Old Hollywood gowns were all about the fabric, commonly satin. The design details came in the treatment of the fabric. Folds, pleats, tucks, draping. Think Rita Hayworth in Gilda or Grace Kelly in her blue Oscar gown. It takes a masterful hand to create these works of art and precious few can do it. So who did it well and who did it better?

Natalie Portman, Lanvin

Natalie received many accolades for this gown but I never warmed to it. The draping is sloppy. The neckline is an attempt to appear carefree but is actually careless. Draping should accentuate the body but it looks like they rolled it off the bolt, pinned it on and shoved her out the door without much thought. Nothing about the design reads as having been done with any kind of purpose. I’m also perplexed by her choice to wear pink and red again on the red carpet.  

Angelina Jolie, Atelier Versace

I was so excited to see Angelina wear a gown so classically Hollywood. The fabric is incredible; drapey but still holds its shape along the seams. Not one pucker anywhere. Beautiful folds and twist at the hip and that bit of red on the flip side of the neckline is a genius design detail. Her choice of a red handbag and a red lip is flawless. So glad she kept the shoe to the color of the gown. Anything more would have been too much. She knows precisely when to stop with accessorizing.

Image credit: Getty