Stories of fashion at the Oscars
The Oscars, the most awaited awarding event in the film industry, is also one of fashion’s most anticipated and the stars and their stylists, as well as the fashion and jewelry houses, went the extra mile to bring their own stories to the fore, little productions in themselves that are crucial for this culminating event when all the work that has been accomplished during the past year will be given due recognition.
Heritage
Lily Gladstone of Killers of the Flower Moon is the first Native American to be nominated as Best Actress, and she gave this historic occasion the importance it deserves by wearing a Gucci collaboration with indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain, employing traditional quill-work embroidery on the neckline and cape.
Brooches on lapels
Best Actor winner Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer wore a gold brooch by Sauvereign with eight concentric trapeziums that mimic the shape of interior components in Oppenheimer’s history-altering invention. South Korean actor Teo Yoo of Past Lives honored his late pet tortoise Momo with a turtle pin. Riz Ahmed, like many others, used red Artist4Ceasefire pins to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.
The sea
Visions and colors of the sea and Mermaidcore predominated. Best Actress winner Emma Stone took a break from her Poor Things Victoriana to wear a seafoam-green gown with a peplum that was reminiscent of a shell. Carey Mulligan went supersized mermaid in Balenciaga while Anya Taylor-Joy had layered, beaded scales in Dior Haute Couture.
Floating shoulders
Gravity-defying shoulder straps added a surreal dimension to the red carpet, with Emily Blunt’s Schiaparelli beaded column gown and Florence Pugh’s corset sheer top with rhinestones.
Plaid, not plain
Classic checks came into the picture but tweaked for today, the way Chanel reworked its ladies-who-lunch tweed for Barbie original song winner Billie Eilish’s tongue-in-cheek version worn with knee-high socks and Mary Janes. Scottish tartan was given a new magnified spin by Loewe’s JW Anderson for Andrea Riseborough’s ensemble.
Shimmering and splendid
Sequins, crystals and metallics reigned supreme. Zendaya went floral-sweet in Armani Privé, while Julianne Hough kept the glitter minimal as a top over the widest and highest-waisted pants by Alexandre Vauthier.
Pink
Barbie’s America Ferrera stayed true to the color of her film but made it sparkling in custom Atelier Versace. Ariana Grande used a pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown as a nod to her role as the good witch in the forthcoming movie Wicked.
Glamour
Michelle Yeoh, confident from having already won an Oscar, was pure glamour with black opera-length gloves to go with her sequined Balenciaga serpentina. Greta Lee’s classic black and white Hollywood glamour was given the JW Anderson twist at Loewe.
Points taken
Off-the-shoulder tops made statements with pointy accents, as seen in Sandra Hüller’s structural custom Schiaparelli gown and Eva Longoria’s Tamara Ralph piece with a sweeping train.