There’s only one special woman on a wedding day but the Oscar night spotlight shines on many “brides” – and the best kept secret of the year is who will be wearing what for the big event. With only hours to go until the red carpet is rolled out, HELLO! spoke to some of the stylists to the stars, including the man behind the top secret look for Oscar nominee Halle Berry, celebrity style guru Philip Bloch.
Philip, who once called the Academy Award entrance “the world’s biggest runway”, told us that having some of today’s most glamorous women – including Halle, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger and Kate Winslet – as nominees has created a fashion frenzy. “Every year there is one actress everyone wants to dress, but this time there are several,” he says.
And what will Halle be donning? Philip revealed Halle will be wearing something “sexy but couture” – and compared the buzz that will likely surround the frock to the hot talk Jennifer Lopez’s transparent Chanel couture gown provoked last year. And, in our exclusive chat, he tells us the actress will be wearing jewellery that she’s designed herself.
Other stylists revealed that Nicole Kidman's image will be the work of the team behind her turn-of-the-century Paris look for Moulin Rouge. Renee Zellweger has put herself in the hands of Laura Mercier, who will be creating her look for the second year in a row. Laura was mum on the details of Renee’s plans, but promises, “Our gown will be impressive.”
Impressive beyond doubt will be the as-yet unseen $3.5 million diamond-studded frock by Anne Bowen which promises to out-glitter the whole of Tinseltown. Believed to be the most expensive dress ever made for Oscar night, it stirred up a frenzy of speculation until it emerged on Friday that the lucky wearer was to be U.S. TV presenter Jules Asner.
A rep for Julia Roberts, who will be presenting the best actor Oscar, says the vivacious actress hasn’t yet selected a dress from the several stunning options she's been offered, but she was expected to narrow her choices down sometime Friday.
And on the big night, all eyes will be on… well, eyes (and lips, and cheeks), identifying the make-up trends that will give us all a touch of that Hollywood glamour this season. Uma Thurman’s stylist Collie Strong says Oscar make-up will be in soft tones, and “nothing extravagant”. Natural colouring isn’t just trendy, however – it’s practical. Lighter make-up eliminates the need for constant retouching during the lengthy ceremony.
And there will be glamour from head to toe – shoe designer Stuart Weistzman has created a pair of platinum shoes valued at upwards of one million dollars. However, it's still too early to know who will sport the pricey pumps.
Want to capture that red carpet look? Here are ten beauty secrets the stars use in the run-up to the most glamorous entertainment event of the year:
1.Daily massages with bronzing cream
2.Acid peelings the day of the event to leave the skin silky smooth under make-up
3.Fat-free protein diet
4.Energetic facials to avoid tension
5.Combination of aerobics with yoga
6.Crème de la Mer morning and night for maximum effect
7.Botox injections ten days before the event
8.Oxygenated water – at least two litres daily
9.A visit to the dentist to whiten the teeth for a perfect smile
10.An appointment to have eyebrows sculpted
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
