DRESSING FOR THE CARPET

If the red carpet is a minefield, then an actress’ first line of defense is a savvy stylist like Britt Bardo. The relative newcomer -- she’s been styling for less than five years -- is quickly rising in L.A.’s fashion circles with consistently chic clients including Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Christina Ricci and Eva Mendes. Here, Bardo breaks down the fashion frenzy swirling around the awards season.

Which designers do you turn to for awards dressing?

J. Mendel always has gorgeous, classic gowns. I also like Jean Yu for something different. Hers are much more understated and chic. And Zac Posen is always good for something more interesting. I feel like he’s always doing unique little twists on things.

Who do you think has been looking great on the red carpet lately?

Hilary Swank. She’s so effortless and classy, never overdone. But she always makes you pay attention. Her choices are unpredictable, like with that navy Guy Laroche dress people couldn’t stop talking about.

What do you consider when picking a dress?

Fit is No. 1. It has to be perfect. You can’t be worrying about things riding up or falling down. And also that it’s suited for the client. I can’t imagine putting someone like Kate [Hudson], who is very natural, in some sort of super-corseted, rigid thing.

Last year, Reese Witherspoon took some heat for wearing a dress Kirsten Dunst had worn a few years earlier. Is that just disastrous?

I don’t [think] it’s that big of a deal, especially if there are years in between or it’s an archive piece. I do try to be very aware of what people are wearing, but the way things are today ... I feel like people put too much emphasis on it.

All of that jockeying to get the best dresses must be hard. How do you stay on top of it?

The most important thing is cultivating honest relationships with showrooms and designers. “Honest” meaning not saying, “They’re definitely going to wear it,” because you never know. No one ever knows until they’re out the door.