The Golden Globe Awards are the cool, relaxed relative to next month's Academy Awards; the fashion is more fun and adventurous, the awards themselves are wildly entertaining thanks to the hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, plus it brings together your box-set and cinema favourites. Then of course there is the red-carpet styling with peplums, sequins, colour and Katrantzou, here is the trend breakdown.
Metallic
Gold, bronze and silver are perennial favourites of the starlets because they look sensational on the red-carpet and best-dressed lists. Jessica Chastain embraced her seventies siren in a bronze Atelier Versace gown, glamorously styled with Hollywood waves and supersized diamond earrings. Fashion darling and one of my red-carpet favourites, Diane Kruger flew the flag for British fashion in a figure-hugging Emilia Wickstead gown that shimmered beautifully. In other style news, Julianne Moore continued to reign on as queen of red-carpet designers and styling in a fiercely glamorous gown by Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci; what is not to love about a column of sequins with a feathered hem?
Red
One may not think that red would work on the red-carpet but season after season it proves to be one of the most popular palettes. Last night saw a lot of scene-stealing shapes: Alison Williams chose old-Hollywood glamour in tiered and embellished Armani Prive whilst Orange is the New Black star Taylor Schilling opted for a keyhole neckline in Ralph Lauren, styled to perfection with slicked back hair and a red lip. At 70, Dame Helen Mirren knows exactly how to dress her enviable figure, choosing a sophisticated Dolce & Gabbana design that framed her décolletage faultlessly. As a huge fan of both GIRLS and Lena Dunham I look forward to seeing what she'll chose with her I-love-this-dress-I-don't-care-if-you-don't attitude; this year's ruby red Zac Posen is one of her best yet (not that she cares, dam I love that!)
White
White is a cyclical favourite because it brings the drama and is both timelessly classic and modern. There is often the threat of looking bridal but Salma Hayek embraced the regal silhouette of an Alexander McQueen gown and adorned it with the iconic knuckle duster clutch. Emily Blunt was one of many who opted for Grecian styling, choosing an ethereal gown by Michael Kors and styling it with braided hair and turquoise earrings for a much needed hit of colour. Whilst I love an adventurous style choice I thought Rosamund Pike's custom-made Vera Wang desperately needed more structure on the bust; brave, yes, flattering, no. In terms of who brought the wow factor and sex appeal, Kate Hudson was firing on all style cylinders in a crystal embellished Versace number; smoking hot and I can't wait to see how she turns it up for the Oscars.
Pinks to Purples
She was the cinema sweetheart of 2014, everyone's style-crush throughout the 2014 awards and last night Lupita Nyong'o did not disappoint, choosing a lilac and violet floral design from uber-couturier Giambattista Valli. It's so exciting to see London Fashion Week designs walk alongside couture and even though I didn't love the metallic Mary Katrantzou design that Kerry Washington wore, it shows that London designers are in demand on an international stage. Maggie Gyllenhaal always excites me with her designer choices but the dusty pink of this column Miu Miu gown just doesn't work for her, it's such a tricky colour. Also wearing Miu Miu, Brit star of both American Sniper and Foxcatcher Sienna Miller chose a pale pink embroidered gown with sharp sheer panels and an asymmetric hem; perfect to show off the bronze Choos.
And finally, some stars don't fall into a trend but I have to single them out and applaud, even if it's for the wrong reasons. Emma Stone bucked the trend for evening gowns and went for an embellished jumpsuit from Lanvin which had a wonderfully dramatic train; can this girl do no red-carpet wrong? Known for her quirky and unpredictable sense of style Zosia Mamet missed the mark with a pastel peplum design by Andrew Gn, the proportions overwhelmed the petite star but I love her fashion fearlessness. She's funny and is said to love fashion but this year the shows host Tina Fey's awkward Antonio Berardi dress length didn't work, quite literally falling short, Amy Poehler really should have said something, right?
For the full Huffington Post gallery of red-carpet arrivals, click through here.