Sartorial hits and misses on the red carpet

THE 67th Annual Golden Globes Awards brought much in the way of surprises – from the unpredictability of host Ricky Gervais to the inclement weather.

Pity the element of surprise didn’t extend to the red carpet. The event’s sartorial sobriety left little to the catch the eye.

The big stories of the night were the sexy strapless and one-shoulder gowns which filled the Beverly Hills Hotel. Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks blossomed in an asymmetric ruffle gown by Christian Siriano; while Emily Blunt’s blush Dolce and Gabbana confection was utterly outstanding – much like her performance in The Young Victoria.

Not to be outdone in the sartorial stakes was Penelope Cruz who brought some Latina flair in a figure-flaunting black lace-trimmed Giorgio Armani Prive gown; she channelled Nine co-star Sophia Loren’s ’60s-era style perfectly. Adding more than 60 carats of classic Chopard diamonds made Cruz the epitome of Old Hollywood (...or, perhaps Old Rome?) glamour.

She had competition in newcomer Anna Kendrick who shone in a silver embroidered Marchesa gown; with Helen Mirren every inch the veteran fashionista in vintage Armani.

Newly-engaged nominee Emily Blunt was a blushing future bride in a trailing pink ruffled number from Dolce & Gabbana. Further completing the ultra-romantic vision – aside from fiance John Krasinski, that is – were pastel Lorraine Schwartz cuffs and a Ferragamo clutch.

Heidi Klum’s ensemble was all about the ice, from her 100 carat diamond Lorraine Schwartz choker to the shade of her pale blue, curve-hugging, Swarovski crystal-studded gown from Roberto Cavalli. The cost of the eye-popping necklace? A mere $3.5 million (€2.4m)

In contrast to her trademark boho glam, presenter Kate Hudson went clean and crisp in a sculptural Marchesa gown with an origami-inspired bodice. The choice worked, and we loved her Stephen Russell jewellery, particularly the pearl and diamond tassel earrings.

Presenter Jennifer Garner showed off her flawless body in a shimmering Versace gown. She accessorised the gunmetal dress, one of the night’s sexiest, with Tiffany & Co jewellery and a Judith Leiber minaudiere.

Much like the weather, their colour quotient was fairly drab. Shades of purple proved a mere sophomore reference to the preeminence of black and nudes. The dare-to-be different award goes to Cameron Diaz and Olivia Wilde who both stood out from the crowd in red Alexander McQueen and metallic Gucci Couture creations.

Bravery was less well rewarded for the likes of Drew Barrymore who could have pulled off that embellished Versace dress save for the avant-garde hip detail. Likewise, Mariah Carey reportedly bought her own “golden globes” to the carpet with a dangerously plunging mermaid dress; her diamond chandelier earrings, bracelets and rings proving little distraction.

Surprisingly, Julianne Moore looked forgettable in an ill-fitting off-the-shoulder black frock; the Grecian sandals doing little for the silhouette.

Equally, the verdict is still out on Sandra Bullock’s purple Bottega Veneta which bore a see-through bustle, complementing the shimmering design with gorgeous 40-carat shoulder-sweeping blackened-gold earrings and a 20-carat gray diamond ring from Lorraine Schwartz, not to mention Patricia Arquette’s bandaged animal print dress.

Although few in the way of fashion hits, there was one major miss.

For such a wash-out, why didn’t anyone bring a diamond-clad umbrella?