What were they wearing?

Nominees and presenters sashayed toward Ryan Seacrest,the host on E!’s red-carpet broadcast,encased in va-voom gowns with fitted waists and fishtail hems. The procession of form-fitting frocks was led by Mo’Nique,who showed off her extravagant curves in an electric-blue satin entrance-maker.

Seacrest was either too reverent or too proud to ask the usual leading question: “Who are you wearing?” Viewers had to turn to the TV Guide Channel to find out that Mo’Nique’s dress was by Tom and Linda Platt.

Viewers had to learn from the Internet that Anna Kendrick’s wispy blush-tone chiffon gown was by Elie Saab,who became a design force to be reckoned with after whipping up Halle Berry’s strategically sheer Oscar look in 2002.

As the evening wore on,though,Seacrest became more helpful,teasing out of Tina Fey that her black one-shoulder number was designed by Michael Kors,and from Vera Farmiga that her dress,scarlet ruffles so effusive they threatened to engulf her,came from the house of Marchesa. Zoë Saldana made an appearance in a hyacinth-coloured dress,simple at the bodice but ending in a salad bowl of frills.

Sandra Bullock received mixed reviews from commentators. On the TV Guide Channel Vivica A Fox called it matronly,while on E! Giuliana Rancic seemed to hold back,saying only,“I think the stylist said,‘This would look amazing onstage with an Oscar’. “ Who made it? Seacrest didn’t ask.