Red carpet trends of 2012

With the international awards season coming to an epic conclusion with the Oscars, we sifted through the recent awards shows to predict the trends that will rock the red carpet this year.
Oscar night (February 26) is a big night in the fashion world. Designers are hoping their brand is the one adorning Oscar contenders. This year, My Week with Marilyn star Michelle Williams is working with Kate Young, a former Vogue editor who was behind Natalie Portman’s creative wardrobe last Oscars season.Nominee Rooney Mara is working with under-the-radar stylist Ryan Hastings, who has worked with Robert Pattinson. And since trends sweeping the red carpet during awards season are a precursor of what is to come at the Academy Awards, we give you a complete trend report.
Sexy slit
Usually reserved for super sexy stars like Megan Fox, flashing a lot of leg is a major trend, with Lea Michele (in Versace) and Emily Blunt (in Oscar de la Renta) showing off the look at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Sugary pastels
Spring has sprung, thanks in part to Elle Fanning (in Rodarte); Elizabeth Olsen (in Emilio Pucci), Ahna O’Reilly (in Balenciaga) and Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain (in Balenciaga) who all slung on hot-right-now soft, sunny shades at the Critics Choice Awards.
Boxy silhouette
2012 BAFTA presenter Penelope Cruz channelled this geometric trend in an Armani Prive number. This is not a flattering trend for the Indian body type. Adopt it only if you have a tiny waist.
Mesh
Star of the highly anticipated Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence, stepped out at the People’s Choice Awards in a cobalt mesh and satin Viktor & Rolf creation. Also rocking the trend were Miley Cyrus and Vanessa Hudgens.
Metallic
At the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards, The Help actress Jessica Chastain worked the metallic trend in pleated silver Oscar de la Renta. Rope detailing on the gown had her looking every inch the Grecian goddess.
Rainbow colours
Rainbow-inspired colours were seen at the Globes on gowns worn by Michelle Williams (Valentino), Sofia Vergara (Marchesa), Emily Blunt (Oscar de la Renta), Regina King (Alberta Ferretti), Dianna Agron (Carolina Herrera) and Jessica Chastain (Calvin Klein).
Liquid gold
Christina Ricci glittered at the 2012 BAFTA Awards in a gold gown by Givenchy with subtle short sleeves and centre split. Gillian Anderson continued the precious metal theme in a strapless number.
Age-appropriate
Helen Mirren, 66, was the queen of the red carpet at the Globes. She ticked all the age-appropriate fashion essentials — a jewel tone Badgley Mischka dress, flattering V-neck, colour on her eyes, a top volume hairdo and subtle accessories.
Other stars who rocked the trend were Glenn Close and that night’s Best Actress winner Meryl Streep.
Sports luxe
Sports luxe is a seriously polished take on sporty staples. Diane Kruger gave a brave nod to this trend in a modified Prada SS12 gown, at the Critics Choice Awards.
Pale dress
Jessica Alba (above), Nicole Kidman, Elle Macpherson, Kate Beckinsale, Octavia Spencer, Heidi Klum were only some of the stars wearing floor-length pale dresses at the Golden Globe Awards.
Peek-a-boo cutouts
Amber Heard selected a black cut-out Zac Posen gown for the SAG Awards. Kyra Sedgwick in a fiery Pucci and Jayma Mays in sparkly Reem Acra, also turned up the statement power with cut-out accents.
Subtle colour block
Angelina Jolie was hands-down the best dressed woman on the Golden Globes red carpet in an asymmetric floor-length cream satin dress by Atelier Versace. The dress had a red fold across the chest, which Angelina matched with a miniature clutch and bright lipstick.
Green
The Help star Emma Stone is making a habit of going green on the red carpet, and we’re loving it! She looked especially stunning at the Critics Choice Awards in a Jason Wu dress with a keyhole neckline, slight train and narrow black belt. Also rocking this trend were Emily Blunt (SAG Awards) and Zooey Deschanel (Globes).
Elegant sheer
Emma Watson worked the trend right in a red Valentino Pre-Fall 2012 mini dress with a lace top and a satin bubble skirt with a side bow. A strict no-no for the sheer trend was Fergie at the Grammy Awards in a Jean Paul Gaultier gown.
Edgy chic
Oscar nominee Rooney Mara epitomises edgy chic. At the AFI Awards, she sported a relatively flirty Lanvin Pre-Fall 2012 look. Her bi-colour beige and black sleeveless top in satin duchesse was teamed with a black neoprene skirt and black matte waxed leather belt. A pair of simple Brian Atwood ‘Debra Due’ peep-toes were her only accessory.
Light sequins
French actress Berenice Bojo’s Ralph Lauren Collection sequinned cocktail number at the SAG Awards, was tasteful. Jayma Mays’ sequinned Reem Acra number kept the front simple for a revealing back.
The bustle
Charlize Theron’s deep neckline Dior Couture blush dress with a bustle on the waist, was one of the winning looks on the Globes red carpet. Different from the ‘train’, the bustle is an adorable bit of volume found on the back of a dress. Its modern incarnation can be found on either side or even at the front.
Deep plum
Natalie Portman looked fabulous at the SAG Awards in a Giambattista Valli deep plum dress. Emma Stone winningly channelled this trend, and subtle colour blocking, at the Globes in a Lanvin number. Deep plum is a shade that flatters the Indian skin tone, so don’t be afraid to wear it.
Androgynous
Tilda Swinton donned her signature androgynous in a YSL Edition Soir 2012 three-piece black and white look. It consisted of a sheer blouse, two-tone tuxedo jacket and white wide-legged pants with an embroidered cummerbund. With designers at the recent New York Fashion Week continuing the trend in their fall collections, there is no better time than this to sport menswear-inspired looks.
Evan Rachel Wood went all out at the Globes in a halter-neck Gucci feather dress with a train. Our tip for the faint-hearted: If you’re shy about wearing full plumage, make space for it on your sandals and pumps.
Power shoulders
For those not genetically gifted with broad shoulders, Vera Farmiga (BAFTA), Michelle Williams and Kelly Osbourne (both SAG Awards) demonstrate how, even if you don’t have it, it’s completely okay to fake it. Vera wore a flowing white Marchesa gown with shoulder
detailing.
Minimalist chic
At the Critics Choice Awards, we noticed one sweeping trend — minimalist chic was a recurring theme with Michelle Williams (Chanel), Stacy Keibler (Giorgio Armani) and Charlize Theron (Azzedine Alaia) flaunting it. The Descendants star Shailene Woodley opted for a slinky silver Calvin Klein Resort 2012 floor-length number.