A night as important for fashion as it is for film, Hollywood’s leading ladies broke from the recent tradition of playing it safe with a dazzling array of gowns.

Silver was the colour of choice for the stars at Sunday night’s Oscars and Sandra Bullock, who took home the Best Actress award, for American football drama The Blind Side outshone them all in a shimmering figure-hugging gown by British label Marchesa.

She then set about enjoying her victory at the Governors Ball in the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel directly adjacent to the Kodak Theatre. Bullock was among the recipients who headed straight to the engraving table, which was placed at the ball for the first time ever so the winners could have their names etched onto their statuettes.

In previous years, stars would have no way no identifying their Oscars apart and would have to send their accolade away to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to have their names attached.

Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Dame Helen Mirren were just three of the actresses that chose the shimmering hue for their all-important Oscars gowns.

— Daily Mail

Fifth time lucky Oscar winner Jeff Bridges pays tribute to his ‘gorgeous wife’

After being nominated for an Oscar in 1971 for his first major starring role, it might have seemed that a lifetime of collecting the glittering gongs was in store for Jeff Bridges.

But the newcomer who shone so spectacularly in The Last Picture Show has had to wait 39 years to pick up his first Academy Award.

And last night the 60-year-old star of Crazy Heart set about enjoying his victory at the Governors Ball in the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel directly adjacent to the Kodak Theatre.

But not before paying a glowing tribute to his ‘gorgeous wife’, Susan Geston, to whom he has been married for 33 years.

He said: “I especially want to thank my gorgeous wife, Sue, we’ve been married 33 years. We have a beautiful family.” The actor paid tribute to the wife that he fittingly met on the set of one of his early films, Rancho Deluxe.

— Daily Mail

Most Daring Outfit goes to… Hilary Swank

On Oscars night, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd.

But Hilary Swank was determined to make sure all eyes were on her as she turned out for the Vanity Fair after party at the Sunset Tower hotel. She arrived in a daring Armani Prive dress that plunged almost to her navel and scooped incredibly low at the back.

Her modesty was saved only by a a piece of sheer mesh which kept the bold neckline from gaping wide open.

The 35-year-old teamed the dress with a Charleston diamond pendant, a clutch by Roger Vivier, and platform heels by Jimmy Choo.

The actress, who won her own Academy Awards for both Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby, skipped the ceremony, and given the largely conservative attire worn on the red carpet this year, it’s probably just as well.

Hilary was in the best of company at the Vanity Fair party, which is one of the hottest tickets in town. Hilary’s clevage threatened to spill out of her dress as she leaned over the dinner table for her drink.

— Daily Mail

Kathryn Bigelow becomes first woman to win best director

Kathryn Bigelow made history last night after becoming the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director — and trounced her ex-husband in the process.

Her Iraq war thriller The Hurt Locker last night scooped six Oscars, including Best Picture, while Avatar, directed by James Cameron, won only three minor gongs.

Avatar — the highest grossing film ever having already taken $2billion worldwide at the box office — won only for art direction, cinematography and visual effects.

She said on receiving the directing award: “This really is, there’s no way to describe it. It’s the moment of a lifetime.”

The director paid tribute to the work of members of the audience she had admired for decades and praised the screenplay as “courageous.” She dedicated the award to “the people who risk their lives on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan….may they come home safe.”

Bigelow was the third of Cameron’s five wives between 1989-1991 but the situation between them is very amicable and they have traded pleasantries at every stage of this year’s award season.

— Daily Mail