Sneak a peek at the designers worth watching for on this year’s red carpets.
The season's first major awards nominations won't be announced until mid-December, and the first big events don't take place for several weeks beyond that, but the world's top designers are already gearing up their gown-making machinery.
Why the early rush? The red carpets at awards shows now double as international fashion runways, which means there's serious money and status awaiting designers who dress the winners, nominees and even the presenters.
For the fashionistas, at least, it's not about the names inside the envelopes. It's the names behind those glam gowns, sparkling gems and sexy stilettos that really matter.
With that in mind, here's a preview of the fashion players to watch during this awards season, from veteran standard-bearers to rising stars — as well as a few in between who could pull off some big surprises.
The Dependables
Giorgio Armani: The reigning red carpet king is even stronger this year, thanks to his hot new Privé couture line. In the past, Armani has dressed many an Oscar lady, including Ashley Judd, Mira Sorvino, Annette Bening, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, Jodi Foster, Salma Hayek, Meryl Streep and Thora Birch. Gals go for Armani when they want to look safely chic, classy and elegant. The big A is a sure thing.
Chanel: Chanel is considered the belle of the ball gown for good reason: Karl Lagerfeld's designs. Who can forget his pink chiffon confection for Nicole Kidman at the 75th Academy Awards? Or her ice-crystal beaded couture gown at last year's show? (That little number reportedly took 400 hours to complete.) No wonder Chanel gets the big names. Julianne Moore wowed the 72nd Oscars crowd in a black off-the-shoulder Chanel gown. Uma Thurman has also worn Chanel on Oscar night.
Ralph Lauren: Conservative and classy, Lauren is an academy natural. He may not pack the glamour punch of the European houses, but his résumé is still impressive. Remember how his Spanish black lace gown made Penélope Cruz look spicy at the 73rd Academy Awards? And how about that pink taffeta prom dress Gwyneth Paltrow donned to pick up her "Shakespeare in Love" Oscar? OK, so the baggy bodice wasn't up to par. Picky, picky.
Carolina Herrera: This American designer is still in the race, but like an Oscar de la Renta or a Bill Blass, has cooled. Still, in the past two years Herrera has dressed the always awards-worthy Renée Zellweger more times than we can count, sticking by her through thick ("Bridget Jones") and thin ("Chicago"). With rampant rumors about stars demanding designers' exclusivity, that may mean that if she dresses Renée, she won't do anyone else. Which is too bad.
Christian Dior: If Armani looks over his shoulder, he'll see this fashion house gaining on him. Dior always grabs Grade-A Oscar talent, including Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank and Kirsten Dunst. Why? Because John Galliano, the enfante terrible of haute couture, is designing for the house. The new face of Christian Dior's fragrance is none other than Elvis' granddaughter, Riley Keough. She's even strutted the Paris runways for Dior. Can't get much younger and cooler than that. Just call his fashion fans Dior-lings!
Roberto Cavalli: This Italian designer's gowns will most likely be worn to every awards show this season,
except the Oscars. He's way too over-the-top for the very formal Academy Awards, but his sexy, instant-wow creations are well-suited for the loosey-goosey Golden Globes or the racier, blinged-out Grammys. So who wears Cavalli? The question is, Who doesn't? Fans include Beyoncé, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez.
Dolce & Gabbana: Call this duo the alternative Oscars dressers. Remember when Angelina Jolie flaunted red-carpet convention in a D & G white pantsuit at the 73rd show? Chloë Sevigny and Elizabeth Hurley attended the designer's recent 20th anniversary bash in Milan — always a sign of a gown-in-the-works. And Catherine Zeta-Jones wore their lace gown to the recent premiere of "The Legend of Zorro." So it's not exactly an Oscar-worthy film, but the Globes love sexy foreign stars.
Valentino: This European couturier is a fashion favorite, known for femininity, class and old-world elegance. He's designed gowns for Ashley Judd and Julia Roberts, not to mention Jennifer Garner, who wore his spectacular tangerine gown at last year's Academy Awards. Valentino is second only to Armani when it comes to courting and seducing stars with personal attention and long-lasting relationships.
Versace: The Italian design house is still favored by gals who want to make a strong and sexy statement. Naomi Watts wore Versace's gold gown as a nominee for her lead role in "21 Grams." Cameron Diaz wore a sheer black lace Versace gown to the 73rd awards, the same year Hilary Swank sported the designer's creation. Julianne Moore donned Versace at the 76th awards. Zeta-Jones has worn Versace's gowns to three Oscars ceremonies. Sheryl Crow and Hurley were flown in for Versace's London boutique opening. Seems Versace is putting the moves on these gals big time.
