Hollywood’s biggest night didn’t disappoint when it came to dazzling red carpet looks. But beyond the glitz and glamour, the 96th Academy Awards saw stars using fashion as a platform for social commentary and historical homage.
Politics on the Red Carpet
The Oscars have long been a stage for social and political messages, and this year was no different. Just blocks from the Dolby Theatre, protestors rallied for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. On the red carpet itself, celebrities like Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell, Ramy Youssef, Mark Ruffalo, and Quannah Chasinghorse wore pins from Artists4Ceasefire, a powerful symbol of peace. Producer Avi Arad stood in solidarity with Israeli hostages by sporting a yellow ribbon.
Fashion Takes Flight: Gravity-Defying Gowns
Moving away from politics, the night was dominated by showstopping gowns that defied gravity. Emma Stone, Best Actress winner for “Poor Things,” looked magnificent in a mint-green Louis Vuitton creation featuring a dramatic peplum and column skirt. Sandra Hüller, nominated for Best Actress for her roles in “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest,” mirrored the statement style with a black Schiaparelli gown that boasted a vertiginous neckline with sharp points at the shoulders.
The “Oppenheimer” stars stole the show with their gravity-defying dresses. Emily Blunt, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, shimmered in a cream Schiaparelli design with seemingly levitating straps. Florence Pugh, the new face of Valentino, embraced a different Italian house, Del Core, with a silver number that accentuated her height with its unique strap design.
A Touch of Armor: Structured Chic
Versace offered a different take on power dressing with its sculpted gowns for Margot Robbie and America Ferrera. While initially appearing classic, the dresses revealed their true form in videos – molded and structured like armor. Ferrera’s vibrant pink chainmail dress was a bold departure from her usual color palette, while Robbie opted for a sleek black gown, ditching the “Barbie” doll-inspired looks from earlier award ceremonies.
Volume Makes a Statement
Designers turned up the volume this year, creating an almost superhuman quality with billowing silhouettes. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Best Supporting Actress for “The Holdovers,” looked like she could take flight with the oversized, feathery sleeves on her periwinkle Louis Vuitton gown. Ariana Grande, channeling her upcoming role as Glinda in “Wicked,” exuded a whimsical charm with her voluminous bubblegum pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture creation.
A Nod to the Past: Archival Inspiration
Several stars opted for vintage and custom-archival looks, a trend predicted by the FT. Carey Mulligan channeled old Hollywood with a recreated Balenciaga gown from 1951, the same year her character in “Maestro” married Leonard Bernstein. Anya Taylor-Joy looked stunning in a strapless Dior Haute Couture gown adorned with silver appliqués reminiscent of the house’s Junon and Venus dresses from the AW1949 collection.
Lupita Nyong’o evoked a sense of nostalgia with her custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown. The Cinderella-blue dress with a plunging neckline called back to the Prada gown she wore when she won Best Actress a decade ago. Zendaya, dazzling in another Armani Privé creation, swapped her recent space-age looks for a shimmering pink-and-black gown with palm motifs.
Celebrating Heritage: Indigenous Design Takes Center Stage
Lily Gladstone, a Best Actress nominee who has championed Indigenous designers throughout awards season, made a powerful statement with her Oscars gown. The “Killers of the Flower Moon” actress wore a collaboration between Gucci and Joe Big Mountain of Ironhorse Quillwork. The blue velvet dress featured exquisite handmade quillwork on the train, a representation of “the longest legacy of living craftsmanship” in her community, as Gladstone told Vogue.
Men’s Fashion: A Touch of Sparkle
While men’s fashion has evolved on recent red carpets, the Oscars saw a slightly more conservative approach this year. Brooches emerged as a key accessory, adorning the lapels of nominees Jeffrey Wright, Mark Ruffalo, Ke Huy Quan, and Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy. Rustin’s Colman Domingo and “Barbie” star Simu Liu added a touch of personality by wearing their brooches in unexpected locations – Domingo on his bowtie and Liu closer to his waist.
A Night of Mixed Signals: Bare Chests and Sparkling Suits
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Ryan Gosling’s decision to bare their chests sparked debate online. Was it a sign of progress for men’s fashion, or simply an attention-grabbing stunt? Opinions were divided.
Adding to the conversation was wrestler John Cena’s, ahem, “interesting” choice of attire for presenting the award for Best Costume Design. Cena took the stage wearing nothing but a strategically placed envelope. While it generated a viral moment, it left many wondering if this was the kind of “progress” we were looking for in men’s red carpet fashion.
A Showstopping Performance and a Touch of Controversy
Ryan Gosling, following his daring red carpet look, went all out for his performance of “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie.” He donned a crystal-covered hot-pink Gucci suit, a flamboyant outfit that perfectly complemented the film’s over-the-top aesthetic.
More Than Just Dresses: Standout Suits and Unexpected Accessories
While gowns dominated the night, some leading men opted for striking suits. Timothée Chalamet, ever the fashion icon, sported a custom Haider Ackermann ensemble in a shimmering, almost liquid-like silver. Oscar Isaac, always dapper, looked suave in a classic black Tom Ford tuxedo with a satin bowtie.
Accessories added another layer of personality. Leslie Odom Jr. donned a pair of round John Lennon-esque sunglasses, while Simu Liu’s quirky brooch placement continued to be a talking point.
The Takeaway: A Night of Individuality and Artistic Expression
The 96th Academy Awards red carpet was a night of contrasts. From powerful political statements to subtle historical homages, stars used fashion as a platform for self-expression. Whether it was the gravity-defying gowns, the resurgence of vintage looks, or the bold choices by some of the men, one thing was clear: Hollywood wasn’t afraid to take risks and embrace individuality.
