Red carpet style

Halle Berry, who won the Oscar for best actress, arrives for the 74th annual Academy Awards on Sunday in an Elie Saab creation

(CNN) -- Every so often the right woman wears the right dress at the right time -- and magic happens.

That's what every actress strives for as she walks the red carpet on Oscar night. But whereas the dress once made the woman, today the dress can also make a designer's career.

According to Adam Glassman, creative director of O Magazine, "When Jennifer Connelly wore Narsiso Rodriguez to the Golden Globes, once again his name was bantered around town as the designer who dressed Carolyn Bessette when she wed John Kennedy Jr.

"And one never thought of Prada for evening before Uma Thurman wore the stunning pale-blue gown from Miuccia Prada a few years back."

Stylists finesse the look

These days, the shortest route between the Umas and Pradas of the world are the celebrity stylists. Their Oscar-related jobs don't officially begin until nominations are announced in February, but the prepping starts months before.

Stylists begin by attending fashion shows from Paris to New York. Once home, they focus on emerging trends, both in print and on the street. Stylists will also study what stars wear to award shows to perfect a winning look, avoid a fashion faux pas and steer clear of duplicating a look that's already been done.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO Halle Berry is the first African-American to win an Academy Award for best actress, and 'A Beautiful Mind' took home the best picture honor. CNN's Anne McDermott reports (March 25) Play video Watch the glitz and glamour of the red carpet arrivals at the 74th Academy Awards (March 25) Play video CNN's Anne McDermott looks at what's inside the gift bags offered to participants in the Academy Awards program (March 24) Play video   GALLERIES What were they wearing? See our red carpet gallery  • Behind the scenes: Backstage gallery  • Winners and presenters gallery    MORE STORIES • Losers smile through the pain  • Seats hard to come by in Oscar's new home  • Tom Green opus takes Razzie as year's worst film    EXTRA INFORMATION • Who won the Oscar? Check out our complete list of winners  • Gallery of nominees  • In-depth Special: CNN's Academy Award Spotlight 2002  • CNN Money: Special Report: Money and the Oscars    RESOURCES • People.com Special: Oscar makes history  • EW.com: All about Oscars 2002  • InStyle.com: Oscars 2002  • Netscape: Live the Academy Awards

Two of the best in the business are L'Wren Scott, who dressed Nicole Kidman and Marisa Tomei this year, and Phillip Bloch, who dressed Halle Berry -- this year's best actress winner. But the two are as diverse as the actresses they advise.

Scott is known for her great style, as well as the James Bond-like secrecy with which she operates. Famously loath to speak to the press, she prefers to work quietly, taking a back seat to the stars and designers (Dior, Chanel and Galliano are among her favorites) who make them shine on their big night.

At the other end of the spectrum is Bloch, who is as loved for his larger-than-life personality as he is for his conviction and personal taste.

Always open to taking a chance on undiscovered talent, Bloch dressed Berry in an Elie Saab creation this year. Bloch first saw the dress last August in what's called a "look book" (a portfolio that designers routinely send out to clients) and instinctively knew that it was Ocsar material.

At the time, the stylist didn't know who would wear the hand-beaded and embroidered sheath, but when Berry was nominated Bloch had his answer. The styling was pitch perfect, and the best actress was arguably the best dressed at the ceremony.

Designers woo top actresses

Cindi Leive, editor in chief of Glamour magazine, is familiar with the high-stakes game of getting an A-list actress to play dress-up for one night.

"Designers have gone to great lengths to ensure their gowns will be worn on Oscar night," she said. "(They) may offer celebrities free clothes from their collection (or) connect the stars to jewelers for expensive accessories. Some designers fly celebrities to Europe to see their creations. For example, Hilary Swank was flown to Paris for the 2000 Oscars when she was nominated for the film 'Boys Don't Cry'."

Swank ended up wearing an olive-colored Randolf Duke ball gown at the last minute because her husband, actor Chad Lowe, liked it best.

