A Celebration of Oscar Fashion

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences  - A.M.P.A.S.®
8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211

On January 30th, I attended "A Celebration of Oscar Fashion" and what a difference there was between gown observation in person versus seeing the fashions on the television. The phrase, "it differs like night and day", just did not cut it. After viewing the Oscar gowns over the years via the television, the in-person viewing of the gowns, surely made me hope that my press event credential application to view the 79th Academy Awards will be approved. In the meantime, here are some reflective moments from "A Celebration of Oscar Fashion":

'Oscar fashion is an extraordinary experience rooted in the power of individuality. Since the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929, Oscar fashion has been a laser that beams around the world through the various levels of high fashion. We are not trying to re-create the moment that was, but turn the focus to an idea of beauty. The glamour, the aesthetic sensibility of one fabulous night, when the individual, the illusionist, the movie star, gave the world a glimpse of their personal style', excerpt from 'A Celebration of Oscar ® Fashion', program notes by Andre Leon Talley, curator and Vogue Editor-at-Large, as he set the stage just seconds before the start of the runway review. 

Watching and listening to Andre Talley was a highlight in itself. The invitation-only event on January 30, 2007 showcased over 40 previously worn gowns and was attended by designers, current owners and, in some cases, the original wearers. For me the obesrvation of the gowns in person, was the icing on the cake. For example, the model in the Halle Berry dress was sexy in the number and the highlight of the gown was seeing the edge of the mesh underlayer peeping through the skirt vent.

 

Another reflective moment at the event was seeing the seductive black Bob Mackie gown that Cher had worn. As the gown passed, I wondered about the intricasies of the beading. As the gowns continued to come down the runway, I came to the conclusion that viewing in-person is the only way to go. 

To preserve some of the more delicate gowns, several were displayed on mannequins, including the Gold American Express gown worn by Lizzy Gardiner when she won the Academy Award® for costume design for her work on 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.' Throughout the lobby at The Academy, long stemmed lilies were the flower choice for the event. The lilies were placed as accents to the gown outposts of the mannequins which gave it a surreal feeling.

During, "A Celebration of Oscar Fashion", the event represented a collection of gowns worn over the past few decades, by Cher, Annette Bening, Ingrid Bergman, Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Geena Davis, Edith Head, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, Sophia Loren, Barbra Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor and Charlize Theron. As a South African, I was proud to see that two of Charlize's gowns made the list: the Gucci gold dress that she wore upon receiving her Best Actress award for "Monster" and then the runway review closed with the light blue gown that she wore by John Gallioano for Dior Haute Couture when she served as presenter for Best Actor during the 77th Annual Academy Awards. As far as I know, only one South African fashion designer, Marianne Fassler, has dressed celebrities for the Oscars. Alfre Woodard comes to mind and then the lead actors for Best Foreign Film "Tsotsi". In April 2007, during World Fashion Week - World Fashion Awards, www.worldfashionawards.tv Sun Goddess from Sanlam SA Fashion Week www.safashionweek.co.za will be showing their designs at the acclaimed location, Kodak Theatre, Home of the Academy Awards. Who knows, who long it will be before South Africa makes fashion history again with the Oscars?

Celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend and makeup artist Paul Starr guided a team of artists to create the looks to expect on the red carpet this Awards season. While viewing the artists work backstage, I had the delight of meeting Lisa Love, Vogue West Coast Editor and Elizabeth Snead, Associate Entertainment & Fashion Editor, The Envelope from the Los Angeles Times. During my interview time with these two ladies, they added Oscar memories to my radar and their opinions on "A Celebration of Oscar Fashion" that I'll use in future fashion reviews, what a treat and a treasure.

To complete the looks, the Oscar gowns were paired with contemporary jewels by Cartier, Martin Katz, Neil Lane, Fred Leighton, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston. Shoes and accessories were provided by Manolo Blahnik, Judith Leiber, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Roger Vivier and Stuart Weitzman.

Another highlight of my time at the event was listening to Talley answer  questions from journalists. I kept my tape recorder rolling for about 10 minutes and for me his responses took me back to my days as a fashion merchandising student when I attended class, while absorbing fashion history lessons shared by your instructors. I wonder if Talley teaches anywhere, if he does, I really would not mind enrolling in one of his classes.

Here is some of what Talley had in his printed program notes: 'we searched high and low to find the best-of-the-best gowns worn over the years,' said Talley. 'Of course, we wanted Cher's infamous black Bob Mackie - that dress made history all on its own. And who could forget Charlize Theron in that shimmering gold Gucci that she wore when she won the Oscar for 'Monster'?'

"A Celebration of Oscar Fashion" was the idea of 79th Academy Awards producer Laura Ziskin, who asked Talley to curate the collection and announce the show. 'I have vivid memories of the actresses first appearing in their gowns,' said Ziskin. 'In each of those moments, they were perfect. Those moments can't be re-created, but these dresses are little pieces of history and we wanted to remind people of them.' Vogue West Coast editor Lisa Love and Vogue fashion editor Lawren Howell collaborated with Talley to create the show. Rabin Rodgers Inc., a creative and consulting lifestyle marketing firm specializing in event production, produced the show. As a bonus during the credits, Talley asked these people to stand while the audience applauded.

The Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on Sunday, February 25, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® followed by The Governors Ball at the Governors Ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Complex. The Oscars® will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PST (8 p.m. EST), beginning with a half-hour red carpet arrivals segment, 'The Road to the Oscars.' Attending "A Celebration of Oscar Fashion" will stay with me forever. Job well done to everyone who assisted in orchestrating the entire event and now I hope to be one of those carefully, selected journalists who have the priveledge to work the imfamous Red Carpet at the 79th Academy Awards. Its a wrap!

 

 

 

 

 

www.oscars.org

Photo Credit: "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences"

 

 

 

Published on Jan 31, 2007