Best-dressed celebrities...

The world tuned in to watch as actors and celebrities took to the red carpet at the 89th Annual Academy Awards yesterday.

Held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, feathers and red outfits turned out to be the biggest trends of the night, with a number of attendees taking the chance to make a political statement.

Several, including actress Ruth Negga, 35, and model Karlie Kloss, 24, sported blue ribbons in support of the American Civil Liberties Union. The non-profit organisation, which works to defend the rights and liberties guaranteed by the United States Constitution, led the lawsuits that have challenged many of American President Donald Trump's policies.

Others, such as Australian actress Nicole Kidman, 49, took the opportunity to redeem themselves from past fashion faux pas. Her outfit to the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January, a questionable green feathered dress from Gucci, received much flak.

Meanwhile, Meryl Streep (nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Florence Foster Jenkins, but did not win) steered clear of the red carpet, likely to avoid a preOscars brouhaha with German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who had mistakenly accused her of cancelling a couture gown order with Chanel for another fashion house.

Lagerfeld is the head designer and creative director of Chanel.

Streep, 67, however, took a front- row seat at the Oscars in a blue, off-shoulder sequinned Elie Saab number.

Here are some of the best and worst looks of the night.


PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Taraji P. Henson

The charismatic and beautiful Henson, 46, in a custom- made Alberta Ferretti off-shoulder navy gown, wears the simplest of dresses so well.

She accessorised with a diamond choker by Indian jeweller Nirav Modi - classic and powerful.

PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Janelle Monae

Trust actress and singer Monae's determination to stick to her black-and- white style and make it look fresh and interesting every time.

The 31-year- old's Elie Saab Haute Couture gown might have a lot going on - feathers, sequins and beads on a sheer bodice - but she pulls it off with confidence and swagger.

PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Chris Evans

Evans, 35, may play a fictional Captain America, but he looks every bit like a dashing real-life hero with his slicked-back hair and blue tuxedo by Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo.

PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Emma Stone

Stone, 28, who won Best Actress for her leading role in La La Land, is a beautiful vision in this Givenchy beaded number with layered fringe detail. She polished off the look with glamour curls and deep red lips.

She also showed she was standing with Planned Parenthood, which provides reproductive health services internationally, with a gold pin of the organisation's logo on the left strap of her dress. President Trump has made known his plans to rid the non-profit organisation of federal funding and has pledged to restrict women's rights to abortion.

The same pin was spotted on actress Dakota Johnson's clutch.


...and worst-dressed

PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

Leslie Mann

Perhaps Mann, 44, was going for Belle in Beauty And The Beast, but the wrinkles in her Zac Posen dress and that lacklustre bow at the neckline killed that dream. What a pity, as the silhouette of the dress is so promising.

PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

Ryan Gosling

Gosling, who was nominated for Best Actor in a leading role for La La Land but did not win, is usually a dapper dresser. However, the 36-year-old father of two made a wrong sartorial step this time with a ruffled-front shirt and suit by Gucci. It was a good attempt at trying something new, but the dark-trimmed ruffles looked out of place with his black suit.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 28, 2017, with the headline Best-dressed celebrities.... Subscribe