Oscars: Natalie Portman and the anatomy of a dress

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The Ministry defies you to argue that this award season hasn’t been All. About. Natalie. Natalie Portman, that is.

All eyes have been on the ‘Black Swan’ star and expectant mother, and her red carpet fashion, even after she flew into L.A. on Thursday evening from New York with her dish of a fiance, Benjamin Millepied, and stopped by a Vanity Fair celebration for Fox Searchlight wearing a $50 shift from H&M.

That got fashionistas talking, but the real question was what, and who, Portman would wear on the Academy Awards carpet. The nominee showed a floor-length purple gown (an interesting choice, if you ask us) by Rodarte — the same label that crafted a few of her ballet costumes in ‘Swan.’ Dramatic fringe-drop earrings and gem detail on her decolletage completed the look.

So why do we care? Well, if and when Portman nabs the trophy for actress in a lead role, the dress becomes iconic and the image of her will be used exhaustively.

Remember Sandra Bullock‘s Marchesa gown from 2010? It’s impossible to forget, after shots of her wearing it ran countless times thanks to her ‘Blind Side’ win — and the misadventures of a certain ex-husband.

RELATED:

Oscars: Anne Hathaway in Valentino, with Valentino

Oscars: Natalie Portman’s bumpy path through award season [poll]

‘Black Swan’ star Natalie Portman pregnant, engaged to dancer Benjamin Millepied

— Matt Donnelly