The Associated Press
Kate Winslet stood out in a red Ben Delisi gown with a one-shoulder floral strap.

The Associated Press
Singer Faith Hill was panned for her rainbow-colored, mermaidesque dress.

Hollywood returns to glamour for Oscars

KARA G. MORRISON, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Originally published Monday, March 25, 2002

We needed a night of glamour, and Hollywood delivered.

The 74th annual Academy Awards proved Sept. 11 angst is far enough in the past to bask in movie star extravagance for one evening -- to salivate at the jewels and gowns, even to roll our eyes at a few who flubbed their big entrance with questionable couture.

Halle Berry lit up the red carpet Sunday in a sexy burgundy gown, with flowers strategically decorating the mesh bodice.

Kate Winslet also stood out in a red Ben Delisi gown with a one-shoulder floral strap, and Jennifer Lopez looked movie-star fabulous in a surprisingly conservative, pink Versace gown.

There's always the fashion faux pas standout, and this year Faith Hill got the Bjork award. Bjork dressed to shock last year in her white tulle, swan ensemble, and Hill showed up at the Kodak Theatre in an unfortunate rainbow-colored mermaidesque gown.

But Hill did redeem herself with a simple black gown and dazzling diamonds when it came time to perform "There You'll Be," from the movie "Pearl Harbor."

Gwyneth Paltrow, usually a fashion leader, also had a bad couture night, looking more Goth than glamorous in her gown, featuring a braided, see-through, mesh sleeveless bodice.

Cameron Diaz also disappointed with her messy hairstyle and a silky flowered wrap-around that looked more dressing robe than evening dress.

There weren't many outright fashion failures, however, during the night of mostly classic Hollywood style.

Julia Roberts, who wowed in her vintage black and white Valentino gown at her 2001 Oscar win, was a hit again. This year she wore an elegant, long-sleeved black Giorgio Armani dress, with dramatic cutouts under the arms and down the back.

Oscar veteran Helen Hunt looked like a glamour pro in a black, lace-up, backless Gucci gown. And Jodie Foster dazzled in a simple, knee-length sparkling silver dress with a thin, criss-crossed halter strap.

Reese Witherspoon looked like a classic Hollywood starlet in her black, lacy, fitted cap-sleeved Valentino with a beaded skirt.

Jennifer Connelly, typically a fashion standout, looked a bit pale in her choice of a neutral Balenciaga gown with a chiffon scarf.

There was no hint of her character Satine as Nicole Kidman entered the red carpet. She dressed the opposite of her colorful "Moulin Rouge" character, who Whoopi Goldberg spoofed in a feathery metallic showgirl getup in her Oscar hostess entrance. Kidman showed up in a very pale pink, fitted, feminine Chanel gown, featuring layers of ruffles but not much panache.

Of the men, Will Smith, nominated for best actor, stood out with a smart, longer tux jacket and a champagne shirt and tie. Eric Benet, escorting Halle Berry, matched his wife in stunning apparel, sporting a classy champagne ascot with his tuxedo.

Overall, the look of the night seemed wholesome, fresh and a bit retro, says Felicia Palazzolo-Shaw, owner of a hair salon in Troy, Mich.

"Everything is reminiscent of generations past, from the clothes to the colors to the hair styles," she says.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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