And actresses aren't the only ones racking up those frequent-flyer miles. Designers have even sent their own people on the Concorde to show a gown to a star. "(Designers) have flown seamstresses all around the globe to do first, second and third fittings without even a guarantee that the celebrity will wear their dress," Leive added.

Men advised to keep it simple

And what of men? They tend to be overlooked on Oscar night unless they're on the arm of a famous woman.

Cindi Leive pointed out that "low key" guys like Benjamin Bratt and Chris Robinson were some of the most sought-after men to dress last year because they were with Julia Roberts and Kate Hudson.

But no matter how you get to the ball, Lloyd Boston, one of the definitive voices on menswear in the United States, advises guys to keep it simple. In his opinion, "A tux is most appropriate for the Academy Awards because it honors the elegance of the evening."

The stars who Boston applauds are the ones who "go classic, with a wink." As he put it: "Less is more, but it's still no excuse to be boring."

"Men may not have all the accessories that women have to work with," said Boston, "but we can play with grooming ... a clean shave, what I call 'leading-man hair' and maybe even a manicure. We can also have fun with a textured shirt and a pair of vintage cufflinks."

Ever a stickler for classics, the style expert adds "And always wear a tie! Otherwise you'll run the risk of looking like you forgot it in the limo."

We should all be so lucky!

Stuart Weitzman's $1 million diamond and platinum shoe adorned the feet of Laura Elena Harring, co-star of "Mulholland Drive"

$1 million diamond and platinum shoe

Footwear designer Stuart Weitzman custom-made a $1 million diamond and platinum shoe with the help of jewelry designer Kwiat and Platinum Guild International. The stiletto adorned the well-pedicured feet of "Mulholland Drive" co-star Laura Elena Harring at the Oscars. Weitzman and Kwiat will donate $30,000 to the charity of her choice.

When the night of glitz and glam is over, the shoe can be taken to a jeweler where the diamonds can be used to make bracelets, necklaces or anything else the actress desires. Now that's what I call a shoe made for every occasion.

Estee Lauder creates the 'dream team" of beauty experts to cater to nominees in their own homes

The beauty experts at Estee Lauder established a temporary spa headquarters at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles during Oscar week.

VIP clients included Jennifer Lopez, Ashley Judd and Oprah Winfrey. All were treated to "at home" or "in suite" spa treatments by Hollywood's finest: including L.A.-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Karyn Grossman; eyebrow guru Anastasia Soare and a team of professional aestheticians.

The nominees will be presented with an invitation to the spa -- a custom-made T. Anthony yellow toile suitcase, TSE cashmere robes and Manolo Blahnik suede sandals for their pedicures, as well as the complete Estee Lauder product line.

Never let them see you sweat!

One of the hottest treatments being offered to starlets this year is underarm botox shots. Widely used in the entertainment industry, botox is typically injected into facial muscles. The poison causes key muscle groups to become paralyzed, preventing facial expressions like frowning and smiling that can lead to wrinkles.

The underarm version prevents perspiration, saving those $25,000 couture gowns from the unsightly staining that can result from excessive sweating.

Trends that have run their course

At last year's Oscars, Brad Pitt created a stir when he wore his tuxedo without the requisite tie. But Adam Glassman at O Magazine says that's one mistake not worth repeating.

The creative director says: "Men should look elegant, polished and glamourous as well... simple and classic is smart ... too tricky and disheveled will not make the grade!"

Quid Pro Quo: Hollywood Style

When asked how far a designer might go to earn the privilege of dressing a top actor or actress on Oscar night, one prominent stylist-to-the-stars quipped:

"Ain't no mountain high enough! I've heard rumors of designers paying for everything from a client's liposuction treatment, to one person's home."

And stars are not the only ones who benefit from this royal treatment. Their stylists are routinely treated to perks like dinners at 5-star restaurants, Hermes blankets and all-expenses-paid trips to Paris, Milan, London and New York to view designer collections from the front row (Read: VIP) seating.