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Fashion at the Oscars
With Robin Givhan
Washington Post Fashion Editor
Monday, March 26, 2001; 3 p.m. EST
After watching the Academy Award marathon, it's time to discuss and analyze the highs and lows of Oscar fashion. The big news is that stylists are out -- or so says Tom Ford of Gucci -- and it's chic to wear your own jewelry.
Robin Givhan, The Washington Post's fashion editor, will be online Monday, March 26, at 3 p.m. EST, to talk about who wore what, which designers came out on top and which were the big losers. She'll also discuss whether the backlash against stylists -- the folks who scour the globe to dress the stars -- means that the celebrities dressed with more personal flair or simply cowered behind black Armani sheaths.
Submit your questions and comments before or during the discussion.
The transcript follows...
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Robin Givhan: Hi there!
I hope everyone enjoyed the Oscars - I thought they moved a long at a reasonable pace. And thanks be to Bjork for keeping the fashion parade interesting! Oscar fashion: let's discuss!
Washington, D.C.:
Wasn't it terribly gauche for Sarah Jessica Parker to wear that dreadful micro-mini to a formal occasion? And also, what was with the fairy dress split hem look on so many of the dresses? It looked like they rolled Stevie Nicks for them. And I thought Angelina Jolie's outfit looked like Celine Dion's right way round. Who was the designer? Julie Andrews stole the fashion show in her elegant gorgeous black dress.
Robin Givhan: I'm right there with you on Sarah J's micro mini. She definitely has the figure for it, but I thought it was a tad to casual for the Oscars. She looked like she was headed to the MTV awards. I wasn't fond of Angelina Jolie's pantsuit, but I was so happy she didn't look like Morticia Adams that I couldn't complain. Julie Andrews looked quite regal.
Washington, D.C.:
I'm sure everyone thinks otherwise, but I loved Bjork's outfit. I myself would never be caught dead in that thing, but I love the fact that she is so original. While every other star spends weeks planning their outfit to get plum roles in future films, Bjork just doesn't care about that. Go Bjork!!
Robin Givhan: Oh, i daresay that bjork spent a little time deciding just how she was going to wrap that stuffed swan around her neck. it did make me long for the good old days when that sort of stuff was di rigeur.
Arlington, Va.:
Was I the only person bothered by Tom Cruise not wearing a tie? I thought that was a bit disrespectful, frankly.
Robin Givhan: i thought Tom Cruise looked like he stopped by the Oscars on his way to his bowling night! cuteness only gets you so far. i may be exaggerating, but i thought his casual style was appalling. it is after all his own industry's biggest night. bad manners!
Falls Church, Va.:
Hi Robin,
I missed the Oscar's but am curious about fashion choices. Were there any trainwrecks? Was there a single dress (like Uma's lilac Prada a couple of years ago) that had everyone sighing?
Robin Givhan: you MISSED the Oscars! egads! i didn't think there were any knockout dresses. julia roberts looked nice. so did joan allen. juliet binoche made quite a statement in a jean paul gaultier number: sort of a 1920s dominatrix look.
Louisville, Ky.:
Julie Andrews and Steve Martin set the standard last night. The simplicity of their outfits drew attention to them rather than to their clothes. Why don't more people realize less is more?
Robin Givhan: you're so right. steve martin proved that a man in a spectacular tuxedo is an incredible sight to behold.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Robin. I was wondering if you could explain why everyone gets so worked up over WHO the stars are wearing. Don't get me wrong, I like to look at the fashions. But it just seems so hmm -- small of these billion-dollar actors to flaunt their high-end designer tags as if we didn't know thier dress cost more than some Americans make a year. Shame on them. I mean, I realize that the designers ask them to say who they are wearing so that they can get free advertising but I figure, the fortunate few who will be able to afford a Versace dress are already fully aware of his latest couture line. Is it just me or am I the only person who is so over these full-of-themselves stars kissing Joan River's wrinkled butt, flaunting designer names?
