In New York, the Oscars carpet dazzled with high fashion as stars celebrated cinema’s big night. Ariana Grande, paying tribute to Glinda from “Wicked,” arrived in a pale pink masterpiece from the Schiaparelli spring-summer 2025 lineup. Meanwhile, her “Wicked” co-star Cynthia Erivo channeled Elphaba in a deep forest green ensemble, a custom creation by Louis Vuitton complete with a distinct high collar and prominent shoulders. Erivo’s nails, designed by Mycah Dior, were an exquisite tribute to “Wicked,” featuring hues of black, gold, and emerald.
Julee Wilson, Cosmopolitan’s beauty editor-at-large, praised Erivo’s fashion-forward approach, noting how her nails complemented the ensemble beautifully. Elsewhere on the red carpet, metallic gowns made a grand appearance, with celebrities like Demi Moore radiating in a custom Giorgio Armani Privé silver gown. Mindy Kaling and Emma Stone also embraced the metallic trend, dazzling in Oscar de la Renta and nude hues, respectively. Selena Gomez stood out in a ravishing Ralph Lauren creation, perfectly adorned with metallic pink crystals.
Reflecting on the glamorous evening, Brooke Bobb from Harper’s Bazaar observed that the Oscars style leaned heavily into old Hollywood glamour, a trend that has gained momentum over the past year. “We’re witnessing a shift towards elegance, with less emphasis on minimal luxury and more on bold, statement pieces,” she commented.
Lupita Nyong’o received accolades for her stunning white Chanel dress, adorned with over 22,000 pearls. In another memorable moment, Whoopi Goldberg chose a liquid metallic blue gown by Christian Siriano. The majority of guests opted for understated jewelry, letting their outfits take center stage.
Among the men, Timothée Chalamet went bold with a unique custom Givenchy ensemble designed by Sarah Burton. The soft yellow leather outfit, consisting of short jacket and trousers, showcased his fearless approach to fashion. Jeff Goldblum also made waves in a Prada tuxedo with a floral accessory on his lapel. Derek Guy, a renowned menswear expert, praised Mario Lopez’s midnight navy suit and acknowledged “Wicked” director Jon Chu for his stylish olive dinner jacket.
Red was a predominant trend, with stars like Zoe Saldaña in a striking Saint Laurent gown and Storm Reid in a cape-embellished dress catching the eye. Some attendees, including Marlee Matlin and Miley Cyrus, opted for classic black. In contrast, Colman Domingo turned heads in a vibrant red Valentino tuxedo, while Jeremy Strong and Andrew Garfield explored shades of brown.
The night was not without its political statements. Zap Mama, a Belgian musician, used her shoes to champion Congo’s freedom, while others wore Ukrainian flag pins, including “Conclave” writer Peter Straughan, in solidarity with Ukraine.
Cosmetics on the red carpet reflected understated luxury, with emphasis on natural beauty. Kathleen Hou from Elle noted a trend toward glowing, nude makeup. Hair was similarly polished, ranging from sleek buns to effortless waves. Celebrities like Halle Berry and Demi Moore received kudos for their classic, timeless looks.
As the awards season progressed, stars like Mikey Madison and Cynthia Erivo consistently impressed with their bold fashion choices. The 97th Oscars followed closely on the heels of the Los Angeles fires, prompting many to embrace glamorous fashion as a form of resilience.
Revisiting vintage styles emerged as a recurring theme: Madison’s Dior gown at a recent nominees’ dinner and Erivo’s memorable silver Givenchy piece at the Screen Actors Guild awards were standouts.