Stars go colour-crazy on the red carpet

A burst of colours on the red carpet brightened a gloomy rainy night at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. And as stars pinned ribbons to show support for the victims of the massive earthquake that rocked Haiti, the message of the evening was the need to rally and make a difference.

Style insiders said the awards show displayed deep and rich colours as stars and designers offered film and television fans Hollywood-style escapism from the realities of the Haiti quake, economic gloom and heightened security fears.

Rain fell on the first major fashion parade of the Hollywood awards season and soaked the red carpet, a showcase for the entertainment industry's top talent and a perfect launch pad for designers. But under umbrellas, the A-list celebrities still managed to dazzle.

Sandra Bullock, nominated for two Golden Globes including best actress in a film drama for The Blind Side, which she went on to win, wore a deep purple, strapless gown, one of our favourites. The Bottega Veneta number, paired with dangling silver earrings, ensured the limelight stayed on her throughout the evening.

Avatar star Zoe Saldana (left), another favourite, stood out in a maroon number by Louis Vuitton while French rose Marion Cotillard, whose amazing performance in Nine took our breathe away, did justice to her dark green Christian Dior number. Award winner Drew Barrymore's Versace dress, our final favourite, with Swarovski crystals is sure to be a hit in our parts of the world as well.

Among the men, New Moon's teen heartthrob Taylor Lautner, in his shiny, fitted Calvin Klein tux more than suited him while Inglourious Basterds' Eli Roth wore it like his was made just for him.

Lawrence Zarian, a TV Guide Network fashion expert, said he saw lots of jewels, one shoulder dressing, tighter fitting bodices, flowing skirts and cascading fabrics. "Sexy, sexy and sexy. Due to the recession, we're trying to escape more so than ever, and Hollywood is just knocking it out."

As always, black gowns were out in full-force, on the likes of leading actresses such as Julia Roberts and Penelope Cruz.

Most of the men stuck to black as well, although some like Mickey Rourke, not getting it quite right this time, embellished their suits with a black leather snake-like lapel.

But Ali Rahimi of Mon Atelier, who designed gowns for Jane Lynch for both the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild awards, said he was glad to see colour come out. "Stars are a little happier about wearing colour and recognise it makes them cheerful with all that's going on in the world," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

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