Hollywood’s leading ladies channelled old world glamour at the red carpet of the 85th Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre as strapless silhouettes, wavy tresses and pale hued gowns were the big trend on the 2013 Oscar red carpet.

Jessica Chastain, who was one of the first actresses to arrive, looked elegant and ethereal in her sequined Armani Prive nude gown which showed off her slim figure as she made a grand entrance, with her fiery hair in soft waves.

“It’s a very ‘Happy birthday, Mr President’ dress,” she joked referring to Marilyn Monroe’s dress.

Chastain’s fellow redhead and Oscar nominee Amy Adams was equally striking on the red carpet in a powder blue gown by Oscar de la Renta as she posed with fiance Darren Le Gallo.

The evening’s best actress winner Jennifer Lawrence stuck to her favourite designer Dior, wearing one of their Haute Couture gowns.

This was her most dramatic look so far. The Silver Linings Playbook star’s off-white strapless gown with a full-tiered skirt and a long necklace dropping down her back, was reminiscent of a bride in her white strapless confection with full train.

Charlize Theron also wore a white Dior dress, but went for a more severe look with structured tailoring, also showing some cleavage thanks to the bodice’s low-cut. Her pixie cut stood out on the carpet.

Best supporting actress winner Anne Hathaway look was reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn as she made a statement in a baby pink Prada dress.

Kerry Washington looked bright in a red Miu Miu dress with an embellished bust, while Zoe Saldana also chose a frock with detailing across her chest, designed by Alexis Mabille Couture, and Olivia Munn followed suit in red and gold Marchesa.

Quvenzhane Wallis, the 9-year-old actress accessorised her navy sparkling Armani gown with a fluffy purse in the shape of a Yorkshire terrier.

Oscar winner and performer Adele, who wore Jenny Packham, Dame Shirley Bassey and Nicole Kidman played it safe in black for the evening.

Naomi Watts was stunning in silver while Catherine Zeta Jones opted for a golden Zuhair Murad creation.

Zeta Jones clutched husband Michael Douglas’s hand to dispel rumours that she and him were separating.

Halle Berry also chose metallics for the big night.

Reese Witherspoon arrived on the red carpet wearing a blue Louis Vuitton dress. The actress said her daughter helped her pick her dress for the Oscars night.

Jacki Weaver, Jennifer Aniston and Sally Field opted for scarlet frocks.

Aniston, who arrived hand in hand with fiance Justin Theroux, glowed in a strapless Scarlett dress with a plunging neckline designed for her by Valentino.

Plenty of celebrities chose heavily embellished creations, including Amanda Seyfried, Sandra Bullock, and Kristen Stewart.

Seyfried wore a pale grey and lilac embroidered Alexander McQueen halterneck dress.

Veteran actress Jane Fonda looked fantastic in a buttercup yellow backless Versace gown, while Zoe Saldana made a statement with her Alexis Mabille Couture dress.

While most stars opted for pretty gowns, singer-actress Kelly Rowland brought some sex appeal in her Donna Karan Atelier dress, which had a sweetheart cut white bodice and black skirt with a saucy split up one side.

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