Through the Opera Glasses - 74 - My Top Ten Oscar Gowns From the 2011 Red Carpet

Last weekend my very favorite night of the year - after Christmas Eve, of course - unfolded from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Continuing a three-year tradition here at A Piece of My Mind, here are my top ten gowns from the Oscar arrivals red carpet:


1 - My favorite: Co-host Anne Hathaway's scarlet strapless Valentino gown with Victorian-style train, complete with rose detailing.

Anne made a previous appearance on my 2008 list. You can check previous Oscar gown posts by clicking on my Weekly Look at the Arts tab just below the blog header.

Photo by John Shearer


2 - Hilary Swank's feathery strapless Gucci Premiere gown dazzled.

Hilary previously appeared on my 2008 list.




Photo by Lucy Nicholson


3 - I really loved this ethereal Monique Lhuillier crystal-encrusted gown with an illusion neckline worn by Mandy Moore.








Photo by Steve Granitz


4 - This ruby-red stunner was worn by an unnamed guest of supporting actor nominee John Hawkes.








Photo by Jason Merritt


5 - Helen Mirren makes her third appearance on my Top Ten Oscar Gowns list with this sculpted Vivienne Westwood gown.








Photo by Matt Sayles


6 - John Hawkes' Winter's Bone co-star Dale Dickey shimmered in this sequined off-the-shoulder blue sheath dress.








Photo by Lucy Nicholson


7 - Jennifer Hudson rocked in this fitted tangerine Versace mermaid gown.








Photo by Jason Merritt




8 - The incredibly stunning Aishwarya Rai shone by going for understatement with a bronze sequined Armani Privet gown.












9 - Michelle Williams was luminous in this short-sleeved beaded Chanel sheath dress.









Photo by Frazer Harrison



10 - Having made the Worst Dressed List for previous Oscars, Helena Bonham Carter's restraint with this custom-designed gown by Oscar-winner Colleen Atwood was a welcome surprise. I especially loved her fan-shaped clutch.





Photo by Jason Merritt

Through the Opera Glasses - 5 - My Top Ten Oscar Gowns From the 2009 Red Carpet

The Oscars is my second-favorite night of the year, after Christmas Eve. I'm still feeling the buzz!

Not only does it celebrate one of my favorite art forms - film - but I love the marriage between the film industry and the fashion industry: The Red Carpet.

For someone who doesn't bother much about what I look like day-to-day, I am someone who loves to dress up for special occasions. And I love haute couture. Oscar Night sends me into paroxysms of glee.

For today's Through the Opera Glasses, here are my personal favorites among the gowns that appeared on the Red Carpet Sunday night.


1 - My favorite: Evan Rachel Wood is stunning in this sculpted cream-colored Elie Saab gown.















2 - Natalie Portman is radiant in her pink strapless gown by Rodarte.















3 - Nancy O'Dell in a graceful white grecian gown by Pamela Rolland.















4 - Virginia Madsen in a dramatic red Kevan Hall strapless gown.















5 - Daniela Barbosa de Carneiro, Lady Kingsley with her husband Sir Ben Kingsley. She wears a frothy orange grecian gown whose designer I couldn't identify.













6 - Alicia Keyes in a beautifully-draped lavender Armani Prive gown.















7 - Diane Lane with her husband Josh Brolin. So elegant in a black strapless Dolce and Gabbana gown.














8 - Producer Susan Levin with her husband, Robert Downey Jr. She wears an artfully-draped red strapless Blumarine gown with a rhinestone belt detail.













9 - Taraji P. Henson glows in this white tiered Roberto Cavalli gown.















10 - Amy Adams is bold in a classic red strapless gown by Carolina Herrera.














Both Diane Lane and Amy Adams made my list last year. You can check out my 2008 picks HERE.