TV stars make Emmy fashion impact

Gala gains new ground as fashion-forward event

By MONICA CORCORAN

BRIGHT STAR:Fashion experts predict colorful gowns such as Zac Posen's design will appear on this year's Emmy red carpet.

When it comes to fashion, the Emmys have long been considered the stepchild of the award show glut. Designers would rather see their couture on an Oscar nominee, natch.

But in recent years, the Emmys have, well, blossomed into a respectable red carpet venue and more and more designers are scrambling to get a piece of the action. (Not to mention the fact that one of Lanvin's recent runway shows was inspired by TV's "Damages" and Michael Kors calls "Mad Men" a muse.)

"The Emmys are getting more important because you have all these crossover film stars," says stylist George Kotsiopoulos, who has worked with Zooey Deschanel and Freida Pinto. "You have Drew Barrymore nominated this year."

Last September, one-shouldered column dresses reigned, with pops of Easter egg colors like Holly Hunter's lavender Jenny Packham halter gown and Julia Louis-Dreyfus' melon sorbet Narciso Rodriguez. 

This year, expect to see the waistline highlighted in gowns nipped above the hips and a strong showing of sheer bodices or translucent overlays, echoing fall 2009 and resort 2010 trends. Zac Posen's signature stare-at-me garnet gown festooned with a giant front bow will likely make a grand showing.

Designer Reem Acra, who dressed Felicity Huffman and Christina Applegate at last year's Emmys, expects to see youthful gowns from her resort 2010 line on the red carpet this year. (Fashion week in New York for spring 2010 will finish on the Sept. 17, so the stylists to major stars will likely snatch just-glimpsed gowns from the runways.) 

"We're going see lots of colors like tangerine and golds and reds and the fabrics will be silk charmeuse and gold lame," she says, referring to her own Rita Hayworth-worthy orange and crimson fitted strapless gowns with fishtail finishes. "The dresses should be fresh and young, but not over the top." 

Over at Max Mara, a favorite house of Sally Field and Christina Hendricks of "Mad Men," embellishment is key. "Embroideries with semi-precious stones and chains will be some of the trends," says Giorgio Guidotti, president of worldwide communication at Max Mara.

Once a star has settled on a dress, it's time to adorn the extremities. Last year, the diamond necklace made a poor showing, perhaps in a nod to the onset of the recession, but clavicle candy could make a comeback, according to jewelers.

Hollywood subtlety is an oxymoron -- stars typically opt for lozenge-sized diamond studs and jewel-encrusted bracelets when they bypass a big necklace. (Last year, Mary-Louise Parker wore $775,000 worth of Cartier jewels with nary a necklace.)  

"I think there will be more color in jewelry this year and also you'll see black diamonds," says Jay Carlile, marketing director of Martin Katz Ltd. Carlile also foresees big rings and lots of cuffs. "We'll do stacks of bracelets or bangles and big and graphic diamond earrings with movement." 

Speaking of movement, Tamara Mellon of Jimmy Choo foresees a towering but stable shoe moment on the red carpet this year. "I think we will see a lot of platform shoes from a height and comfort level," says the company topper.

Comfort? Now, that's a novel concept for the red carpet.