Chanel celebrates the Oscars with a star-studded dinner

If there had been a longer red carpet and about a hundred more photographers, you could have mistaken the Chanel pre-Oscar dinner for the awards themselves. The crowd was a high-wattage group of celebrities including Robin Wright, Dustin Hoffman, Diane Kruger, Ginnifer Goodwin and Marisa Tomei and industry big wigs such as producer Lawrence Bender, director Lee Daniels and the night’s host Charles Finch.

As is to be expected, most of the starlets showed up looking radiant in Chanel frocks – Emma Roberts in a short, white ruffled confection and Diane Kruger in a sequin mini-dress from Chanel haute couture were among my faves.   Footwear was as high and treacherous as if it were dry and warm outside, no one opting for flats or a quick change out of their Wellies before climbing out of the car.

If the high-fashion parade that descended the steps at Madeo restaurant on Saturday night was any hint of what  the Oscar red carpet might look like Sunday, we’re in for a real treat.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Diane Kruger, left, and Emma Roberts attend the "Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Party Celebrating Fashion and Film" at Madeo in Beverly Hills. Credit: Craig Barritt / Getty Images