Hits & misses on the Red Carpet: Bluffton celebrity hairstylist picks Oscars’ top 5 looks
As movie stars glided across the Red Carpet Sunday night, on their way to the 92nd Oscar Awards presentation, celebrity hairstylist Dennis Stokely of Bluffton analyzed their hair and look, rating what worked — and what didn’t.
“Great hair is three things: cut, color and style,” Stokely said. “The wow factor is style. It comes down to execution.”
Stokely, a Georgia native who helped pay college expenses at the University of Georgia by doing hair — he carried hot rollers and hairspray in his backpack — left college to move to New York City to model.
But he soon found his passion in hairstyling, working with the stars in the Big Apple before heading to Hollywood and the TV show American Idol to manage Paula Abdul’s tresses. He’s done Marla Maples’ hair. He’s styled the Jacksonville Jaguars’ cheerleaders. His clients have included Carmen Electra, Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria. Most recently, he was artistic director for Montage Palmetto Bluff.
With the eyes of the world on every gown, jewel and hairstyle, here are the best and worst Red-Carpet looks of the evening at the Dolby Theatre, according to Stokely.
BEST LOOKS
Salma Hayek: With smoldering make-up and a custom Gucci gown, Hayek stuns the Red Carpet. Her incredible Audrey Hepburn-inspired updo is adorned with a sparkling statement headpiece. Bold earrings and a platinum serpentine-shaped arm cuff complete the look.
Scarlett Johansson: Her platinum Oscar de la Renta gown, with its bustier-bodice and intricately draped fringe, is a masterpiece. Johansson chose a simple french-twist hairstyle. The loose and deconstructed texture of her hair gives her overall look a fresh and modern vibe.
Janelle Monae: Monae always wows the Red Carpet, and this look is the glitziest of the night. A custom Ralph Lauren Collection gown with over 168,000 Sawarovski crystals with a matching hood makes her side-swept bang a beautiful frame for her smoky eyes and ruby red lips.
Florence Pugh: A newcomer to the Oscars, Pugh floors the competition in this gorgeous teal, Louis Vuitton, high-low gown. The tiered scalloping of fabric and matching opened-toe heels is a look “it-girls” from coast to coast will be rocking at proms and weddings all year long. Her updo is created with very intricate sections of hair knotted on the top of her head. Flawless execution and technique are definitely required to pull off this hairdo. Pugh looks hip, fun and very on trend.
Charlize Theron: Very few women in the world can pull off this look! Theron, a perennial Red-Carpet favorite, looks exquisite in this Dior Haute Couture gown. Her super-short, platinum blond hair, with a razor-sharp side-part, is styled sleek and shiny. The Tiffany & Co. necklace looks like a zillion dollars!
A swing and a miss
Saoirse Ronan: This is a rare miss for Ronan. This Gucci gown was stunning on the runway in Milan, but it did not translate well to the Red Carpet. On the upside, her hairstyle, with a full bang and face-framing tendrils, is super cute, and the over-sized earrings are perfect.
Kristen Wiig: Social media is having a field day with comments about Wiig’s dress. Among the trending descriptions: “lasagna” and “toothbrush.” Wiig’s Oscar appearance with Maya Rudolph was a big hit, but her hairstyle is not. The dark roots and oily texture make her style too severe. However, her talent will survive this Red-Carpet blunder. Expect to see her on the carpet for years to come.