A CELEBRATION OF OSCAR FASHION GIVES LIZ TAYLOR THUMBS UP FOR STYLE

Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Taylor and Cher were among the stars recognised for their Oscar style in a commemorative show held yesterday. A private catwalk show titled 'A Celebration of Oscar Fashion' was held at the Film Academy headquarters, showcasing iconic Oscar gowns throughout the decades. Organiser hope the show will inspire this year's nominees to express their personal style and "create their own memorable moment". Producer Laura Ziskin said: "Oscar night is also arguably the biggest and most scrutinised fashion event of any year."Vogue magazine Andre Leon Talley - who helped to organise the event - hailed Cher, Sharon Stone and Hilary Swank for their ground breaking red carpet style.Talley said: "Cher is one of the most original Oscar red carpet sweepstakes winners."He described Cher's beaded Bob Mackie dress which she wore to the Academy Awards in 1988 as "bold but brilliant". Talley declared Sharon's 1996 outfit of a Gap T-shirt, designer skirt and velvet coat as "history at its best". He praised Hilary's midnight blue backless gown she wore to collect her Best Actress Oscar in 2005 as "one of the great Oscar dresses", and said Renee Zellweger was "single-handedly reinventing Oscar style with her love of vintage couture". The Vogue writer has high hopes for the dresses at this year's Oscars on February 25. He said: "The ladies are going full speed ahead for soigné elegance with a taste of the top from the greatest designers."It's a global moment for the world to see the stars, so they have to take it seriously. Actresses have to give hope to the people watching TV."

LIZA MINELLI AND 'CLOSET CASE WIERDO' DAVID GUEST SETTLE DIVORCE

David Gest Liza Minnelli Michael Jackson Liz Taylor

Liza Minelli and David Gest have settled their differences enabling their divorce to finally go ahead.The couple's legal disputes officially came to an end on Thursday when their lawyers filed court papers saying they had resolved matters and agreed to divorce without fault.Gest's lawyer, Susan M. Moss, said: "Liza Minnelli and David Gest have resolved all disputes between them, and the parties will be divorced without fault on the part of either of them. The terms of the settlement are confidential. They will be divorced within the next few weeks." The couple have chosen to get divorced in Memphis, where Gest has a home, as the state of Tennessee had no-fault divorce, meaning neither party needs to accuse the other of any wrong doing. Minnelli's lawyer, Dorothy Weber, said: "An amicable resolution to all outstanding matters has been reached."Minnelli, 60, and Gest, 53, were married on March 16, 2002, in a star-studded ceremony with Michael Jackson as best man carrying the bride's train and Elizabeth Taylor as maid of honor. The couple split in July 2003, and both filed for divorce later that year. Before filing for divorce, Gest sued Minnelli for $10 million for assault, claiming she had beaten him so badly during alcoholic rages that he had to be hospitalised for five days after he suffered from nerve damage. Minnelli counter sued, claiming that Gest had stolen at least $2 million she earned while performing in shows he had produced.