While many fashionistas drug of choice remains shoes, my personal preference has always been couture.  Primarily, red carpet couture.  Sure, shoes are great.  And I can totally relate to their healing powers- no matter how you feel, they’ll always fit.

But… the focus is still on your feet.  And I need more than that.

And couture puts the focus on the entire package.  Sometimes in the most creatively imaginative and stunning ways possible.  Others, a bit more classic.  And that’s exactly what makes couture so damn addictive- you never know what you’re going to get.  But there’s one occasion in particular where you can count on seeing a little bit of everything.

The Academy Awards.

Otherwise known as the holy grail for stylists.  Like Rachel Zoe, who showed us all the painstaking work that went into securing gowns for her clients through her reality show, The Rachel Zoe Project.  And quite honestly, we can credit her for the reason people even pay attention to who’s styling who these days.  For Zoe, the process would usually begin with Fashion Week, where she would spot a gown, picture a specific client with it, and the rest would become red carpet history.   But not without drama- the show exposed just how critical obtaining the perfect gown was, and the lengths stylists would go to get it.   After all, it was all about “the moment”.  Her client list has included A-listers like Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence, Eva Mendez, Demi Moore, Jennifer Garner and Kate Hudson.

But enough about the people- lets talk about the DRESSES.

Over the years there have been some serious standout looks.  Some good, some bad, some flat out legendary.  Then there’s Bjork’s swan dress that has its own category all together… (Seriously, still…. wth??)

But being in the legendary group- THAT’S what its all about.  It’s the magical moment of fashion in its most glamorous form.  Like Halle Berry in Elie Saab (2002), Hilary Swank in Guy Laroche (2005), Michelle Williams in Vera Wang (2006), Julia Roberts in vintage Valentino (2001), Penelope Cruz in Atelier Versace (2007), Jennifer Lawrence in Dior (2013).  Hell, even Sharon Stone in her husband’s dress shirt.

So who made Legend status this year?  Personally, I didn’t see any major misses.  Or, tragic ones at least.  This year’s Oscars proved to be one of the more timid ones when it came to fashion statements.  In other words- no one showed up as a farm animal.  Instead, the risks were on a more personal level.  Like wearing yellow.  Or an unexpected cutout.  And it paid off.  Then you had your standard classics, like Reese Witherspoon.  Though always stunning, Reese pulls no surprises with her strapless, mermaid cut gowns.  Hey, if aint broke…

But we don’t watch the Oscars for the expected.  Instead, its stars like Cate Blanchett that we rely on to make our knees weak.  And Cate DID NOT disappoint this year.  Winning Best Dressed, hands down, no questions asked, I literally gasped when they first showed her on screen.  Wearing Armani Prive, everything was so spot on perfect about this gown.  It was romantic, yet glamorous, yet unique.  The color was exquisite.  The details were flawless.  And the dress said everything a dress is supposed to on Oscar night- LOOK.  AT.  ME.

Oh, we did, Cate.  And we still are….

But we had a few more winners last night.  Like Brie Larson (Below, Left) in a magical blue Gucci number that celebrated some of the biggest trends at the moment.  The plunging neckline gave a hint of a lingerie look, while her jewel encrusted belt offered the only bit of accessorizing.  And it was perfect.  With its A-line cut, the skirt added extra drama through ruffles and a small train, while the top screamed total glamour.  Also worth noting was the hair piece woven into her hair perfectly matched the detailing on her belt.

 After that, it was Saoirse Ronan (Top, Right) who stole the show.  Wearing Calvin Klein, the girl was literally dripping with that old school Hollywood glamour.  But it was the cut outs and color that kept the look young and modern.  Add to that the plunging neckline, and you can add bombshell to the list of everything that is SO right about this dress.  Keeping with the “less is more” trend that was so dominant last night, accessories once again took a backseat.

See guys- I told you to ditch the necklaces.  The only statement these girls are making are simple, but clear with a killer set of earrings and a well placed ring, or two.

Moving on to my next favorite, we have one of our red carpet alumni favorites: Charlize Theron (Below).  Wearing Dior, Charlize absolutely slayed it.  And at 40, I can honestly admit she has never looked better.  One of the few stars to wear her hair up last night, I’m so glad she did.  But just in case that wasn’t enough to direct any and all attention to that incredibly sexy neckline, a very well placed necklace guaranteed it.

 

After that, we have Mara Rooney in Givenchy.  The girl definitely has a red carpet formula that works for her, and we dont ever want it to change- last time Mara walked the red carpet, she wore the same color and same designer.  Again, we have a minimal accessories, keeping the focus exactly where it needs to be.  And the cutout could have been a total miss… but somehow the placement is exactly what makes this dress so incredible.  Its unexpected, yet completely on point.  And her perfect is her complexion in white?  Its a look like this that really makes you stop and realize just how incredibly beautiful Mara is.

 

So there were a lot of fashion “moments” to be had at this year’s Oscars.  Though probably none more notable than Leo’s- who finally got his well deserved Oscar.  It was refreshing to see celebrities really bring out their best, and keep the red carpet exactly at it should be- glamorous and awe-inducing.  It brought back the excitement one hopes for as each celebrity is interviewed, elaborating on their look, and who their wearing.  At the same time, it creates a sort of time stamp for our generation of the moment as new iconic looks are both established, and coveted.  Because just as their films will live on, so will their looks from this night.

And you ladies certainly gave us all one to remember.

No swan dress needed.