Red carpet means gorgeous gowns and fashion-forward frocks--dazzling concoctions designed to secure Hollywood’s elite spots on the best-dressed lists! Here are some tips to help you sizzle on the red carpet (or on date night)!

Play up your coloring
Knowing which hues complement your skin and hair guarantees compliments! In general, cool pastels work for blondes, while warm hues like fire engine red and coral look best on brunettes. Brunettes can consider the crimson red, silk strapless gown with pleated bust and asymmetrical gathered side from the design team of Nick Verreos and David Paul, the creators of the Hollywood-hot Nikolaki collection. Metallics cross the color divide, and look smashing on everyone New York designer Carmen Marc Valvo has two glamorous choices that are sure to shine this award season: his gold lame sleeveless gown or pewter lame halter gown are clear winners in our book!

When to bling
Make either the dress or the accessories the focus, but never both. A chic black gown needs adornment such as a diamond bracelet, chunky necklace or chandelier earrings. Nikolaki’s black silk taffeta fitted gown with multi-tiered ruffles accented with hand beaded crystal feather trim begs for a touch of bling. (Remember, the more ruffles, tiers and beading a garment has, the simpler the accessories should be.) Pamella Roland’s stunning black, sequined minidress with argent sequined circles and bell sleeves needs some silver accessories--delicate earrings, a petite clutch and strappy sandals--to be picture-perfect.

Take a fashion risk
Channel your inner Sarah Jessica Parker--have some fashion fun and venture outside your normal comfort zone. Nikolaki’s iridescent hand-beaded pailletes on silk chiffon, bias cut column gown with celadon silk corset strikes the right chord. Speaking of innovative--how about accessorizing with faux fur that also has a philanthropic angle? Designer Jaclyn Sharpe’s Imposter collection, with its “IM” Imposter symbol, gives animal rescue and welfare organizations a share of all products. Her grey or brown faux chinchilla belted vest would certainly add some “luxury without compromise” to any red carpet look!

Show off your best feature
Noteworthy assets like Susan Sarandon’s decolletage, Hilary Swank’s toned back or Angelina Jolie’s lush lips make their own fashion statements. You’ve got a fabulous positive feature, too--make sure your style choice enhances it. If you’ve got great skin, go for Pamella Roland’s white and gold, strapless tulle gown which will show off toned arms and shoulders and a gorgeous, fresh face. Another shoulder enhancer is Carmen Marc Valvo’s peacock blue lame, molded bodice gown, which will have you strutting in no time.

Ageless/Timeless
Classic Hollywood glamour--platinum hair, lush red lips and form-fitting silhouette--never looks dated. Case in point: Scarlett Johansson. Pamella Roland’s silver screen siren spaghetti strap gown with tasteful cutout details is unequivocally sexy!

Embrace your curves
Here’s the skinny: not all girls are and that’s a good thing! Thanks to stars like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Winslet and Beyoncé--as well as the women of “Mad Men”--shapely feminine figures are IN! Queen Latifah works Carmen Marc Valvo gowns and never hides her assets! Learn to embrace your body, too. If you aren't comfortable in curve-hugging dresses, try a body slimmer underneath for more control.

Hair (and Makeup) Apparent
Nothing kills a red carpet look quicker than bad hair or makeup. For a more informal special event, a laidback approach is fine-- say a slicked-back ponytail or messy bun. But for those full-on glamour occasions (Oscars!) everyday hair is a no-no. Careful thought (and a great hair and makeup team) is required. A major up-do needs softer makeup; more casual hair, go for full red lips or striking eyes. Think a fancier, sexier version of you.

Now that you’re red carpet-ready, it’s time to play the game!