Oscar Fashions Sparkle, Full Of Color

Perhaps taking a cue from the melting pot of color in "Moulin Rouge," Oscar nominees strolled down the red carpet outside of Hollywood's Kodak Theater in a swirl of color.

Oscar fashions paraded across the color palette from pastel to floral print with little of the award-show staple, basic black. The message was pretty and flowing floral prints for women. For men, basic tuxedos, mostly by Gucci, fit the bill.

And then there were diamonds, diamonds, and more diamonds.

Probably the most decorated actress was "Mulholland Drive's" Laura Elena Harring, who arrived with three security guards to keep an eye on her $1 million sandals and her $27 million Archduke Joseph Diamond necklace.

The pricey pair of diamond and platinum stiletto heels, created by New York designer Stuart Weitzman, were designed with 464 carats of Kwiat diamonds and fabric spun from platinum. The 77-carat jewelry piece was designed by Alfred Molina.

When asked why she was chosen to be dripping in diamonds, she said that hers was a "Cinderella story. I come from a small town in Mexico."

Her strapless floral-print gown by Armani took a back seat to the nearly $30 million in diamonds accompanying it.

Nicole Kidman kept up the diamond theme with 241 carats of raw Bulgari diamonds dangling from her neck to compliment her pale pink, spaghetti-strapped chiffon Chanel gown.

One of the most unusual, rare and precious diamond pieces ever unveiled, the rough diamonds, are among the rarest in the world. The choker has an estimated worth of $4 million. It was a mystery up until Oscar night which celebrity would wear the celebrated piece.

Cameron Diaz joined the floral crowd with a rose-colored Emanuel Ungaro coiture gown. She said she and her best friend had created the loose-fitted belt around her waist, which she said, was from a Fred Layton vintage necklace.

"If you're going to walk down the red carpet, you may as well have fun with it," said Diaz.

All eyes were on Halle Berry as she paraded down the burgundy carpet in a dress that practically matched the color of the rug. Berry's stylist, Phillip Bloch, said her Elie Saab gown was a case of "the right dress finding the right person." The dress had a sheer bodice adorned with beaded flowers and a flowing skirt.

The men also took their fashion cues from subdued color. Although some of the men chose the typical tuxedo with bow tie others, like Will Smith showed straight neckties. Smith, in a tuxedo embellished with subtle piping, wore a light champagne-colored shirt and tie.

Jennifer Connelly, the winner of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, also chose champagne with a matching scarf and strapless gown by Balenciaga.

In the most bizarre category, Paul McCartney's fiancee Heather Mills looked like an over-the-hill Britney Spears in a two-piece black lace ensemble, which showed her bare midriff.

Glenn Close, who provided voiceover from backstage, chose basic black Vera Wang. Julia Roberts also went for black, in a gown by Giorgio Armani, saying that she opts for the "simple."

Others keeping with the classic black theme were Sharon Stone who showed off the sculpted backless dress by doing some turns on the red carpet, Reese Witherspoon in a shimmering black lace dress, and Sandra Bullock in a black strapless gown.

But it was Jules Asner, star of E! Entertainment Television's "Revealed" and "E! News Live," who needed to be guarded on the red carpet. She wore a $5 million Anne Bowen diamond-studded gown. The couture masterpiece was created using 5,000 brilliant quarter carat Hearts On Fire diamonds. The dress was guarded with 24-hour armed security right up until the minute Asner put it on.

"I've been a fan of Anne's designs and am honored to wear her latest creation," said Asner.

The gown will be auctioned with proceeds going to Hollygrove, a home for abused and neglected children in Los Angeles.