Frocking up on the red carpet

OUR style gurus give you the lowdown on what's hot - and what's not - on the red carpet at the 2007 Academy Awards.

Shoulder smoulder ... Maggie Gyllenhaal goes for an off the shoulder number.

OUR style gurus give you the lowdown on what's hot - and what's not - on the red carpet at the 2007 Academy Awards.

The deep brown dress is a hit for Showgirl’s star, Jennifer Hudson. But that little silver coat nearly kills the outfit.

She's made it known she's desperate to be a mum and at the Oscars Jennifer Lopez at least looked the part, in an empire line frock that looked more maternity wear than red carpet. The dazzling diamante detailling added some sparkle.

Jessica Biel’s hot pink silk sheath is certainly sexy, but the style is a tad too simple for a big night out like the Oscars.

I think Emily Blunt poured herself into this little sexy stunner. The Devil Wears Prada star shows her fashion credentials in this one.

Here’s a one-shouldered wonder. This carpet sweeper, complete with feathered trim, is a standout for Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The ink blue frock is a winner, but Portia De Rossi could do well to celebrate with a quick spin through a Hogs Breath drive-thru. Those ribs need a bit more meat, as does the Aussie actress formerly known as Amanda Rogers.

Beyonce’s Oscar dress choice is certainly safer than her usual va-va voom numbers but she still hasn’t put a foot wrong in this simple stunner.

She's probably the only 60-something at the Oscars without a nomination, but French siren Catherine Deneuve was not going unnoticed in this gruesome gown. The bleeding heart may offend some, but will no doubt appeal to a few losers later on.

Jodie Foster glams up like never before in this blue wonder. Pretty good effort even if the gown does border on a mermaid outfit.

Her daring Golden Globe gown was pooh-poohed as a pom-pom-ed disaster, but Babel star Rinko Kikuchi played it safe with graceful lace at the Oscars. Her diamond cuff also captured a key trend for award bling, this year focussing on bracelets and big rings.


She took home the top prize for best actress last year and Rachel Weisz gets a gong from us this year for best use of bling on a red carpet. The antique bow brooch and pendant necklace made a simple silk gown a red carpet sparkler.

She might have been dumped by Justin Timberlake but it seems that Cameron Diaz is determined to be a woman in white in this Oscar number. She also tried the tone at the Golden Globes. But what’s with that hair? The colour has gone from chocolate to cockroach and with hair flickering across her face it seems the “do” has become undone.

Is it just us or was Tom Cruise's ex Penelope Cruz channelling Nicole Kidman in this stunning pink chiffon confection? Chanel ad anyone? Whoever the muse, the Spanish star was a style standout.

Taking her inspiration from the statue itself, Jada Pinkett Smith looked like a glam version of an Oscar. Short but sweet.

Adding a touch of gold - and a touch of class - to the red carpet, Oscar favourite Helen Mirren only needed to add a glittering Academy Award to compete her outfit. How clever of her to dress with the ultimate accessory in mind? A clear winner.

A little bit of floral is always pretty but half a garden growing up Keisha Whitaker’s back is one big fashion faux pas.

It's figure-flattering, super stylish and of course, Armani, but Cate Blanchett's Oscars frock was a bit of a disappointment for being so conservative. Like her film roles, we've come to expect more quirky choices from Cate who played it too safe this year - and lost out.