Regional designers dress the stars at the Golden Globes 2016 - in pictures

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As the first major awards ceremony of the season, the pressure is always on the Golden Globes– and the stars – to dazzle. The 73rd edition certainly didn’t disappoint. Middle East fashion designers were well represented on the red carpet in Los Angeles, as has been the case in recent years, with gowns by the king and queen of couture, Elie Saab and Reem Acra, leading the charge. Here are some of the looks we loved.

Middle East masterclass:

Eva Green glittered in gold Elie Saab couture at the star-studded event in California. It's not the first time the 35-year-old French actress has sought out the fashion house for a red-carpet occasion. In 2014, she wore a crimson fall couture gown by ES to the Cannes Film Festival, and one of the maison's greige crystal dresses to the Los Angeles premier of 300: Rise of an Empire. Jenna Dewan-Tatum, the 35-year-old wife of actor Channing Tatum, was resplendent in a Zuhair Murad evening gown in midnight blue. The couture dress, with its night-sky theme, was teamed with Lorraine Schwartz jewellery – directional dressing at its best. British star of Downton Abbey Joanne Froggatt wore a lavender strapless gown by Reem Acra to the ceremony in Beverly Hills. The 35-year-old best-supporting-actress nominee's dress had a plunging neckline and illusion mesh panel at the waist. She accessorised with a silver box clutch and Chopard jewel's.

Swedish-Canadian actress, model and singer Malin Ackerman also chose Reem Acra, donning a silver, lace gown by the New York-based Lebanese designer. The most notable feature of the sweetheart neckline gown was its imposing peplum.

Best dressed:

As the new face of Louis Vuitton, it is no surprise that best-actress nominee Alicia Vikander stepped out in a creation by the iconic maison. Her choice was a refreshing one and a departure from the weighty, Cinderella-type gowns many actresses plumped for. Vikander’s dress was a crisp white, criss-cross backless pinafore with sheer pleated panels and ruffles to the neckline. Fresh, fun and fashion forward, this 27-year-old is one to watch.

Last year, Jennifer Lopez flew the flag for Middle East designers in a fairy-tale gown by Elie Saab at the Oscars and one by Zuhair Murad at the Golden Globes. This year, the 46-year-old singer and actress upped the ante in a mustard Giambattista Valli cape-dress, which she teamed with an estimated 200 carats of diamonds by Harry Winston, and crystal pumps by Jimmy Choo.

Few could upstage Lady Gaga in the fashion or the award stakes on Sunday night. The 29-year-old saw off stiff competition to scoop up best Performance by an actress in a limited series or motion picture Made for Television for her role in American Horror Story: Hotel. She also made headlines with her screen-siren look by Atelier Versace. The off-the-shoulder, sweetheart necklined velvet gown had accentuated hips and an elegant fishtail. It was accented by some serious bling from Neil Lane.

Shameless star Emmy Rossum represented understated chic. The 29-year-old American actress and singer-songwriter opted for a classic column evening gown in pillar-box red by Armani Prive. With a sculptural diamond necklace and matching weighty studs in her ears, Rossum was good to go. A safe option, but successful.

Worst dressed:

Cate Blanchett divided opinion in a Barbie-pink fringed gown by Givenchy. While the low-V back went some way to saving the dress, the “My Little Pony” tail undid all the good work. From the front, the cowgirl number was so voluminous that it completely shrouded the Oscar-winner’s figure, with lace panels widening the overall look. Frock horror or fringe benefits? The jury’s out.

Cool and collected 30-year-old actress Rooney Mara attended this year’s ceremony in a distressed couture gown by Alexander McQueen. The dress, which was almost a perfect match for Mara’s alabaster skin, washed her out and yearned for the merest of accessories. The severity of the look was piqued by slicked-back, swept up hair and russet-red lipstick. To catch Mara smiling on the red carpet one day would be a joy – as we know, you’re never fully dressed without one.

She’s got killer curves at the age of 78, yet workout wonderwoman Jane Fonda created a very bulky silhouette in a Pierrot-the-clown-style cape dress. Resembling an elaborate oyster shell, the top-heavy outfit was one the critics were not terribly fond of.

Melissa McCarthy didn’t dress to impress, in one of her own creations. The 45-year-old actress was enveloped in a petrol-blue wrapover gown, the front slit of which appeared to have been hastily sewed to be less revealing. The high-shine material gave the dress a less-than-luxe appearance and was borderline casual for such a star-studded event.

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