Silver and artistry sparkle on Oscar's red carpet

LOS ANGELES, Feb 26 (Reuters) Gold may be the color of the coveted Oscar award but silver gowns dazzled the red carpet at the world's leading film awards, while those featuring intricate bodices, beading and master detail proved that exquisite workmanship always merits a second glance.

Helen Mirren, of ''The Queen,'' chose a pale gold Christian LaCroix gown with a lace bodice for the evening, while Cate Blanchett chose a stunning silver beaded one-shoulder Armani Prive that captured the right amount of shimmer and elegance.

Kirsten Dunst's pale silvery blue gown featured delicate sequins and feathers at the hem, while Jennifer Lopez's Grecian-inspired Marchesa gown in a pale silvery shade of lilac was adorned with five tiers of sparkling beads at the neck.

''That's more fun than anything,'' said Lopez, of dressing up for the Oscars. ''That's the part I like.

The quality of craftsmanship on the red carpet was stellar.

Elaborate bodices, whether beaded or featuring intricate haute couture workmanship, made a big showing this year, proving that haute couture handiwork is always glamorous.

Rachel Weisz's Vera Wang in champagne satin featured a crystal-encrusted bodice. Of getting dolled up on Oscar night, last year's best supporting actress said, the final product is ''a fantasy version of ourselves!'' Best Actress nominee Penelope Cruz wore a dusty rose Versace with an intricate ruched bodice, while Beyonce Knowles' mint-colored Armani featured a strap on one shoulder adorned with matching beads. Sheer pleats at the bodice of a terracota Zac Posen worn by Gwyneth Paltrow captured interest and elegance.

''There's a real appreciation of artistry,'' said Hal Rubenstein, In Style magazine's fashion director. ''It's all about the detail work of a dress. It used to be it was enough to get away with sequins. Nowadays, even the sequining needs to be intricate.'' MALES CAN PREEN, TOO Male nominees and presenters displayed a black-tie flair not usually seen on the red carpet.

''Letters From Iwo Jima'' actor Ken Watanabe wore a tuxedo with Asian-inspired ornamental button-and-loop fasteners.

Director Spike Lee sported a jaunty black beret and cream-colored jacket, while best supporting actor nominee Eddie Murphy chose an indigo tuxedo with bling coming from a large diamond in his ear.

Some of the most eye-catching looks on this year's red carpet came from India and Japan. Deepa Mehta, director of best foreign language film nominee ''Water'' donned a vintage gold and rose sari once owned by her grandmother, while Watanabe's date was regal in a robins-egg blue kimono.

But the excitement from Oscar's red carpet comes from variety.

French icon Catherine Deneuve wore a black Jean Paul Gaultier embellished by an embroidered heart with dagger, while Keisha Whitaker, wife of Best Actor nominee Forest Whitaker, was a stunner in a Georges Chakra pale chartreuse satin gown whose back featured a creeping sequined floral vine.

REUTERS SHB RN0928