Golden Globes fashion filled with romantic touches
The red carpet may have been spongy wet, but that didn’t dampen the Golden Globes fashion parade. After last year’s recession-conscious styles, the look was anything but understated with romantic ruffles, flounces, beads and folds popping out all over.
There were some misses (Cher’s reverse corset train wreck; Quentin Tarantino’s Japanese-American hybrid tuxedo). But there were more hits. And it was fun to see stars taking risks again.
Neutral shades made a big showing. The best: Drew Barrymore’s draped, champagne silk chiffon Atelier Versace gown with glass fringe at the shoulder and hip and Nicole Kidman’s softly draped, bias-cut nude Nina Ricci. Both were dramatic but not too much so. The worst: Christina Hendricks’ flouncy pale peach Christian Siriano gown. The color competed too much with her porcelain skin. And Kate Hudson’s ivory origami-folded Marchesa dress wore her instead of the other way around.
There was a lot of anything-but-basic black. The best: Olivia Wilde’s dramatic beaded, plunge-front Gucci gown -- sleek and modern. The worst: Penelope Cruz’s Giorgio Armani Privé gown with lace sleeves and ribbon skirt. It aged her.
But the real story was color, and purple reigned. Chloë Sevigny’s sleeveless silver lilac Valentino edged in ruffles was a showstopper (even if the rain made it a bit see-through), as was Rose Byrne’s eggplant-colored, washed silk strapless Lanvin column dress. (Jane Krakowski, Fergie and Sandra Bullock also wore purple.)
Several actresses were pretty in pink, but none prettier than Diane Kruger. Her Christian Lacroix haute couture gown from the spring ’09 collection with a softly draped neckline brought to mind pink rose petals. It was also a reminder that for a designer, red carpet success doesn’t necessarily equal business success. The French couturier made news last year when he declared bankruptcy, and this was a nice tribute to him.
In a snappy white jacket and red pocket square, Tracy Morgan said he was paying tribute to the Rat Pack.
Dark green was an alternative to black for Marion Cotillard, Sigourney Weaver and Gabourey Sidibe. Every awards show season seems to bring a breakout star who does not fit fashion’s size 2 mold, and this time it was Sidibe (“Precious”), who rocked a malachite green gown with a crystal-embellished waistband and billowy sleeves by L.A. designer Kevan Hall.
Byrne should win an award for most creative use of jewelry for her Neil Lane diamond hair clip and the three Stephen Russell diamond brooches at her hip. January Jones’ wide black headband looked fresh, as did Julia Roberts’ vintage 1972 Van Cleef & Arpels sautoir necklace with citrines and diamonds.
