Baftas – style highs and lows.

Last night was the most important night on the British film calendar – The Baftas.  As expected, ‘The Kings speech’ dominated the awards winning seven in total, including Best film, best Actor for Colin Firth and Best supporting actor and actress for Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. Best actress went to Natalie Portman, who was absent due to her pregnancy, but many other Hollywood stars made the trip across the pond and braved the wet London weather for the ceremony. Here is Fashion-mommy’s guide to the best and worst looks on the red carpet last night.

Trend – all shades of blue!

Blue was definitely one of the key colours on the red carpet at the Baftas. Jessica Alba looked totally beautiful in a strapless, draped Versace dress, wearing her hair in Heidi style braids. Julianne Moore was much improved from her Golden Globes Lanvin debacle in a midnight blue gown from Tom Ford, which she accessorised with bright red lips and the delectable Mr Ford himself. Livia Firth was her usual red carpet perfect presence in an eco-chic sustainable Nina Skarra gown. She described it as her ‘Rita Hayworth’ moment, and I couldn’t agree more, she was definitely one of the best dressed on the night. Gemma Arterton split opinions with her YSL black strapless dress that was decorated with a huge blue bow on the front. I personally liked the look, and thought she vamped it up perfectly with flowing hair and red lips. A less successful blue dress was the Stella McCartney gown worn by Jennifer Lawrence. The ‘Winter Bone’ star had been one of the best dressed in hot pink at the SAG awards, but this blue dress just looked ill-fitting and she seemed in danger of loosing it all night.

Trend 2 – Pinks, reds and every shade in between.

As with other awards shows this year, the trend for pinks, reds, orange, corals etc was still in abundance. As with the blue shade though, some looks were more successful than others. Emma Stone continued her strong showing this awards season wearing an amazing Lanvin gown in coral. With her hair still blonde and channelling Marilyn Monroe, she looked perfect. Thandie Newton is always on best dressed lists on occasions like this, and her beautiful Monique Llhullier pink strapless gown was romantic and dramatic, and her simple hair and make up were also flawless. Amy Adams wore a dress from the Elie Saab Spring/Summer 11 collection that perfectly matched her skin tone and hair colouring, and, unlike her SAG dress, this actually fitted properly! Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright was beautiful in her floral dress from Clements Ribeiro. The length was unusual, but suited the dress which had a slight oriental feel to it. Sam Taylor Wood showed that minimal can be oh so flattering in her orange Celine dress, although I wasn’t so sure about her beau Aaron Johnson’s paisley Tom Ford tux, which was slightly cruise ship singer for me. I was not impressed with Sarah Harding’s Georges Chakra red dress, it was a little bit like a Las Vegas showgirl, seemed to age her, and the tattoos just looked tacky.

 

 

 

 

The mavericks

There are some fashionistas who ignore all the trends and style rules when they hit the red carpet. This is a risky venture, but when it pays off, the results can be dazzling. Helena Bonham Carter stayed true to her favourite designer, Vivienne Westwood, for the BAFTAS. She was nursing a cold but sported one of her best and most flattering looks, appearing elegant and glamorous.  On the other hand, the gloriously beautiful Eva Green turned up in a gothic black gown from Tom Ford that made her look like a reject from the Adams Family. It reminded me of a similarly unflattering look sported by Gwyneth Paltrow at The Oscars. Tilda Swinton, who can get it wrong on the red carpet, looked spectacular in a trouser suit by Haider Ackermann which made the statuesque actress look like the heir to Marlene Dietrich’s androgynous glamour crown.

Rosamund Pike divided my opinions in her mustard Alexander McQueen gown. Although I loved the halter neck dress, I feel the same as I felt about the similar Mila Kunis dress from the SAG awards. It was just too Summery, perfect for The Serpentine, or Elton John’s summer ball, bit not to an event in drizzling February. Their was no such split opinion over Tracy Emin’s look. With her wearing a bed sheet Vivienne Westwood dress, and just got out of bed hair, I can only surmise she is relaunching her unmade bed artwork, with herself part of the human exhibit!

 

Young stars

Emma Watson proved yet again why she is a style icon to watch with her ethereal dress from Valentino. Her hair and make up were great too, but she looked a little moody on the night, a smile would’ve improved her look even more. Hailee Steinfeld wore a calf length dress from Mui Mui, that I was torn about. The length was unflattering and needed to be either shorter or longer to really suit the young star. Her hair was also a bit mumsy, with a Queen Victoria style bun. One look I really loved was the gorgeous tulle style prom dress worn by Felicity Jones. This was really an example of a young star dressing age appropriately and having fun with fashion. The vintage Chanel dress was frothy and fabulous, and with her cute bangs and smoky make-up, her whole look was spot on.

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