View larger image Kate Winslet, nominated for best actress fpr 'The Reader,' arrives for the 81st Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. (AP Photo / Amy Sancetta)  View larger image Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)  View larger image Actress Freida Pinto. (AP Photo / Matt Sayles)  View larger image Singer Miley Cyrus. (AP Photo / Chris Pizzello)  View larger image Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband actor Matthew Broderick. (AP Photo / Matt Sayles)  View larger image Click view larger image to see the biggest train of the night: Marisa Tomei. (AP Photo / Matt Sayles)  View larger image Taraji P. Henson, nominated for an Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for her work in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.' (AP Photo / Chris Carlson)

Black and white glamour on the red carpet

Updated Sun. Feb. 22 2009 8:54 PM ET

Constance Droganes/Sheri Block, CTV.ca

Despite 2009's recession blues, Oscar glam was far from dead at the 81st Academy Awards. From sleek, body-conscious gowns to elegant one-shoulder dresses and asymmetrical necklines, timeless silhouettes dominated the Oscar red carpet.

Power couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt defined Oscar's fashion theme: Classic glam with a fresh, sexy twist. They were both in black -- Jolie's dress was a sweetheart-neck strapless gown, and Pitt wore an old-school black bow tie with his tux.

Shades of cream, white and ivory shared the spotlight with vibrant shades of reds, slate, violet, gold and black.

Elegant, relaxed updos, clean, classic makeup and strong neckpieces accented the night's best dressed stars.

Black in action

Angelina Jolie evoked memories of Grace Kelly in a black strapless gown accessorized by classic drop earrings, long, loose curls, natural makeup and a tuxedo-clad Brad Pitt.

Winning look

Best Actress nominee Kate Winslet ("The Reader") wowed the crowds in a one-shoulder, slate grey Yves St. Laurent gown with a beaded black lace overlay and YSL shoes.

Glam slam?

Anne Hathaway's silvery, strapless jewel-encrusted gown by Armani Privé sent the paparazzi into overdrive. Sadly, the flashes caught Hathaway's bodice gaping at the bust.

Blue heaven

"Slumdog Millionaire's" Freida Pinto looked like a winner in a diaphanous one-shoulder blue gown by John Galliano. Pinto accessorized her look with a 150-year-old ring with a stone mined out of India.

Sharp dressed man

Best actor nominee Mickey Rourke ("The Wrestler") was a rebel worth watching in a white dress jacket and black vest from Jean Paul Gaultier. Slick shades, black patent boots and a necklace dedicated to Rourke's late chihauhau, Loki, which died last Tuesday, topped off this contender's look.

Girl power

Best actress nominee Marisa Tomei ("The Wrestler) pulled off an elegant entrance in a pleated, off-the-shoulder Versace gown that only arrived to the star's house on Oscar morning.

Golden Girl

Viola Davis, Best Supporting Actress nominee for "Doubt," looked every part the Oscar hopeful in a gold halter dress by Reem Acra.

Black magic

Vanessa Hudgens looked fresh as a flower in a strapless Marchesa gown with black and white petals adorning the bodice. She chose it because "She felt like a young Audrey Hepburn."

Lady in red

Heidi Klum pumped up the star power with a red Roland Mouret gown featuring a thigh-high slit and origami-like folds of fabric.

Red she said

Oscar nominee Amy Adams ("Doubt") was a beacon for young Hollywood fashionistas in Carolina Herrera accented by a chunky Leighton necklace.

The reign of Spain

Penelope Cruz was dressed to win in a 60-year-old vintage Balmain gown. From its dove-grey hue to its silver piping Cruz pulled off classic Oscar glam with style.

Sideswept

Virginia Madsen looked stunning in an asymmetrical red satin gown - a common trend on the red carpet this year - that was straight to the floor with a sweeping side train. Set off with a small sparkly clutch, chandelier earrings and a pretty upswept do, it was trendy elegance.

Cinderella in the city

Sarah Jessica Parker looked like she took a fashion cue from the popular Disney character with a Dior Couture strapless light green jeweled gown and princess skirt, cinched in with a belt, showing off her tiny waist. etalk's Ben Mulroney actually commented she has the smallest waist of any woman alive.

Dream team

A picture of stunning elegance, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button's" Taraji P. Henson was dressed in a Roberto Cavalli cream strapless gown, with top to bottom layered organza-like tiers and a full train flowing out the back. Complete with a sleek cropped 'do, red clutch and eye-catching diamond flower necklace by Fred Leighton, it's not hard to see why one CTV employee described her look as "Shabam."

All grown up

Miley Cyrus looked very mature in a deep V-neck jeweled champagne multi-tiered gown with black sparkled accents that was cinched at the waist with a belt by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. She commented on the red carpet that the dress actually weighed more than her. Accompanied by her mom, it was a reminder that even though she looks all grown up, she's still just a teen.

This is not your mamma's dress

"Mamma Mia" star Amanda Seyfried looked very cute in her red satin dress by Valentino with thin straps and large red bow at the waist -much more age-appropriate than Miley Cyrus' plunging jeweled frock. It was also refreshing to see her long blonde hair falling in loose waves, instead of in an updo, like many of the other stars.

 

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