Robin Givhan: yeeeouch. i don't think it's aobut the stars flanting the designer name tags. i mean, if i was going to the oscars - and i didn't have the utmost in integrity - i'd revel in all of the freebie dresses and handbags being tossed my way. and i think people - even those who can't afford versace - are intrigued to know that's who made the dress. call it the In Style effect.
FFX, VA:
Speaking of casual, how about that Phoenix kid? Perhaps they should hand out combs with the invitations.
Robin Givhan: if only someone could have told him to spit out his gum.
Shrewsbury, Mass.:
How come more of the men don't wear anything more interesting than a sparkly bowtie?
Did you like Samuel L. Jackson's duster as much as I did? Were there any other men wearing anything interesting?
Robin Givhan: i was not a fan of sam jackson's duster. it looked like he was starting to believe that he really IS john shaft. can you dig it? i thought steven soderbergh looked nice with his antique gold shirt and tie.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Robin,
If it's true that actors steered away from stylists, then it makes sense why most everyone looked so -- well, bad. Ashley Judd and Juilette Binoche, both beautiful women, looked like they had a run-in with the jewelry counter at Hecht's. Julia Roberts's dress was a disappointment. Marcia Gay-Harden had on a gorgeous gown, but it seemed a size too small -- her cups runneth over. The only woman who looked stunning, in my humble opinion, was Catherine Zeta-Jones. (I actually think she's a refreshing break from the too-thin, over-the-top fashionistas that dominate Hollywood. With a baby myself, I envy her ability to trim down so quickly, but she still has some curves. Vavavavoom!)
Robin Givhan: the women did not look at pulled together as usual. but there must be a happy medium between no stylist at all and the sort of domineering stylists who have been ruling hollywood. i thought catherine zeta-jones looked fabuuuulous. the dress was versace and she wore it beautifully and you're right, she had nice curves.
SteveInDC:
It's "de riguer".
Robin Givhan: sorry steve. i'm typing awfully fast.
Fairfax, Va.:
What was your opinion on Russel Crowe's outfit?
Robin Givhan: i seem to be out voted on the sam jackson front. but i thought russell crowe looked, well, not to my taste. i was not a fan of his string tie with the edwardian coat. and while i thought it was sweet he wanted to wear his grandpa's medal, it looked weird on his lapel. also, did anyone notice that morgan freeman seemed to have his sunglasses sticking out of his jacket pocket?
Vienna, Va.:
Has all of Hollywood burned their bra? I saw more nipples last night than on the movies I catch my 16 year old watching on Skinamax.
Robin Givhan: based on some of the dreses, it's pretty impossible to wear a bra. clearly, they keep it cold in the auditorium.
McLean, Va.:
Was I the only one that thought Renee Zellwiger looked like she was wearing a yellow curtain? Uggh...didn't like it. I loved Juliette Binoche's look though, as well as Julia's. Poor Russell Crowe needed a new hairdo and a better tux...looked very reminiscent of the 80's to me.
Robin Givhan: the band flock of seagulls comes to mind when i think of russell crowe's ensemble. the folks i was watching the ceremony with also thought renee was not in top form. they thought she looked like she was wearing a bath towel. i acatually liked the dress. very vintage. i thought juliette binoche's ensemble was interesting. i didn't think the Oscars were the right setting. it was a little too esoteric
Fairfax, Va.:
Was it my imagination, or did I actually see actresses with curves on the Red Carpet last night? I and my wife were remarking that some of these women seemed to actually have hips under their dresses. Wahoo. Finally, the size 0 slip dress look is behind us!
Robin Givhan: i thought actresses looked curvy, too.didn't people magazine do a whole story on more curves in hollywood? Marci gay harden, zeta-jones. there were no stick figures on stage.
Ashburn, Va.:
I really liked what what's-er-face Judd was wearing. Thought most of the men needed better haircuts and shaves. Hated what Julia Roberts was wearing. Nurse Betty should not wear yellow.
Robin Givhan: yea, there was a lot of stubble on stage. maybe that's a trend. also, the women really seemed to be into finger waves and spit curls. ashley judd, by the way, was wearing Armani. not that we're name-dropping. yellow is not nurse betty's best color, but the red lipstick provided an interesting contrast.
