Screen Actors red carpet sparkles with gems, color

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood's actresses took advantage of the first and possibly only red carpet of the year at Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards to don sparkling, gem-studded dresses and a fair bit of jewelry.

Neither the 12-week Hollywood writers' strike nor torrential rains toned down the SAG red carpet after the first big awards ceremony of the season -- the Golden Globes -- was scaled back to a news conference due to the strike.

The SAG has supported the Writers Guild of America and refused to cross picket lines as Hollywood has come to a halt. For that gesture, the writers allowed the actors to have their night.2

But it is yet to be seen whether a deal will be struck with the Writers Guild for the February 24 Oscars.

"It's a very sweet night. We are allies to the writers," said Eva Longoria of the television show "Desperate Housewives" as she wore a sparkling silver and cream dress.

Christina Applegate, nominated for her TV comedy "Samantha who?," wore a silver sequined dress by Elie Saab. Applegate said the strike has been "awful, because I love working."

Angelina Jolie, nominated for best actress for her role in "A Mighty Heart," wore a flowing strapless gown in different shades of brown and let her hair down with partner Brad Pitt, in black, by her side.

A flowing dress was also chosen by French actress Marion Cotillard, nominated for "La Vie En Rose," who had Nina Ricci designer Olivier Theyskens make her a strapless silver number. She wore purple sparkle in her hair.

"This is the first red carpet of the year and of my life," Cotillard said.

Many actresses went all out with bejeweled dresses. Debra Messing, nominated for the miniseries "The Starter Wife," wore a gold dress by Oscar de la Renta with big jewel inlays around the collar.

A very pregnant Cate Blanchett, nominated for two awards, wore a black strapless dress covered with colorful jewels and rubbed her belly as she posed for photographers.

Kate Beckinsale showed up in a canary yellow strapless dress by Luisa Beccaria, saying: "It's such a miserable day that I thought yellow would be perfect."

There were those who stuck to black and dark blue.

Tina Fey, who won best actress for the TV comedy "30 Rock" and wore a black, one-shouldered dress, said: "It's nice to be dressed up and not picketing."

Ellen Page, who has catapulted to fame as the star of the teenage pregnancy comedy "Juno," chose a subdued short black dress by designer Zac Posen and spoke softly.

"I do like simple things," said the diminutive Page.

The men traditionally rely on the black tuxedo, but Viggo Mortensen, nominated for best actor for "Eastern Promises," showed up in the most distinctive male outfit -- a blue and red pinstriped suit with vest and sash.

"I grew up in Argentina and wanted to wear the colors of my soccer team," he said.

(Editing by John O'Callaghan)