Anne Hathaway apologizes for dumping Valentino for Prada at the Oscars

Anne Hathaway has taken the unusual step of apologising to fashion fans for switching her Oscars dress from Valentino to Prada at the last minute amid fears she would clash with another guest wearing a strikingly similar designer gown.

The Les Miserables star reveals she had originally planned to dazzle in a gray outfit with elaborate silver embroidery by her favorite couturier, Valentino, but the Best Supporting Actress winner had to make a big change and ended up walking the red carpet on Sunday (24Feb13) in her back-up choice, a pale pink Prada gown.

Explaining her decision in a statement to People.com, she writes: "It came to my attention late Saturday night that there would be a dress worn to the Oscars that is remarkably similar to the Valentino I had intended to wear, and so I decided it was best for all involved to change my plans.

"Though I love the dress I did wear, it was a difficult last minute decision as I had so looked forward to wearing Valentino in honor of the deep and meaningful relationship I have enjoyed with the house and with Valentino himself. I deeply regret any disappointment caused."

Reports suggest the Valentino gown Hathaway was planning to wear to the Oscars clashed with one her Les Miserables co-star Amanda Seyfried wore on the red carpet.

Hathaway has been a fan of Valentino's designs for years and even chose the Italian fashion icon to create the wedding dress she wore when she wed Adam Shulman in September (12).