No red carpet at Oscars this year?

In addition to the previously mentioned Kate Winslet, my other ultimate girl crush is Cate Blanchett. I know just when it was that I decided she was the most awesome thing ever - the 1998 Oscars when I first saw her in this:

Remember? John Galliano for Dior? Legend has it that the dress was conceived at a dinner party where Galliano, Blanchett, her awesome husband Andrew Upton and stylist Jessica Paster. This dress made the then little-known Cate queen of the red carpet and of my heart. (And my hatred of Gwenyth Paltrow for stealing the award that was rightfully Cate's that night has never subsided one Goop.)

But things will be way different this year as the Academy Awards presenters will be kept hush hush until the big night. Hoping to recover viewership from last year's all-time lowest ratings, they're betting the secrecy will build up more hype for the awards and as a result, more viewers. But as WWD points out, this means that some stars will also forego the red carpet and the first time we'll see those glorious (or not so glorious) gowns will be on stage.

While I can do without the asinine interviews by entertainment reporters, it hurts that I'll have to wait, and sit, through the whole damn show to see all the pretty dresses. Oh wait, I guess that's what they want.

xx,
N