Academy Awards, Oscars 2001: The Best and the Worst Dressed
800 million people, according to Steve
Martin, watched this year's Oscars and in true sense
it was the most grandiose event of the year and this year glamour
ruled. We had to look hard for the worst dressed, but they were
there.
The stars paraded their wear, while ladies kept tripping in their
high heels and gentlemen sat in their seats uninterested in
assisting. And the night went on while we scrutinized, wondered and
judged every nuance of their image.
Once again the older Rivers didn't
disappoint us by being inappropriate. She never took a breath while
offending Dame Judi Dench with her
innuendos, "there's no trouble yet for you?" Dame Dench looked with amazement, while
Joan continued "there's no problem for
you, as far as parts, with age?" Dench being a lady just smiled and walked
on.
Rivers' poor manners continued, with
kissing derrieres, literally, talking about body sounds and her
ultimate faux pas came in discussing nanny pools with Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas; she is mostly likely still
there talking to herself. A clear example, being wealthy doesn't
guarantee good breeding.
However, she looks beautiful, love her new hair do, her plastic
surgeon did an amazing job, who did it?
And it will be remembered that the 73rd Academy Awards opened
with Steve Martin's tasteless attempt
at humor: "Ellen Burstyn did something
that not many actresses would do for a role in a movie. She made
herself look 30 pounds heavier and 20 years older. And Russell Crowe still hit on her." Crow wasn't amused, neither was anyone
else; Wynnona Ryder's face said it
all. Did he loose all sense of decorum?
With the return of elegance, the need for gallantry was more obvious
than ever before and was missing in a big way. Who was that bearded
man, who just stormed up on the stage leaving his female partner on
her own struggling up the stairway in high heels and long gown?
My choices:
The Best Dressed Ladies:
-
Oscar winner Julia Roberts in Valentino vintage looked stunning, how
do you define perfection? The gown was a perfect style for her
height and figure and that hair do was absolutely superb. That is
an image that leaves an everlasting impression.
-
Catherine Zeta Jones in a Versace gown, pure glamour. She stunned
the audience with her statuesque figure. She personifies star
qualities.
-
Joan Allen, Best Actress nominee
(The Contender) a contender for
the best leading lady in Michael
Kors' coral beaded scrumptious body fitted gown looked
exquisite, with the exception, her bracelet was very beautiful but
to heavy for the gown.
-
Hillary Swank made her shockingly
sheer flesh-colored Versace silk
tulle gown a big hit. Last year's Best Actress winner pulled off
her Marlin Monroe look-a-like with finesse and great cleavage.
-
Marcia Gay Harden, Best Supporting
Actress winner (Pollock), in Randolph Duke. A winner in all senses,
took us all by surprise, glamour personified. Love her dress,
hair, jewelry and most of all how she honored those who
contributed to her achievements. Brava!!!
-
Laura Linney, a nominee for Best
Actress (You Can Count on Me)
sashayed with grace and confidence in a pillar orange-red Valentino designed gown. A star was
born.
-
Renee Zellweger, in lemon yellow
form fitting gown from Lily et
Cie, with matching shoes, ruby-red lips and flowing golden
hair, reminiscent of the glamour of the old Hollywood.
Stunning!!!
-
Jennifer Lopez sure got our
attention again in that elegant Channel creation. But girl didn't you
forget something? I don't think that the dress was meant to be
worn without a bra? She looked stunning, but isn't it time to
stop the striptease act?
-
Holly Berry with a new do and draped
in a glamorous lavender gown looked beautiful. So what else is
new, when doesn't she?
-
Angelina Jolie's made an Oscar
fashion statement of tasteful elegance in a Dolce & Gabbana suit, she kept her
individuality and oozed with sex appeal. You go girl.
The Worst Dressed Ladies:
-
Björk, what was she smoking?
If she continues her image shenanigans, this might be her last
swan song.
-
Juliett Binoche, Best Actress
nominee (Chocolat), Jean-Paul Gautier disaster, what was she
thinking? The only missing piece to complete the "flapper"
dominatrix was a whip!
-
Michelle Yeah, co-star of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, in a
sequined, animal-print, high-necked gown by Hong Kong designer
Barney Cheng, over-beaded, little
too ala Las Vegas. She is a masterpiece framed in a gaudy gold
frame. I would have chosen something scarlet red, reflecting the
culture and heritage of her country and the role that made her
endeared to the public.
-
Pamela Anderson and Elizabeth Hurley, what an odd combo, are
they an item? As to Anderson, she has obviously reinstated her
mammal glands in a trashy and tasteless display; a sure way to
kill a chance of portraying Mother Teresa at any time in her
career.
-
Penélope Cruz, presenter of
the trophy for Best Costume Design, in a black beaded
off-the-shoulder Ralph Lauren
gown, with hair parted made this lovely star look matronly.
-
Kate Hudson, in lavender Stella McCartney gown with a fringed
shawl thingy missed the train, while her mother Goldie Hawn gowned in Vera Wong, is more beautiful then
ever, but please update that do, you put me back to 80's.
-
Frances McDormand, costar of "Almost Famous", looked as if she just
walked out of the shower and forgot everything, except to show
up!! Her hair, that dress made her look like a mother superior,
where is the glamour?
