The Oscars red carpet was kind of a snooze fest this year. At the same time, there weren’t too many looks that were incredibly offensive, so that’s good! I’m going to send out a separate review on the Vanity Fair after party, because there’s too much to include all in one, but as usual, the looks were better for that.
Anyway, let’s get into it.
I think Gucci is slowly figuring out the direction they’re going in with custom looks under Sabato de Sarno, and this is lovely. Don’t get me wrong, this era of Gucci is still deeply upsetting to me personally, but if we’re doing simple, and we’re doing it like this, I can take it. The pink color is sweet and the embroidered lining of the bodice ties in that subtle glitz we’ve gotten on Sabato’s runway so far. The way the top cuts into the sides is really lovely and kind of tricks your eye when it comes to the shape of the body. I like the darts running down the entire skirt and it’s tailored incredibly well.
This Barbie said, BODY! Although simple, it’s simple done in the most incredible way. The dress is in that signature, Versace oroton chainmail developed by Gianni, that essentially, is super light and a lot more flexible in terms of how it can be manipulated. Here it’s fitted to perfection and the more angular sweetheart neckline feels a bit referential of old Versace collection. The pink is giving us that subtle Barbie nod, however I don’t think I’m sold on the necklace with this. Regardless, this is the best thing I’ve seen America in during this press run.
This is not the, fresh off the runway, choice I would have expected from this most recent Loewe collection, but I’m not at all mad at it. We always see Jonathan Anderson take very mundane garments and styles, like this tartan print, and add a bit of intrigue and magic to them. The way the print starts to blur before it disappears into a pool of black is so stunning, and honestly, this is a lot of dress to pull off, but she’s doing it. I also feel like the pleating in the skirt is playing on the idea of kilts a little bit. I wish she was carrying the asparagus bag, though.
I don’t think we needed this. A lot of people are saying this is a take on the Christian Dior Junon dress, but I actually think the embroidery is more similar to the Venus dress, whereas the petals going all the way down is more Junon. Regardless, we saw them recreate the Junon dress for Natalie Portman just last year, but need I remind you, Miley Cyrus did it first. Although I’d pick this one out of the three, because it feels the most like its own thing, I think they need to put this reference to rest for a long time. Especially because it literally falls flat every single time. I know MGC often takes archive Dior styles and makes them more “wearable” for the “contemporary woman” but this is literally a couture evening gown, being wearable and practical should honestly be one of its last concerns.
Oh, I’m here for the Glinda drag. This is a lot of dress for someone as petite as Ariana, but they’ve tailored this to her perfectly, and it’s not at all wearing her. It’s very Giamba in it’s incredibly large, bubbled sleeves and train, but I’m actually more intrigued by this pleated column gown— very scrumptious. I’m so ready for these Wicked press looks.
Okay, other than the fact that the jacket could fit a touch better around the bust area, I swear I’m not being held at gun point when I say I like this. It makes sense with what we’ve been seeing Billie in recently, and I love the little sock and two tone Mary Jane. It’s funny, because Chanel has definitely been trying to appeal to a younger audience recently, but it fails for me almost every time, whereas, although this is a more mature styling, it feels way cooler than anything the brand has been trying to force. Also, they better have paid her extra for that bag placement.
This is a rough one. The sleeves of the jacket have a bit too much fabric, the no-tie makes this feels incomplete, and the lack of height in the shoe isn’t allowing the flare in the pants to do its thing. Colman Domingo wore something very similar, which we’ll see in a bit, but the difference is very wearing vs. styling your clothes.
Now THIS is how you recreate an archive gown. She might not have been an Oscar winner, but she was sure as hell dressed like one. This is a recreation of a Cristóbal Balenciaga design circa 1951, and it really is a dream. The mermaid silhouette is striking and the scalloping of the black velvet over the white tulle adds this almost cartoon-like element that is just so fun. I also don’t know if this was intentional, but Andrew Mukamel, Carey’s stylist, does do a lot of research, so perhaps we’re on the same page; Carey plays Felicia Montealegre in Maestro, and in 1951 Felicia married Leonard Bernstein, so the 1951 recreation feels special.
I think Celine Song is so cool and I love how consistent her outfits have been this award season, almost like a uniform. Here, this Loewe look is simple, but it’s a beautifully cut skirt suit, and I love the layers in the skirt. Not only that, but it also plays with navy and black, which is too often frowned upon, and the lapels of the jacket seems to be all mainly on one side and then wrap around the collar. Just the most delicious little details.
I feel like none of the usual Saint Laurent boys wore Saint Laurent to the Oscars this year. Regardless, this is a very simple, black suit, so there isn’t all that much to say, but Cillian doesn’t exactly stray too far from this formula, so it’s not like I was expecting anything crazy. With that being said, it’s tailored very well. I love the heeled boot and the silky bowtie. The cummerbund and pleating in the shirt are nice classic touches, and his brooch is meant to represent the atomic bomb, because, you know, Oppenheimer. The brooch is also entirely hand etched and cut, so that’s incredible.
