Hairstyles and fashion at the 2004 Oscars
Long after everyone has forgotten who won what, the fashion pundits will still be analyzing which celebrity wore what and how, so here is some up-to-the-minute analysis of fashion and hair at the 2004 Oscars
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After a year of glamour deprivation, Hollywood's best and brightest made sure they dazzled at the 2004 Oscars. The bush
telegraph had obviously been working overtime as Tinseltown's darlings conspired to simultaneously channel the spirit
of Hollywood Past for this year's pilgrimage to the Kodak Theatre. Reminiscent of a by-gone Hollywood, the night was dominated by a decidedly retro-glam look. With their soft smoky eyes, pale lips, glamour gowns and waved hair the entertainment world stamped its own mark on vintage beauty. The gowns, the make-up, and the hair all had a sophisticated look to them. Continuing the trend seen on the runways and red carpets of 2004, the words to sum up the fashions were light, airy, and ultra feminine.
There was perhaps no greater emblem of the turn to ultra-femininity than the oft leather clad and androgynous Annie
Lennox wafting along in a Stella McCartney 1930s-inspired ice blue, silk satin gown. The Scottish songster was transformed
into a Hollywood princess.
Even before one perfectly pedicured and bejewelled foot set foot on the red carpet, fashion pundits were making grand predictions. Along with the usual speculation around who had received what parcels from which major fashion house, there was also a fair amount of conjecture into how the most famous of tresses would be styled. Celebrity hair stylist, Etienne Taenaka, salon director for Vidal Sassoon, who styled heads at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood on Sunday morning, coined a mantra for the current season when he quipped "Dead straight is dead gone, and pony tails are for the gym".
It seems Taenaka was spot on. Currently, Holly Hunter seems to be the only Hollywood star still attached to her hair straightener. For the others it was elegant updos along with waves and curls.
Wearing a stunning Carolina Herrera white strapless column gown with a draped bodice and a back bow along with almost $1
million worth Cartier jewellery, it's not surprising Renee Zellweger chose to keep her hair simple. The Best Supporting
Actress wore her hair swept off her face in a gentle twist at the back of her neck.
Sporting a similar smooth and stylish updo was Naomi Watts - the perfect accessory - other than boyfriend Heath Ledger - for her strapless beaded Versace number. To compliment her tangerine vintage Valantino gown, Jennifer Garner also kept things simple with a banged nape updo that was held in place with a barrette.
Despite not receiving a nomination this year, Nicole Kidman was to many the fashion belle of the ball. She teamed her slate
couture Chanel gown with a soft "up down" hairstyle. She wore her curled hair loosely pulled back and piled on top of her
head with the back section left to cascade down her back which was left bare by a backless gown.
Others left their hair soft and totally loose. Dressed in a bronze Giorgio Armani gown, Julia Roberts' hair was a mass of Farah Fawcett inspired
tumbling and streaked curls. So too did Catherine Zeta Jones who wore a stunning red gown by friend Donatella Versace. From the other side of
the camera, Best Director nominee, Sofia Coppola's natural and glossy hair was the perfect accompaniment to her black Marc Jacobs
gown with flutter sleeves.
Best Actress Charlize Theron could have stepped straight out of the silver screen in her taupe slinky beaded gown by Tom Ford for Gucci. Her look of movie star perfection was completed by her hair - 1920s bobbed waves. Liv Tyler, resplendent in couture Givenchy, also opted for waves and curls. Her asymmetric style that also took its inspiration from the 1920s and 30s is a sure bet to be a much replicated hairstyle in 2004.
Other stars making waves were Scarlett Johannson and Sandra Bullock. Johannson was one of only a handful of stars who injected some color
into the proceedings with her teal Alberta Ferretti gown which she complemented with Monroesque waves. Sandra Bullock in an ivory silk
faille gown left her hair to waft in chestnut waves, that many have said were reminiscent of Rita Hayworth.
So, to summarize the hair trends from the 2004 Oscars: glamour, femininity, and more glamour. These are styles sure to be seen at a prom or a wedding, or even a street near you in 2004.
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