-
Wynnona Ryder somehow always misses
it and this time she almost didn't. Sorry angel face, and her
hair color?
-
Jasmine Chow, in a Yohji Yamamoto tuxedo looked out of
place and uncomfortable. The suit was wearing her, while her mate
Chow You Fat in a Cerruti tuxedo, looked charming and
absolute delightful. We like him a lot.
-
Sarah Jessica Parker snubbed the
Academy by showing up at one of the most celebrated events
of the year in a Calvin Klein
micromini dress. Bad media attention is better then no
recognition at all? She is nobody's fool! She made the list!
The Best Dressed Men:
-
Tom Hanks: Best Actor nominee (Cast Away) love the man, love the
actor, Gucci tuxedo looks great.
He looked fabulous, mustache didn't.
-
Benjamin Bratt in Armani tux with white shirt and tie,
color complimented his fair lady and one of very few gentlemen who
assisted his Julia up the stairs, a
big plus for this scrumptious hunk.
-
Samuel L. Jackson, one sultry man?
The vision of Shaft and his dynamic wife LaTanya Richardson sizzled. I think he
was wearing Armani, but who paid
attention to his tux anyway?
-
Jeff Bridges, a member one of the
most respected families in tinsel town, sizzled in his Versace tuxedo. With packaging he was
born with and mastery of Versace
design, who wouldn't? Still married to the same woman he was
while we worked on the Los Angels World
Hunger Event in 1980, they should be awarded an Oscar for
longevity.
-
Benicio Del Toro in an Armani wool crepe, snap-closure tuxedo
with satin piping detail, proved that he is an actor with style to
remember and this is not the last we have seen of this hunk.
-
Chow You Fat the star of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in
Cerruti tuxedo left us with wanting more.
-
Michael Douglas, in a classic
tuxedo, effortlessly elegant and forever sexy.
-
Kevin Spacey, he just shows up and
looks beyond the good, dear God thank you for my sight so I can
feast my eyes on that man. He is gorgeous, sexy and to top it
all, talented. And what a class act, thanking Dame Judi Dench for "traveling across the
country" with his tux to make sure he was dressed tonight. He
forgot his tux in another country.
-
Sting, in a Gucci tux, escorting his family to the
Oscars, looked sharp and classy, and his gorgeous wife Trudie Styler in Jean-Paul Gautier floral designed dress
expressed style, elegance, and smashing individuality.
-
And then there is a hunk of all the hunks, who returned with
vengeance and is staying on the top, John
Travolta, who looked like his old self, yum!
The Worst Dressed Men:
-
David Carradine, what was that
color, what was that style and why? Where did he dig out that
tux, on a cruise for senior citizens? Way to old and outdated for
him. Who designed it?
-
Steven Cojocaru, People Magazine's West Coast style
editor, had more paint on then the Golden Gate
Bridge. Is Elton John missing
a costume? That outfit and that hair, he is a one step away from
looking drag, a very small step. However he knows his business?
-
Charlton Heston, Moses posses the
power to part the sea but can't find a better toupee?
-
Lone wolf Russell Crow looked out
of his element and rebellious in a knee-length Edwardian Armani tuxedo with high-necked shirt but
amazed us all with one of the most gracious and eloquent
acceptance speeches, with the message "never stop dreaming". As
long as he stays away from married women we might just keep that
rascal here.
-
Ben Affleck, a great looking Armani tuxedo but a terrible fit? Looks
like he borrowed it or lost weight, the tie was way to long. Is
Arsino Hall missing a tie? And what is up with this unshaven
look?
-
Sean "Puffy" Combs wore more
jewelry then Ashley Judd. Folks
this is one of those times when more is not better. What did late
Diana Vreeland suggest? "Take off one
accessory before leaving the house." In this case, that was
an understatement.
-
Morgan Freeman, three-time
Academy Award nominee, talented and brilliant actor, missed
it big way, bearded, clothed in black on black, pin, sunglasses,
even if they are 14 Karat gold, all that stuff was taking
attention from the man and put it on the accessories.
-
Joaquin Phoenix sloppily doing it
his way. It is understandable that young men want individuality
and do not want to be stuffed into the classic tux, but at least
get something that fits the occasion and your individuality, "Shaft" did. And please someone give
him a tissue for that chewing gum.
-
Bob Dylan, Best Original Song
winner, lovable performer, broadcasting live from Australia,
white face, pencil thin mustache looked ghostly or is that
ghastly?
-
Tom Cruise, it is a sacrilege, when
something that gorgeous shows up for this kind of event dressed
down and without a tie (crew cut?) as he introduced the nominees
for Best Director.
One of the most memorable parts of the evening was, when producer
Dino De Laurentiis, took time out of
his acceptance speech to compliment his presenter, Anthony Hopkins, then the consummate
producer proceeded to thank the women in his life. "My gratitude
goes to six beautiful women," he adds. "They love me." With such a
pride and love he continued, "I must say I've been very lucky in my
life. I'm proud of one thing: to work with so many directors for the
first time. Don't be afraid of young talent. Young minds are the
future."
The streets are empty, the stars have dimmed
its glimmers and the sound of this year's long awaited Academy
Awards ceremonies is put to rest till next year.
March 26, 2001
