Last Sunday were the 97th Academy Awards, and Hollywood saw some big wins. “Anora” swept with five awards, Adrien Brody took home Best Actor, and fans were outraged at “Wicked” being snubbed.
But to be honest, I don’t really care about any of that. What I care about is fashion. Every year I look forward to the glamorous gowns, outrageous suits, and everything in between. The Academy Awards red carpet is a feast for the eyes, and this year the celebrities delivered.
My absolute favorite look of the night was Ariana Grande’s glittery red dress she wore to perform at the Oscars. While her strapless pink and nude Schiaparelli dress was jaw-dropping, the red dress was unforgettable. Deep red and shimmering, with a fitted bodice and gauzy, full skirts, her look was a perfect homage to “The Wizard of Oz.” When Grande turned and revealed a ruby slipper at the back of her bodice, I knew she had done something incredible.
Grande’s “Wicked” costar also stunned in a white ballgown adorned with cascading flowers and a little hint of teal tulle peaking out from her hem. She sang an emotional “Defying Gravity” as she rocked her gown, which she paired with a beautiful diamond necklace.
“The Wild Robot” star Lupita Nyong’o stunned in a romantic Chanel dress with silver details and a bow encircling her waist. Despite the simplicity of the look, it’s so effortlessly elegant that Nyong’o doesn’t need anything else to enhance the dress. Pairing the dress with delicate, glowy makeup and a light pair of earrings, Nyong’o looked like an angel gracing the red carpet.
Surprisingly, a man made my list of favorites. I wouldn’t say I’m a die hard Timothée Chalamet fan, but I definitely appreciate his acting prowess and commitment to his roles. I absolutely loved his Oscars look, however. I wasn’t expecting him to pop out in such a unique color, but his butter yellow suit was somehow elegant and ironic, showing Chalamet’s skill at toeing the line between humour and seriousness.
Another look I was obsessed with was Demi Moore’s fitted silver gown, a custom Armani Privé. Silver is clearly Moore’s color, and somehow every time I see her on the red carpet her outfit is even more beautiful and elegant than the last. While I never saw “The Substance” and can’t weigh in on the fight for Best Actress, I can definitely say that she deserves to win an award for her red carpet look.
Michelle Yeoh’s look was one of the most colorful of the night, and her bold choice certainly paid off. The rich blue she chose compliments her perfectly, and the dress is perfectly draped to the side, with a bustle that falls to the ground in an elegant sweep. Her silver necklace is offset by a strapless bodice that cinches and then flows in a cascading sea of cerulean hues.
Mikey Madison is another star who pulled off two two looks. Her first look was a strapless fitted dress with a black top and pink bodice and skirt. It wasn’t very flattering on her and felt a little stiff to me. However, I absolutely adored her second look. Madison wore a black fit and flare gown, with a plunging V-neckline and satin draped across her arms. She looked like a gothic princess, and I would love to know who her stylist is.
For the 98th Academy Awards, I would love to see even more daring choices with color and texture. I’m also hoping to see more jewelry and accessorizing, which I found lacking on the red carpet this year. Hopefully the stars can step it up in 2026.