Bright Lights, Big City

(LONDON) It was fashion with typical "British irreverence" as the Times' fashion editor, Lisa Armstrong, wrote in the paper. And contrary to previous years, where rain had poured down mercilessly, this time nominees attending the BAFTA Awards were able to raise the style stakes by flaunting their über-chic dresses.

Hundreds of film fans waited outside the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden to catch a glimpse of Keira Knightley, who was nominated for lead actress for Atonement and arrived wearing a black Alexander Wang jacket over a tiered Valentino couture strapless gown. Hollywood star Kate Hudson looked stunning in a gold sequined Dior dress-the fashion house by far dressed the most attendees, including Tilda Swinton, Sienna Miller, Jessica Biel, and Eva Green-while Julie Christie, also nominated for a Bafta in the Best Actress category, pushed the style boundaries (at 66 nonetheless), looking effortless in leopard print trousers and a tailored Sophia Kokosalaki jacket.

"It's just surreal," Marion Cotillard told journalists after winning the Best Actress award for La Vie en Rose, beating Knightley, Christie, and Cate Blanchett. Or, she could just be describing her gown; a silver sequined Chanel Haute Couture number with a long chiffon wing-like train on either side. Cotillard also won the audience's hearts not just with her fashionable appearance, but also with her emotional speech. "I am so happy," she said, holding back the tears. "I didn't expect to receive this award. So, I am a little...I didn't prepare anything," she said. "It was just a mess on stage. I don't even remember what I said."

But the real stand out of the evening was Swinton, who dressed in a floor-sweeping Dior Haute Couture dress with sequined leaves. Should we be expecting more glamour from this statuesque beauty? Well, as she said when asked what she would be wearing to the Oscars: "My pajamas! I'll be watching them from home."
DIMI GAIDATZI