Are you red carpet ready?

The long and short of it...

Designer Ayesha Depala says...

The modern day red carpet is no longer a slave to trends. In fact, the red carpet has now become a place where you can play up, or play down your inner goddess, which of course, in many cases has led to some dramatic style disasters.

"Tonight for your red-carpet gala evening, the biggest challenge is to decide — ‘Do I go long, or short?' Other than that, it's all about wearing an outfit that suits your personality and body shape, and fits you well. However, lately I have noticed a leaning towards more relaxed red carpet dressing. Well, as relaxed as red carpet dressing can be. Stars seem to be wearing short dresses aplenty with fierce shoes, as opposed to delicate sandals. The long gowns seem to be reserved for the Oscars, Golden Globes, Cannes, and of course, any gala that is happening in the UAE.

"In the UAE, we dress up. But even accessorising with jewellery has become more understated and minimalistic. Hairstyles haven't been spared, and stars these days favour the loose tousled look, à la Kate Hudson. Legs are definitely in, as are bottoms, and the stars are no longer afraid to show off what God gave them (see Beyoncé)."

Stephanie Mcmahon, senior stylist at Ted Morgan Hair Group says:

The red carpet must-have hair do this season is curls. You can either opt for soft and loose curls like Beyoncé or Leona Lewis, or curls with an added twist, such as a plait or weave side parting like Cheryl Cole or Taylor Swift.

To get the look...

Vimi Joshi, M.A.C's senior artist for the Middle East and India says:

Ensure that your skin is hydrated.

Use M.A.C Prep and Prime Skin Finish to achieve a gorgeous velvety texture for your skin.

Choose a foundation shade that matches your skin tone exactly.

Groom your eyebrows and ensure that they look clean and well balanced.

Contour your cheek bones with dark powder and add a wash of pink blush on the apples of your cheeks.

Define your lips using a lip pencil and add a fresh coat of lip gloss that matches your lip liner.

Smokey eyes are great for the red carpet: line your inner, lower and upper eyes with eye kohl and blend around the shape of your eyes.

Round it off with generous amounts of mascara.

Fashion forward Dipesh Depala says...

Far too many men wear suits and dinner jackets that are ill-fitting and disproportionate. Tonight, why not stick to a slim-fitting, one or two button tuxedo with flat fronted trousers, and pair that with a fitted white shirt and sleek black tie?

If you are the confident type and can carry off a bow tie, then by all means wear one. But be sure to wear the one which you can tie yourself and not a clip-on. Cummerbunds will make you look like a relic from the '70s. If you are willing to go against all sense, and brave a cummerbund, make sure that you only wear a black one. Anything else would be scary.

"Reserve your novelty bow ties and matching cummerbunds and pocket squares for the Feline Friends annual gala. Another area where so many men go wrong is footwear. Tatty, unpolished shoes will make even the best of bespoke suits look cheap."

Wear shoes that are the right size.

Don't show too much skin. A low neck, a short length and a low back together is a huge no-no.

A long gown befits a red carpet gala.

Make sure your gown length skims the red carpet. The shoes should only be seen while walking.

Make sure your dress fits you well.

Ensure that only one element of your entire look provides the drama — if your dress is busy, keep your hair and jewellery simple.

Don't carry a day bag — and nix the logos. A clutch is the way to go.

Don't wear taffeta — at any cost.

Don't wear too much jewellery. Earrings and a bracelet, or a necklace and ring, or earrings and a ring are enough.

Leave trousers to the gentlemen.

Don't carry your Blackberry or mobile phone in your hand.

Lip service:

No time for a makeover? Lipstick will take your look from day to night. Here's how.

DARK SKINTONES: Opt for red/bronze and burgundy colours. Try M.A.C Burgundy Lip Pencil with Ornamental Lusterglass.

FAIR SKINTONES: Opt for pink and plummy colours. Try M.A.C Plum Lipliner with Lust Lusterglass.

Essentials for your clutch:

M.A.C Blot film for quick touch-ups.

Your lip gloss to re-apply or freshen your lip colour.

Mascara and kohl to intensify your smokey eyes.

A camera to snap the stars!

The red carpet dos and donts

Make sure your dress fits you well

Ensure that only one element of your entire look provides the drama. i.e if your dress is busy, keep your hair and jewellery simple.

The colour of this season...

This season, Ayesha Depala's favourite colour for the red carpet are metallics and nude tones — white and muted gold. She says, "Avoid busy prints, as they look casual and can cause a visual overload. As far as styles go, I love the one shoulder look, whether it is with a sleek column gown, or a more flowy ethereal rendition.

"It is always elegant, and flattering on most body types. Dubai's pleasant weather also makes it appropriate to wear a strapless bodice," she adds.

Who get it right

Kate Beckinsale, Chloe Sevigy and Blake Lively solidify their red-carpet mettle. Charlize Theron, Diane Kruger and Yasmin Le Bon are known for their uber-classy style too.

Who get it wrong

Helena Bonham Carter and Bai Ling have the same fashion (non)sense, while even Meryl Streep (pictured) is disappointing. Mariah Carey and Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat also failed to wow time and time again with their wacky outfits.

Things to REMEMBER

Don't bulk up your pockets and spoil the lines of your suit.

Don't chat on your mobile phone or text while you are walking the red carpet.

Do stop and pose for the photographers, if asked to do so. You are at the red carpet event for a reason. If you are shy, then you may as well go and see the movie on another night in anonymity.

Don't linger on the red carpet. The press primarily want to capture the stars. If no one is stopping you, then keep walking.

For the men...

Who got it right

Jake Gyllenhaal and George Clooney are right on the button. These guys are also normally impeccably turned out: Brad Pitt (minus the skanky facial hair), Clive Owen, John Legend and Daniel Craig.