The 97th annual Oscars was held this year on March 4th, in the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. While the night honored cinematic excellence, the red carpet displayed several spectacles of bold fashion statements and timeless excellence.
Margaret Qualley dazzled in a timeless, backless black gown courtesy of Chanel. The black silk velvet fabric shimmered under the lights, exuding elegance on the red carpet. However, the dress was not the star of the show but the several pieces from Chanel’s High Jewelry Collection, crafted from 18-karat white gold, that Qualley adorned herself with.
Alongside Qualley, singer Omar Apollo wore a custom suit by Alessandro Michele for Valentino. He replaced the traditional tie with an elegant scarf tied around his neck, topped with a black netted veil. Blending masculine and feminine elements, he lined his eyes with black eyeliner and applied various shades of blush to his cheeks.
For her Oscars debut, Yasmin Finney made a bold statement in a striking Harris Reed gown adorned with dramatic, face-framing black feathers. The elegant dress featured a sculptural, spiked neckline that embraced avant-garde fashion. The structured silhouette and intricate detailing ensured that Finney stood out as one of the evening’s most memorable style icons.
Although many actors and actresses shined on this night, many also did not meet our expectations. Actress Alba Rohrwacher took a bold fashion risk on the red carpet, donning a gothic-inspired Valentino gown. The ensemble featured layers of ruffles and exaggerated, structured shoulders. While some praised the avant-garde approach, the look seemed to be too overwhelming and a simpler approach may have been more successful. The dark, moody aesthetic certainly made a statement, but it sparked mixed reactions among fashion critics and fans alike.
Singer and song-writer Brandy Carlile fell short this year with her custom Valentino ensemble featuring a black polka dot blazer with a satin red bow and paired with black wool pants. Under her blazer she wore a white button-up with lace details. The pattern of the blazer mixed with the detailings of the button-up and red bow felt overwhelmingly and did not blend seamlessly together.
Overall, this year Oscars will be one to remember–both in cinema and style. This award show offers Hollywood’s finest to celebrate their accomplishments while exploring the beauty of the art found in fashion.
