From the first star sighting on the red carpet Sunday night, it was clear we don't call it the silver screen for nothing.

Teen idol Miley Cyrus stepped into the spotlight in the very early moments of the Oscar pre-show in an elaborate ball gown with a skirt of silver splattered petals, which, she said, "weighs more than me.''

Any notion that sobriety would prevail in this time of financial turmoil was instantly quashed. The dream merchants of Hollywood were following in a long tradition of fighting gloom with glitz, glamour and escapist fantasy.

More fashion statements from the glory days of Hollywood came from Anne Hathaway, in a sparkling molten gown by Armani Prive, and Sarah Jessica Parker, in a fantasy creation by Dior haute couture that had a colour she called "barely mint" and a tulle skirt to rival any tulle confection in history.

"My goodness, that is a dress,'' fashion commentator Jay Manuel said in awe.

In general, colour ruled, with hot reds -- everything from coral to tomato -- making a major statement on Heidi Klum, Virginia Madsen, Amy Adams and Amanda Seyfried.

Klum worked it in her supermodel manner in a sculptural Roland Mouret slit gown with a dramatic collar and an arm full and ears full of sparkly jewels.

Freida Pinto of Slumdog Millionaire channelled her native India in an azure gown with one lace arm by John Galliano, while Natalie Portman was pretty -- as usual -- in bubble-gum pink.

Creams, nudes and ivory -- very much in fashion for spring -- were also popular, as was the massive choker.

Adams, in red Carolina Herrera, walked away with the award for biggest, most fabulous neckpiece: a collar of multi-coloured pebble-size gems, by Fred Leighton.

Penelope Cruz, Marisa Tomei, Jessica Biel and Evan Rachel Wood were among the actors in creamy debutante colours. The best of the cream crop was Taraji P. Henson in a tiered Cavalli gown set off with a blinding diamond floral choker by Leighton.

Strapless ruled, particularly the plunging sweetheart neckline favoured by Cruz in a vintage gown, as well as by Adams and Beyonce, in her exaggerated fashion. Beyonce's mermaid gown in a black and gold tapestry pattern could not be missed -- and not in a good way.

Which brings us to Brangelina, and the overblown hype on the red carpet over the pair. "Omigod!'' Juliana Rancic squealed as the pair arrived, Angelina in a black sweetheart strapless plunging just a bit too low.

The one-shoulder gown is still coming on strong, too, with Kate Winslet in grey and black Yves Saint Laurent and Tomei in extravagantly pleated Versace with a dramatic train leading that trend.

There were few "what was she thinking?" moments. Perhaps Sophia Loren in a flounced champagne gown. But La Loren can do as she pleases. And nobody would be surprised by Tilda Swinton's drapey beige blouse and loose black skirt, a vast improvement over her black Lanvin gown last year.