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Red carpet roundup: Best and worst dressed of 2014

From Jennifer Lawrence to Blake Lively, see the winners and losers on the 2014 red carpet.

Wednesday 17 December 2014 12:33 GMT

In red carpet terms 2014 was a very long year; kick starting in January with awards season in full swing and with one major event after another, it's been a stellar year for black tie dresses.

In fashion terms the red carpet is as important as the bi-annual catwalk presentations in terms of brand exposure. A red carpet moment on an A-list star at the Academy Awards or any of the other major red carpet events can give a brand a money-can't-buy global stage.

Awards season belonged to emerging talent Lupita Nyong'o, who showed the kind of red carpet style that actresses with a decade in the industry are still striving for.

Notable mention also goes to Jennifer Lawrence whose relationship with fashion house Dior has afforded her regular mentions on best dressed lists.

Best and worst red carpet dresses of 2014:

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Lupita Nyong'o was the breakthrough star of the year on the red carpet. A roster of award nominations meant she was a fixture during awards season. This powder blue pleated dress by Prada stole the show at the 2014 Academy Awards.

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Blake Lively, everyone's favourite Gossip Girl, knows a thing or two about dressing, or so she keeps telling us - the actress is adamant that unlike every other celeb in town - she does not have a stylist. Which makes this appearance in Gucci Premiere at the opening of Cannes Film Festival all the more special.

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Amy Adams was another regular on the red carpet thanks to her starring role in American Hustle. This is a great example of her signature style; classic, minimal fuss. Adams wore this navy blue strapless Gucci gown to the Academy Awards.

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The annual Met Gala can be abit of a stuffy event which is why this flash of youth and colour from actress Emma Stone who wore a Thakoon design, is a welcome addition to the otherwise very serious red carpet.

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Emma Watson's appearance at the UN earlier this year ensured she has made a full transition from Harry Potter child star. And her wardrobe helps too. At the Academy awards she opted for a Vera Wang metallic dress with fishtail skirt detailing.

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Keira Knightely is a long time favourite on the red carpet, though her apperances can be few and far between. This particular number is an embellished chiffon design by Michael van der Ham worn to the Toronto Film Festival.

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Jennifer Lawrence has not had an easy year to say the least, what with the photo hack and leaked email debacle. But one place she pulls it together is on the red carpet; at the Golden Globes she chose this white and black ribbon detail Dior gown.

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Uma Thurman outshone cast members half her age at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year where she wowed in this yellow silk pleated dress by Atelier Versace.

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Margot Robbie's role in The Wolf on Wall Street alongside Leonardo DiCaprio catapulted her into the spotlight. For the LA screening she showed off her fashion stripes with this midi-length Delpozo dress. A more modern alternative to red carpet dressing.

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Her co-stars might have included Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Dormer but in a dress like this all eyes were on Elizabeth Banks at the Hunger Games premiere. Banks chose this patterned Elie Saab gown for the London leg of the promotional tours.

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Taylor Swift may be better known for jumping around in music videos but when it comes to dressing up for a special event she isn't lacking in finesse. This monochrome ensemble is a great example of how black tie dresses can be young and modern. The cropped top ensemble is by J.Mendel.

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Cate Blanchett is a red carpet veteran, such experience is evident in this stunning look by Calvin Klein which she wore the Windsor Castle Gala. Clean, simple and elegant.

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It's been quite the year for Kim Kardashian West, and whilst she may be known for a lot of things, an impeccable sense of style is generally not one of them. This ensemble, worn to the GQ awards earlier this winter is a good example. Latex bodysuit covered with a sheer chainmail skirt created by Ralph & Russo.

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This was one of Miley Cyrus' more conservative outfits of 2014, and that's saying something. The singer chose this Tom Ford bondage-style dress for the amfAR gala earlier this year.

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Rihanna in her Adam Selman dress, covered in 216,000 Swarovski crystals at the CFDA awards, not exactly shy this one.

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Cara Delevingne was crowned model of the year at the British Fashion Awards earlier this month. And whilst she may be able to model clothes very well it's generally her choice that lets her down, this sheer Burberry dress at the GQ awards, for example.

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Lena Dunham's book Not That Kind of Girl has gotten her plenty of headlines this year. Whilst we do admire her outspoke and individual spirit, the way its translated to this amazing ombre Giambattista Valli tulle skirt which she paired with a pink button-up shirt, at the Emmys, is not so great.

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SJP may always have a special place in our hearts thanks to alter-ego Carrie Bradshaw, but let's face it even some of those outfits were 'questionable.' This particular Navajo-esque design is by Mary Katrantzou.

In the more unfortunate category of worst dressed it's a mixed affair. Regular offenders include Miley Cyrus who we've seen rather a lot of this year, shall we say.

Kim Kardashian West has made 2014 the year of her assault on the fashion industry with magazine covers, a high fashion wedding and catwalk show appearances. Whilst she is very capable of getting it right, all too often she strays into 'reality tv' star territory with something sheer and latex.

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