We’ve just been hit by a new wave of fashion from Hollywood. The Golden Globe Awards on… We’ve just been hit by a new wave of fashion from Hollywood. The Golden Globe Awards on Monday night gave the world of couture a sample of what’s to come, as well as big hairdos, flashy jewelry and lots of cleavage.

Award shows are all about the fashion. The glamour of the evening is a major attraction and an integral part of the ceremonies. The Golden Globes are no different, and the night serves as an important forerunner to the fashion as well as the outcomes of the Academy Awards.

The pageantry of Monday evening was much like that of the high school prom: It’s about glamour and intrigue at any price. Celebrities love any excuse to get dressed up and thrill the press, and critics love to appraise their fashion efforts.

“It is just one big fraternity party in a big college weekend,” Joan Rivers, long-time leading red carpet critic, said. “It’s all there in the hotel. They just walk from party to party.”

The celebrities undoubtedly have a great time, but critics have just as much fun bringing down celebrity style. Sometimes commentators can step over the line, like Isaac Mizrahi last year: He made headlines reporting for E! after asking inappropriate questions about underwear and even slightly probing of Scarlett Johansson.

While I don’t have much to say about prodding celebrities, here’s my overview of the 2006 Golden Globe Awards fashion:

This year, the ladies were seen in more formal cocktail dresses instead of full evening gowns. Reese Witherspoon, determined not to repeat last year’s duplicate-dress fiasco, was one of the best dressed this year. She nicely pulled off a simple Nina Ricci knee-length bright yellow dress. Coupled with brighter hair and angled bangs, she built a refreshing look from normal eveningwear.

Another fashion winner was Eva Longoria, who floated down the red carpet in a navy blue Emanuel Ungaro dress with intricately jeweled straps. Another favorite among critics was newly single Drew Barrymore, wearing a strapless pastel pink gown by Christian Dior.

But for every fashion winner, there was a loser. Taking a hit this year was Beyonce. Her bright and shining gold dress, while illuminating every curve and camber, allowed her to bring her own golden globes to the event.

Penelope Cruz donned a blast-from-the-past Chanel Couture black gown. Tiered with frilly lace, this antique-style garment evoked images of the 1880s on a runway where less is more.

Jennifer Lopez managed another blunder on my list. Her ancient-Greek-inspired Marchesa frock was an asymmetrical eyesore. Usually known for being scandalous at award shows, she toned down and disappointed this year.

Male celebrities, interestingly enough, also get a lot of attention at award shows. The guys are always critiqued on their red carpet style, and, just like the women, try to keep fresh and new. Although there’s a lot of uniformity among guys at a black tie event, there are a lot of differing looks and styles that critics and fashion gurus notice.

Best dressed this year might have been Brad Pitt, who looked dashing in a beautiful J. Lindeberg tuxedo. A couture cut and lovely texture gave him polish and charm.

Dane Cook was the loser in this department. He was universally panned because of his slightly boxy figure and decision to take off his tie before he got inside.

All this fuss over fashion is hardly much ado about nothing. One could argue that the vanity of the evening is more important than what’s being celebrated. As Andy Warhol said, “Fashion wasn’t what you wore someplace anymore; it was the whole reason for going.”

Stressed out by Golden Globe Awards fashion faux pas? E-mail Derek at [email protected].