D on’t expect any Bjork moments when stars glide onto the red carpet to-day for the Academy Awards ceremony (live coverage begins at 3:30p.m. on E! and at 5 p.m. on ABC-TV). The Icelandic pop princess’ swan

dress had tongues wagging for weeks in 2001, but stars are playing it safer thesedays.“It has become such a serious style platform that whether you’re a nominee

or a presenter, you’re going down in Oscar history,” says Tom Julian, the stylearbiter on oscar.com and trend director for McCann Erickson. “The photos areliving for 12 months, and people want to look appropriate.”He predicts white, shimmery metallics and prints will make a statement, as

well as bubble hems. European designers will continue to dominate becausethey can create “true haute couture” looks for the stars, Julian says. In that spir-it, Style asked five local designers to share what they would like to see the bestactress nominees wear tonight, and they obliged with the sketches and state-ments shown here. More on Oscar: Make your picks with our handy ballot; review worthyfilms that missed the nomination cut. > A&E, section F

— Suzanne S. Brown

Charlize Theron(“North Country”)Gino Velardi: “Aside from being an ob-

vious red carpet muse, Charlize Theronpossesses the sophisticated elegance andclassic beauty of old Hollywood. This dra-matic strapless, scarlet red velvet gownwith a double-layered embroidered tulle

and velvet train de-mands envious gazes.The color choice en-hances a vibrant spiritand adds to a woman’sconfident sexuality.The attention to detailand the teasing back-less cut, alongwith the fluid

rhythm of the fabrics, bringsthis gown to life.”

—More information:ginovelardi.com

Keira Knightley(“Pride & Prejudice”)

Kevin Jackson: “Afterseeing Keira at the GoldenGlobes in Valentino, I cre-ated this Duchess satingown in canary yellowwith a sweetheart neck-line and a hand-pleated un-derskirt in canary yellowtissue lamé. It’s figure-flat-tering and eye-catching

without being too fussy. I’ve added glovesto give the look a touch of ‘old Hollywood’glamour.”

—More information: 303-831-9002

Felicity Huffman(“Transamerica:)Brooks: “I designed Felicity’s

dress in a bright, happy color. In con-trast to her dark character in ‘Tran-

samerica,’ thisdress reflects herself-confidence,maturity and so-phistication. Al-though simple indesign, the dresshas the subtle flashand sparkle need-ed for this occa-

sion. The godet on the side, the mid-riff panel and train are bronze chif-fon with an underlining of turquoisewith crystal beading. She will becomfortable in this gown that hugsher upper body and allows move-ment as she walks on the red carpet.”

—More information:www.brooksltd.net

ReeseWitherspoon(“Walk the Line”)Mona Lucero: “Reese is a young

and talented Hollywood actress whohas a great eye for fashion and car-

ries herself withstyle. She is for-ward in her cloth-ing choices with-out being extreme.Here she is wear-ing the evening’sbest accessory —the Oscar for BestActress. She is

wearing a white sheer chiffon pin-tucked top, sheer mesh fingerlessgloves, a beaded silk brocade ‘obi’belt, a taffeta dress with fitted pinkbodice and A-line long white skirt.The skirt has hand-embroideredand beaded flowers and a taffetaturquoise underlayer. Her sim-ple crystal drop earrings and acrystal hanging from a leath-er necklace replace the req-uisite diamond necklacetypically seen at the Acade-my Awards. Simple satinslippers in turquoise com-plete the ensemble.”

—More information:monalucero.com

Judi Dench(“Mrs. Henderson Presents”)Crystal Sharp: “The actress’

curves, matched by her personalstyle, led me to design a style thatwould highlight and not overpow-er her natural beauty. The dressshowcases her theatrical side; itfeatures her femininity while chal-lenging her to add color. Her paleskin is accentuated with greens,pinks, reds and gold. The silk cor-

set is trimmedin lace, and therich silk velvetshrug is loosearound the neckand shoulders,but fittedthrough theback and up-per sleeve.

The silk brocade skirt fits thefairy-tale image of Oscarnight. The gown should beworn with high heels togive height to Ms.Dench’s already vibrantpersonality.”

—More information:esheshe.com

FASHION

Actress photos from Getty Images;designer photos by Denver Post staff

Five local designers’best-actress gowns

Sunday, March 5, 2006 g The Denver Post 3L