Style and gossip from the Independent Spirit Awards

By Carla Bevan on Sunday 22 February 2009

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Cameron Diaz, Independent Spirit Awards, celebrity news, Marie Claire

Today might be all about the Oscars, but that doesn't mean Hollywood went to bed early last night in preparation, instead half the town hit the red carpet for the Independent Spirit Awards instead.

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A slightly more low-key event than the Academy Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards aim to honour films and their makers that don't tread the mainstream path, and instead embody, as the name suggests, independence.

In keeping with that ethos, the fashion tends to be a little kookier too, making it just the thing for those warming up for tonight's big Oscar bash.

However, just because these awards aren't about blockbuster movies, doesn't mean you won't have heard of the winners, in fact, plenty of those who picked up awards are hotly tipped for Academy Awards, too. Mickey Rouke and Penelope Cruz were named Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively, titles they're widely expected to carry again this evening, while Woody Allen nabbed the Best Screenplay award for Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Other notable wins included James Franco's Best Supporting Actor nod, for his role in Milk, and Frozen River's Melissa Leo, who was named Best Actress.

Still, who cares about the gongs when there's lots of lovely fashion to dissect? Leading the style pack was Cameron Diaz in a gorgeously grown-up Michael Kors number, while fellow Charlie's Angel, Lucy Liu, looked fab in a perky pink Lanvin cocktail dress.

Bottom of the pile, however, was the usually impeccably dressed Penelope Cruz, who for reasons best known to herself, wore a drab brown dress with matching brown tights. Bleugh!

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