Image and Etiquette

Academy Awards 2010

Every year, I look forward to the Oscars. Lights, cameras and evening wear — it’s the original red carpet event and birthplace of Joan River’s famous quip-question. “Who are you wearing?” has become part of the lexicon of celebrity interviews, thanks to her and daughter Melissa.

Of course, the whole point of the evening is the award ceremony itself, but the red carpet parade helps to build the excitement and I was right there, covering the red carpet from my living room. (Read my Oscar night tweets here.)

There were no major faux pas. Well, maybe a couple — Charlize Theron, for starters. John Galliano of Dior created the lilac bustier gown especially for her. But what were those fabric spirals over each breast? And speaking of fabric, the asymmetrical ruffles on JLo’s gown reminded me of a Christmas tree skirt. And surely Elizabeth Banks could have ordered her beautiful dress in a more becoming colour?

Although this doesn’t actually fall into my official faux pas category, posture was very much on my mind and simply because it was sadly missing in action. All those strapless gowns demand wonderful posture — what our grandmothers called “bearing and carriage.” Time to hit the gym, girls, and start strengthening those trapezius muscles or Hollywood will be overloaded with dowager humps!

Most men looked amazing with lots of new and interesting takes on “black ties” and numerous pocket squares.  Full marks to Jeff Bridges for his appearance, his much-deserved award and let’s not forget his marriage of 33 years. Wow!  What a dramatic transformation from his role in Crazy Heart. Alec Baldwin, on the other hand, was about an inch short on the shirt scene — no cuffs in sight. Shirts were sometimes out of sync in the collar department — too bitty or too big. But enough nitpicking.

It was a grand event, truly Hollywood-worthy. Yes, I missed what used to be called a “Cher Moment” — a really dramatic, over-the-top extravagant costume and dramatic entrance. And yet, Sandy Powell in accepting her award for, coincidentally, Costume Design —The Young Victorians — brought a new, modern sensibility to the stage. Her choice of gown was simply exquisite and the fabric ultra-luxurious. And finally, “sensational” best describes Penelope Cruz in a draped Bordeaux satin gown by Donna Karan.

——————————————————————————————-

Subscribe to our FREE monthly newsletter
Assess your Executive Presence with our NEW Self-Assessment Tool

linked in logoFollow me on TwitterJoin our Facebook Group

8 Responses to “Academy Awards 2010”

  1. Charlize Theron is such a very very beautiful woman. She also has a flawless skin and i love her acting skills..

  2. I appreciate your neat posts! I will check this site again

  3. Charlize Theron is getting old now but she is still fiery hot and flawless*”*

  4. Charlize Theron also have that mysterious smile:`:

  5. it is nice to know that Charlize Theron has a flawless skin in real life:`:

  6. all i can say that Charlize Theron have the most perfect complexion among the movie stars “

  7. I do trust all of the ideas you have presented in your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for novices. May you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.

  8. Thank you for your comment – we will keep this in mind!

Leave a Reply