Oscars see red

The Oscars saw red this year. Not only due to an astounding 30 per cent decline in viewers, but more importantly due to the lack of style seen on the red carpet. A headline in The Times on Tuesday said: "Fifth-rate frocks shamed Hollywood's stylists. Frocks that would just about pass at the Miss U.S. Mall Shopper of the Year awards."

A harsh description perhaps, but there was little fashion to entice viewers and feed the media frenzy surrounding one of the year's most highly anticipated events.

Anne Hathaway looked stunning in a one-shoulder, red Marchesa dress. Dame Helen Mirren, also opted for red, wore a beautiful Georges Chakra gown with crocheted sleeves. Best actress winner Marion Cotillard chose a stunning mermaid-style gown by Gaultier couture, which many thought was the most exquisite outfit of the evening.

Those who got it wrong this year, really got it wrong. Julie Christie's Tanya Gill dress - again in red, wore a short and ruched cocktail number teamed with elbow length gloves, looking mis-matched and severely out of place. Nicole Kidman's Balenciaga gown did little for her figure or complexion, and the tinsel-esque diamonds looked dowdy and anything but elegant. Where is Karl Lagerfeld when she needs him?

Cate Blanchett, who normally gets 'it right' at Oscar time, this year looked frumpy in a navy. floral silk Dries van Noten gown. And let's not mention Heidi Klum's Dracula dress in eye-blinding red. Whilst we expect actresses to wear high octane, glamorous gowns, mere guests of the Academy awards, particularly those not nominated, shouldn't aspire to stealing the limelight?