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Philadelphia fashion in step with Tinseltown

Unlike Al Pacino's unexpectedly fitting performance at Saturday's Academy of Music Anniversary Concert and Ball, the evening's sartorial confections - sparkling and structured gowns in a dizzying array of designer names - were exactly what ball-goers have come to expect.

Flo Celender
Flo CelenderRead more

Unlike Al Pacino's unexpectedly fitting performance at Saturday's Academy of Music Anniversary Concert and Ball, the evening's sartorial confections - sparkling and structured gowns in a dizzying array of designer names - were exactly what ball-goers have come to expect.

In fact, the ladies who attended the orchestra's annual fund-raiser and glam fest even stepped it up a notch.

Flo Celender, who lives in Jamison, Bucks County, was the star of the evening in a structured and meticulously pleated, vintage Christian Dior.

One of the evening's best-dressed nods must certainly go to Leslie Miller, who wowed in Valentino red. It's worth noting that Miller, wife of Richard Worley, chairman of the orchestra board, always gets it right.

To my surprise, the Academy Ball gowns were similar in hue to many of the frocks on Sunday night's Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet. Philadelphia is much more in tune with the spirit of Tinseltown than we thought.

Head-Turning in Red and Black

Academy Ball-goers: Caroline Cohen of Logan Square in formfitting red Badgley Mischka. Cohen is standing next to Nancy Annesley also of Logan Square in a black and white Hervé Leger.

Celebrity match: Sofia Vergara is always the temptress in a one-shoulder Donna Karan Atelier.

Celebrity Match: Tatiana Maslany in black and white striped Oscar de la Renta.

Exquisitely Emerald

Academy Ball-goer: Mary Beth Alvin of Chester Springs wears her favorite designer, Monique Lhuillier.

Celebrity match: Julianne Moore is sparkling in a green Givenchy.

Full-On Princess Florals

Academy Ball-goer: Losenge Imasogie of Gladwyne is all smiles in a strapless Alex Teih.

Celebrity match: Natalie Dormer in one-shouldered Naeem Khan.

Boldly Blue

Academy Ball-goer: Beth Ann Coradino of Berwyn rocks a midnight floral ball skirt by Milly that she paired with a Gucci top with black lace detailing. 

Celebrity match: Emilia Clarke in a navy and black Donna Karan Atelier.

Cutouts

Academy Ball-goer: Christina Sioutis is right on trend in this midriff-baring black BCBG.

Celebrity match: Sophie Turner wears a nearly identical cutout gown to SAG.

Soft and Pink

Academy Ball-goer: Christie Honigman, Young Friend of the Orchestra chairwoman, channeled Greek goddesses in this flowing, cotton candy-colored Amsale.

Celebrity match: Felicity Jones did blush in a formfitting Balenciaga.

Gold Takes All

Academy Ball-goer: Henri Moore of West Mount Airy does gilded royalty in this perfectly nipped-at-the-waist Oscar de la Renta.

Celebrity match: Emmy Rossum in a strapless, metallic Armani Privé in exactly the same silhouette.

A Cream Affair

Academy Ball-goer: Peggy Butchkavitz of Cherry Hill is stylishly comfortable in this ecru Aidan Mattox

Celebrity Match: Laura Carmichael is angelic in an off-white Vionnet.

Shades of Sherbet

Academy Ball-goer: Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Diane Welsh picked this two-toned Oscar de la Renta just for the Academy Ball.

Celebrity Match: Melissa Rauch also wears a red-and-pink mix.

215-854-2704 @ewellingtonphl

Elizabeth appears on WURD (900AM) with Solomon Jones on Friday mornings at 8 a.m.