Rosslyn:
Has anyone since Sharon Stone shunned the haute couture for something simple, like the Gap? I applauded her for that, though I still love to see the fancy, shmancy gowns.
Robin Givhan: i don't know of anyone who's had to nerve to wear something from the gap to the Oscars - i'dlove to see an old navy or a banana republic moment. but some people are wearing vintage.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Robin:
What's with men in Hollywood wearing straight ties with tuxedos? It looked like Steve Martin was just coming from the office instead of hosting the awards?
Robin Givhan: bite your tongue! i LOVED steve martin's look. i think the straight ties are a really nice way of updating the tuxedo without it losing its elegance. the ties have to be fine silk however. i'm not too partial to the string ties or bolos. i think the ascots are interesting.
MarcInAlex:
Speaking of curves, Joan Allen looked AMAZING in her dress! I thought she was very well put together. Props to her stylist.
Robin Givhan: yea, joan allen is so elegant and graceful. i thought her hair, in particular, was stunning. very soft and sexy.she wears a lot of michael kors' designs which tend to have very simple lines that really work on her. i think she'sa woman who really understands her body type.
NE DC:
Angelina Jolie's white pantsuit was by Dolce & Gabbana.
Ashley Judd is a beautiful, intelligent woman, but she should not be allowed to dress herself! Enough with the handkerchief hemlines! Same prohibition goes for Winona Ryder, who should NOT be allowed to speak at, omigod, like, the Oscars, like, ever again, y'know? They should both just copy Catherine Zeta-Jones from now on - she always looks perfect.
LOVED Julia's dress - it had a class that could only have come from vintage couture. And I agree that Julie Andrews was the classiest dame in the Shrine!
Robin Givhan: dolce & gabbana had better tricks up their sleeve. but my understanding is that angelina doesn't like to wear anything but black or white. ashley judd is an interesting case because she very mch interested in fashion. but you're right, the hanky hemline is problematic. winona came off like a ditsy schoolgirl. i'm not sure what happened there.
Arlington, Va.
Do you think it's possible Chocolat Binoche had a contract with a pearl company or is she fond of oysters?
Robin Givhan: oh you're funny. i think she swallowed the gaultier philosophy hook, line and sinker.
Fairfax, Va.:
Julia Roberts's dress was absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. What is the difference between "vintage Valentino" and "valentino"?
Robin Givhan: vintage valentino implies that it's from the archives, not from a current collection or custom made. i thought julia's dress looked great. i liked her hair but it was BIG. i don't know what happened though when she needed benjamin bratt to help her up the steps. the dress didn't look that tight. but i thought it was a kind of cruel punishment to make people walk across that huge stage. iwas waiting for someone to tumble off their jimmy choos.
Baltimore, Md.:
What did you think of Danny Devito's sunglasses? Did he just have his pupils dilated at the optometrist?
Robin Givhan: danny devito just cracked me up. especially when the camera cut to him and he was gnawing on a carrot. maybe he's gota promotional deal with the sunglass company.
D.C.:
What ahppened to Hilary Swank? She looked so glamourous last year, but her dress and hairstyle last night did not flatter her at all! Didn't anyone have her take a good look at herself in a full length mirror -- she was so lumpy.
Robin Givhan: reportedly hilary swank was horrified by the negotiations that went into her oscar dress last year and so announced that she was simply going to go off and buy her dress this year. the dress was apparently versace couure. i doubt that ms. swank wrote a check for it. i thought it was too tight.
Fashion faux pas:
Okay... maybe I'm not as fashion-savvy as the rest of the crowd... but what does "Vintage" mean exactly? Does the Valentino fashion house have a bunch of older one-of-a-kind dresses that were worn by past starlets?
Robin Givhan: well, i think vintage can be applied in different ways. some houses will call something vintage or classic, just because it's from an old collection or is a silhouette that reoccurs in the collection. sometimes it means a dress that was created for some reason in the past - maybe was worn - and is being stored in the archives. most likely, it was a gown created for the runway, but was never produced for sale. i'm not sure what the story is with julia roberts' dress.
