Fashion lends the Emmys some added sparkle
The Emmy statuettes weren’t the only lithe, gold figures at Sunday night’s award show. Celebrities walked the red carpet in varying metallic hues, from warm gold and bronze to shimmery shades of silver and gray. While the look was metallic, it was anything but heavy. Tones were subtle, gown silhouettes were simple and jewelry was noticeably pared down.
In the downtown L.A. heat, a palette of pretty metallics made more sense than a dark, weighty gown that looked as if the wearer would need a wheelbarrow to get from the limo to her seat.
“Mad Men’s” Elisabeth Moss donned a bronze, Grecian-inspired, one-shoulder Reem Acra gown that had a beaded silver neckpiece. Drew Barrymore wore a blush-bronze hue -- a strapless Monique Lhuillier confection with a Raven Kauffman clutch dyed to match. Mariska Hargitay opted for a cooler metal, wearing a silver Carolina Herrera gown with a plunging V-neckline.
Though most celebrities made metallic look like a million bucks, Kristin Chenoweth, who won for supporting actress in a comedy series, looked as if she’d had an unpleasant encounter with a dressing room mirror. Her Zuhair Murad cocktail dress was encrusted with a mosaic of silvery shards.
Many actresses chose one-shoulder necklines, a trend that has been ubiquitous since last fall’s runways, the presidential inauguration (Michelle Obama’s gown) and every award show since. But this time, the style wasn’t simply a matter of one flimsy strap. Some gowns, such as the black sequin number worn by Patricia Arquette, had one angular, cap sleeve, an elegant twist on this season’s big-shoulder trend.
While an asymmetrical neckline doesn’t call for a statement necklace, a strapless dress frequently does. Yet with all of the ladies sporting something strapless, clavicles were left bare.
Sandra Oh let her strapless, beaded, gold Marchesa column gown shine on its own, opting not to adorn her neck with jewels, as did Heidi Klum (also in Marchesa), who accessorized her black, strapless dress with only black fringe, shoulder duster earrings and a very prominent baby bump.
The men made no loud fashion statements. Maybe it’s the “Mad Men” influence that has almost every guy looking dapper, but, thankfully, traditional tuxes and striking suits ruled the red carpet.
One exception: Charlie Sheen, who looked like he just finished a 9-to-5 shift at Radio Shack in a simple dark suit and blue and gray striped tie that hung loose and frumpy around his neck.
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