And the winner is...

Sports fans drain kegs for the Super Bowl. Music lovers rock out with the Grammys. But for those bewitched by fashion and cinema alike, the only answer to a year of silver-screen opuses and lackluster celebrity spottings is Oscar Night. The apex of opportunity for Hollywood's hip and happening to strut their designer-clad stuff in front of an audience of millions, choosing a red carpet outfit is hardly a matter to be taken lightly - and while anything too out-of-the-box can be scoffed at for years to come, stars are often criticized for erring too far to the safe side of the spectrum as well.

This year's Academy Awards saw the incorporation of one-shoulder asymmetrics, sweeping trains, and many a jewel tone, but several icons bucked the obvious choices and still managed to come out on top. Here are my top picks for 2008's Academy Award appearances:



Marion Cotillard was a winner both on and off the red carpet that night -she took a risk with this mermaid-inspired gown by Jean Paul Gaultier and it paid off. The sweeping halter fit her like a glove, while the pale color stood out in a sea of red:







Katherine Heigl appears a bit over-rouged, but the Escada dress suits her figure terrifically and perpetuates her favored air of old Hollywood glamour. Helen Mirren is always gorgeous and age-appropriate at awards shows and looks fantastic in this custom design by Georges Chakra. As a huge Marchesa fan, I may be a bit biased - but all things considered, Anne Hathaway came out the favorite of the night for me. Not only was the color gorgeously striking against her pale skin and dark hair, but the dress was romantic and somehow managed to incorporate all of the season's red-carpet carpet trends without looking fashion victim-ey. I would have liked to see a few soft tendrils pulled out of her ponytail though - maybe something more like what Jennifer Garner had going on:





She and Penelope Cruz went the more traditional route in Oscar de la Renta and Chanel. Both women looked radiant in feminine, dark-hued confections that will undoubtedly stand the test of time and criticism.



Amy Adams was my other favorite. As a fellow redhead, I understand the challenge in hunting down a color that flatters, and this forest green Proenza Schouler fit the bill (and her body) amazingly.

The night was not free of disappointments, however:



Cameron Diaz may be a style icon, but this was not a good look for her. The dress is ruffled in all the wrong places, her cleavage is poised on the verge of a coup d'etat, the pale pink washes her out, and the ruching at her hips just makes it look as though she's been crammed into her limo seat too long. I know casual cool is kind of her thing, but the wrinkled dress coupled with the disheveled hair and lack of accesories is just too much. Get it together, Cam.



Not many people know this, but Tilda Swinton is secretly David Bowie.



I know J. Hud can rock a formal gown. This one isn't terrible. But the fabric looks cheap, especially paired with the reptile skin, and I fear for her boobs almost as much as Cameron Diaz's.



Viggo Mortensen, I know you are attractive. Stop hiding under that beard and Stalin's tuxedo jacket.

And the jury is still out on these two:



When I first saw this, I thought "Oh! Hilary Swank looks so lovely and feminine!" But the more I examine it, the less sure I become. The cut is fantastic, but the sheer thatching is almost too loosely knit to effectively disguise the nude-colored slip that I know is underneath it. And the close-up on those plastic flowers is not a pretty picture.



I have a major girl-crush on Cate Blanchett, and I think the color and floral embroidery on this dress are wonderful. The only place I have problems with it is at the neckline - the thick necklace looks like part of the gown, giving its actual straps the illusion that Cate accidentally left her bikini top on underneath her Oscar gown. Not cute.

I won't lie - I live for this stuff. I'd give an arm and a leg to be able to walk the red carpet myself someday. Until then, I leave you with a shot of the red carpet's classiest young veteran:



Saoirse Ronan in Alberta Ferretti. Brilliance.

Love, Emma