Bright colours to light up the Oscars

Hollywood stars and the designers who dress them grabbed Oscar's spotlight in the build up with a fashion preview featuring vivid colours and the sparkling jewellery expected to wow fans on the Academy Awards' red carpet.

Flowing goddess gowns and slinky silhouettes were the highlight of a runway show hosted by the Oscars' fashion co-ordinator, Patty Fox, who said her goal was "to make the viewing public interested in what the stars are wearing."

Millions of fashion and movie fans will tune their TVs to the Oscar red carpet parade outside the Kodak Theatre tonight, when Hollywood stars turn out for the world's top film honours given out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Inspiring

Images of tuxedo-clad actors and actresses in elaborate gowns are broadcast worldwide, inspiring global fashion trends and thousands of copy-cat looks.

Essential to the magic created on the red carpet, Fox said, is the collaboration between designer and actress, and her fashion preview last week highlighted that connection.

"The thing that makes the style star icon feel comfortable ... is uniting the artist and the muse," said Fox, citing such duos as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Versace or Renee Zellweger and Carolina Herrera.

Designer Elie Saab saw her career skyrocket when Halle Berry accepted her 2002 best-actress Oscar in the now-famous gown with the peek-a-boo bodice and burgundy silk train.

To emphasise the link, Fox singled out past winners, then selected couture gowns that spoke to their style. While fans won't see how their favourite stars are dressed until they step onto the red carpet this evening, Fox showcased a series of styles that sum up the best of formal wear looks likely to be seen on Oscar night.

Dressing the stars

For Catherine Zeta-Jones, she chose an elegant strapless column dress with lightning bolt beads, art deco detail and a dramatic slit up the side from Lebanese designer Ella Zahlan.

She imagined Zellweger in a mustard gold strapless Angel Sanchez dress, reminiscent of the coveted Oscar itself.

This year on the red carpet, colours will be hot, especially cobalt blue and striking yellow. Gowns in grape, amethyst, scarlet and ocean blue fluttered down the runway on looks guaranteed to catch the eye.

"Colour, colour, colour, colour," emphasised Fox.

A tangerine Pamela Roland with a ruched front was presented as a look for Charlize

Theron, and a one-shouldered red chiffon Valentino looked like it could be worn by Julia Roberts.

But eye-catching, elegant jewellery is a red carpet stalwart, and glittery sequins, beads and decorative flourishes are likely to make a big appearance this year.

A Randolph Duke dress reminiscent of Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's signature look included pearl straps, while a Marchesa confection with a feathered bodice featured a band of silver and gold around its empire waist.

Nude-coloured beads adorned an Isaac Mizrahi column dress with exposed back, and the surprise on an ivory Valentino was a cut-out back of lace that revealed — yet did not reveal all.

"This is what we call an exit dress," Fox said.