2010 Academy Awards: Top 5 Gowns on the Red Carpet

The Academy Awards for 2010 aired on Sunday March 7 with those in the film industry holding their breath to see if they would win the coveted Oscar. As a formal occasion, those in the film industry, donned their best fashion for the red carpet before the ceremonies began.

Here are my choices for the top 5 gowns that graced the red carpet, the women that wore them and the designers who created the gowns:

Anna Kendrick

A graceful, Anna Kendrick, took to the red carpet in an Elie Saab gown which hung gently off the shoulders and flowed along her slender frame. 2010 Red Carpet: Fashion Report Card on Yahoo!, gave Kendrick's gown choice a B+ but I believe this Elie Saab design deserves at least an A. Kendrick was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the film "Up in the Air" which she appears in alongside George Clooney.

Queen Latifah

The Queen showed the actresses on the red carpet what glamour and fashion should really be. Holding her head high with her skin glowing the Cover Girl spokeswoman walked the red carpet in a custom-made lavender sheath gown made by Badgley Mischka Couture which was accentuated with diamonds and pink sapphires along the shoulder and empire waist. Queen Latifah was and always is stunning. (See Queen Latifah Photo Here)

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is always a lady and the big talk on the red carpet was how age appropriate her gown was compared to some of the other starlets on the red carpet. Streep has had plenty of practice on the red carpet being a 16 time nominee for an Academy Award and only winning the coveted statue twice. Her gown was a creamy white with a fashionable plunging neckline made by designer Chris March who became known from Project Runway. Streep topped off the ensemble with a gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choo's.(Meryl Streep wearing Chris March Design)

Helen Mirren

At 64 we should all hope to look as good as Helen Mirren did on the red carpet before the Academy Awards. Mirren was a beauty of silver and sparkles in a satin crepe and tulle Badgley Mischka design. Completing the gown was a simple necklace and earring set. (Hellen Mirren in Badgley Mischka Design)

Penelope Cruz

Not many women can pull off looking sexy yet sophisticated and elegant like Penelope Cruz can. Showing off her curves in an empire waist Donna Karan gown in a dark dusky red, Penelope Cruz, takes the slot for the wearing the top gown at the Academy Awards. (Penelope Cruz at Academy Awards)