The Oscars represent more than talent, however. They represent more than creativity. They even represent more than the politics and campaigning of the nominees.
They represent the hottest fashion trends of the year.
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For exactly that reason, I was perplexed by the way the media focused on what everyone was wearing to the awards ceremony.
As an example, look at the official Oscar Website (www.oscar.com). The Website's second option, below the list of winners, is "Red Carpet Arrivals: Oscar Fashion," where the site boasts that "an all-encompassing report will complete another year of gorgeous, glamorous, global fashion!"
The official pre-show, hosted by Geena Davis, also spent a great deal of time on the fashions of the event (in between the segments on the nominee selection process and how Oscar is transported to the awards ceremony). And a notable amount of the other media coverage included two articles - a report of the award-winners and a report of the best-dressed.
Really, who cares? Yes, everyone looked nice. And yes, there were some outfits that were very original, and some that were just very ugly.
But Sunday night, Gwyneth's pink dress and the masses of diamonds appearing around every woman's neck were not about personal taste or style. Every choice was made with the intent of setting a trend - or at least keeping off the supermarket tabloids' "worst-dressed" lists.
In that sense, the Oscars are completely about politics, in fashion as well as in everything else. The designers who create the one-of-a-kind outfits and the celebrities who wear them are all competing to capture "that look," the appearance that will be admired (and copied) this season by fashion buffs around the world. Personal style is not as important as being one of the "beautiful people" who set the trends, and many of the camera-ready Oscar attendees will do anything for that privilege.
This is yet another item to add to my list of reasons why I was delighted by Roberto Benigni's appearance at the Oscars. His uncontrolled exuberance (such as when he climbed over the rows of seats to reach the stage when "Life Is Beautiful" won Best Foreign Film) and apparent joy "just to be nominated" represented what the awards really mean. It's not about making an appearance or creating a trend. It's about filmmakers looking and feeling their best, and being proud of their achievements in the field.
I admit, on the off chance that I someday attend the Academy Awards, I will not appear in my jeans. But I will refuse to wear anything pink, anything with sequins, or anything that weighs more than 10 pounds.
And, fortunately or unfortunately, that probably means that you'll never see me highlighted on any Oscar pre-show. But maybe that's ok ... I really don't care what Geena Davis thinks of my appearance, anyway.
03-24-99
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