24 MARCH 2003
There was no shortage of glamour when Hollywood's hottest properties made the short red carpet walk into this year's Oscars, despite the general toning-down of the awards dictated by world events.

Several A-listers opted for the asymmetrical look, with black, white and gold dominating the palette of colours. A notable exception was flame-haired Julianne Moore, up for two Oscars. She chose a deep emerald, strapless gown by Yves St Laurent, topped off with long, striking earrings in the same colour.

Long earrings were a theme for the evening, with only a few ladies - Meryl Streep among them -sporting the kind of eye-catching necklaces we normally see at the Oscars. Jennifer Lopez went for spectacular earrings to compliment her vintage asymmetrical gown, which was once owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The Bronx-born beauty's date Ben Affleck demonstrated just how good a tuxedo can look, if you've got the physique and charisma to carry it off.

Another of Hollywood's favourite couples, Edward Norton and Salma Hayek, also made a big impact. The Frida star opted for a full white skirt offsetting an understated black top by Caroline Herrera.

Cameron Diaz wore an unpretentious black gown, with her golden locks flowing loose to her shoulders. Chicago star Renee Zellweger meanwhile looked a picture of old-fashioned elegance in a dramatic deep-wine Carolina Herrera frock. At the other end of the spectrum was Halle Berry, whose pale gold Elie Saab was glamour with a capital 'G'.