Oscarwear: The Winner Is . . . Giorgio Armani : Fashion: Jodie Foster, Jessica Lange and Julia Roberts were among those wearing creations by the Milanese designer.

It was the 62nd Academy Awards. But it looked like a Giorgio Armani fashion show. Jessica Lange, Jodie Foster and Julia Roberts all wore creations by the Milanese designer. And not to be left out, the night’s host, Billy Crystal, sported a custom-designed Armani shawl-collared tuxedo.

Foster, last year’s best actress who made a return engagement this year to present the best actor award, looked very soignee in a black Armani silk suit with a white chiffon blouse.

Roberts, who arrived with new beau Kiefer Sutherland, chose a taupe bias-cut Armani dress that gave her a total monochromatic look--brown hair, brown dress--but it did show off her little black tattoo on her left shoulder.

At 3:30 p.m. the limo parade began in earnest. One of the first to arrive was Spike Lee. He looked like a GQ fashion plate in a collar-less, high-throated jacket with a brilliantly colored scarf around his neck and a flat-brimmed felt hat atop his head. Morgan Freeman, nominated for best actor, also chose to accessorize his tux with a scarf and his was a long iridescent sweep of magenta and blue.

It was family night for some of the Academy Awards’ special guests. Ron Kovic, co-nominee (with Oliver Stone) for screenplay adaptation of his “Born on the Fourth of July,” brought his mom and dad and his wife. He spent most of his time with the press thanking everyone for “this wonderful night.” Diana Ross brought a double-date of daughters. Everyone expected Tom Cruise to arrive with his mother but he brought both his mom and Nicole Kidman, a young actress who bears a striking resemblance to his soon-to-be-ex, Mimi Rogers.

Pauline Collins, best actress nominee for “Shirley Valentine,” looked positively radiant in a dress from Saks Fifth Avenue (one that was found for her by Fred Hayman, who coordinated the Oscars this year). She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying every minute of her evening. When asked about her Oscar chances, she responded: “No chance--but I’m here for a great time.”

The two best fashion statements of the evening were made by Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, nominated for his acting in “My Left Foot,” and Kim Basinger. Day-Lewis arrived in an Edwardian frock coat, pegged trousers, floppy bow tie, cream-colored silk shirt and black velvet vest. He stopped and posed for pictures, but ignored any questions.

Basinger wore a uniquely constructed white satin dress that was on her right side strapless and on the other side, asymmetrically fastened, a jacket with gold musical notes down the sleeve. Some snide fashion wags were sure it was designed by Prince, her current squeeze. Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith did the cute couple routine. He wore the traditional black tux. She was also dressed in black, a Vicky Tiel with great back interest. They looked as good coming as they did going.

Two great accessory choices were made by Jane Fonda and Anjelica Huston. Fonda arrived trailing Ted Turner, who was dressed in a tux. She was resplendent in a Gianni Versace couture gown with elaborate beading on the bodice. Huston, wearing a brilliant red strapless Bill Blass dress with a lace overlay, beat out Fonda for the most sensational date. Arriving on Huston’s arm was former California Gov. Jerry Brown.

Dianne Wiest wore a navy blue dress with white sleeves by New York designer Carolyne Roehm. Isabelle Adjani chose a Christian Dior dress with a diaphanous white jacket and black skirt designed by Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre.

There was a case of the clothes not making the man. Steven Spielberg wore a tux, but it didn’t help. Even without his ubiquitous baseball cap, he still looked like he was wearing tennis shoes and a T-shirt. Dudley Moore said his tuxedo was a rental, one that he picked up in New York and has never returned.

Daryl Hannah arrived looking like she’d been dressed by Mattel. Her Malibu Barbie dress of matte gold metallic fabric festooned with stars was cut with a mermaid-like flounce at the bottom by Los Angeles designer Robin McCartey. She wrapped up this look with some white, fluffy, fur-like substance and topped off the whole thing with dark glasses. It was an unequaled look.

Geena Davis is quickly becoming the glamour queen of Oscar night. Last year, when she won her award as supporting actress, she wore a blue gown of her own design. This year, to present the award for best supporting actor, she reprised her fashion-queen status in a lipstick-red, off-the-shoulder gown with ruching through the bodice designed by Bill Hargate. Her jewels were from Harry Winston. Husband Jeff Goldblum was, naturally, in Armani.

Linda Sweeten of The Times’ fashion staff contributed to this article.