03/19/2001
By Samantha Critchell / Associated Press
NEW YORK – For fashion designers, this year's Oscar "It Girl'' is Julia Roberts.
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 Michael Caulfield / AP |
| Julia Roberts poses with her award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role for her work in Erin Brockovich at the 7th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Sunday, March 11, in Los Angeles. |
"She has the stature, the longevity, the box-office draw, and she's not one-designer friendly. She wears everything from Vivienne Tam to Calvin Klein, to Armani at this year's (Golden) Globes.''
From the moment she emerges from her limousine on March 25, all eyes will be on the star of Erin Brockovich – and the designer of her gown surely will get a lot of attention and publicity.
Julian would like to see Roberts, a favorite to win best actress, break away from her simple and sophisticated look and wear something spectacular. But, he says, risque can be risky – and that doesn't fit her personality.
"My gut is she'd stay toward Armani – it works for her classic sensibility. Maybe a dusting of detail, but her gown won't be garish, it won't be loud; maybe it'll have some color but it will be a regal color like burgundy or plum.''
Designer Pamela Dennis calls Roberts "a beautiful plain Jane,'' and would like to see her in a white gown, maybe a wrapped look with a diamond hairpin closure. Another option: a "tweed'' sequin gown with long sleeves and a V-neck, a sportswear-turned-evening look.
"This year's nominees – and particularly Julia – would rather be in jeans than gowns,'' Dennis says.
 Robert Mecea / AP |
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| The dress which Brian Rennie of Escada believes is the perfect gown for Julia Roberts to wear in attending this year's Academy Awards is seen at a New York showroom Feb. 15. Roberts is nominated as best actress for her role the film Erin Brockovich. |
"If you're going to wear black, you need to do something unexpected with it,'' says Rennie, who thinks about "camera appeal'' when he designs evening gowns. Beading catches the light, he says, and fringing moves nicely as a woman walks.
Roberts' preference for simpleness bothers celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch, who helped edgier dressers Lara Flynn Boyle and Kim Cattrall get ready for the Golden Globes.
"Julia Roberts can do no wrong, but what bugs me is she's so beautiful, so talented, but there's no glamour. I'd love to put her in couture, something sexier, more fun – or at least give her some great accessories,'' he says.
With Roberts likely to play it safe, who will push the Oscar envelope?
It could be Kate Hudson, the best supporting-actress nominee of Almost Famous, who is seen as one of Hollywood's new trendsetters.
Julian, who is also a trend analyst for Fallon Worldwide advertising agency, expects Hudson to wear Vera Wang, who designed her Golden Globes dress and her wedding gown. Wang is also a favorite of Hudson's mother, Goldie Hawn.
"Kate has an innate sense of style,'' says Matthew Williamson, who dressed Hudson in a hand-embroidered iridescent coat with fur collar and cuffs for the British Academy Film Awards in February. "Obviously, my ultimate goal is to dress her for the Oscars, but I know I'll just be in a queue with every other designer.''
Williamson says he'd put her in a vintage-like detailed gown in an eye-catching color. "I would hazard a guess that she likes things that look antique and tell a story.''
Rennie would dress Hudson in his red, beaded, strapless "T-shirt'' gown. "It's a little more expensive than a T-shirt,'' he adds. Hudson wouldn't have to pay for it, though, since Rennie gives the dress to any Oscar nominee who wears Escada.
The French best-actress nominee Juliette Binoche gravitates toward a more international look, says Rennie, who envisions her in an Asian-inspired coatdress with detachable fur collar.
"There may be an Asian story, thanks to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' says Julian.
Look to Catherine Zeta-Jones of the best-picture-nominated Traffic to adopt a more runway-inspired style.
"Catherine Zeta-Jones will probably wear an international name and something more daring,'' says Julian. "It's kind of like a coming-out party after her baby.''
And, adds Bloch, "She's a little more fashiony.''
Zeta-Jones is following in the tradition of red-carpet stunners Nicole Kidman and Sharon Stone, says Dennis. "These are women who can carry anything off because of their presence and confidence.''
Seasoned stars know that a photograph snapped on Oscar night may be used again and again, and they don't want to cringe each time it surfaces.
"No one wants to be known as the morning-after bad look, and that leads to safe and classic choices,'' says Julian.
"The problem is the nominees aren't the ones who will wear the amazing dresses,'' adds Bloch. "That's why there always are people like Charlize (Theron) and Jennifer Lopez as presenters.''
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On the Net:
Official Oscar style Web site: www.oscar.com/style/style_home.html
