Houston Chronicle

Nicole Kidman and others ooze Hollywood glamour on the red carpet.

- By Joy Sewing

Oscar night isn’t a time to take fashion risks; leave that for the Grammys. Instead, Hollywood royalty floated down the red carpet in glamorous metallic gowns or strutted in sleek, traditiona­l tuxedos. Take red-carpet and awardshow favorite Emma Stone. She wore a gold, embroidere­d-lace and crystal-fringed Givenchy Haute Couture gown with a nod to the 1920s and paired it with long, gold Tiffany & Co. earrings. And Nicole Kidman looked monochroma­tic in an Armani Privè gown as pale as her skin. Jessica Biel wore a dazzling gold and silver Kaufmanfra­nco gown with a gold “Whispers of the Rain” necklace

by Tiffany & Co. “Perfection,” husband Justin Timberlake said of her look. He looked handsome himself in Tom Ford.

Felicity Jones also followed the pale trend with a ballerina-style Dior while Hailee Steinfeld appeared in a white, ruffled Ralph & Russo gown with peach and blush flowers. And Chrissy Teigen wore a sparkly, white bodyhuggin­g Zuhair Murad gown with a high-leg split. While she commented about the gown’s tight fit, her husband, John Legend, in Gucci, offered sweet reassuranc­e: “You look like a goddess,” he said on the red carpet.

Naomie Harris of “Moonlight” poured herself into a white, short strapless Calvin Klein by Raf Simmons with a long train that did little to complement her petite figure. But her sunflower suede sandals with asymmetric­al crystal straps were a hit.

Thankfully, Viola Davis — wearing a stunning, off-the-shoulder, red Armani Privè gown — brought some color to the red carpet. The best-supporting-actress winner for “Fences” could easily have taken a best-dressed award, too, as she gave her acceptance speech. “I became an artist, and thank God I did,” she said.

Also in red was the doe-eyed Ruth Negga, of “Loving.” She wore a long-sleeved Valentino gown, accented with the blue ribbon in support of the American Civil Liberties Union, the organizati­on that worked to get President Donald Trump’s travel ban blocked in courts.

For an evening blacktie affair, there were relatively few black or dark-hued dresses at the Oscars. “Hidden Figures” star Taraji P. Henson showed her curves in a midnight-blue Alberta Ferretti gown with a high leg split. Her short bob and diamonds were the perfect accents.

Fashion fails were few but noticeable. Dakota Johson’s gold Gucci gown was much too matronly for the 27-year-old “50 Shades Darker” actress. And there was Halle Berry, in a sleek Versace gown, but her lopsided hairdo overpowere­d the look.

As for the men, standouts were Ryan Gosling, in a classic Gucci tuxedo with a ruffled shirt, and Mahershala Ali in an allblack Ermenegild­o Zegna Couture tux, tie and shirt.

 ??  ?? Viola Davis looks radiant in red Armani Privè.
Viola Davis looks radiant in red Armani Privè.
 ?? Jordan Strauss photos / Associated Press ?? Nicole Kidman shines in Armani Privè.
Jordan Strauss photos / Associated Press Nicole Kidman shines in Armani Privè.
 ??  ?? Emma Stone shimmers in a fringed Givenchy gown.
Emma Stone shimmers in a fringed Givenchy gown.
 ?? Christophe­r Polk / Getty Images Richard Shotwell / Associated Press n Richard Shotwell / Associated Press ?? ack. mie aia Dakota Johnson looks too buttoned-up in Gucci.
Christophe­r Polk / Getty Images Richard Shotwell / Associated Press n Richard Shotwell / Associated Press ack. mie aia Dakota Johnson looks too buttoned-up in Gucci.
 ?? Frazer Harrison / Getty Images ?? Janelle Monae makes an entrance in a princess-style Eli Saab.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Janelle Monae makes an entrance in a princess-style Eli Saab.
 ?? Noel West / New York Times ?? Justin Timberlake, in Tom Ford, photobombs Jessica Biel, in Kaufmanfra­nco.
Noel West / New York Times Justin Timberlake, in Tom Ford, photobombs Jessica Biel, in Kaufmanfra­nco.
 ?? Jordan Strauss / Associated Press ?? Harris’ Calvin Klein column dress and Scarlett gown get mixed reviews.
Jordan Strauss / Associated Press Harris’ Calvin Klein column dress and Scarlett gown get mixed reviews.
 ?? Jordan Strauss / Associated Press ?? Ryan Gosling looks debonair in a traditiona­l Gucci tuxedo with a ruffled shirt.
Jordan Strauss / Associated Press Ryan Gosling looks debonair in a traditiona­l Gucci tuxedo with a ruffled shirt.
 ?? Frazer Harrison / Getty Images ?? Charlize Theron chooses an illfitting Dior gown and slick hair.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Charlize Theron chooses an illfitting Dior gown and slick hair.
 ?? Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times/ ?? Halle Berry sports Versace and lopsided hair.
Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times/ Halle Berry sports Versace and lopsided hair.
 ??  ?? Ruth Negga wears red Valentino for the red carpet.
Ruth Negga wears red Valentino for the red carpet.
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 ?? Valerie Macon / AFP | Getty Images ?? Dev Patel wears a dapper white Burberry tux.
Valerie Macon / AFP | Getty Images Dev Patel wears a dapper white Burberry tux.
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/ Getty Images
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