OSCAR roundup : Honourable Mention

The following ladies looked divine. While they all played it safe and didn't take any risks - they were beautiful nonetheless.

1) Jada Pinkett Smith

I personally think that this is the most elegant Jada has ever looked. Her corseted Carolina Herrera gown made her positively glow. The strapless look showed off her buff arms and perfect posture, while the bustling of the skirt and the intricacy of the corset detail highlighted her petite frame. The choice of colour and fabric was spot on. And her hair was simple and sophisticated. Pure class.

2) Ziyi Zhang

Ziyi always looks lovely, but this year something was different (could it be the new bf hanging off her shoulder?) Nonetheless, her lacy strapless Valentino couture was perfect for her. When I first saw the gown in Valentino's Spring/ Summer 2007 Couture runway show, I'll admit - even I was indifferent. But Ziyi made it come to life. The lace bodice, the frothy skirt, the pastel yellow colour. Her hair was long, dark and simple. All those tiers of fabric would have overwhelmed anyone else (yes Cameron Diaz, I'm talking to you- see the fiasco that was her Golden Globe frock) but on Ziyi, it was just right.

3) Keisha Whitaker

Everything just worked. In an extremely witty move, she dressed in a gold mermaid tail Georges Chakra gown that, on the arm of Forest Whitaker, foreshadowed what we all expected to happen that night - his win for Best actor. She was his Oscar. Her dress was tasteful yet sexy. The satin was beautifully draped around her figure. It complemented her gorgeous skin tone. Again - hair and makeup -simple, yet spectacular. Her accessories really set her apart. Look closely and you'll see just how wonderfully the pink colour of her earrings and bracelets stand out against her golden coloured gown. It's even echoed on the bag! Now that's a true professional. She looked like she was the one expected to win that night.

4) Helen Mirren

At 61, Helen Mirren is walking proof that you can still knock-em dead in your mature years. Her Christian Lacroix gown was a couture piece, made for her by Lacroix himself. It was pure perfection. The gold lace on the sleeves complemented the embroidery on the skirt. Her hair was divine. Casual, yet extremely elegant. I saw an interview with her the day after the show when she revealed that on Oscar night she didn't wear a bra - because her gown was so tailored to her figure that it "held her in place like two angels hands." That's was couture is all about. Helen is a walking thesis statement that sexiness and attractiveness are not contingent on skin exposure or youth, but by tapping into that fountain of self-confidence and inner beauty. Both her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) looks prove this as well.