Costume institute gala 2011: retro looks rule

Retro styles are always a red carpet winner, oozing glamour and style and offering a unique look for chic stars looking to stand out. At last night's Costume Institute Gala, vintage-inspired hairstyles proved a hit with several stars, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Evan Rachel Wood.

Gary Hooker and Michael Young of Hooker&Young and Warren Holmes of Nicky Clarke comment.

Both Freida Pinto and Nicole Richie rocked stunning stunning retro styles, influenced by old school Hollywood glamour. Both stars wore their hair in kinky curls, styled over to one side for a dramatic sweep of movement. Completed with punchy lips, both women look sensational.

Both Mia Wasikowska and Evan Rachel Wood opted for vintage styles at the event, rocking pin curls and a glamorous roll respectively. Both girls look glam, but I wish they'd gone a bit further - this event is all about OTT style, so they could have really pushed it! 

I would have loved to see Mia with a seriously stylish lacquered flapper style a la Prada, while Evan Rachel Wood could have rocked those rolls on a grander scale inspired by the dramatic look at Todd Lynn.

Gary and Michael comment: "We like this retro glamour 40's inspired hair and the dress is perfect to complete the look. Nice to see some dressed waves amongst all the cool curls."

Keeping things seriously 60s, both Christina Hendricks and Sarah Jessica Parker added piles of volume to their styles.

Christina - best known as queen of the updo, Mad Men's Joan Holloway - kept the height that her character loves so much, but rather than wearing her hair up she kept it down and full of movement.

Warren says: "I liked the way she went for something different from her on-screen character. Falling barrel curls that were raked through."

Opting for a real retro finish, SJP kept her hair neat and chic in a textured beehive. A hint of modernity is added to the look with face-framing tendrils to soften the style and keep things from looking too costume.

Warren comments: "Another nod to Bardot in the hair-p form. I love it when SJP wears  volume and separation down the middle, it works for her and is a timeless hair style. Her face-shape needs that volume to balance it out. Her Alexander McQueen gown had silver crystals all over and a beautifully tailored high neckline which would have been the reason for taking hair away from the shoulders."