Style rules AFI Awards red carpet

The AFI Awards proved they are Australia's most elegant awards ceremony, with Toni
Collette, Kate Ritchie and Anthony LaPaglia among local film stars stepping out in
style.
Conservative long gowns and designer suits ruled the red carpet, mixed with sequins,
feathers and delicate beading at the Australian Film Institute event.
Black and silver were the predominant colours as the stars mingled at Melbourne's
Regent Theatre for the annual awards which recognise Australia's screen industry.
Ritchie, accompanied by fiance Stuart Webb, chose a strapless silver dress by J'Aton
which sparkled under the bright lights.
The Gold Logie winner said she had a case of the jitters ahead of the big night.
"I do feel nervous," Ritchie said.
"I have never been to the AFIs before. Despite having lots of red carpet experience,
not this one."
Collette wore a sophisticated black Louis Vuitton dress to the awards ceremony.
She said she would look very different if dressed as her teenaged United States of
Tara character T, who'd most likely wear "something very skimpy, with a lot of
flesh".
Sacha Horler opted for a vintage black sequined frock and Maeve Dermody looked
statuesque in a beige Lisa Ho gown with a long feathered skirt that left a trail of
feathers behind her on the red carpet.
LaPaglia showed off a new bleached hairdo, which wife Gia Carides said he did on a
whim.
"I love him any colour. He just loves playing with his hair," she said.
Director Elissa Down wore a black sequined flapper-style dress, while singer Vanessa
Amorosi sported a black one-shouldered tulle gown by Linda Britten.
"I'm loving different things and I'm a lot more playful than I used to be (with
fashion)," Amorosi said.
"I'm rocking a princess dress."
Susie Porter looked every bit the movie star in a long, belted, silver sequined
dress by Jayson Brunsdon, and Samson & Delilah star Marissa Gibson kept it simple in
a metallic white Saba dress.
Frances O'Connor, wearing a grey Collette Dinnigan dress, said she had to get ready
while looking after her four-year-old son.
"It's always a bit of a running race to the end but we made it," she laughed.
Australia director Baz Luhrmann chose a Prada suit for his red carpet appearance.
"An old chap like me can get a good suit on," he said with a smile.
Among the younger men, rising star Sebastian Gregory made a statement with a gent's
hat, braces worn down and a striped jacket.
Pia Miranda bucked the black and silver trend in a purple gown, as did former
Neighbours star Holly Valance, who showed off her figure in a clinging hot pink
Herve Leger mini.
Balibo star Bea Viegas stood out from the crowd with a baby pink ruff around her
neck, matching her pink and grey outfit.