Grammy’s Golden Girls

Women rocked — and ruled — at the 41st annual Grammy awards. Some of its most riveting live performances came from a kimono-clad Madonna, who opened the show, a very buff Sheryl Crow, a relaxed Alanis Morissette, a barely-covered Shania Twain and Lauryn Hill, who took home five awards for her eponymous solo album, including best album and best new artist. Other winners: Madonna claimed three of the mini-gramophone trophies for “Ray of Light” (her first-ever musical wins), the adorable Dixie Chicks, Celine Dion, Brandy and Monica.

Not all the stars’ fashion choices shone quite that brightly. Two crooners picked particularly cruel shoes: Madonna’s red platforms defied gravity and somehow locked the star high on her tiptoes like a Barbie. And Twain demonstrated that thigh-high dominatrix boots don’t flatter even the thinnest figures.

While Hill looked smashing in the outfit she wore to sing, she collected her first award in what looked like an old undershirt and wrap skirt. (Hill at one point thanked her two small children for “not spilling anything on Mommy’s dress,” but maybe they didn’t do her any favors.)

Still, the women sounded great, and Twain summed up the mood of the night: “Women have been rising to the top. Music is no exception.”