LOS ANGELES –Hollywood watched its annual red-carpet fashion parade where stars don elegant gowns of bold colors at the Oscars last Sunday. What they wore is one of the top secrets kept by the fashion world’s elite designers, but one thing is certain: the stars’ goal is to be fabulous.

Academy Awards fashion coordinator Patty Fox predicted this red carpet would be "the biggest fashion show on Earth." While that may be hype, designers, cosmetic makers, jewelers and others courted the stars hoping to win global attention for their brands.

"Every woman, when they have this amazing moment on the red carpet, they want to have the best dress," said Juliana Cairone of Rare Vintage, a New York boutique frequented by actresses in search of glamorous, sophisticated looks from the past.

Cairone, who supplied the flowing Hermes gown worn by Angelina Jolie at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, predicted Grecian-inspired gowns, strapless and one-shoulder necklines, and sexy Bohemian looks for some of the younger nominees.

Bright yellow, cobalt and purple have been the colors of the catwalk this year, and they promise to turn heads on Oscar’s red carpet. Supermodel Heidi Klum wore a bright red Galliano dress to benefit a sweepstakes promoting awareness of women’s heart disease.

France’s Marion Cotillard received the best film actress award. The 32-year-old won for her portrayal of legendary chanteuse Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose" and she shone throughout the evening with her body-hugging, mermaid-style dress, boundless energy and a farewell song backstage.

Cotillard set the tone from her entrance on the red carpet, where her full-length white and gold Jean Paul Gaultier gown was a refreshing departure from the predominant red.

"I’m totally overwhelmed with joy and sparkles and fireworks and everything that goes like ‘boom boom boom’," the bubbly brunette laughed when asked by reporters backstage to describe how she felt after receiving her golden statuette. – Reuters