Hilary Swank shows how it's done

Vintage chic at Oscars
From correspondents in Los Angeles
February 28, 2005
From: Agence France-Presse


Vintage chic ... Hilary Swank shows how it's done / Reuters
HOLLYWOOD'S biggest stars hit the red carpet clad in vintage styles for the 77th Academy Awards today.
Long, draped gowns and vintage jewels saw a return to the fashion of Tinseltown's golden era of the 1930s and '40s - inspired by the Martin Scorsese's The Aviator.
Singing sensation Beyonce Knowles and best supporting actress nominees Laura Linney and Sophie Okonedo were among the first to arrive at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.
Beyonce, who will perform three Oscar-nominated songs before the 3,300 all-star guests, wore a black velvet, body-hugging strapless Versace gown and cascading diamond earrings.
"I know it's never been done to perform three times. I can't wait, but I will be terrified right before I get on the stage,'' the pop star said.
Australian Cate Blanchett, nominated for a best actress award for her portrayl of Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator, looked the picture of glamour in a lemon off-the-shoulder dress.
The flaxen-haired beauty is firming as a favourite to take home a golden guy as are Sydney filmmakers Sejong Park and Andrew Gregory in the short animated film category for Birthday Boy.
Fellow Aviator star Leonardo DiCaprio, who is nominated for best actor for his role as Howard Hughes, arrived with his Brazilian supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen who looked gorgeous in a white and gold strapless number.
Best documentary nominee Morgan Spurlock, nominated for his fast-food film Super Size Me, arrived wearing an elegant black tuxedo while his fiance wore a gold sheath dress.
The young filmmaker, making his first appearance at the movie industry's night of nights, said he was looking forward to the show and to meeting some of his heroes.
"I'm just trying to have a good time. I just want to live,'' he said.
"I want to meet Johnny Depp, I want to meet Cate Blanchett and Martin Scorsese,'' said the star-struck newcmer.
Best director nominee Mike Leigh, who won a nod for the 1950s abortion drama Vera Drake, wore a classic tuxedo and black string bowtie.
"There are women like Vera Drake everywhere, there always have been,'' he said.
But while he was thrilled to attend the Oscars, he said he had no desire to stay in Hollywood and make blockbusters.
"Heavens no," he exclaimed. "But it's wonderful to be here now.''
Other early arrivals included best director nominee Taylor Hackford and his wife British star Helen Mirren.
British nominee Okonedo, whose acting career is just taking off, said the emotion of arriving at the Oscars had brought was close to tears.
"I'm going to start crying, I'm overwhelmed,'' said the young star of the African genocide movie Hotel Rwanda, who was wearing an elegant strapless beige evening gown.
Also on the red carpet were Okonedo's Rwanda co-star Don Cheadle, nominated for best actor, best actress nominee and Maria Full of Gracestar Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Phantom of the Opera star Emmy Rossum.
Australian Rossum, who wore a red satin strapless gown, said she was thrilled to be invited.
"I'm so privileged, so happy to be here," she said.
Linney, nominated for her role as the wife of sexologist Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey, wore a strapless beige dress.
If Blanchett wins today, it could well be the only major victory for The Aviator, which is tipped to be steamrollered by Clint Eastwood's film Million Dollar Baby.