The most anticipated event of the season was beautifully styled.
I did not watch the Academy Awards this year because 1) I haven't had the time or the money to watch an actual movie in a theater in a year and a half so it felt hollow to watch the awards show and 2) I was in the middle of a mental breakdown so I suppose it was just low on my priorities list. I'm catching up and seeing all of the looks now. So far I have only seen the Red Carpet photos that Cosmopolitan posted on their Instagram, so I have a lot of couture to consume. Maybe one day I'll own couture, but until then I'm gonna fantasize about stealing expensive gowns from celebrities...
I went overboard because this is a personal blog and no one is supervising me, so below see my favorite 37 (and change) looks from the 2020 Academy Awards!
Sandra Oh in Elie Saab with jewelry by Pomellato
I'm obsessed with this look, and no wonder, it's designed by Eli Saab. I've said for a long time that I want my wedding dress to be Elie Saab and this only strengthens my resolve. She looks like a confection, like a cloud sent from heaven, like a third thing that's also sparkly... It takes a strong woman to really pull off those big tulle sleeves, and like Tyra always says, she is wearing the dress, the dress is not wearing her. And the little belt! I can't.
Natalie Portman in Dior Haute Couture and Cartier
All anyone is talking about (read: Cosmopolitan magazine, my fashion Bible) is Natalie Portman's red carpet look with the names of snubbed female directors embroidered along the cape, and of course they are. How could they not? She looks incredible. Major props to her stylist, Ryan Hastings, for some incredible work. I love a good cape, and it's even better with some subtle activism thrown in for good measure.
Margot Robbie in Chanel
This is the dress I wear to pick up the life insurance check after successfully getting away with murdering my husband. I don't really know how life insurance works. I just like the more demure silhouette juxtaposed with a dark color palette and sweeping sleeves. Must have been real difficult to try to use the facilities with those long tails, but I'll pretend that's not a problem.
Anthony Ramos in Dolce & Gabbana
Finally, a man who brought it on the red carpet! The white jacket is perfectly tailored and it draws the eye to that royalty worthy necklace and his shoes look like they could kill a man with one swift kick. The subtle chain! The collar styling! The dark cuffs peeking out from underneath the pale jacket! I'm dead on the spot.
Sibley Scoles in Mac Duggal with Alexis Bittar earrings
She looks like a silver killer robot in the best possible way. I would gladly let the machines take over humanity if they had this whole vibe. How is it possible that a human woman even looks like that?
Florence Pugh in Louis Vuitton
I love the pop of color! It's so bold and vibrant and this was her very first Oscars appearance and she's so cute. Look at all the ruffles and the perfectly paired strappy heel and the subtle jewelry!!! Apparently her stylist, Rebecca Corbin-Murray, wanted to focus on "exuberant colors" throughout the awards season this year, which coincidentally is a set of words that I often use in copy.
Mahershala Ali in Ermenegildo Zegna XXX, David Yurman jewelry with Amatus Sami-Karim, also in Ermenegildo Zegna XXX
One of the cutest couples. Mahershala's look is a subtle departure from the classic menswear looks on the red carpet, but he looks dapper. And his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim looks stunning in this structural, soft lilac gown. What a daring pairing!
Beanie Feldstein in Miu Miu
I love the florals in the black and white color palette. It's a springtime floral with a chic spin. This look is actually groundbreaking. I also love this neckline and gracefully coiffed curls.
Mindy Kaling in Dolce & Gabbana with Chopard jewelry
Sunshine! Yellow! The regal necklace! This one shoulder silhouette! I'm dead.
Sandy Powell dressed by Ian Frazer Wallace in Aganovich
Powell designed the costumes for the Irishman this year, for which she was Oscar-nominated, and her red carpet look is even more special. She's been getting dozens of celebrities to sign the cream suit and plans to auction it off to charity in support of The Art Fund Initiative, to save Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage. Jarman was an LGBTQ+activist and filmmaker who mentored Powell in here early career, buying the house in Dungeness, England before passing away in 1994 from AIDS. If this standout styling wasn't enough, it comes with its own philanthropic cause. You can always expect stylists and designers to have really bomb looks on the red carpet, and Sandy killed it.
Krysty Wilson-Cairns in Alberta Ferretti
A diaphanous gown in a delicate champagne shade. Just lovely. Her stylist, Krishan Parmar, really let the dress do the talking and didn't over-accessorize, which I certainly appreciate. Also her mom was her date.
Sunrise Coigney in Valentino (and Mark Ruffalo in Christian Louboutin)
Whatever Mark Ruffalo looks very handsome but he's wearing the same outfit that every man wears to every awards show ever and I care more about Sunrise standing next to him in this delicious pink confection of a dress. Remember last year when so many people wore pink on the red carpet? It's a bold move, considering the color clashing, but she pulled it off beautifully just in time for Valentine's Day.
Janelle Monáe in Ralph Lauren and Forevermark jewelry
The woman emanates light. I know that her dress isn't actually emitting light on it's own, but I've decided it is. The crystal-studded gown apparently took 600 hours to make, and I really want to know if she was able to comfortably sit in it.
Joanne Tucker in vintage Oscar de la Renta
I'm a big fan of Joanne's look here, but can I talk for a moment about how she was referred to on the red carpet? I've been using Vogue World for a lot of the research on this and the caption under this photo (by the Getty, not by a Vogue in house photographer) is "Adam Driver in Burberry and Joanne Tucker." First of all. That's what she said. Second. Not only does Joanne look incredible, she is also wearing a vintage gown, which many attendees did out of a commitment to sustainability. Sure, her husband may have been nominated, but for me she is stealing the show. Florals! For spring!!!
