Photos: Fairchild Archive (Berenice); Conde Nast Digital Archive (runway)
Even before The Artist made her a hot name in Hollywood, red-carpet newcomer Berenice Bejo had forged a career acting in French films and TV shows—although Americans might recognize her as the cunning lady's maid in 2001's A Knight's Tale starring the late Heath Ledger.
The best introduction to the Argentinean-born, French-raised actress, however, is likely her Oscar-nominated portrayal of Peppy in The Artist, a role that she said director and husband Michel Hazanavicius created as "the fantasy of me that he has in his head. Of course, I am not so perfect." Try telling that to Bejo's recent awards show looks, which nearly reached perfection with a mixture of modern flapper minis, softly flowing gowns, and slinky beaded columns.
Borrowing a bit from each look, we selected this Jenny Packham Fall 2012 design for its supple glamour mingled between the cinch-waisted underlayer and tulle overlay dotted with crystal clusters. In white, navy, slate, emerald, or any other hue Bejo fancies, we think this gown offers the right combo of flare and sophistication befitting a new arrival to the Oscars scene. And with stars like Kate Middleton and Angelina Jolie also sporting Jenny Packham for big appearances, Bejo would join some seriously good company, Best Supporting Actress win or not.
See more Jenny Packham gowns in our Wedding Dresses gallery, and check out more of our picks for this year's Oscar-nominated actresses.
—Phillip B. Crook