Emmy Awards 2008: red carpet commentary

As one of the hosts of the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, Heidi Klum got to indulge in more costume changes than most of the celebrities at the ceremony - and hit the mark more often than not.

Her gunmetal grey Armani Privé gown, which she wore for the red carpet itself, stood out from crowd with its unusual shape but still hit the popular “assymetric” and “ooh glam!” trends. Ditto the grey and yellow gown she wore on stage early on in the ceremony, which hugged her figure beautiful before flowing out at the bottom. In contrast, her ivory dress looked boring and ill-fitted - good dresses shouldn’t make Heidi Klum look square or wide.

The star of the night - given her personal wins for writing and acting, as well as group wins for her show 30 Rock, Tina Fey looked uncomfortable in a deep purple David Meister gown and speaking of uncomfortable, my boobs are crying out in sympathy for Lauren Conrad’s. Lauren designed the strapless navy chiffon gown herself so it’s surprising she didn’t make it more flattering and less boob squishing. Also in navy, Heroes‘ Hayden Panettiere looked pretty in her beaded Badgley Mischka gown but the choice seems a bit old for the newly 19 year old.

Debra Messing looked gorgeous in a black silk tulle gown by Monique Lhuillier from the brand new Spring 2009 collection while Grey’s Anatomy’s Sandra Oh stuck to this season’s key trend - lace - picking a sleek Oscar de la Renta gown accessorised with a vintage Chanel purse and heels. Her smile may have been a bit hesitant but there is no doubt that Ugly Betty’s Ashley Jensen loves her black David Meister gown with a feature halter neck.

Desperate Housewives star Dana Delaney went for sleek black with sparkles too - the lines are pretty but it all gets too much at the centre - but the rest of her fellow Wisteria Lane residents went for gowns with a little more colour in them: Nicollette Sheridan went for a rich purple Angel Sanchez gown and Teri Hatcher looked sunny - but a bit too ruffled for my liking - in Monique Lhuillier.

In comparison, Felicity Huffman was the epitomy of sleek in her crystal-studded tulle gown from Reem Acra and new smooth bob and it’s a fight between her and Marcia Cross - looking like a Grace Kelly-channelling ballerina in her Elie Saab Haute Couture dress - as to who gets the ‘Best Dressed Desperate Housewife’ tiara from me this year. Eva Longoria Parker’s Marchesa flapper dress was too short, too icy in silver blue and her hairdo too severe to gain her the prize.

Staying in the blue spectrum, Mary-Louise Parker‘ slinky Roberto Cavalli gown is a gorgeous shade of turquoise and the neckline is very pretty - just a shame about gathering on the skirt makes me stare at her crotch. Cynthia Nixon looked equally as slinky (but without the crotch-focus) in a softer Calvin Klein number while the sleekiness of Christina Applegate’s Reem Acra gown was interrupted by a giant bow and train at the back.

Jenna Fischer’s gown reminded me of Angelina Jolie’s maternity dress for the SAG Awards in January - but in blue and not so forgiving around the belly - while Julia Louis-Dreyfus was so keen to show off her abs that her deep orange Narciso Rodriguez gown had a peekaboo cut-out in the bodice. Brooke Shields also went for a strong, bright colour for her first ever Emmy Awards and picked well: a tiered fuchsia Badgley Mischka Couture organza gown.

From strong shades to pretty pastels, House star Olivia Wilde’s satin and chiffon Reem Acra gown in a pale silver was perhaps my favourite dress of the evening: the skirt flows beautifully and the jewel-encrusted cap sleeves are a refreshing change from all the strained-chest strapless outfits. Mary Steenburgen, pictured with husband of 13 years Ted Danson, also landed herself a great dress in a perfectly flattering pale gold. Evangeline Lilly’s Elie Saab Couture gown was in a similar colour but the tiers sectioned up her figure a little too much.