Academy Awards red carpet fashion

The Academy Awards, the most glamorous event in Hollywood, was not disappointing in the fashion stakes this year. The red carpet arrivals, which welcome's the world's biggest stars wearing the world's most beautiful gowns, is as much an ode to the film industry as it is to fashion.

Following the awards, in-house public relations agencies furiously send images of their celebrity worn gowns to the media, hoping for as many credits as possible, as publications around the world feature their who-wore-what articles. While these exquisite gowns are lent to the actresses and some are even paid to wear the looks, the fashion houses will reap benefit with the free publicity. Loaning a dress is much less costly than advertising or marketing, and the global interest in the fashion can mean millions of dollars of revenue for a select few brands.

Notable dresses include Dior's red column gown worn by Jennifer Lawrence, Armani Prive's embroidered nude gown worn by Cate Blanchett, a Prada powder blue pleated v-neck gown worn by Lupita Nyong'o, Alexander McQueen's navy Grecian gown worn by Sandra Bullock, and British designer Jenny Packham's sheer beaded gown worn by Julie Delpy.

Images: Armani Prive, Prada, Dior, Jenny Packham, Alexander McQueen