February 28, 2011 - 11:12pm
Naked Gold Man: Captivated by the red carpet
BY ARIELLE SPECINER
- Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Naked Gold Man, a series of blog posts over the next few days about what we love, hate and tolerate about the crazy hullabaloo that is February awards season. The topic of today's daily installment: the red carpet.
The Oscars are a pivotal time for actors, actresses, directors, writers and other Hollywood hotshots; however, the only thing I care about is what they are wearing. Fashion is a huge component of Hollywood history, specifically awards shows. The red carpet is not just a place for the press to get juicy gossip and for fans to go crazy over the next P.Y.T.; it is a crimson catwalk for designers to show off their talent on some of the world’s most beautiful people.
The red carpet pre-show is the highlight of awards season for me, specifically the Oscars. Stars go full on glam for this occasion. Their makeup must be flawless, their hair must be perfectly intact and their garb must be gorgeous — if not, they’re doomed for years of humiliation (Ahem, Bjork’s swan dress — that will never get old). While some stars fall flat on the red carpet, there are always memorable high points as well (Halle Berry’s 2002 winning gown). It is just so much fun to scrutinize perfect looking celebrities for dressing exceptionally well or tragically deranged.
Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
While I do love some of the movies that are celebrated during the Oscars ceremony, I really only tune in for the fashion. There is just something amazing about mindlessly staring at my television for two hours tuned into E! while Ryan Seacrest awkwardly tries to grasp any gossip he can from the hottest stars — it’s addicting. The post-show is even better. Joan Rivers’s new show “Fashion Police” is my high point of awards season. Who doesn’t love to see the shameless comedienne rip the starlets’ dresses to shreds (figuratively, of course – please, I’d cry if I saw a cut up Valentino).
So when the Oscars go on this Sunday, you can be sure I’ll be watching and envying the couture that strides down the red carpet — oh, and the movie stars too, I guess.
WANT MORE? Look out for the Oscar B-side on Thursday, February 24, premiering in a Daily near you, featuring interviews with University alum Oscar winners, a discussion of why and how awards shows are so captivating and more.
