NEW YORK — On Sunday, the Oscars red carpet was a spectacle of high fashion, showcasing stunning ensembles like Ariana Grande’s and Cynthia Erivo’s. Grande dazzled in a pale pink Schiaparelli gown, reminiscent of her “Wicked” character, Glinda, complete with a strapless bodice and pleated skirt. Meanwhile, Erivo paid homage to Elphaba in a custom Louis Vuitton piece adorned with a high collar and exaggerated shoulders.
Julee Wilson of Cosmopolitan praised Erivo’s standout style, noting her striking manicure: emerald and black stiletto nails crafted by Mycah Dior. The Oscars carpet also shimmered with metallics, seen on celebrities such as Demi Moore in a Giorgio Armani Privé silver outfit and Mindy Kaling in a silver Oscar de la Renta gown.
The event leaned heavily into Hollywood glamour, Harper’s Bazaar fashion news director Brooke Bobb observed. Designers are increasingly favoring bold, elegant styles over “quiet luxury,” a sentiment that was echoed in Lupita Nyong’o’s white Chanel gown adorned with over 22,000 pearls. Whoopi Goldberg also impressed in a liquid metallic blue gown.
Menswear didn’t disappoint either. Timothée Chalamet, donning Givenchy, opted for a soft yellow leather ensemble, and Jeff Goldblum complemented his Prada tux with an orchid arrangement. Style expert Derek Guy applauded Mario Lopez for his distinctive midnight navy dinner suit.
Red was a predominant color, with stars like Zoe Saldaña in a maroon Saint Laurent dress and Storm Reid in a vibrant cape ensemble standing out. Meanwhile, classic black was chosen by Marlee Matlin and Coco Jones. Miley Cyrus rocked a black McQueen creation, exuding rock-queen vibes.
Several stars incorporated subtle messages into their looks. Swedish artist Kayo Shekoni called for attention to Congo’s issues with a message on her heel, while writer Peter Straughan sported a Ukrainian flag pin, emphasizing the need to support Ukraine against conflict.
Cosmopolitan’s Julee Wilson noted the elegance in this year’s beauty looks, with understated makeup and polished hairstyles being the trend. Classic buns were a popular choice among stars like Grande, Elle Fanning, and Lupita Nyong’o.
The fashion landscape of the awards season has shifted since the fires in Los Angeles earlier in the year. Stars like Mikey Madison, Moore, and Chalamet have been making bold statements, contributing to a vibrant red carpet season. Timothée Chalamet, for instance, embraced bold styles while channeling influences from his Bob Dylan biopic role.
All in all, the Oscars saw a celebration of fashion and individual expression while also serving as a platform for social messages, wrapped in a layer of classic, glamorous Hollywood style.
