Dressing for the big night out, New Zealand style

By KATHERINE HOBY and AGENCIES

Touches of kiwiana were out among the million-dollar diamonds and fabulous frocks on the red carpet at the 74th Annual Academy Awards.

Ian McKellen, nominated as best supporting actor for Lord of the Rings, wore a greenstone pendant, distinctive against the white shirt of his traditional dark tuxedo.

"You can't buy it for yourself. Somebody has to give it to you," he said.

"I wear this most of the time."

Auckland fashion designer Liz Mitchell declared that Jackson and best actor nominee Russell Crowe both "had their own sense of kiwi style".

"They have a particular way of presenting themselves," she said, watching them progress down the red carpet.

"Russell Crowe now looks like he has been to the Peter Jackson school of hairdressing."

Ms Mitchell said she would have been surprised if Jackson looked any different, thought his tuxedo looked classic and crisp.

"He is Peter Jackson and what he does is more important to him than how he looks."

But Crowe, sporting long hair and a beard, was "a bit of a scruff".

"He looks like he might have rolled out of bed, stepped into his tux and out the door."

Richard Taylor, director of special effects company Weta, was on stage twice, collecting awards for makeup and visual effects for Lord of the Rings.

Ms Mitchell was thrilled to see him wearing her merino wool suit on stage.

"Oh, look at him," she exclaimed, rushing up to the television before excitedly dialling work colleagues.

Screenwriter Fran Walsh and costume designer Ngila Dickson did not get the call up to the podium but were wearing New Zealand-made full-length Zambesi dresses.

Screenwriter Phillipa Boyens was dressed by Auckland designer Trelise Cooper.

Ms Mitchell said the overall look for Hollywood's leading ladies was "blacks, nudes, loose natural hair and make-up and a few diamonds to make the mood".

The look appeared quite subdued compared with recent years with less bold colour and flamboyant jewellery.

"It's nothing showy," she said.

"There's lots of femininity to the dresses - beading, lace and lots of sexy back detail. It's quite minimalist.

Her favourite was best actress winner Halle Berry's claret A-line Elie Saab ballgown and sheer bodice with strategically placed applique flowers and leaves.

"That's the dress of the night," she said. "It's stunning."

She also liked Nicole Kidman's pink chiffon, spaghetti strapped Chanel gown ("lovely, luminous") and presenter Cameron Diaz's Emanuel Ungaro floral gown with jewelled belt ("simple, striking").

Over-the-top award of the night surely went to actress Laura Elena Harring.

She wore a 77-carat diamond valued at $62 million and $3m diamond-studded stilettos.

Ms Mitchell's reaction to the showiness?

"Oh, no," she said, wrinkling her nose. "No, thank you."

Oscar nominees and winners (full list)

nzherald.co.nz/oscars