The red carpet of the 82nd Academy Awards was awash with hues of blue, but Sandra Bullock who won the 'Best Actress' trophy also emerged victorious in the fashion stakes with a shimmery silver gown.Instead of opting for boring black, actresses made bold color choices and used sparkle strategically to stand out from the crowd.

Bullock's Marchesa number, complete with an embellished top, seemed fashioned after the Oscar statuette itself, and paired with red lipstick, made the 45-year-old, a favourite among the fashion critics.Even though the 'blue' film 'Avatar' failed to bag any major awards, the colour emerged a favourite among the Hollywood fashionistas.

'Best Supporting Actress' winner Monique, debutante Gabourey Sidibe, Mariah Carey, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kristen Stewart among those who sported the colour.Pink, was another colour which found favour with the glamorous brigade, with 'Avatar' actress Zoe Saldana going for an edgy Givenchy gown with a sparkly light pink bodice and a lilac skirt that descended into tight ruffles in all shades of purple.

Jennifer Lopez's sculpted, strapless pale-pink Armani Prive had a dramatic slit on one side and an exaggerated modern train that jutted out from her hip.Vera Farmiga's magenta fan-pleat strapless gown by Marchesa reminded her "of a flower in bloom" while Charlize Theron's gown with a ruched bodice, got a mixed response from the fashion critics.

There had been a trend in recent years to make safe choices at the Oscars, with celebrities knowing that the photos taken there would follow them for the rest of their lives and many did not want to wear extravagant couture, when the world was going through a crippling recession.