From Marchesa to McQueen, the labels that ruled the red carpet... and who scored highest in the style stakes

It may be a celebration of film, but for the fashion industry, the Oscars is the world's biggest and most important catwalk.

This year, the designers that ruled the red carpet were unarguably Elie Saab, whose couture gowns adorned the backs of Milla Jovovich and Berenice Bejo, and Marchesa, which was worn by Stacy Keibler and Sandra Bullock.

Valentino dressed some of the youngest stars - the Descendants' Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller - and did a fine job of making them look formal and elegant, while at the same time age-appropriate.

George Clooney and Stacy Keibler they look perfect on red carpert;

It was a nervous night for George Clooney as he went up for a Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

And despite losing out on the Best Actor accolade, Clooney's girlfriend Stacy Keibler made sure he went home with an Oscar of his own as her dress appeared to have been inspired by the statuette.

Attending her first Academy Awards on Clooney's arm, Keibler looked stunning in a gold Grecian-style Marchesa creation

Talking to reporters on the red carpet, Clooney joked that his 5ft 11in girlfriend - who would have been even taller in her heels - had hit her head on a blimp on the way into the Kodak Theatre.

Ahead of the ceremony, an excited Keibler tweeted: 'We are off!!!! I feel like I'm going to the prom. #oscars SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!'

Keibler's Oscars date came a day after she posed for a shoot with Vanity Fair magazine.

Stacy and George entered Craig's through the back door, passing the rubbish on the way in;

What a difference a year makes! No plus one for Natalie Portman this year as she shows off svelte post-pregnancy figure.

At last year's Oscars she was heavily pregnant and had the pressure of being a best actress contender.

But it was a different story for Natalie Portman tonight as she waltzed on to the red carpet at the Academy Awards care-free.

The 30-year-old actress put her svelte post-pregnancy figure on show in a red polka-dot dress, eight months after giving birth to son Aleph and a year after she took home the best actress gong for her movie Black Swan.

The Israeli-born stunner decided to have some fun with her frock this year.

Instead of choosing a serious, glamorous look, the No Strings Attached star opted for a fun red polka dot-covered vintage Dior dress.

The diminutive actress was literally dripping in Harry Winston diamonds.

A platinum and diamond V-shaped cluster necklace rested on her delicate throat, while platinum and diamond drop earrings by the same designer dangled from her lobes.

She also accessorised with a vintage-looking black pillbox clutch.

She kept her make-up minimal, eschewing bright red lips or smoky eyes so that her outfit might take centre stage.

She's with me! Len Wiseman can't keep his eyes off stunning and statuesque wife Kate Beckinsale at Vanity Fair party

With a wife who looks the way she does, it's little wonder Len Wiseman has trouble keeping his eyes off Kate Beckinsale.

The Underworld director looked proud as punch to be walking the red carpet with the beautiful actress on his arm as they attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party last night.

Wiseman, 38, gazed adoringly at his leading lady, also 38, as they posed for pictures outside the party at the Sunset Tower Hotel.

It's been a busy week of parties for the couple, who have been regulars on the red carpet this awards season.

With the latest Underworld still being released around the world after a January debut in the UK and US, they have been maintaining a very public presence.

Just a day before the Oscars, Kate and Len attended the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, where she presented a gong alongside Colin Farrell.

That looks familiar... Emma Stone's Giambattista Valli gown is just like Nicole Kidman's from the 2007 Oscars

Emma Stone's Giambattista Valli couture gown on the Academy Awards red carpet last night was a brave choice.

Not only was the bright cerise hue a risk for a redhead (that, incidentally, she pulls off) but the silhouette, with its statement bow at the neck is one we've seen before, as Nicole Kidman wore a remarkably similar gown to the Oscars in 2007.

The two dresses are by no means identical - the Australian actress's gown was Balenciaga, and too different a cut and shade for the Valli creation to be branded a copy.

Who wore it best? Emma Stone's Giambattista Valli dress on the Oscars red carpet last night (left) bore several similarities to the Balenciaga one Nicole Kidman wore to the same event in 2007 (right)

Is that really your best angle? Irina Shayk's metallic gown is a little too revealing at the Vanity Fair Oscar party;

Unlike Jennifer Lopez, she wasn't wearing a low-cut dress, yet Irina Shayk still managed to show off her chest last night.

The 26-year-old model proved exactly why she was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue last year as she revealed plenty of 'side-boob'.

As she posed outside the Vanity Fair Oscar party in West Hollywood, the Russian star was no doubt relying on some handy tape to keep her dignity in place.

The former Victoria's Secret model wore her dark hair in a chic bun and gazed at the camera before making her way inside to the party.

But she didn't attend just one celebrity-filled party as she was also invited to Elton John's annual AIDS Foundation party held at West Hollywood Park.

And in true model-style, Irina chose a different dress for the occasion - this time showing off some leg.

The floor-sweeping Versace gown was certainly Oscar-worthy and was the perfect contrast with Irina's olive skin tone.

Fringe benefits! Katie Holmes shows off her sleek new 'do as she and Tom Cruise go for coordinating navy at Vanity Fair party

She's more likely to be found these days with her hair scraped back on her way to the gym,

But last night Katie Holmes looked sleek and polished as she debuted her new fringe while posing up with husband Tom Cruise at the Vanity Fair post-Oscars party.

The 33-year-old actress looked stylish in a navy blue Elie Saab embellished gown as she posed up with her spouse on the red carpet outside the event in West Hollywood, California.

Other stars to cause a stir at the star-studded post-Oscars event included Claire Danes and Sofia Vergara, who went for eye-catching outfits to stand out from the crowd.

Homeland actress Danes certainly drew attention to herself as she into the Sunset Tower in a brightly coloured cerise gown.