The Fashion Statement: Outre In at the Oscars?
Filed under: The Fashion Statement

Blame Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and consumer confidence: all reasons why Oscar fashion is expected to be dialed way up this year.
Hollywood actresses have suffered a fashion drought for years-showing up in any ensemble that said "conspicuous consumption" was a faux pas in the midst of economic misfortunes. But, now, as consumer confidence rises, so will the ante at this year's awards ceremony, say the experts. Colors are expected to be bolder, silhouettes more distinctive, baubles flashier: In other words, Sunday's red-carpet parade is shaping up to be a good show.
In fashion, one is always emboldened by precedent. "Artists are starting to dress much more crazy, more out there and it has a ripple effect on fashion," designer Marc Bouwer told Reuters yesterday. "While you won't see a Lady Gaga outfit necessarily on the Oscar red carpet, you will see more architectural styles -- an expanded shoulder, a pronounced sleeve. The stronger power woman has emerged, and you cannot ignore that trend."
Last month's Golden Globes, to which numerous luminaries turned out in pink, rose and pale skin tones, is always a good indicator of things to come at the Oscars. But you could see more purples, greens, oranges and indigo blues, too.
Over the decades, the Golden Globes got its kick-start as a boozy awards presentation where the Hollywood Foreign Press assembled to schmooze with stars. But the 68th Annual Golden Globes on Sunday was not only a giant TV production produced by Dick Clark and hosted by the acerbic comic Ricky Gervais; it spawned a cluster of starry events that made for a glamorous weekend in Los Angeles. 
.
The Golden Globe Awards are a pleasure to watch, but not nearly as much fun as the preceding red carpet. It's there that we get to see the gowns, the tuxes, and, of course, the jewelry. 


A 

It looks like Jessica Simpson isn't the only one
At this year’s Golden Globes, the stars
weren’t the only ones walking away with bags full of free goodies from designers. Actually, they were – but
not everything in the bags was for themselves. In addition to more adult-sized offerings, vendors set up 

Whitney Houston Dead: Singer Dies at 48, Body Found in Beverly Hilton Hotel
Whitney Houston Autopsy: Cause of Death Determined?
Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina: Late Singer's Daughter Hospitalized
Whitney Houston Dead: Stars React to Legend's Sudden Death
Grammy Red Carpet 2012 (PHOTOS)
Jennifer Hudson Whitney Tribute: Grammy President Reveals Why Singer Was Chosen for Musical Memorial
Grammy 2012 Winners' List: Adele Sweeps Music's Biggest Night
5-Hour Energy: A Success Equal Parts Caffeine, Chemistry and Meditation
People With Easy-To-Pronounce Names More Likely To Succeed, Study Says
Katy Perry Grammy Performance 2012: Did the Diva Diss Her Ex-Hubby With Revealing New Song?