Oscar Fashion: Roberts Ruled, J-Lo Unspooled
March 26 -- Old Hollywood seized New Hollywood by the spaghetti straps at the 73rd Academy Awards, where modern celebs adopted the demure looks of flappers, red-lipped '40s starlets, and Southern belles.
Best Actress winner Julia Roberts, who typically attends awards shows in somber but classic gowns, chose a striking vintage Valentino from the '80s. The black column dress was enhanced by Y-shaped white piping and was apparently so tight that Roberts sought the advice of her Best Actress predecessor, Hilary Swank.
"Every time [Swank] passed me, she would say, 'Breathe. Just breathe,'" Roberts revealed to reporters backstage. "Not so easy in this dress, but I'm doing the best I can."
Another Best Actress candidate wowed fashionistas with her very own vintage Valentino: Laura Linney was vibrant in her tangerine/red gown, which had tapered shoulder straps that were anchored by tiny bows. You Can Count on Me's leading lady also chose minimal makeup and a glamorous, crisscrossed upsweep for her hair, a style shared by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Roberts.
Faux Pas or 'Ooh-La-La'?The only two actresses who seemed oblivious to the nostalgic look of this year's Oscars may have adopted their daring style from years of making music videos: Pop diva Jennifer Lopez and Icelandic chanteuse Björk both raised eyebrows — Lopez arrived in a transparent, smoky gray Chanel gown she (mistakenly) chose just before the ceremony, and Björk tiptoed into the Shrine Auditorium clad in a childlike gown made to look like a swan.
Lopez's nipples were the talk of the ceremony, and cameramen rushed to pan away from her bust as she walked onstage to present the Best Original Song Oscar. Meanwhile, Björk — whose Dancer in the Dark tune was nominated in that category — drew both scorn and praise for her fluffy feathered friend, which concealed a fake egg that she had earlier "laid" on the red carpet. Mr. Showbiz staffers, though, largely agreed that Björk's look deserved kudos for being so, well, Björk-like.
