The Screen Actors Guild Awards, one of the least formal of the award ceremonies leading up to Hollywood's big Oscar finish in March, is an evening for actors to honor their own. With less pressure, last night's red-carpet choices yielded both standouts and mere stand-ins — such as January Jones in a striking black-and-white Prabal Gurung halter gown and, less impressively, Nicole Kidman in a beaded navy Vivienne Westwood frock. Here, ARTINFO charts the best, worst, and in between.
The Great:
Rust and Bone nominee Marion Cotillard handily walked away with our very unofficial best-dressed prize, thanks to her strapless Dior couture dress, blocked in ivory at its bust with cascades of teal silk draping from its waist. A monochrome knotted belt cinched the bodice, creating a slimming, not-too-dramatic shape, especially when paired with simple black pumps and minimal diamonds.
The Good:
Eat your heart out, Elle Fanning. Mad Men's Kiernan Shipka looked every bit her 13 years in an unfussy blush-colored Oscar de la Renta dress with silver and white diamante beading. The chic bateau neck and A-line silhouette harked back to the innocence of the 1960s, and the tea-length hem, clocking in at mid-calf, lends a sense of propriety. Mommy Draper would be so proud.
The OK:
Anne Hathaway had an off-night in her black-and-sheer Giambattista Valli gown. We've come to expect a certain high-caliber fit and taste from the unarguably talented designer, yet the dress looked a bit wide and less-than-flattering on the Les Mis star. And while the sheer-across-the-shoulders element was rather elegant, the diaphanous fabric over the leg sold the look short, undercutting what could have been a very pretty design otherwise.
The Bad:
Sadly, Jessica Chastain's flame-red satin bustier gown from Alexander McQueen was less on fire than it was alarming. The strapless semi-fishtail looked like a gazillion formal-occasion dresses we've seen before. Also, we hate to say it, but the dress is a half-size too small. The iridescent satin fabric (never, ever a girl's best friend, despite its current trendiness) seems to pucker against her every curve.