For its 81st anniversary, the Academy made sure to pull out all the stops for 2009. From its blinged out stage, Hugh Jackman performing Broadway favorites (who the eff would want to miss out on THAT), and its montage of past actors and actresses in their most luminous moment, not one detail was overlooked or spared. These moves proved to be successful as preliminary figures shows that 36.3 million viewers tuned in for the 3-hour special, a notable 13 percent increase in viewership from last year's figures (NYTimes.com). Not bad, guys, not bad at all.


But while I'd most certainly love to digress some more on the production facets of the Oscars (my boyfriend loves to put up the good fight when discussing it, as he thinks the whole thing is superficial and asinine), lets talk fashion this time. There were certainly a lot of stunners, both in a superbly well and in a total "what the f*** were you thinking?!!!" way. It's just silly how others can be so tasteful, while others just have the perpetual disillusionment that they are (hello, Lisa Rinna, yes, I'm talking to you). Let's discuss:



Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button


She certainly ain't nobody's "Momma" now: Taraji P. Henson stole the show in this soft Roberto Cavalli number and Fred Leighton jewels. Though she lost out to fellow goddess Penelope Cruz in winning the statuette, she definitely owned the Red Carpet in her own way. Very well done.


Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Balmain yesterday, today and forever: though Christophe Decarnin's Balmain represents the rock glam of today's urbanite, Penelope Cruz successfully and beautifully reminds us of the house's whimsical glory days in this vintage Pierre Balmain number. Charming! Definitely one of the most tasteful and elegant stars for the evening.



Reese Witherspoon in Rodarte

Though Reese has received a lot of clout in the blogosphere and the media for having selected this swarthy black n' blue Rodarte, I personally think she stands out and should be lauded for such an eccentric, yet nonetheless divine choice. Rodarte simply is beautiful that way. Whereas most of the girls continue down the sequins, fleshtones and fishtails route, Reese gamely decided to go west. Beautifully executed indeed.




Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler


I completely do not comprehend why this choice would be deemed sartorially challenged for most. When I first stumbled upon this Versace Couture number, I was floored with the exquisite and novel detailing. This gown is, simply put, FANTASTIC, and Marisa pulls it off quite well. Tissue and napkins? I don't think so.


And while there were those that led the pack that fateful night, there were just those that evoked hmmmm... okay...




Angelina Jolie, Changeling


Though the Lorraine Schwartz emeralds are fantastic, and her makeup flawless, this look just feels too... overplayed. Don't we just itch to see her in some browns and blues again? Bring back pregnancy because it certainly brought out the colour in her.



Best Actress in a Leading Role-Kate Winslet, The Reader

She looked stunning (when did Kate Winslet ever not look it?), though I must say that this Atelier Yves St. Laurent gown was a bit too blah and a more brazen choice would've been more appropriate. Still, she definitely trumped everyone else that night by bringing home the Oscar. I totally jumped out of my seat in excitement. She is just surreal!


And then, there was....





Beyonce in House of Dereon


Girl, please. Don't ever think about quitting your day job. EVER. This is just the hottest of the hot messes. Call up Elie Saab, anything. Don't ever wear your own line. Thank you.




So that's it for this year's Oscar fashionizing... I can't wait until the awards season will be around the corner again.



photos courtesy of: movies.yahoo.com/Getty Images