Remember what I said when we talked about Bradley Cooper’s LV suit? I still think they need to figure out the arm situation over at LV mens, but other than that, this suit fits really beautifully and the line of the bell bottoms here is a lot smoother. I love that the buttons on the double breasted jacket looks like jewelry and tie in the brooch on the bowtie nicely. Also, the gold tipped cowboy boot!!
Here is the Elphaba to Ariana’s Glinda and I’m obsessed. This Louis Vuitton gown takes those technical, sci-fi styles that create the Nicolas uses to create the most beautiful world, and simplifies them to create the most incredible green velvet gown. The dress itself is quite simple, but that leather is so buttery and it allows this ruffled sleeve situation that cascades down the back to be the focal point. This was probably my favorite LV moment of the night.
A dream! I love that this woman knows the importance of a tailor. I wouldn’t say this is my favorite Da’Vine look from this award season, but I still think it’s really lovely and feels very classic, Hollywood, but made a bit more contemporary with these shredded tulle sleeves. I honestly wish some of that shredding had been brought down to the train, because the pieces all feel a little separate from one another. I also would like to bring up the fact that we don’t really see Louis Vuitton dress plus sized women very often, so since they’ve proven they’re capable, let’s see more of that.
You know my feelings about Dolce, so I won’t be too much of a broken record, but this isn’t that impressive of a gown to want to wear Dolce, you know? It’s tailored nicely and the corset fits well, but their boning always feels like it’s pointless, lol. I’m not mad at the idea of draping on the hip playing into the idea of a cummerbund, however it’s quite sloppy here, and I also don’t understand why the skirt couldn’t have been the same satin as the rest of the dress.
You see? Another Saint Laurent boy not wearing Saint Laurent! It’s a very classic menswear tuxedo which you know Tom Ford is going to do well, and I watched a video of Dominic saying that he’s never worn a tuxedo, so I understand him wanting to do that for his first Oscars.
This is exactly what you deserve to look like for wearing Dolce & Gabbana. Why the fuck do people insist on using this silk to make tailored looks— it’s the most flaccid suit I’ve ever seen. The wrinkles and everything being a different color are making me itch.
Y’all, Emily’s stylist was fighting for her life in Check The Tag’s comments on Instagram, defending this dress. Unfortunately for her, it’s not great. Here’s the thing, I love some good Schiaparelli surrealism, but the trompe l’oeil bathing suit feels very out of place on this dress and very out of place at the Oscars. I think the structured, lifted shoulder here would have been enough of a design element.
I feel like this is an unpopular opinion, but I really liked this. This mint color is really lovely, and I’m pretty sure I remember seeing this fabric in a pint green at the beginning of Poor Things so perhaps it’s a reference to that. Bella wears a lot of large, leg of mutton sleeves in the film, and while this is a sleeveless gown, that volume has been instead given to the peplum, which has the most beautiful shape. I know she’s a Louis Vuitton girl, but Nicolas really is the perfect person to make looks for this Poor Things award season.
People get upset sometimes when I bash on Christian Siriano, but I want you to look at this and tell me what it is exactly that you are defending? It’s actually criminal that he did this to her and I need to move on.
This is a lot more interesting than most of the things we’ve seen Florence wear in the recent past, however as lovely as this bodice is, I’m so distracting by the skirt. I like that they embroidered it in the pelvis to kind of tie in the top, but it’s just not clicking. Also, the necklace is stressing me out— it makes no sense.
I know we’ve talked about how Gucci is going in a simpler direction now, but this is just so boring, and just as sterile as the runway shows. Also, if it’s going to be this simple, it could have been tailored that millimeter shorter, and the waist seam…
The second I saw this gown on the runway, I was hoping we’d see it at the Oscars, and I can’t think of anyone better to see it on. Greta is so fucking cool, and so is this dress. It’s simple, but y’all know how I feel about a draped jersey, and the way it pools out of the pockets here and loops into the neckline to create an open back is so stunning. I also feel like she’s been loving a business in the front, party in the back moment.
I’m not super blown away by this, but as far as pretty, pretty gowns go, this is kind of interesting. The dress itself isn’t anything crazy, but I love these arm cuffs and how, not only do they tie in the bust area, but they’re also attached to the dress so they create a loop.
As far as Dior dresses go, this is one of the less offensive ones. I know this might be insane, but the polkadots don’t line up in the bodice, where there’s seams, and that’s making me itch. I’m assuming this is inspired by a dress from 1954, but of course, made more contemporary, as MGC is wont to do. I think I just have a hard time associating polkadots with eveningwear.
Not my favorite Loewe look, but I still think it’s very nice for her. The way the embroidery rains down the skirt and pools at the bottom is lovely, and I like this wrapped halter style that loosely comes around the other shoulder.
