1. Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab

2. Carey Mulligan in Prada

3. Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan

4. Cameon Diaz in Oscar de la Renta

5. Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel

6. Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka

Red Carpet:

1. Rachel McAdams looked so lovely and ethereal in her Elie Saab gown last night.  It was made from a beautiful floral print that made us nostalgic for spring; it reminded me of a watercolor painting.   Rachel got high marks for the fit, fabric, its charm and her ability to wear it with incredible ease.

2. Carey Mulligan’s Prada dress was the perfect choice for the budding starlet.  It was young and avant garde while maintaining a sweetness.  The beading and embellishments could have gone tragically wrong, but she pulled it off beautifully.

3. Penelope Cruz got it right with this Donna Karan gown.  The rich color was perfect for her hair color and complexion.  I loved the asymmetrical pleating at the top.  Cruz has become one to watch on the red carpet, and last night was no exception.

4. Cameron Diaz rightly wore Oscar de la Renta to the Oscars and she glowed.  With Cameron, it was the whole package, the dress, hair and that winning smile. 

5. Sarah Jessica Parker can hardly do any wrong on the red carpet.  She looked stunning in Chanel Couture last night.  The gown reminded me of Audrey Hepburn look in “My Fair Lady,” that alone would have landed her on this list.  She embodies a certain grace that complements whatever she wears.

6. Okay, there are actually six picks on my best dressed list.  Queen Latifah makes the list because she was gorgeous in Badgley Mischka, and I could not let that go unacknowledged.  The fit of the gown was perfect, I loved the one shoulder and that the embellishment came across her body at just the right angle.  She looked beautiful and her posture says that she felt beeautiful as well.  That is the job of the right dress on the right star at the Oscars.

Photo: Courtesy of Donna Karan

Eva Mendes wore this Donna Karan look to her movie premiere of Bad Lieutenant.  There is nothing sexier than a white button up shirt with a luxuriously draped skirt.  The look is from the pre-spring 2010 collection.  Fresh and modern are two words that comes to mind.  The more structured nature of the shirt and the drapery of the skirt combines the masculine with the feminine beautifully.  It works because it’s simultaneously sexy and demure, and would be flattering on women of all ages.  An excellent choice for the woman who wants an option to the traditional one piece dress.

These lovely ladies worked their respective  red carpets in this Donna Karan gown.  All day today, the question has been ”who wore it better?”  However, my question is, what is Donna Karan’s secret to getting her gowns onto the red carpet?  The sequin halter is on trend this season, and that likely played a role in its selection.  Iman added extra sparkle with her bracelets, and Eva opted to let the dress shine by itself.  From all appearances, this dress is glamorous and sexy, and it brought out those attributes in these ladies.  Their faces revealed an inner confidence.  A good designer has to understand the contours of the body, as well as what looks good on a woman’s body.  It’s clear Donna Karan has a firm grasp of both these concepts.  The gown works for both because of the  silhouette and fit.  Even the burgundy color works for their skin tones, and this time of year.  Is it any wonder that it made the red carpet on two separate occassions?

Who Wore It Better? Donna Karan Sequin Halter Dress  [FABSUGAR]

Jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris has been in the business for about 40 years. He’s worked with Donna Karan during the launch of her namesake line, and on her fall 2009 collection.  Rollcall selected Donna Karan’s fall 2009 collection as one of the best during fashion week partly for the fantastic accessories.  Mr. Morris has also worked with Calvin Klein during the eighties, and today he works closely with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen on their jewelry line.  He gets much of his inspiration from his older works, and the fashion editorial community still looks to him for his unique pieces.  If you are an accessories fan, you will be glad you viewed these pieces.  Enjoy the feast, minus the calories.