Purple Reigns

The message at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards Jan. 17, 2010, in Los Angeles was clear: The award this season goes to the color purple.

No, we don't mean the 1985 Steven Spielberg movie or the Alice Walker book on which it is based. Not even the Oprah Winfrey-backed musical that recently ended a long run on Broadway.

We mean the color itself, in all its varied hues.

Photos: See Who's Wearing Purple

Gowns in all shades of purple, from Sandra Bullock's jewel-toned strapless outfit to the singer Fergie's delicate lilac pleats, were everywhere on the red carpet at the award show. Among the stars who rode the purple wave of popularity were Jane Krakowski, Leona Lewis, Alfre Woodward, Rita Wilson and Rose Byrne.

To TV audiences, it may have seemed that the color simply exploded on the scene, but fashionistas can tell you it's a trend that has been building since the end of the summer.

At first, the color would appear as a welcome splash on a red carpet, usually dominated by black, silver and gold.

Then the occasional splash turned into a trickle with purple, sometimes in prints or gauzy tops, turning at parties and premieres and awards shows all over Hollywood and New York.

Now, the color that has long been associated with royalty, has taken its place among the stars.
By MARY JAYNE McKAY