In the court of Sir Oscar

The red carpet at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards paled a shade or two in competition from some of the actresses. They overlooked an unspoken style mantra of not wearing scarlet hues. Wrapped in fiery reds and deep crimson hues,the women on the world’s most watched stage made heads turn and jaws drop. Well,so what’s new? Perhaps Jennifer Lawrence’s slinky red dress with a scoop neckline by Calvin Klein. It showed that minimalism makes a louder statement than anything else. Adding drama and dandiness was co-host of the evening Anne Hathaway. One of her many changes was a vintage Valentino gown with delicate rosettes cascading on the side. Over made up and visibly excited,the colour plum didn’t just sit on her lips,it showed in her flushed skin too. The radiant Sandra Bullock looked ravishingly desirable in a red,sleeveless Vera Wang dress — a more sophisticated look compared to her pale gold gown at last year’s ceremony.

Oscar presenter Jennifer Hudson showed off her recently trimmer figure in a bright tangerine Versace dress,easily the most delicious hue of the evening. Whereas the always gorgeous Penelope Cruz,now a new mom to boot,wore a red silk dress with hand-embroidered sequins by L’Wren Scott. Scarlett,(O,thy name too is red!) Johannson sauntered in a deep purplish burgundy lace gown by Dolce & Gabbana.

Men,White & Right

Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem dressed in matching white suits,and white bow-ties. They gave away the Best Adapted Screenplay Award. Christian Bale,however,was in all-black as he accept the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in The Fighter.

Swan and the King

A Visibly pregnant Natalie Portman was draped in a lilac Rodarte gown that was unable to hide bump. “The baby was definitely kicking during the song portion of the show. A little dancer,” says Portman,who won the Best Actress Award. Colin Firth’s representation of a stammering king in The King’s Speech won him the Best Actor Award.

Desi Divas

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned up a bronze Giorgio Armani Prive gown with rows of linear amber sequins and a Jimmy Choo clutch. Mallika Sherawat showed up in white gown. “I’d like to thank Marc Bouwer,” she tweeted about her designer.