sandra Bullock, Scarlett Johanssen, Christina Aguilera and Eva Longoria, all looking noticeably more glamorous than they did a few months ago when they were still married. Coincidence or extra effort?

Best Bump-Coverage: Every awards season invariably includes a notable pregnant actress nominee; this year its Natalie Portman, Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama winner for Black Swan, whose light pink Viktor & Rolf dress draped elegantly over her sizable bump and diverted the viewers’ gaze upward to a sparkly red flower on her bosom that matched her lipstick, clutch and shoes. Runner up: equally pregnant Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock in a pretty, billowing blue gown.

Top “Yes-they’re-human” Moments: Angelina caught on camera applying lip gloss; Eva Longoria stumbling twice in a row to prevent herself from falling on stage in sky-high heels; Mrs. Downey Jr. smiling mechanically in Just-Wait-Till-We-Get-Home mode while her husband made jokes about sleeping with all the Best Actress nominees. Blame it on the Moet (or not).

TRENDS: Sequined futuristic Gaga-esque gowns (dramatic square-shouldered): Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace, Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive, Jane Fonda. Poufy one-shouldered ‘high school prom’ dresses: Amy Adams in Marchesa, Lea Michelle of Glee in Oscar de la Renta, Mila Kunis in Vera Wang, and Julia Stiles and Christina Hendricks in Romona Keveza. Emerald-green gowns, particularly striking on brunettes: Catherine Zeta-Jones in Monique Lhullier, Angelina Jolie, and Mila Kunis of Black Swan. Ethereal gold detailing on pale-hued pink: Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham, Michelle Williams in Valentino, Scarlette Johanssen in Elie Saab, and Helen Mirren in Badgeley Mischka. Form-fitting scarlet gowns: Mad Men’s January Jones and Christina Hendricks, and Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara. Retro glam hair: Christina Aguilera, Dianna Agron of Glee and January Jones sported classic blonde Hollywood waves, and Scarlett Johanssen had a retro updo. Blunt bangs, yet again: Flattering fringes added allure to Sandra Bullock’s and Olivia Wilde’s blunt coiffures. Bearded leading men: Demonstrating that actors stop shaving between projects, a rock star beard on long haired Christian Bale (winner Best Supporting Actor for The Fighter) and a neatly trimmed beard on Jake Gyllenhall didn’t look half bad. Better groomed teen idols: Robert Pattinson and Justin Bieber both had their hair trimmed and colour processed. Pattinson looked more like his vampire alter ego Edward Cullen in his debonair navy suit, while Bieber looked less androgynous than usual without his side-swept bangs.