Fashion mostly a flop on Oscars carpet | Ipswich Celebrity | Celebrities and Speakers in Ipswich

IT may be the year of the Hollywood blockbuster, but this year's Oscars red carpet has produced mostly fashion flops.

In what may go down as the year of red carpet road kill, celebrities from A-listers to rising stars hit the worst dressed lists for their surreal sartorial choices that looked like costumes from a 3D sci-fi movie.

Perhaps the pressure of delivering the ultimate Oscars red carpet dress was too high with the presence of the fashion world's most powerful woman, American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

If it wasn't enough for celebrities' 82nd Annual Academy Awards gowns to be judged by television and internet audiences in their billions, they also had to face the scrutiny of Wintour who decides with one glare whether stars like Sandra Bullock, Charlize Theron and Sarah Jessica Parker are red carpet winners or sinners.

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Some of Hollywood's more experienced players didn't disappoint, turning to haute couture gowns to deliver a fashion spectacle that would rival Avatar in the special effects stakes.

Stars foolproofed themselves against Wintour's icy gaze by wearing pale-shaded gowns to ensure they kept their cool in the spotlight.

Sandra Bullock kicked of the haute couture fashion express in a metallic and lace Marchesa gown, her most classic fashion choice of the entire awards season.

Joining her on the best dressed list was Jennifer Lopez in voluptuous Armani Prive Spring 2010 lined with crystals.

Last year's best actress winner Kate Winslet seemed to be channelling Nicole Kidman, wearing a strapless YSL dress that mirrored the cool Aussie's red carpet style.

Also on a fashion high was Diane Kruger who floated along in a chiffon cream and black Chanel haute couture gown.

One of the world's most recognised fashionistas, actress Sarah Jessica Parker - clearly gearing up for the upcoming release of Sex and the City 2 - wore Chanel Spring 2010 haute couture that oozed Hollywood royalty.

Demi Moore's elaborate silk organza Atelier Versace dress was a fashion winner while Meryl Streep impressed in a white hot Chris March gown and Fred Leighton bracelets, proving she's a graduate of old school glamour.

But the fashion disasters weren't far behind.

Avatar's leading lady Zoe Saldana landed head first onto fashion critics' worst dressed lists thanks to an excessive lilac Givenchy Spring/Summer 2010 haute couture gown that could have been mistaken for a 3D special effect gone wrong.

Another surprise entry onto the worst dressed list was Penelope Cruz in a red Donna Karan dress that looked like she was wrapped in an enormous curtain.

Indie queen Maggie Gyllenhaal, known as both a fashion and film risk-taker, pushed the point too far in a bold printed Dries van Noten that although unique wasn't quite worthy for a formal night in line with the Oscars' red carpet heritage.

Funny lady Tina Fey tried to recover from her Golden Globes fashion disaster in which her Zac Posen-designed dress was compared to a poodle, but her Michael Kors black beaded gown and 1950s hairstyle at the Oscars had critics asking whether she wanted to be the next Lucille Ball.

Up in the Air star Vera Farmiga's fuchsia Marchesa gown threatened to engulf her in enough ruffles it was like she was under attack from her dress.

Rachel McAdams made an unfortunate choice with her printed chiffon number while Mariah Carey pushed her draped navy Valentino gown to breaking point as it barely covered her assets.

Also flaunting her Hollywood enhancements was Melanie Griffith whose black sequined gown barely covered her ample cleavage.

Oscar nominee Mo'Nique was no less demure wearing an electrifying blue gown by New York-based Tom and Linda Platt.

But some in the young Hollywood pack proved they can out-dress veterans with fast-rising ingenues also playing the haute couture game and winning several style points.

Carey Mulligan completed a sensational awards season by wearing a strapless black Prada dress embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Best Supporting Actress nominee Anna Kendrick looked suitably young and fresh in a pink Elie Saab Couture chiffon creation.

But Kristen Stewart in Monique Lhuillier and Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham seemed determined to grow up too fast with their ageing dresses and heavy makeup more suited to a morgue than a glittering night.

Also dulling herself down was Nicole Richie in a vintage Reem Acra gown, while Amanda Seyfried's enormous Armani Prive's Spring 2010 haute couture sea foam green gown made her look like a floating sponge on the red carpet.

On the glam gents front, the Oscars proved a night out for the boys with designer Tom Ford dressing hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin for the telecast.

Ben Stiller, Jason Bateman, Neil Patrick Harris and Twilight star Taylor Lautner all donned Dolce & Gabbana tuxedos on the red carpet while George Clooney proved he was yet again the modern day Cary Grant in his Giorgio Armani tux.

Jeff Bridges and Javier Bardem opted for tuxedos by Gucci while Steve Carell took the presidential route in a tux by US President Barack Obama's favoured Canali.

Teen idol Zac Efron shunned the generous offerings of Italian luxury brands and opted instead for a tuxedo by American designer Calvin Klein.