A trio of Oscar-winning actresses strut their stylish stuff on Hollywood’s biggest night

Nicole Kidman

The Oscar winner is no stranger to drama. Kidman—nominated again for Rabbit Hole, one of 2010’s rawest films—wore a strapless, embellished white Dior Haute Couture gown, topped off by a 19th-century riviere by Fred Leighton featuring 150 cts. of colorless diamonds. Where’s the drama, you ask? The opera-length necklace masqueraded as a choker in the front, but elegantly unraveled down her back, punctuating her outfit with an icy exclamation point of elegance.

Opera-length riviere with 150 cts. t.w. diamonds, including graduated antique old-mine-cut diamonds; price on request; Fred Leighton, New York City; 212-288-1872; fredleighton.com
Under $70,000 34-inch Lucia necklace with 32 cts. t.w. diamonds in 18k white gold; $64,000; A. Link, New York City; 800-342-5465; alinkandco.com
Under $5,000 Mixed-cut rock crystal and diamond necklace in 18k rose gold; $4,900; Ivanka Trump, New York City; 888-756-9912; ivankatrumpcollection.com
Under $1,000 36-inch silver Baroque bead necklace; $995; Zina Sterling Silver, Beverly Hills, Calif.; 800-336-3822; zinasterling.com

 

Gwyneth Paltrow

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Somewhere, Carmen Miranda is smiling. Country Strong star Paltrow channeled the Brazilian samba singer’s penchant for multicolor accessories by pairing a shimmery metallic Calvin Klein column gown with a suite of kaleidoscopic gemstone and diamond jewels by Louis Vuitton, including a brooch that sat jauntily on her hip. And though her live rendition of  Country’s nominated song “Coming Home” got mixed reviews, Gwynnie’s gleaming ensemble earned raves.

Acidulous L’Aime du Voyage earrings in 18k gold with colorless and yellow diamonds, tsavorite garnets, and orange, yellow, and violet sapphires; price on request; Louis Vuitton, New York City; 866-VUITTON; louisvuitton.com
Under $7,000 Garden Collection yellow gold earrings with diamonds, amethyst, blue topaz, Rose de France, green beryl, and pink and green tourmaline; $6,928; Brumani, São Paulo; 55-11-3088-2725; www.brumani.com
Under $250 Gothic Fish earrings in enamel and sapphire; $225; M.C.L. by Matthew Campbell Laurenza, New York City; 212-695-7904; mcldesign.net

 

John Shearer/Getty Images

Natalie Portman

The Best Actress winner and beaming mom-to-be was the antithesis of her gaunt Black Swan ballerina Oscar night. Evoking the screen sirens of yesteryear in a purple off-the-shoulder Rodarte gown with Swarovski crystal beading, the actress accessorized with Tiffany & Co. tassel ­earrings threaded with rubellite and
rose-cut diamonds. Some thought she needed more sparkle, but perhaps Portman had an inkling she’d pick up something shiny and gold at the Kodak Theatre.

Under $7,000 18k gold tassel earrings with white seed pearls and 1.3 cts. t.w. diamonds; $6,835; Katie Decker at Fragments, New York City; 212-334-9588; fragments.com
Under $400 Caviar bead tassel earrings; $395; Oscar de la Renta, New York City; 888-782-6357; oscardelarenta.com