Incredibly simple, but hey, at least it’s also incredibly tailored. Also, this squared, side-boob moment seems to be something Sabato is pushing for the brand.
Laverne always hits us with an incredible archive moment, but this has to be my favorite so far. The gold leaf, ruched bustier is so stunning, and the fitted black velvet gown just always it to be the star of the look.
I actually don’t know who this is, but when I saw this dress I gasped. I feel like horse hair is usually used to reinforce garments, so that they hold a specific shape, but seeing it here in this ribbon style is so, so dreamy. It feels very light, like it’s about to disappear, and yet holds the most incredible structure. Also, this color?! I’m obsessed.
This might not be the most insane look Lily has worn this award season, but this deep royal blue velvet is stunning, and the dress is tailored immaculately. For this, Gucci collaborated with Joe Big Mountain, who is an indigenous designer, and so I love that the motif of the jewelry was also brought into the train, as well as the fully embroidered neckline. It’s very cool to see a large, luxury brand do something like this, and I hope they paid Joe Big Mountain very well.
I mean, we can both see how good this is without needing an explanation. Apparently, Lupita had this Armani gown made for something in 2020, but never got to wear it, so I’m happy it got its moment, because it’s beautiful. Armani tends to be quite conservative, but lately they’ve been having a bit more fun with they’re designs which I’ve loved to see. This gown fits beautifully, and I love the feathers. I also believe this was a nod to her Prada gown that she wore 10 years ago, while winning her Oscar.
Margot said, I’m not nominated for best actress, so Barbie can take a back seat. Honestly, this Versace collection was scary and this was one of the best looks from it, which is all you need to know. It’s not a bad dress by any means, but it’s Versace, of course they’re going to do oroton chainmail, draping, and a fitted bodice well. I obviously would have loved to see more. Like, this was our last chance to get a Bob Mackie Barbie!!!
This two tone, different sequin size draping is wild, and not in a good way. I know Demna often sends a controversial, gimmicky moment down the Balenciaga runway, sometimes with no clear point, but this is obviously not trying to do that, so I don’t understand why we couldn’t have just let it be a beautifully draped dress.
Ramy wore custom Zegna, that included a traditional Arab garment, called a thobe, that is often worn by men in the Arabian Peninsula. He looks great, and I also think it’s smart that the pleated placket is something that is part of the thobe, but also something we’ve seen Zegna explore recently.
Rita said, let me show y’all how it’s done! She looks fabulous. I love the ruffles running down the gown and how they had some dimension to an all black look. I also love her homage to Chita Rivera with the pixie cut.
Best dressed man of the night. This was one of my favorite collection from Fall 2024, and I promise the fashion month recap is coming. It’s tailored so well, and I love that the buttons, collar, and lapels look they’re embedded in the jacket, almost like a whisper of a memory. The hems being raw feels very primal, which makes sense with the collection, and the look is black in the back, which makes wearing a black show here very smart. I love.
He really is just Ken. Ryan Gosling has been wearing this same Gucci, lined suit in different colors, this whole award season. For the Oscars he hit us with a little bit of glitz. To be honest, I’m not mad at this suit style, and I don’t know if this was their intention but it makes me think of smoking jackets, which are part of Gucci’s history, so. I wish he’d worn a better shoe, though.
As much as I love a kooky Schiaparelli moment, I love when Daniel Roseberry takes a more refined approach. This is simple, but it’s stunning. The exaggerated off-the-shoulder is just the right amount of fun, and that keyhole detail in the center is enough to let you know it’s Schiaparelli. It’s also very reminiscent of a Adrian gown that Millicent Rogers wore in 1947.
First of all, I love when couples coordinate, and I think Susan looks lovely. Second of all, this is the best RDJ has ever looked. His suits never fit, but here everything is tailored really well, I love the flared pant, and the tied string detail in place of an actual tie. It’s very Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent, and it’s a big step up from what we usually see RDJ in.
This is quite simple for both Vera and Vanessa, but since this was when we found out she was pregnant on this night, I’m assuming that’s where she wanted the attention to go. There’s really not much to say about it, but I like the draping on the hips.
I need to see what this woman’s Louis Vuitton contract looks like, because for a brand ambassador, I feel like we never see her wearing the brand. This year, she’s only worn Louis Vuitton twice so far, and not once for Dune: Part Two press. Also, one of the times she wore LV, it was to a brand event! Anyway, this dress is stunning. It’s fitted perfectly, the draping is perfect, and I like that the sequins in the motif are the same sequins in the bodice underneath.
So those were the Oscars! What did we think? My best dressed were Carey Mulligan, Riz Ahmed, Leah Lewis, Greta Lee, and Lupita Nyong’o. Worst has to go to Erika Alexander, Dwayne Johnson, and Bradley Cooper.
TTYL!!!
xx