Golden Globe Trotters

The red carpet at the recent Golden Globes had a vaguely 1930s feel. Lots of long ruffly dresses (the Paris look) and form-fitting shiny gowns (the Hollywood look). Most of them were pretty boring, like the awards ceremony itself, but a few stars made me sit up and take notice:

Mery Streep and her daughter, Louisa Jacobson Gummer, both looked classically elegant in Carolina Herrera. Salma Hayek wore Christian Dior by John Galliano, whose drpaery is somwhat less classical and somewhat more curve-hugging.

Reese Witherspoon (in Nina Ricci) and Renee Zellweger (in vintage Christian Dior) go for short frocks in bold jewel tones. Witherspoon was criticized for looking a little slutty (something to do with the bangs), but I like the cocktail-dress look. Most of the men attended in suits, why shouldn't the women dress accordingly? Zellweger would have gotten extra points for wearing vintage, but she squandered them with that annoying "I'm ready for my close up" pose.




Jennifer Lopez dressed in Marchesa, continuing her asymmetrical one-shoulder theme but giving it a Sari-like spin.




I'm a particular fan of Chloe Sevigny's dress, a vintage Yves Saint Laurent. It's refreshing to see a graphic print migrate from sundress to evening dress. At right is Jeanne Tripplehorn in a little black dress by Giambattista Valli that has a vaguely 1960s charm. Ginnifer Goodwin strikes the right note in the middle wearing Dolce & Gabbana. Her dress is reminiscent of Poiret, glamorous and flattering without trying too hard.




It's always a treat to see haute couture in action. Heidi Klum in Givency and Hilary Swank in Chanel wear gowns that build on the legacies of those house's original designers. Swank's Chanel creates a long lean line, and is unfussy without being boring. Klum has the stature to make Givency's volume look sexy, and she gets extra points for wearing gloves and a diamond choker, very Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.