School of Frock: Post-awards season
Having been sated with the sartorial smorgasbord around the Oscars, here are the best hoorahs and howlers amid the surfeit
JESSICA BIEL (A-)
Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles
Gown: Ralph Lauren
There is so much superhero-esque slaying on display, Marvel needs to make a movie about this, pronto. Biel easily takes flight in her white cut-out gown with attached bronze lamé sheet-cape bodice. It may appear simple, but delivers the right amount of drama. Now, if only she put half the effort into her movie career.
THANDIE NEWTON (B+)
Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles
Gown: Schiaparelli
Newton doesn't do conventional, so it fills me with glee that nothing about this cool embellished metallic silver number is. The bold shoulders, diamond choker, sheer skirt - it's like she's armoured for war and poised to leave (fashion) victims in her wake.
SARAH PAULSON (B+)
Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles
Gown: Ronald van der Kemp
Clutch: Judith Leiber
Not everyone can sell such a tricky colour combination and retro design - in full velvet, no less. But Paulson is absolutely the right - and rare - woman to make such contradictions make sense.
GABRIELLE UNION (D)
Vanity Fair Oscar party in Los Angeles
Gown: Jean Paul Gaultier
Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti
Wow, this isn't even thirsty any more, it's parched. Leave this bikini-cum-cover-up for your pool party, not the Oscar after-party. It's too tacky even for a Kardashian.
NATALIA VODIANOVA (F)
Brit Awards in London
Gown: Givenchy
Is she literally trying to tell everyone she's a bird brain? Because not even a supermodel can wing it. This is one of those nutty, near-impossible dresses that should self-destruct upon leaving the runway.
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