Ladies opt for red at the Oscars

Hollywood stars dazzled in red at the 80th Academy Awards.

Many of the leading figures at the ceremony at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles opted to wear elegant dresses in that colour for the occasion.

Helen Mirren wore a dark red Georges Chakra floor-length creation, actress Anne Hathaway a bright red one-shoulder Marchesa dress with rosette detail, and model Heidi Klum looked elegant in a red Galliano number, which will be sold at auction for charity later.

'Hannah Montana' teen star Miley Cyrus, 15, also wore red, choosing a floor-length dress.

Pregnant Jessica Alba wore a strapless Marchesa outfit with Cartier jewellery while 'Juno' star Jennifer Garner wore a black strapless dress with a tail, offset by a large diamond necklace and bracelet.

Cameron Diaz wore a light pink simple off-the-shoulder Christian Dior floor-length design with Bulgari jewellery, while Hilary Swank was wearing a black one-shoulder Versace creation.

Best actress nominee Marion Cotillard wore a white dress with a mermaid-like effect designed by her countryman Jean Paul Gaultier.

Briton Tilda Swinton, who won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in 'Michael Clayton', wore a black one-sleeved dress – in contrast to the elaborate creation she wore to the recent Bafta awards in London.