Best of 2010 Red Carpet Looks

By Chevaun Jackson

The red carpet was abuzz this year with celebs channeling Old Hollywood glam. Some outshone others. Here are BVS’s top five looks:

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu and the SAG awards. Mustard was a bold choice that paid off very well. The one-shoulder trend was well put together here, taking a turn from the basic and traditional and making the other an off the shoulder sleeve instead of just scrapping it all together. The form fitting of the gown that flares out into a sleek train was well done. The up-do pairs well, emphasizing the curve emphasizing gown. Also, the accessories were taste full—a simple bracelet and small dangling earrings paired with a muted colored clutch. All together this was a well executed look for the red carpet.

Salma Hayek in Gucci at the Cannes Film Festival. I must admit I’m not a huge fan of Gucci but this dress looks as though it were made for Ms. Hayek. The striking red, the one-shoulder (again, a popular trend in 2010), the slit up the side, and I adore the details of slight shimmer and cross pleating around the lower torso which pinches the waist, adding to Salma’s already curvaceous body. The high bun is quite sophisticated and the limited amount of accessories with the solid black clutch pull it together while leaving the focus on the dress.

Anne Hathaway in Valentino at the Met Gala. Anne Hathaway looks mature and refined in this sparkling number. I love the corset reminiscent top half and how the shimmer slides down the gown, tapering off. Because it’s a strapless gown I like that her hair is down, adding length to her neck, drawing attention to the simple diamond necklace. The studded earrings were a great choice, since her hair is down chandeliers would have been gaudy. She looks a bit princess like, with a mixture of chandelier—very elegant.

Meryl Streep in Chris March at the Oscars. This is very age appropriate for Meryl Streep and, strangely, while she appears a bit pale the white doesn’t wash her out. It’s a sophisticated ensemble. The sparkle comes from the clutch (kudos) instead of the dress for a bit of accenting, as well as with the bracelet and earrings. Tapered in the right spots—the waist and the lower arms—slim her were desired. The sloping bust line is sexy but since the sleeves are long and the collar line is embossed with extra fabric—a faux ruffle type of design—there isn’t too much skin showing.

Gerard Butler in Yves Saint Laurent at the Paris premiere of Bounty Hunter. I understand red carpet time is a time for women to get decked to the 9s and battle each other for best dressed. But too often the men are left out or downright forgotten, which is somewhat understandable because they tend to all look the same in their penguin suits. However, every now and again there is a man that goes outside the status quo and who shines and looks as stunning as some of the ladies, even outshining others. Gerard Butler looks dashing in this grey toned Yves Saint Laurent tux. The tie is a nice icy shimmer in that seems to be a mix of purple, blue and grey—I like when ties are of materials that capture light and send it back, seemingly changing colors. The black shoes give him weight in the outfit, keeping the focus on the nonblack tuxedo. I also like the grown-man look he has with his beard and the neat but slightly tussled hair he is sporting as well. Crisp, clean and sexy, this is what the red carpet is about—male or female.