There wasn't any scandal like last year when Eddie Murphy threw his toys out of the cot after losing Best Supporting Actor to Little Miss Sunshine's Alan Arkin. But the presence of one woman and the absence of two significant people were the talking points of the 80th Academy Awards.

George Clooney has never bought a significant other to the Oscars before, so he's got everyone abuzz that he walked down the red carpet on Sunday with his girlfriend of not even a year, Sarah Larson.

George is well known for favouring the look good, keep quiet sort of girlfriend. One that will look beautiful but rightly recognises that he's the talented one in the relationship, and is happy just to be with him rather than making demands on his time. Sarah Larson, a cocktail waitress when she met Clooney, gave up her job to follow George around the world, wear posh frocks, and look at him adoringly on red carpets. Jealous, much? Hell yes, who wouldn't be?

Clooney is a stylish, well connected guy with plenty of cash, which is why I don't understand how his missus ended up donning a dress made of what looks like the quilt from my nana's spare room. It may have been from Valentino's final collection but, Sarah, in the spirit of Amy Winehouse, repeat after me: ‘They try to make me wear ugly florals, I said no, no, no."

Angelina Jolie is many things - a mother, an actress, and a philanthropist among them - but she is also a wily fox. I don't for a minute believe the unveiling of the newest Jolie-Pitt baby bump just happened to occur at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the day before the Oscars, which Angie knew she and Brad would not be attending.

Angie looked divine, refusing a coat which would have lessened the impact of her quite pronounced bump, and let the snappers get their fill before spending Sunday night no doubt doing something noble and worthy.

Pregnancy was a recurring theme for those who actually did show up at LA's Kodak Theatre on Sunday night. Cate Blanchett was nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, accessorising her intricate Dries Van Noten gown with her seven months along baby bump - my pick of the preggy ladies. She, as always, looked fashion forward and beautiful.

All eyes were expected to be on Nicole Kidman, and while her dress was generally inoffensive (she didn't really time that bump to show it off in its full glory during awards season) Nic's huge necklace made it look like a diamond smuggler puked on her.

Jessica Alba completed the pregnant trilogy, although I am genuinely confused as to why she keeps getting invited year after year. Can you remember the last decent movie Alba made? Oscar fare it most certainly is not. Jess wore a Marchesa gown, as did Anne Hathaway, and both dresses definitely had the same vibe running through them. Variations on the same theme. One half of the Marchesa design duo is Georgina Chapman, the new wife of ex-Miramax mogul Harvey Weinstein - which may account for why so many starlets don the label.

Jennifer Garner pulled one out of the bag and looked absolutely stunning. She always looks nice. Being well groomed with a great body and any number of designer duds at your disposal, it's not hard to look nice. But Garner rocked it on the red carpet in a black, strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with a feathered skirt that ensured eyes were on her. Even ‘tired and emotional' actor Gary Busey couldn't resist, lunging at Jen during her interview with Ryan Seacrest and attempting to plant a sloppy one on her neck.

Heidi Klum is a seasoned professional model, and if the girl's worth anything she should know how to rock designer clothes to their full potential. Whether it's her day job or not, Heidi looked sensational. Strike me down gorgeous. Her dramatic, full length, fire engine red Haute Couture by John Galliano gown had to be seen to be believed. The feat of fabric engineering was made even more striking by husband Seal on Heidi's arm. Why did I never notice before what a handsome guy he is?

Also gorgeous on the night was sultry Spaniard Javier Bardem - and yes, I did think he was hot before he won. And yes, the bowl cut he donned during No Country For Old Men did put me off slightly. But not enough! Hubba hubba.

Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard stayed true to her homeland when it came to fashion, donning a stunning mermaid style dress custom made by Jean Paul Gaultier. This is the most beautiful dress worn by a Best Actress winner since Halle Berry's Elie Saab from a few years back.

So chic, so effortless, and so totally French, Cotillard's animated acceptance speech was the best of the night: "Thank you life, thank you love, and it is true, there is some angels in this city."

How eloquent! And English isn't even her first language.

Miley Cyrus looked a bit old lady on her debut at the Academy Awards. Technically there is nothing wrong with her Valentino gown, but Miley is 15. Would it have killed her stylist to put her in something a little more fun, like something Cameron Diaz would wear? You know who would wear that dress of Miley's and look great? Susan Sarandon. Who is 61.

Jennifer Hudson is beautiful, but homegirl should give America Ferrera's stylist a call. Last year you she Andre Leon Talley to blame for talking her into that vile python bolero. The shape of this Cavalli dress made it look like her not-insubstantial bosom was trying to ooze its way to freedom.

On the subject of crimes against fashion, if anyone can elaborate on what in the name of all that is good and wholesome John Travolta was thinking when he left the house, please let me know. It was obvious to all and sundry that John John had employed the use of that unfortunate hair in a can to cover his baldy crown - which means either he can't afford anything better or his hairdresser really, really does not like him.

A tragedy! Wife Kelly Preston can hang her head on this one too. No self-respecting woman would let her hubby leave the house rocking the spray paint hairdo.

For shame, Kelly, for shame.

Which was your favourite Oscar gown on the red carpet this year, and did the night's winners deserve their awards? Let me know below.

In The Gossip Mags gracefully bowed out of line for the Academy Awards and will be back with you on Wednesday.

Click here to check out our gallery packed with snaps from the 80th Academy Awards.