Designer Dress Code: What to wear
“I’m wearing a dress by Parker New York that I bought late last year while in the US for work. It is sequined and short, which makes it easier for me to run around on the night. I remember being in the ladies room with Sofia Vergara a couple of years ago, and she needed to take two helpers into the cubicle with her just to handle her frock while she answered a call of nature.”
Fancy Feet: If the shoe fits
“My shoes will be nude Christian Louboutin pumps. I have worn these on the red carpet for the past couple of years and they’re not too bad. The secret is to buy them half a size too big and put a foam insole under the ball of the foot. Oh, and losing twenty kilos helped too – not as much blubber for my feet to hold up!
My jewellery will be just simple earrings, as the dress is blingy enough.”
Fashion Forecast: The planning
“I am always on the lookout for Awards frocks, especially when travelling, and then work out which ceremony I will wear them to. It is going to be very cold at this year’s Globes, but as you can guess that doesn’t really stop anyone flashing flesh, including me. I already have G’Day USA and the International AACTA awards outfits sorted for later this month, but I’m keeping my eyes peeled for an Oscars gown.”
Clashing Prints: What not to wear
“Dressing for camera is important. A busy print really doesn’t work because it can strobe, and you don’t want something too fiddly like a strapless dress that you have to keep tugging at all the time. My work day at awards shows tends to be about 15 hours long. I learned the hard way at last year’s Emmys that white isn’t a good idea because it is hard to keep it clean for that long when you are crammed in on a carpet with journalists touching up their makeup and cameramen lugging gear.
At one of the after parties tins were given out containing a lipstick and a pair of gold ballet flats – everyone, even the biggest celebrities, wore them for the trip home.”
Stay-Put Hair: Great lengths
“I have a couple of go-to hairstyles that I know last the distance – my days of experimenting are long gone. Busy dress = straight hair, simple dress = some waves. I try to get a trim a few days before a big event so it’s in good nick and then I get my hair done at the Drybar on Sunset Boulevard, where they do blow dries in 30 minutes for $US40.”
Make- Me Up: Pro’ versus DIY
“I get my makeup done for all the US awards ceremonies at Blushington on Sunset Boulevarde (next door to Drybar, so it’s very handy). I wear long-wear foundation by Stila, which I find lasts the distance and doesn’t get shiny. I usually show the makeup artist a picture of my dress and let them go from there, as they know me pretty well by now. They do makeup in 45 minutes for $US45 plus extra for some lashes, so it’s quick and convenient.”
Celebrity Wardrobes: The red carpet regime
“The celebrities have a very different preparation regime to mine. They have fittings for their gown, which are loaned by the top fashion houses usually via a stylist. They might do makeup trials, although most work with artists they have worked with many times and simply trust them on the day.”
Check out Angela Bishop’s Golden Globes & Her Red Carpet Highlights here.