Tue, Feb 26, 2008 - Page 16 News List

It was all red on the night

The annual Oscars fashion parade was uninspiring this year with celebrities playing it safe

By Samantha Critchell  /  AP. LOS ANGELES

Keri Russell's champagne-colored Nina Ricci strapless dress came to life with an H.Stern vintage floral necklace from the private vault of Hans Stern.

Cameron Diaz's strapless Christian Dior gown was a pale peach color and had pleats on the bustline. "I put it on and felt like I was wearing nothing,'' she said.

Diablo Cody also was in Dior - an animal-print gown with a jeweled halter neck - but she didn't wear the US$1 million Stuart Weitzman shoes that she labeled a "cheesy publicity stunt.'' She opted for gold flats instead.

Amy Adams was far more pleased with her Proenza Schouler strapless gown in emerald-green, double-sided silk. "I'm just over the moon with it,'' she said. Adams carried a tiny Art Nouveau French gold-mesh purse by Fred Leighton.

Stephenson lamented that so many celebrities and designers played it safe. "I had expected people to take more chances. I saw the incredible gowns that were available. I was pretty shocked that a lot more of them weren't utilized,'' she said.

Cyrus, for example, looked pretty in her cap-sleeve Valentino, Stephenson said, but it was "a bit boring.'' However, Pati Dubroff, the Dior makeup artist who worked with the teen star, said she thought Cyrus looked like a "youthful beauty.'' Dubroff used minimal makeup, mostly a lip stain, a lot of mascara and a bit of glitter. "To make it special I used glitter like fairy dust. She's a Disney princess come to life.'' W's Lombardo didn't have such kind words for another young star, Saoirse Ronan. She thought the green chiffon gown by Alberta Ferretti looked like it was made from living room curtains.

But Ronan had her own reasons for wearing it. "I chose green because I'm Irish. I wanted to walk down the red carpet and let everyone know I'm Irish.''

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