Yousra in Zuhair Murad Couture
She's queenly! Regal! Divine! She's also in Zuhair Murad, another designer who creates gowns that I would sell my sell in order to wear.
Stephanie Allain
I love the feminine twist on a menswear classic. I love the bejeweled bustier that's barely poking out from under the suit jacket. That sculptural effect paired with a more open neckline... Jaw dropping. Oh, and she also co-produced the event. No big deal or anything.
Chrissy Metz in Christian Siriano
It's a bold move to wear red to a red carpet event, but damn she really does it! I'd love to have a chat with her whole team because the nails and the perfectly matched lipstick and the rings and the gentle, cascading waves are really all working together here for just the perfect look.
Ted Serrandos
I know that one day, the standoff between Netflix and all of the other major entertainment conglomerates will lead to the decline of streaming services as we know them, but for now I just think that he looks very nice. I like navy on the red carpet. It's subtle, but still special. A cursory search will not tell me who designed his suit, but I'm just going to ignore that sneaking sexism for now.
Sigourney Weaver in Dior Haute Couture
A legend. She looks so good in green. I'm in love with how chic the long sleeve looks with the draped neckline. And I love the subtle pairing of textures with the rope belt and the pleated skirt.
Kelly Marie Tran in Schiaparelli Haute Couture
I can't believe she's making me love a low drop-waisted gown, but she is. I love the subtle dark nails, too.
Brie Larson in Celine with Bulgari jewelry
I wear this gown to tell my estranged husband that I know nothing about his missing diamond fortune. He knows I am lying, but he doesn't know how to prove it. All he knows it that I look exquisite.
America Ferrera in Alberta Ferretti
How is it that this woman looks like a goddess and she's several months pregnant? And how is it possible that she was so convincing as "Ugly Betty" for so many years? (I never watched the show in full, but perhaps it is because the underlying message was about inner beauty? Let me get back to you on that.) How is it possible that she's flawlessly pulling off that massive sleeve?
Lucy Boynton in Chanel
What's black and white with a red lip? Lucy Boynton's Oscars look.
Christine Lahti in Romona Keveža, Lark & Berry and Hearts On Fire jewelry
That! Neckline! Looks! Incredible! That's all I have to say.
Zazie Beetz in Thom Browne with Bulgari jewelry
It's rare that you'll see anything other than floor length gowns on the red carpet, but Beetz' midi is stunning, no extra length required. I love the straight neckline and that luxurious necklace.
Liliana Vasquez in Rami Kadi
She's essentially wearing a dress encrusted with various sparkles and yet it doesn't overpower her. I love the dewey makeup and that understated hair; they really complete the look.
Margaret Qualley in Chanel
This is the gown I wear as my desire for artistic perfection and suppressed emotions begin to trigger a transformation into a murderous swan maiden the night before my premiere performance in a new Swan Lake choreographed by a predatory artistic director where I will originate the principal role and eventually die...
Fatma Al Remaihi
Purple is the color of royalty and not enough people wear it nowadays! Probably because most monarchal governments are now defunct and the association has since lost its heft given the easy accessibility of clothing dyes, but anyway, Remaihi looks regal and I'm super into it. Just look at that sleeve detailing and the matching velvet turban! Swooning, be right back.
Idina Menzel in J. Mendel with Harry Winston diamonds
Pink! Pink! Pink!
Have I mentioned recently that pink is my favorite color? Because it IS! And Idina looks so gorgeous with this drapery and that oversized bow and the graceful hair tendrils... I'm dying.
Lilly Singh in Adeam
POWER SUIT! POWER SUIT! POWER SUIT!
Chelsea Winstanley in Kiri Nathan gown with vintage jewelry from Cannonball and Tilly
I love this jewel tone with the deep plunge and all the detailing at the neckline. I love the hidden pockets in the skirt. Plus, I love how her stylist really used that V as a canvas for all of the sparkles.
Michael Strahan in M by Michael Strahan
Yup, you read that right. The man is wearing designs from HIS OWN COLLECTION and he looks KILLER! He's truly looking dapper in this textured blue with that notched collar.
Kaitlyn Dever in Louis Vuitton
I know now that Kaitlyn is only a few months younger than me and that will probably do a number on my self esteem in a few hours, but also she looks incredible and she's really sparkling.
Erin Lim in Kim Kassas
Just look at that bodice and the high slit in the skirt... Hell yeah.
Billy Porter in custom Giles Deacon Couture with Swarovski jewelry
This list could not be complete without Billy Porter, who is turning fashion upside down with each passing day. The world of couture, especially menswear, needs a good shaking, and I'm so excited to see what he wear to each show. I love this magnificently feathered neckline juxtaposed with the voluminous skirt. The patterning of the train is designed to evoke the Kensington Palace and the platform gladiator shoes really anchor the look.
Molly Sims in Zuhair Murad Couture and Christian Louboutin
Ah yes, two of my favorite designers in one look, all done up in swaths of pink with delicate beadwork... There is nothing more that I want in this world. This is the ultimate look that I will be stealing. Watch out Miss Molly, I'm pilfering through your closet as we speak.
I'm obsessed with couture and high fashion. I love to see the ways in which clothiers both inspire and imitate culture. We're entering into a new era of fashion, and I'm excited to watch it play out. A toast to the designers and stylists who truly outdid themselves this awards season.
A final note: All opinions presented above are my own. The photos above are from the Getty, used for editorial purposes and commentary. I promise I will not actually be stealing couture from celebrities. That would be very wrong.
Comments