—When it comes to glamour and style, Oscar’s Red Carpet has been a singular point of fashion inspiration. It's the ultimate setting where all eyes focus on the talent and attire of Hollywood's elite. At this year’s 76^th Annual Academy Awards, the trend for classic elegance with vintage appeal continued. Opting for chic over shock, most stars chose couture that clung to — without excessively baring — curves. But where many took chances was in their use of color.

As Freaky Friday’s Jamie Lee Curtis proclaimed in her bright blue strapless gown and Cathy Waterman aquamarine and diamond “star” platinum necklace: “I felt like celebrating brave choices.” Among the looks that epitomized this attitude was Best Actress nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo for House of Sand and Fog (pictured left), in a ruby satin and lace gown with Harry Winston ruby, diamond and platinum stiletto earrings, Art Deco and line bracelets and 14-carat center stone ring.

Presenter Jennifer Garner of the television series Alias chose a vintage coral, cabochon blue sapphire and diamond yellow gold ring by Bulgari, the perfect accessory against her tangerine colored vintage Valentino number. Also in Bulgari, Nicole Kidman (pictured right) wore a stunning one-of-a-kind necklace of 42 extraordinarily rare and illusive natural green rough diamonds (195 carats worth) set in pink gold.

The “L Word’s” Jennifer Beils sparkled in Neil Lane pearl and diamond platinum bracelets, and Erica Courtney pink morganite cross ring and blue diamond ring, both in platinum. Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) gushed in old Hollywood glamour in Lane onyx and diamond platinum bracelets. And, Annette O’Toole  (Best Original Song nominee with husband, Michael McKean for “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” from A Mighty Wind) shone in Harry Winston aquamarine and diamond Art Deco bracelet and platinum and diamond cluster earrings with aquamarine briolette drops.

Other Winston fans were Sandy McLeod (Best Short Subject Documentary nominee for Asylum) in pearl and diamond earrings; former Oscar winner Faye Dunnaway in 18-karat gold color diamond waterfall earrings; Veronique Peck  (wife of Oscar-winner Gregory Peck) in vintage pink and white diamond earrings; and Eileen Penn (mother of Oscar winner Sean Penn) in a gorgeous tanzanite and diamond cross and 12-carat sapphire solitaire ring.

A dazzling panorama of gems ranging from vibrant rubies and emeralds to a soft palette of pastel colored diamonds was popular among many attendees. Carol Brodie-Gelles, global director of communications for Harry Winston, reports: “Stiletto earrings…think Manolo Blahnik meets Harry Winston…long, pencil-thin diamond earrings with or without colored gemstone drops is a major trend. Also, bracelets in all configurations…chunky, thin, cuffs and stacked, and elegant, dynamic brooches, reminiscent of a bygone era — whether worn as a hair ornament, adorning the décolletage of a low-cut dress or worn in the unusual and unexpected place — are in fashion.  The look is very ‘Marilyn Monroe’…sleek, sexy, totally glam!”

In addition to the stars and their guests adorned in color gemstones, so were some of the Oscar media like Entertainment Tonight’s Jann Carl,



who was dazzling in Cathy Carmendy’s 20-karat double satine chandelier earrings with pink sapphire baby briolettes and diamonds; and Melissa Rivers, co-host of E! Entertainment’s Live on the Red Carpet, flaunting Winston diamond and pink morganite briolette earrings and pink tourmaline and emerald ring. Making a big statement in color was Nancy O’Dell, co-anchor of Access Hollywood (pictured left). She is wearing Burmese rubies in 18K gold by Rafinity

But it wasn’t just the ladies who brought color to the Red Carpet. Hollywood’s leading men also chose gems for their Oscar looks like host Billy Crystal in Harry Winston cabochon sapphire and crystal platinum studs and cufflinks; Best Actor nominee Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) in Neil Lane onyx and diamond platinum dress set; Best Supporting Actor nominee, Djimon Honsou (In America) in Martin Katz sapphire platinum cufflinks; and comedian Will Ferrell in Erica Courtney iolite and diamond platinum cufflinks.

And, it wasn’t just at the Oscars, as celebrities were cited in colorful gems and pearls at the swankiest post-show shindigs, like model Amber Valletta in vintage Bulgari yellow gold earrings with cabochon emeralds, turquoise, amethyst and diamonds. In colorful H. Stern jewels were actresses Kate Beckinsale in “Spring/Nature” earrings with pink tourmalines, Elizabeth Banks in diamond and ruby bracelet, and Aisha Tyler in Maria Magdelena pearls with green tourmaline cross pendant (below left).



As golden as Oscar himself, recording artist Faith Hill (above right) sported Harry Winston golden pearl necklace with cognac and golden diamonds, 5-carat yellow diamond stud earrings, and yellow diamond ring to the post parties. Also partying in HW jewels were singer/actress Gwen Stefani in pink and white diamond and mother-of-pearl peacock



brooch and pink pave floral ring (above left); actress Lucy Liu (above right) in turquoise and gold bangle bracelet and ring; actress Selma Blair (pictured right) in ruby and diamond ring, Manuela Testolini (wife of Prince) in moonstone and diamond necklace; and recording artist Chaka Khan in ruby and diamond briolette bib necklace and ruby and diamond studs-on-a-wire.

Although Oscar attendees were not as colorful as those spotted at the Golden Globes a month before, those celebrities who made brave choices in color took best in show!