Potomac, Md.:
what did you think about Hillary Swank? I thought the dress was lovely, but the top made her boobs look droopy.
Robin Givhan: that's what i think too.
San Francisco:
What's the "Gaultier philosophy"?
Robin Givhan: oh, i think it's all about blending multiculturalism into couture/tweeking tradition. the classic pearls, the structured corset and the high black leather boots all sort of play into that notion of bending traditions. (no multi-culit references in this particular number.)
MarcInAlex:
Perhaps Winona killed a few brain cells when she dyed her hair blond.
Robin Givhan: i don't like winona as a blond. i miss the pixie cut.
Washington, D.C.:
I am appalled at how everyone is making fun of what Bjork was wearing. She is not "Hollywood." She would never dress "Hollywood."
Leave Bjork alone!
Robin Givhan: ah, a bjork defender. no, she's not hollywood. god bless her. but she was IN hollywood. i'm glad she stuck to her own style, but you can't deny that that particular style is eccentic. did you like the dress??
Washington, D.C.:
I understand that Jennifer Lopez wore a shirt that was quite reveling and they only did close-up shots of her. Would you say this may hurt her chances to ever present again or is it okay to dress as they do at the music awards almost bare?
Robin Givhan: on the subjct of j-lo. i'm surprisd that she wore a translucent top. if only because history has shown that she tends to alternate between revealing clothes and more ladylike, covered up clothes. i suppose the valentino she wore to the last award show - i think it was valentino - was very reserved it was now time to stir things up. i think it was the wrong move. too, too much for the oscars. dress for the ocassion. that's what i say.
Arlington, Va.:
I'm surprised that nobody's mentioned Jennifer Lopez' outfit yet. What did you think?
Robin Givhan: i liked the way the top fit. the silhouette and the colors were different. i don't think she needed to play peek a boo with the audience. she's got a great figure, but i think we saw all we needed to see henceforth and evermore with her green scarf dress. there's nothing left to prove.
San Francisco:
I thought Bjork totally rocked....it was a fantastic blast of personality amid all those paper cut-out figures. Isn't the movie biz supposed to value creativity? What's so creative about taking bids from the same old designers year after year? But going to a Macedonian designer and getting him/her to put together a swan, complete with egg..now THAT is style! or don't you agree?
Robin Givhan: i think that's creativity. and it's style. but i don't necessarily think that the actresses who wear armani are style-less. for some, like annette benning, that IS their style. others go to the same designers not just because they're willing to lend clothes, but because they're also offering a sense of security on a nervewracking evening.
Washington, D.C.:
Could you tell me about Laura Linney's dress? I thought she looked great!
Robin Givhan: it was valentino, i think. in the designer's signature color. i thought she looked great. it was such a simple dress and more than anything, she seemed so happy and comfortable in it.
Falls Church :
Hi Robin:
Is it true that all the actors have been sponsored for their dresses by their dress designers? Like how Steve Martin explained about his Tuxedo?
Is this a mega advertisement gimmick?
Robin Givhan: i'm not sure what you mean by sponsored. the designers happily lend the stars clothes because they know they'll be photographed a million times and poeple will ask them about the dress or the tux. it's great advertising and product placement for the designers. and they do give the stars perks to wear the clothes.
Arlington, Va.:
What was the deal with Annette Bening? Is she pregnant again? Could she not find a lipstick? Meow.
Robin Givhan: i dunno what's up with annette. she looked a little world weary. that floating diamond at her neck looked like a big sweat globule.
Manchester, N.H.:
What designer is the most popular at the Oscars?
Robin Givhan: it's still armani - if only for all the men who wear his tuxedos. but valentino and vera wang are contenders for top honors.
Robin Givhan: thanks everybody, but i've got to go. an oscar fashion story is calling my name!
washingtonpost.com:
That was our last question today. Thanks to Robin Givhan, and to
everyone who joined us.
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