The bold, the beautiful and the bombastic – Hollywood’s biggest night kicked off with red carpet stars who made unforgettable sartorial statements.
From the vibrant colours echoing the free spirit of the sixties and seventies (see Timothée Chalamet), to the exaggerated shoulders of the eighties (Cynthia Erivo) and the sleek, peplums of the aughts (Fernanda Torres), a new wave of nostalgia took over the Oscars, blending retro influences with a fresh, bold energy.
Dramatic silhouettes also took over the evening while paying tribute to the past (see Selena Gomez’s elegant nod to Sophia Loren) and the future (Halle Berry’s intergalactic Christian Siriano gown).
From rising style icons to seasoned trendsetters, the stars brought the glamour with show-stopping looks or minimal expressions of quiet luxury, and together they stole the limelight.
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The high note
Selena Gomez takes a page out of Sophia Loren’s playbook in an exquisitely fitted Ralph Lauren dress (the designer used Loren as a reference point for the look).
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The perfect fit
Demi Moore’s silver-screen homage, a custom number by Giorgio Armani Privé, is a dazzling display of bodycon design.
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Best drama
The biggest nod of the night goes to Cynthia Erivo’s outfit – a dark green custom Louis Vuitton look with a cinched waist and exaggerated neck and shoulder line.
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The scene stealer
Anora’s Mikey Madison wears a blush pink Dior gown with a black bandeau for her first trip to the Oscars and shines in a look that is simple yet elegant.
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Best visual effect
Inspired by a lamp made by Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti, Ariana Grande arrives in a butter and blush Schiaparelli ballgown made from 190,000 crystal sequins and rhinestones.
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The trend alert
Fernanda Torres in Chanel Haute Couture, wearing a black evening gown with a playful twist on the peplum – the biggest red carpet trend of the night.
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The remixer
Wearing a 1950s-inspired dress before performing on the Oscars stage, Doja Cat stuns in an animal print by Balmain.
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The conversation starter
Nobody could look away from Charlotte Lawrence’s toy-like cat accessory, which accompanied her romantic Valentino look.
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The first timer
For her inaugural visit to the Oscars, Elle Fanning chose an ivory-coloured Sarah Burton gown and Cartier jewels to accompany her. This dress is a teaser to what Burton, formerly a creative director at Alexander McQueen, will be creating for her new post at Givenchy.
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The trend spotter
Singer-songwriter-Oscar nominee Brandi Carlisle wearing a polka-dot suit by Valentino.
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The throwback
Lupita Nyong’o in a dress from a vintage Chanel 1991 collection, a beautiful design that contains over 20,000 beads.
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The Italian job
Isabella Rossellini in custom blue velvet Dolce & Gabbana outfit, which was worn in tribute to director David Lynch. The actress has been collaborating with the designers since 1989.
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The shining example
Halle Berry’s meticulously designed and mirrored Christian Siriano gown showcased a masterclass in detail.
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Best in bow
Raffey Cassidy from The Brutalist arrives with a champagne-hued dress from Loewe.
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Best animated short
Storm Reid brings the heat to the red carpet in a short Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture bubble skirt with a belted waist.
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The classic cut
Michelle Yeoh opts for a stunning cobalt blue design by Balenciaga. The long train adds drama to her red-carpet arrival
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The minimalist
Presenter/Oscar winner Emma Stone goes back to the nineties wearing a custom-made Louis Vuitton look that’s sleek and effortless.
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The tier jerker
Zoe Saldana’s three-tiered merlot Saint Laurent gown – replete with sheer opera gloves.
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The bright idea
Timothée Chalamet gets upbeat in a monochromatic moonlight-hued jacket with matching leather pants by Givenchy.
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The throwback
Andrew Garfield’s seventies-inspired Gucci look goes beyond the basic black tie dress code with a chocolate suit and an eye-catching sheen.
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The good vibe
Coleman Domingo’s tie-less Valentino tux looks vibrant in cherry red with a black lapel and gold brooch.
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The Retro Fit
Kit Connor makes his debut on the Oscar red carpet in a tuxedo designed by Giuliva Heritage. The tux – made with exaggerated lapels – is adorned with a brooch by Tag Heuer Monaco.
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The sharpshooter
Wicked director John Chu wears a tuxedo by NB44 with one of the film’s song titles, Defying Gravity, sewn inside the jacket.
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The latest tux
Anora’s Mark Eydelshteyn stuns in a double-breasted tuxedo by Balenciaga and adds polish to his Gen Z ‘do.
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The Iconoclast
Opting for a head-to-toe olive-green look, Jeremy Strong’s modernist tuxedo from Loro Piana sets him apart from all the other gents attending.
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The velvet goldmine
Edgar Ramirez, one of the stars of Emilia Pérez, wears a navy velvet Brunello Cucinelli tuxedo.
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Submit your questions about the 97th Oscars
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