How much does it cost to go to the Oscars?

Getting glammed up for one of the ritziest award ceremonies in the world is not cheap. While most celebrities are lent their gowns, jewels and suits free from designers, not all of the work that goes into the red carpet image is free. The Weekend Herald takes a look at the cost of going to the Oscars.
*All amounts are in US dollars.

Dress: $20,000 to $100,000-plus.

Haute couture dresses start at around $20,000 and range up to $100,000 depending on the brand and if it was especially made for the actress. Costs can escalate with embellishments such as Swarovski crystals.

Stylist: Oscar attendees often pay up to $5000 for a stylist such as Rachel Zoe. The stylist will ask the designer if they want to dress the actor or actress and then take a selection of garments to the client for selection. They also pull together the entire look right down to shoes, jewellery and clutch.

Jewellery: Millions of dollars.

Jewellery designed by New York jeweller Harry Winston can cost thousands or millions of dollars and are usually on loan for the night. Winston, famous for his diamond rings and earrings, also supplies cufflinks to the men on the red carpet.

Shoes: $3000.

Christian Louboutin shoes are favoured among the stars and can cost up to $3000 a pair. Brian Atwood, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik's will also cost thousands.

Makeup: $400 to $15,000.

A makeup artist can cost around $400 for an Oscars event but it's more for the artist to hover in the background and touch up the makeup for photographs. Auckland makeup artist Lisa Matson said rates in America can get as high as $15,000.

Hair: $550.

Stars pay hundreds to have the works including a cut, colour and hair up including hair pieces.

Auckland fashion designer Yvonne Bennetti says the average cost of an ensemble including dress, clutch, shoes, hair, makeup, earrings, perfume, designer coat, manicure, pedicure and stylist is $35,000 for a relatively unknown actress.

What: Red carpet, Golden Globes, January 2013

Who: Jennifer Lawrence

Wearing: Christian Dior haute couture dress, Brian Atwood shoes, Chopard jewellery, and a Ferragamo clutch.

Worth: Upwards of US$40,000 for the dress alone.

Win: The 22-year-old actress won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her work in Silver Linings Playbook.