2020’s best dressed celebs

Fortunately the awards ceremony circuit begins early in the northern hemisphere with the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Oscars and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards all being held in January and February, ahead the global spread of the coronavirus.There were some serious style standouts on the international stage, with Olivia Colman, Zoe Kravitz and Natalie Portman shining brightly on the red carpet.Closer to home the Allan Border Medal scraped in as one of the only glamour red carpets to be held before basically the whole country was locked down.But like butterflies emerging from the cocoon, our celebrity set stepped out for a series of highly anticipated events including the ARIAS, AACTA’s and a pared back Brownlow awards once restrictions began to ease.While many of the famous faces we often see in end of year “best of” fashion wraps were absent, it gave a new breed the opportunity to spread their wings and sate our hunger for glamour and style.MasterChef judge Melissa Leong, Rosehaven star Celia Pacquola, actor Jacqueline McKenzie, as well as cricket WAGs Rachel Khawaja and Sarah Handscomb were among the many gorgeous women who made a fashion statement.Familiar faces who also proved they rarely put a fashionable footstep wrong included Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy and Margot Robbie.Top 20 best dressed for 2020Melissa Leong MasterChef judge Melissa Leong made a name for herself in the style stakes not only on the show but on the AACTA Awards red carpet. One of the standouts on the night, Leong stepped out in a striking thigh high, bold black gown with a plunging neckline by Melbourne designer Jason Grech.

Celia PacquolaRosehaven star Celia Pacquola may not have taken out the award for best comedy performer at the AACTA Awards but she was a winner on the red carpet in a sign shouldered, figure flattering dress by Sonia Cappellazzo.Deborah HuttonIf ever there was an example that age is no barrier to style it’s Deborah Hutton. The 58-year-old presenter of Find Me a Beach House was dressed in a gown fit for a princess at the AACTA Awards.

Jacqueline McKenzieNominated for the best supporting actor at the AACTA Awards, Jacqueline McKenzie was all old Hollywood glamour on the red carpet in a stunning gown by RMIT design student Olivia Dainton.

Brit SelwoodPerfectly understated and appropriate for the scaled back Brownlow this year, Brit Selwood was simplicity personified in Dion Lee.Julie NealeIt was a tale of two Brownlows with Julie Neale opting to go full glam, making the most of her Brisbane hometown advantage. Her One Day Bridal dress by Kyha Scott hit the mark as husband Lachie took out AFL’s top award.Natalie PortmanHollywood star Natalie Portman wore a custom Dior gown and cape on the red carpet that made more than a fashion statement. The surnames of eight women who directed movies in 2019 were embroidered down one side of her cape in pointed recognition of the talented women who did not receive a nomination.

Janelle Monáe Singer Janelle Monáe’s Ralph Lauren gown at the Oscars was an absolute work of art. Constructed using more than 168,000 Swarovski crystals and requiring over 600 hours of hand-embroidered work, the gorgeous gown featured an open back, long sleeves, and a dramatic draped hood.

Zoey DeutchAmerican actor Zoey Deutch turned heads on the Golden Globes red carpet in a modern interpretation of a red carpet ‘gown’. Her eye-popping yellow Fendi jumpsuit made a bold and fun statement.Kaitlyn Dever Making her Golden Globes red carpet debut, actor Kaitlyn Dever was no shrinking violet. Her stunning Valentino Haute Couture floral gown ensured she made the best dressed list for the star studded event.

Olivia ColmanThe Crown star Olivia Colman was a winner on stage and the red carpet at this year’s Golden Globes. Winning her third Golden Globe for playing Queen Elizabeth II in the top rating Netflix series, Colman was striking in deep red and regal Emilia Wickstead gown.Delta GoodremIn one of the few local red carpet events this year, Delta Goodrem turned to couture kings J’Aton for her glamour gunmetal gown at the ARIA Awards.

Rachel Khawaja The cricket WAGs had a brief moment to shine before Covid struck, and Usman Khawaja’s wife Rachel was a standout in a pretty and romantic pale blue Jason Grech gown.Sarah HandscombSarah Handscomb, wife of Peter Handscomb, stepped out in a stunning red Jason Grech creation at the Allan Border Medal, worthy of the Oscars.

Zoe Kravitz Actor Zoe Kravitz literally shimmered on the BAFTA red carpet in a sleek and sexy Saint Laurent gown by Anthony Vaccarello.Kathryn NewtonBig Little Lies actor Kathryn Newton injected fun and colour to the Screen Actors Guild Awards this year in a playful bright orange tiered Valentino gown.

Margot RobbieOn paper a tweed halter neck dress doesn’t sound especially appealing but add Chanel and gorgeous Aussie actor Margot Robbie and you have a killer red carpet combo for the Screen Actors Guild awards.Sandra OhKilling Eve actor Sandra Oh’s Elie Saab haute couture champagne gown had it all going on – oversized puffed sleeves, plunging neckline, embellishment and bow belt – and somehow it all worked to create a show stopping red carpet look.

Jessica MauboyWho knew animal print and tartan would work with ruffles on a red carpet gown for Jessica Mauboy at this year’s ARIA awards? It was Melbourne master couturier Toni Maticevski who created the magical look.

Charlotte Viney Channelling a Grecian goddess, Charlotte Viney was a style standout at this year’s pared back Brownlow in a beaded gown by Oglia Loro Couture.
kim.wilson@news.com.au