By M&C Movie News Jan 31, 2007, 11:31 GMT
Hollywood, CA (M&C) - January 30, Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley curated “A Celebration of Oscar® Fashion” to a standing-room-only crowd attending the presentation of gowns worn by nominees, winners and presenters at the Academy Awards over the years.
“We searched high and low to find the best-of-the-best gowns worn over the years,” said Talley. “Of course, we wanted Cher’s infamous black Bob Mackie - that dress made history all on its own. And who could forget Charlize Theron in that shimmering gold Gucci that she wore when she won the Oscar for ‘Monster’?”
The retrospective was the idea of 79th Academy Awards producer Laura Ziskin, who asked Talley to curate the collection and announce the show. “I have vivid memories of the actresses first appearing in gowns,” said Ziskin. “In each of those moments, they were perfect. Those moments can’t be re-created, but these dresses are little pieces of history and we wanted to remind people of them.”
Ziskin also announced that Talley would be one of four commentators tapped to co-host the Oscar ® pre-show. Talley’s comments will focus on red carpet fashions.
“We wanted to do something different and bigger in the way of acknowledging the part couture fashion plays on the red carpet,” said Ziskin. “Who better than the fashion aficionado himself to highlight the glamour?”
The invitation-only “Celebration of Oscar® Fashion” showcased over 40 previously worn gowns and was attended by designers, current owners and, in some cases, the original wearers.
To preserve some of the more delicate gowns, several were displayed on mannequins, including the Gold American Express gown worn by Lizzy Gardiner when she won the Academy Award® for Costume Design for her work on “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”
The event represented a collection of gowns worn over the past few decades, including gowns worn by Cher, Annette Bening, Ingrid Bergman, Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Geena Davis, Edith Head, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, Sophia Loren, Barbra Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor and Charlize Theron.
Celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend and makeup artist Paul Starr guided a team of artists to create the looks to expect on the red carpet this Awards season.
To complete the looks, the Oscar gowns were paired with contemporary jewels by Cartier, Martin Katz, Neil Lane, Fred Leighton, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston. Shoes and accessories were provided by Manolo Blahnik, Judith Leiber, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Roger Vivier and Stuart Weitzman.
Vogue West Coast editor Lisa Love and Vogue fashion editor Lawren Howell collaborated with Talley to create the show. Rabin Rodgers Inc., a creative and consulting lifestyle marketing firm specializing in event production, produced the show.
In addition to being Vogue’s editor-at-large, Talley also regularly writes the magazine’s “Life with André” column - a witty and popular account of his exploits in the fashion world. His career began at Vogue in 1983 as the fashion news director. He went on to serve as the magazine’s creative director from 1988 until he left in 1995. Prior to returning to Vogue as its editor-at-large, Talley lived in Paris for a number of years.
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