Helen to don LaCroix for the Oscars

Breaking Oscar Fashion News!
Forget the usual Oscar style suspense. Best Actress Oscar frontrunner Dame Helen Mirren announced tonight that she will wear a Christian LaCroix gown to the Oscars.

At tonight's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences "Shorts! Shorts!" program, featuring 10 Oscar nommed animated and live action short subjects at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, Mirren, with her hunky hubby Taylor Hackford, allowed that she had been ill for two days following her return from England to the U.S.

But never fear. She's rallying and she will wear a gown designed by the French couturier LaCroix to Sunday's awards show. No word of color or cut but given that it's a LaCroix, it will undoubtedly be a splendid, sexy and fanciful creation.

Bravo to "The Queen" for taking a such a fun fashion risque. And for being upfront about it. How much do we love this woman?

Photo Credits: WireImage/ Orange Awards