RED CARPET RECAP

Earlier in Awards Season, ESS posted predictions of red carpet looks of the 

newly-announced Golden Globe and SAG nominee. 

How did the predictions turn out? 

Keep reading to see the ladies' beautiful red carpet turns and whether they defied expectations or kept it consistent!

THE 4 VOGUE COVER GIRLS: MERYL STREEP, CHARLIZE THERON, ROONEY MARA, MICHELLE WILLIAMS


4. MERYL STREEP -- Best Actress in a Motion Picutre for Iron Lady; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations
** Won Golden Globe, nominated and won Academy Award
Meryl wore Vivienne Westwood to the SAG Awards, very unexpected Alessandra Rich to the Golden Globes, and radiant Lanvin to the Academy Awards
Verdict: Although Meryl stayed true to predictions of Stella McCartney for press, she did not listen to the Marni and Prada suggestions, nor did she wear the original Iron Lady's favorite, Acquascutum. Never a safe bet on the carpet, Meryl's unexpected choices were on-point, and she absolutely dazzled when scooping up her Best Actress Oscar





3. CHARLIZE THERON -- Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for Young Adult, Golden Globe nomination
Charlize was a Best Dressed contender in a knock-out Christian Dior couture gown at the Golden Globe Awards
Verdict: True to her contract and ESS prediction, Charlize kept it real with a stunning Dior

2. ROONEY MARA -- Best Actress in a Drama for Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Golden Globe nomination
** Nominated for Academy Award
Rooney kept her minimal-yet-feminine-yet-dark style extremely consistent, but has varied her labels. In one of my favorite looks of the season, Rooney was an understated knock-out in Nina Ricci at the Golden Globes, and wore an artfully constructed Givenchy couture gown to the Academy Awards.
Verdict: Roony surprised with Nina Ricci (though the actual look is completely her), but kept it consistent with Givenchy

1. MICHELLE WILLIAMS -- Best Actress in a Motion Picture for My Week With Marilyn; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations

* Won Golden Globe, nominated for Academy Award

Michelle wore Valentino to the SAG Awards, Jason Wu to the Golden Globe Awards, and Louis Vuitton to the Academy Awards, looking flawlessly chic and consistently sweet throughout

Verdict: Michelle kept true to Valentino as predicted, but revisited old friends Jason Wu and Louis Vuitton as well

THE 3 IT GIRLS OF THE SEASON: JESSICA CHASTAIN, VIOLA DAVIS, SHAILENE WOODLEY

3. JESSICA CHASTAIN -- Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for The Help; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations

* nominated for Academy Award

We knew Jessica would surprise us, and surprise us she did. With a body-conscious minimalist cobalt Calvin Klein for SAG, an ethereal Givenchy for the Globes, and a dark and dramatic McQueen for the Academy Awards, Jessica shone in a variety of styles.

Verdict: ESS could not predict this one! :) But the McQueen makes her perhaps the best dressed of the season

2. VIOLA DAVIS -- Best Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Performance by a Cast for The Help; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations

* Won SAG Award, nominated for Academy Award

Viola was absolutely radiant the entire season, outshining her peers in Marchesa at SAG, giving Angie's leg a run for its money in Emilio Pucci at the Globes, and going au naturel in Vera Wang at the Oscars.

Verdict: Pucci was on point, but Viola eschewed David Meister and Escada for Marchesa and Vera (good moves)!

1. SHAILENE WOODLEY -- Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for The Descendents; Golden Globe nomination

Newcomer Shailene Woodley disappointed some fashion critics, who felt she went overboard with an homage to her Hawaii-based film by wearing a floral print L'Wren Scott to SAG and displaying tan lines in Marchesa at the Globes. She went with a conservative Valentino at the Oscars, and stuck to young designer Proenza Schouler for the Vanity Fair after party.
Verdict: Shailene wore Marchesa as expected, but saved the predicted Dolce & Gabbana and young designers for press and after parties.

THE 2 BEST DRESSED: EMMA STONE, CLAIRE DANES

2. EMMA STONE -- Best Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for The Help; both SAG and Golden Globe nominations

* Won both ensemble awards

True to her fashion insider reputation, Emma wore a darling Alexander McQueen to SAG, exquisite Lanvin to the Globes, and a stunning, if not somewhat controversial, Giambattista Valli to the Oscars.

Verdict: Emma busted out a McQueen moment on us, but stuck to her tried-and-true with Lanvin, Valli, and even Chanel Couture (to the Vanity Fair after party)

1. CLAIRE DANES -- Best Actress in a Television Drama for "Homeland"; Golden Globe nomination 

*Won Golden Globe

Claire looked breathtaking in an unexpected Jason Wu, but stuck to ESS predictions for Valentino at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Verdict: Didn't see the Jason Wu coming (as with Michelle-- it must be the Target effect), but knew the Valentino was on its way. 

THE 1 CLASSIC A-LISTER: ANGELINA JOLIE **and her leg

1. ANGELINA JOLIE -- Best Foreign Language Film for In the Land of Blood and Honey; Golden Globe Award

It's difficult to even address Angie's SAG and Globe moments (Jenny Packham and Versace Atelier, respectively), because the performance of her right leg at the Oscars (from underneath another Versace) quite literally stole the show, spawning parodies, news reports, and even a Twitter account. Behold, Angie's Leg.

Verdict: Oh yes. Well, Angelina kept true to Jenny Packham and Versace Atelier. What we didn't expect was the prolific leg, which, as you can see, attempts to come out in increments until there is no holding back.