What the stars wore at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards

Charlize Theron

It's the first award ceremony of the season and the opportunity for Hollywood to make a serious fashion statement. But tonight stars shied away from colour, stepping out instead in pale, cool and snow-inspired hues for a series of white hot looks.

Charlize Theron wore one of the most dramatic dresses of the evening and her Dior couture gown set the tone for the plethora of stars stepping out in light-coloured ensembles. The 36-year-old actress looked incredible in the plunging gown which boasted a thigh high split, a flowing train and an oversized bow detail wrapped around her waist.

Charlize was not the only starlet stepping out in a pale dresse with Elle Macpherson, Kate Beckinsale and Nicole Kidman among those also showing off the trend.

more + loads of lovely pictures... 
 

Elle Macpherson

Australian supermodel Elle decided to dress in a statement white Zac Posen gown with a layered fishtail skirt. The strapless gown showed off her figure to perfection and she accessorised the dress with a series of chunky metallic cuffs stacked up her arm.

The 47-year-old also revealed some of her fitness secrets as she made her way up the red carpet and said she likes to keep active to maintain her shape. 'I think it's really important to put some time aside to do some physical exercise to feel good. I do sport, I surf, I waterski, I ride horses, I do what I can, I mix it up.'

Nicole Kidman with husband Keith Urban

Nicole Kidman opted for an off-white oyster coloured gown with metallic studded detail by Versace. The golden embellishment complemented her hair colour to perfection and she stepped out with her best accessory, husband Keith Urban.

Kate Beckinsale

British actress Kate Beckinsale also kept on the white trend and wore a strapless Roberto Cavalli gown with delicate sequin embellishment and chiffon pleat detail around her skirt.

Like Elle, she also had opted for chunky wrist-wear but opted for silver and glittering diamonds. British actress Kate Beckinsale wore a strapless Roberto Cavalli gown with delicate sequin embellishment and chiffon pleat detail around her skirt.
 

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

As ever, anticipation was at fever pitch as Brad Pitt climbed out of a car to open the door for partner Angelina Jolie. The 36-year-old actress looked breathtaking in a white and red satin Versace gown.

Speaking about being up for nomination Brad said: 'It’s certainly nice, I know how hard she has worked on this film and it's nice.' He added: 'It's a golden night for us.'   

Angelina, who is nominated for her directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey said: 'It’s important to revisit this history. I was nervous about the people in Bosnia watching the film, those who had survived war and rape. And the country has received it well and that means everything to me.'
 

Jessica Chastain chose figure-hugging Givenchy, Jessica Biel donned Elie Saab but wasn't wearing an engagement ring and Amanda Peet stepped out in a tiered asymmetrical gown by Marc Jacobs.

Kate Winslet

Golden Globe winner Kate Winslet, who scooped an award for her role on the television film Mildred Pierce wore her Jenny Packham gown with a shiny gold belt detail.

Reese Witherpoon

Not everyone had decided to don a pale ensemble for the evening and there were plenty of red hot looks with Stacy Kiebler and Reese Witherspoon showing exactly how to wear scarlet hues. 

George Clooney with Stacy Keibler

George Clooney said: 'She looks great, doesn't she', as he escorted his girlfriend Stacy Keibler along the red carpet into the Beverly Hilton.

There were plenty of plum shades worn too and Emma Stone dressed in a plunging Lanvin gown, while Tina Fey also opted for a purple dress.
 

Also stepping out in colour were Michelle Williams who wore a midnight blue dress by Jason Wu, while Evan Rachel Wood appeared to have been inspired by a peacock for her feather-embellished ensemble.

Mother-of-one Michelle spoke about how she became Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn. She said: 'I had almost a year to prepare it was a very slow, slow process.' She gushed: 'Third year in a row here, so awesome this is such a great year.'
 

Kelly Osbourne

First onto the red carpet was Kelly Osbourne earlier in the afternoon.

There was also plenty of metallic to be seen sashaying down the red carpet with Madonna in a shimmering silver gown with lush green skirt.


Nicole Richie opted for a Julian McDonald silver gown, which she teamed with Jimmy Choo heels and a House of Harlow bag.

Glee star Lea Michelle donned a daring silver sheer detail Marchesa dress and was extremely excited when she spoke to Ryan Seacrest before the ceremony. The 27-year-old Fashion Police blazed down the red carpet in a bold blue Zac Posen dress as she prepared to perform as E! News' correspondent.

Her E! co-host Giuliana Rancic managed two costume changes between duties - she arrived in a floor-length grey and black Monique Collignon gown and later changed into a nude Basil Soda getup.

Maria Menounos and Mission Impossible star Paula Patton opted for a sunshine shade with the pair stepping out in canary yellow dresses.

Of course there was some stars who kept things simple in basic black but Rooney Mara showed exactly why the colour is certainly not boring in a cut out creation by Nina Ricci and said she was 'nervous' about the ceremony.

Claire Danes teamed a black and white gown J Mendall also with a cut out detail on the back with bright red lips. The nominated actress admitted: 'I’m nervous but I’m also excited I’ve got my mom with me.'