Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban, who has managed to pull one of the world's most beautiful women despite being called 'Keith'.

Tinseltown’s leading ladies set the bar high for Oscars night as they unleashed a wave of covetable trends and gorgeous gowns to officially launch the awards season in opulent style.

The Golden Globes red carpet was a resounding triumph where even the losers could somehow be forgiven with so much else going on to satisfy the watching fashionistas.

Gomez and Morticia Adda...Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

There was the usual shower of sequins, radiant ruffles and fabulous fishtails but no one colour dominated. Instead it was a rainbow of sumptuous frocks.

Hair was up, it was down, and jewellery was both lavish and sedate.

See the pictures in full in our gallery on the right

In fact, those who chose a vivid shade with greens, pinks and even yellow for their stand-out accessory may have felt a little disappointed when they realised there were not alone. Far from it.

And for once the safe option of black didn’t seem so safe. While it was in fine form for the Globes those who opted for what was once seen as a back-up option wowed in statement designs.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones

On a night with so many winning frocks it was the personalities wearing them that dictated their success.

Those that had little to prove, including Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie, both nominated and both on the arm of devoted husbands, went for simple chic – Angelina in sequinned green by Versace and Nicole in sheer white by Prada, with both opting for loose locks casually draped over their shoulders.

Catherine Zeta Jones also proudly strode the red carpet in a glammed-up green with a full Monique L’Hullier ballgown, looking delighted to be joined by husband Michael Douglas – now cancer-free.

Eva Longoria

The women in black included newly-single Eva Longoria. She was among the pack of Hollywood’s finest who have not enjoyed the best year on the romantic front, and arrived last night taking a touch more time to prove a point.

Eva looked beautiful in her Zac Posen creation with its cute capped sleeves, lavish fishtail and cut waist embellishment.

Scarlett Johanssen

With her hair elegantly swept up she maintained that dignified but assured presence which has seen her through her recent marital breakdown.

Scarlett Johanssen, also recently flying solo, joined those who fell for the sophisticated nude and blush pink palette in her indulgent Elie Saab dress. She was joined by Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham.

Her heavy fringe and strictly-straightened tresses did give Sandra too much of the wronged woman look but her dress was a delight.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry lifted the mood and her hem to really wow in black Nina Ricci with a mini-skirt thinly veiled by a full-flowing net to give the impression she was sticking to the awards season’s floor-skimming dress code for the A-list.

She didn’t, but just about got away with it because she is so beautiful.

Helena Bonham Carter in that 'just dragged through a hedge' look

The same could be not be said for Helena Bonham Carter who decided comedy attire was the order of the evening in dramatic Vivienne Westwood with different-coloured shoes. But even she fitted in perfectly with the eccentric story one of the only themes missing from one of the best style parades in recent years.

Tilda Swinton also did her best to let the British beauties down in her usual shapeless garments – this time with a white shirt and gold skirt-combination dress from Jil Sander, but then again it was very eclectic and very Tilda.

Tilda Swinton came as David Bowie, circa Station to Station

For sheer stand-out-from-the-crowd potential the award had to go to best actress and mum-to-be Natalie Portman.

Her pink blush dress was taken to a different level with its hand-embroidered Swarovski rose adoring the neckline and was just right for the petite star and her growing bump.

And it certainly set the tone for Oscars night glory – possibly both for Natalie and style fans now surely in for a treat as the stars try to top last night’s fashion feast next month. We can’t wait.