Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Oscar-worthy wardrobe

Jwrl (2)

Runways are meant to celebrate and showcase the dedication of time and effort to a designer’s vision, but it is on the award season red carpet during where designers truly get to show their best works and display their art. Each year, it’s a mad race to snatch up the hottest, most beloved and popular actors and actresses nominated for the year’s biggest movies, and the year of 2014 brought a new frenzy to the race as designers dashed around to grab winners to represent their works.

While the 2014 collections were met with myriad of patterns, bold colors and statement pieces, the red carpet trends were leaning on a classic, Old Hollywood couture with slim fitting dresses, solid colors, two-tones, back necklaces and lace. Of course, the looks were not complete without some flesh which was displayed by delicate cutouts emphasized by skin fitting gowns and detailed embellishments.

One color, bold statement: A major red carpet trend this year was definitely the solid color statement dress. From newcomers such as Lupita Nyong’o — nominee and Oscar winner for 12 Years a Slave — to favorites like Jennifer Lawrence and Sandra Bullock, actresses and celebrities flocked toward solid color statement dresses that spoke volumes without unnecessary amounts of additions like pearls, lace or embroidery.

Nyong’o and Lawrence wore the solid color statement dress the best at the 86th Academy Awards. Nyong’o, who mostly stuck to the solid color trend all award season, wore a custom Prada gown in powder blue, or “Nairobi Blue” as she dubbed it. The gown included a flowing pleated skirt and a fashion favorite this year — a plunging neckline. Lawrence’s red Dior number was a slimming soft mermaid gown with peplum-like additions over her hips to accentuate her figure, paired with a classic back necklace.

Details, details and details: Cutouts, bold prints, embroidery and all things shiny were other favorite trends that took the red carpet by frenzy. From pearls and crystals carefully embedded and netted into delicate fabrics to well-placed cutouts, designers seemed to focus on extreme detail this year.

The Giorgio Armani gown Cate Blanchett wore at the Oscars took on the slim fitting gown trend and played with the details, creating a stunning beige gown embellished with crystals all across the netting that was worthy of the actress’s big win for Best Actress. Another fan favorite was Olivia Wilde, who did sequins justice in her shiny and slinky Gucci gown at the Golden Globes which showed that glitz and sparkles will always be a red carpet must.

Black is back: Black made a comeback as celebrities took risks and opted to stick to the dark, alluring color instead of the usual bold and bright colors. The gowns came out on top though, looking chic, sophisticated and timeless instead of boring and safe. From solid black gowns and lace to metallic and stud embellishments, black was a color the stars stunned in, showing that most people can’t go wrong with it.

Charlize Theron owned black at the Oscars in Dior. The dress was slim and included a plunging neckline and dramatic full sheer skirt that was bold, sexy and everything Oscar worthy. Emma Watson was another who rocked black, choosing a glittery Lurex knit top and solid black trumpet skirt from Vera Wang, showing the diversity of the color and one of the many ways it could be utilized.

Completing the look: The stunning gowns on the red carpet would not be complete without an appropriate hairstyle and complimenting makeup. Hair was left undone, knotted, braided or slicked back, keeping the attention on the gown and woman wearing it. As for makeup, less was more. Throughout the red carpet there were no challenging or outrageous looks, the usual natural-is-more was big along with the rare smoky eye that graced the carpet. Red is forever as lips continued to grace the flashy, fun color, and if going bold was not for you, neutral lips were a close second favorite.

Trends come and go, and 2014 showed us that, when it came to dresses, wear it slim, sleek and bold. You couldn’t go wrong with a gown that highlighted your shape and curves. You also couldn’t go wrong with a solid color that kept the wearer chic and outstanding without the distraction of additions. If you preferred the beads, pearls and crystals, a gown that had fine embroidery could be the one.

For now, the designs and looks of the 2014 red carpet could only be bought or ordered at high end designers, but soon the looks will trickle down into boutiques and departments, making them available for anyone looking to shine like one of the stars.

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