Canadian Screen Awards 2014: Our top 5 best dressed on the red carpet

by Jessica Flower March 10, 2014

canadian screen awards 2014 best dressed — Photography by George Pimentel/WireImage

See our top 5 Canadian Screen Awards looks »

Last night’s TV schedule had a fair amount programs vying for viewers. Between Girls, Lindsay Lohan’s Oprah debut and all too soon finale of True Detective, there was a lot of action to soak up. But perhaps less well known, but just as noteworthy, were the Canadian Screen Awards, held Sunday night in downtown Toronto and broadcast live on CBC. The 2nd annual awards show brought together stars from Canadian television and film—as well as some high-wattage style on the red carpet.

Presenter Jessica Paré, our March cover girl and Mad Men star, wowed in a dramatic black mini dress with lace panelled sleeves by Stella McCartney. She accented her short-hemmed look with modern white earrings, a strong emerald-green smoky eye and windswept up-do—looking glamorous yet still effortless and at ease. Pretty Little Liars’ Shay Mitchell also kept things a little more easy going, letting her lightly ombré-d hair go free in loose waves with an on-trend orange lip driving the look. Her black and white colour-blocked dress with deep-v neckline and and rib-cage cut outs had an athletic vibe to it—in a good way—and was paired with simple gold bangles.

While not personally nominated for anything this time around, Maria Bello turned up to support David Cronenberg as he received the Lifetime Achievement award. Bello stunned in a flowing greige Nicholas Oakwell kaftan with a plunging neckline, complemented bythin lines of subtle embellishment. Following in the plunging neckline trend, Evelyne Brochu went for high glamour in a sparkly black dress, given some depth thanks to the diamond pattern of the sequins. Also going the sparkly route was Tatiana Maslany, who took home the award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Role for her work in Orphan Black. She stunned in a scoop-back black and gold embellished column gown by Canadian brand Narciss that fit like a glove.

The stars of last night did Canada proud, proving that style doesn’t stop at the border. The men were sharp in tuxedos and suits (we’re still hopelessly crushing on Jason Priestly) and the women were tastefully chic and youthful, with many well-dressed stars beyond our list. Last night’s show and outfits were the embodiment of Canada’s good natured and humble identity. Though thankfully, there was nary a Canadian Tuxedo in sight.