Why the red carpet is bad for fashion

The red carpet -- that staple of award shows -- is bad for fashion. This wasn't always so, but now it is.The benefits celebrities reap from the season of step-and-repeat, which begins in earnest with Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, are significant, whether it is a boost to a level of acclaim that their résumé does not support or a steady stream of attention while they await their next role. What do designers get? The opportunity to create a pretty -- but safe -- formal gown that briefly amuses t...