Bright red and baby bumps stole the show on the Academy Awards red carpet Sunday evening, when Hollywood's beautiful people were out in full force, looking even more stunning than their usual preened selves.
One of the earliest to arrive was power couple Seal, the singer known best for hit "Kiss From a Rose," alongside model wife Heidi Klum, who drew plenty of gaping-mouthed onlookers in a ravishing bright red gown.
"I think we're going to be seeing a lot of colour tonight," said Fashion Television host Jeanne Beker. "I've just come from New York and Paris and that's what's making the runways for spring."
More than one starlet was on board with the idea to wear a dress to match the red runway, which saw actresses Anne Hathaway ("Becoming Jane"), Ruby Dee ("American Gangster") and very mature-looking Miley Cyrus boasting blood-coloured duds.
"I was actually going to do something a little more young and trendy but I decided to do something more classic Hollywood," said the Valentino-clad Cyrus, who is also known as teen pop princess Hannah Montana and the daughter of "Achy Break Heart" star Billy Ray Cyrus. "I feel like Cinderella."
Baby bump buzz
Just one night after Angelina Jolie unveiled her sizable new belly at the independent Spirit Awards -- prompting speculation she's expecting twins -- Oscar watchers were on the lookout for Hollywood's pregnant stars.
"It's almost as though babies have become the biggest new accessory in Hollywood," said Beker, chatting up the folks on the carpet alongside eTalk's Ben Mulroney, the only two Canadians with a spot at the edge of celebrities' row.
Jessica Alba and her motherly body drew plenty of attention when she arrived wearing a deep burgundy gown by vintage-inspired U.K. design team Marchesa. Cut to show off the top half of her figure while flowing gracefully over her torso, the expecting mom in her third trimester pulled off an effortlessly classy look.
Also sporting a rotund belly was Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell, whose well displayed breasts inspired gossip blogger Lainey Lui to comment on the evening's trend.
"I have a feeling the theme of the night is going to be child-feeding breasts," wrote Lui on her backstage blog. "Nancy O'Dell could nourish a small island."
Dresses dry despite damp day
Despite a day that saw rain fall for hours, even the longest-trained dresses were safe on the Oscars carpet, thanks to a tent erected by event staff at the last minute.
Fans lucky enough to be seated on the carpet-side bleachers were also covered by the tent, but many of the less fortunate were soaked while milling around Hollywood Boulevard in anticipation of their favourite stars.
Despite the soggy weather, spirits were high -- most of the fans, filmmakers and stars seemed simply happy to be there after the recently-resolved screenwriters' strike almost cancelled the whole affair.
Settled just two weeks before the Oscars, the 100-day strike had cast doubt on whether the actors would cross a picket line to attend.
"Not only have there not been any awards shows, but I think there's a good solid buzz about the strike being over (and) everybody back to work," said academy president Sid Ganis.
