Our own magic red carpet

Gowns in sparkling nudes and vibrant shades were the major red-carpet trends Saturday evening at the 155th Academy of Music Anniversary Concert and Ball.

Off-the-shoulder gowns seemed just as popular as strapless ones. And A-line silhouettes were preferred to ball gowns.

In fact, Philadelphia's doyennes stepped up the glamour quotient to such heights that some of the dresses were dead ringers for gowns worn by celebrities on red carpets past.

For example, first lady Lisa Nutter was particularly radiant sailing up the Academy of Music steps in a deep purple Nicole Miller gown.

I knew I'd seen this look before and, aha, I had. Two years ago, actress Jane Krakowski wore a similar silhouette, albeit one-shouldered, to the Golden Globes, courtesy of J. Mendel.

This could be a fun mix-and-match game.

Joan Curley was quietly seductive in a long-sleeved black evening gown from Laundry by Shelli Segal. Bold choice, yes. But had this been done before?

The David Meister gown Jessica Lange wore to Sunday night's SAG Awards was pretty close to Curley's.

And like Hollywood's best-dressed, Philadelphia's high-powered ladies didn't stop at such Fashion Week-worthy labels as Badgley Mischka and Marchesa; they added haute accessories. Stuart Weitzman shoes - they are the most comfortable, you know - and the Judith Leiber clutch were the most popular pairing.

An often-used word was vintage.

"My jewelry belonged to my husband's parents. They bought it in the 1920s," said Daria Pew, who was escorted by her husband, Pew Charitable Trusts board member R. Anderson Pew. Her diamond earrings and necklace complemented her color-blocked red and pink Oscar de la Renta gown perfectly.

Pew's color-blocking echoed that of the Giambattista Valli strapless gown that Natalie Portman wore to the 2012 Golden Globes.

As usual, Academy of Music chief executive officer and president Joanna McNeil Lewis was among the most fashion-forward in a stunning silver sheath by celebrity designer Randi Rahm.

Lewis sported what is becoming her trademark: elbow-length white gloves by Italian designer Sermoneta, just as she did last year. (It's no wonder we saw so many long ivory gloves.) Her shoes were Valentino.

"I was prepared to wear an older dress in my closet until I was in New York and saw this one," Lewis said before hustling to the receiving line. "But I just loved this dress."

Brittany Snow wore practically the same look, by Zuhair Murad, at the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards - without the gloves, though.

Lesson learned: Philadelphians can rock a red carpet as well as any Hollywood fashionista.