Fashion Forward Oscar's Fashion

  
The soles of many—Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manalo Blahnik to be exact—touched Hollywood’s most–watched 300 yards of red fabric at the 85th Academy Awards Sunday night. It’s without a doubt a magical night of glitz and glamour, but the “oohing” and “ahhing” of the latest Marchesa gown aside, the Oscars celebrated the art of film—a category that’s had an indelible influence throughout my life, inspiring my fashion aesthetic from its modest indie-films to thedazzling period dramas.

      The film industry gave me my first foot into the fashion world as I learned to assist by running around New York City with the small task of buying dorky T-shirts to dress an unknown actor. Four years later, as I watched the Oscar nominated film, “Lincoln,” in awe, I saw him again, except this time on the silver screen conversing with the 16th president,         But just the other night Daniel Day-Lewis ditched the coattails and top hat for a more modern ensemble by Domenico Vacca . Donned in midnight blue, the color was a refreshing take to the typical tuxedo on Sunday evening. The refined black lapels and bowtie accented the stylish hue perfectly—just enough detail to distinguish the Best Actor of the night.

     Admittedly, my heart was set on Hugh Jackman, who starred in the phenomenal film, “Les Miserables,” which was packed with impressive costumes. As i watched,  I fell in love with everything from the amazing French military jackets to Cosette’s lofty bonnet. Personally, the cast won best dressed at the red carpet as a team and as a stickler for minor details, I was thoroughly impressed by Aaron Tveit’s stripped socks and Eddie Redmayne’s velvet slippers. The tragic Eponine (Samantha Barks) looked glorious in a plunging black Valentino, while Amanda Seyfried blew my mind with a gorgeous Alexander McQueen in lilac organza. 
    Though most of America seems to disagree, the Best Supporting Actress, Anne Hathaway, looked glamorous in blush pink Prada with a high 90s neckline accented by Tiffany jewels that dropped down her elegant open back. According to the media, the front, displaying what people claim to be a wardrobe malfunction but what to me just looks like seams of the dress, seems to be the most controversial. Regardless of the opinion of that particular Prada, there’s no denying her ravishing Giorgio Armani performance gown, as she sang “I Dreamed a Dream,” dripping in mesh silk and sequins.

     As for “Silver Lining’s Playbook,” which was filmed and based outside of Philadelphia where I grew up, it hit close to home. I couldn’t help my bias, calling out every familiar detail I recognized especially the characters I felt I knew. I’ve witnessed many “Pats” rigged in Eagles gear jog around the neighborhood garbage bag-clad, and I’ve met multiple “Tiffanys” with black-dyed hair and eyes lined dark, sporting square, acrylic manicures. They’re style descriptions for anyone found in the Northeast working class, but it’s so indescribably pertinent to that “Philly suburban community” that it goes to show how much wardrobe can authenticate a character. Apparently the Academy agreed Jennifer Lawrence rendered the bona fide Tiffany well, as she took home the gold in a stunning Dior Haute Couture gown. Its vast circumference flared out beautifully, accented by a fine-beaded necklace that dropped down her back—perfect for the Best Actress of the night, even if it pulled her down on her way up to the stage.

     I would be remiss not mention winning costume stylist Jacqueline Durran, the mastermind behind the clothes that sparked my interest for fashion and history. From the charming “Pride and Prejudice” to the beautiful “Atonement,” Durran’s impressive costume design repertoire makes her Oscar win was long overdue, but well-deserved, for her ravishing costume design in “Anna Karenina.” 
There’s no doubt film and fashion go hand in hand, working harmoniously to translate intangible feelings and award winning performances. Movies taught me how to delve deeper into the meanings of characters and even how to extract the beauty from the mundane. As far as the worst-dressed goes for the red carpet, life’s too short to focus on fashion faux pas . If you’re looking for sartorial criticisms, tune in on E! tonight–Joan Rivers tends to have a knack for that.