The 90th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles witnessed the best and the worst of fashion the red carpet has ever seen. While some stars opted for sombre tones, others dazzled in pops of colour. There were those who preferred muted accentuation and others who went over the top with embellishments that included everything from feathers and fringes to fur.
Here’s a round-up of some of the red carpet hits and misses from this year’s Oscars.
HITS
Wonderful in white
It was pretty challenging to pick among the best dressed in white but we must admit Margot Robbie was a stunner, though she suffered a bit of a wardrobe malfunction. Decked in a form-fitted Chanel dress with jewelled detailing across the bodice and off her shoulders, with her hair worn in soft waves, she jazzed up her outfit with diamond stud earrings and a statement clutch.
Actress Jane Fonda arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / Kyle GRILLOT
Laura Dern also stunned everyone in Calvin Klein by Appointment. She paired her one-shouldered white gown with a classic hairstyle that featured cascading waves. And is Jane Fonda immortal? We have to admit that the fittest 80-year looked lovely in a beaded Balmain gown from Olivier Rousteing's 44 Francois Premier collection that had an interesting angled neckline.
Glitz and Glamour
We couldn’t take our eyes off Jennifer Lawrence who wore a strapless and striking gilded Dior gown, bringing just the right amount of glamour to the red carpet this year. With her hair worn in loose waves, she looked every bit the diva she is.
Jennifer Lawrence arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON
Lupita Nyong’o is someone who never fails to dazzle on the red carpet. This year, she made a grand entry in a custom Atelier Versace dress, Alexandre Birman shoes, Niwaka jewellery, and a Versace clutch to match. Allison Williams too sparkled in an Armani Privé gown.
Think Pink
Viola Davis was among our favourites dressed in pink. She picked an electric pink dress from Michael Kors collection for the Awards. She totally channelled the 90s vibe with those massive hoop earrings she wore to match her outfit.
On the other hand, making an equally fashionable statement was Saoirse Ronan who was dressed in a pale pink custom Calvin Klein gown which she wore with matching pumps. And you’ve got to agree that she totally rocked her super short haircut.
Red Hot
Leslie Mann looked ravishing in a number from Zac Posen’s Resort line as did eternal favourite, Meryl Streep who was dressed in Christian Dior Haute Couture, Stuart Weitzman shoes, and Fred Leighton jewellery. Apart from winning the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Allison Janney won the hearts of fashion folk the world over, as she walked the red carpet in a plunging V-neck gown that featured floor-length statement sleeves. Well fitted and complete with a small yet gorgeous train, she carried a matching Roger Vivier clutch and wore Jimmy Choo heels.
MISSES
When Bling Goes Wrong
Salma Hayek’s custom Gucci by Alessandro Michele dress had us thoroughly confused. The befuddling combination of sequins, layered ruffles, and a swathed neckline, was bad enough, but then she went ahead and wore a chandelier of crystal strands across her neckline, that spilt onto her shoulders and down her back, which was far from flattering.
Then there was Amatus Sami-Karim, wife of actor Mahershala Ali, who was dressed in a gaudy gold gown that featured numerous strange embellishments, including scale-like layers and two parrots, casually embroidered onto it, making the gown look even more hideous.
It’s hard to make a sartorial error in black, but songwriter and singer Taura Stinson’s shimmery gown just didn’t cut it.
Missing something, missy?
We’re not quite sure what actress Blanca Blanco was thinking when she zeroed in on that barely there red-and-white dress. With a daring and almost non-existent neckline and thigh-high slit, she failed to impress.
It also seemed like singer, St. Vincent, came to the Awards with half her dress missing. Featuring only one poufy sleeve, a sash draped in front of what could have been a bathing suit if it was made of Lycra, the bizarre hemline really had us thrown off.
Drape Jape
Singer Andra Day in a floral pink and blue Zac Posen gown that looked a lot like curtain fabric, the silhouette did nothing to flatter her figure either. Also in a floral ensemble, Whoopi Goldberg’s turnout this year hit a low, thanks to her gown’s drape like fabric and an overbearing silhouette. To make it worse, she wore combat boots under this despicable roomy dress!
Casual Much?
It’s such a pity when someone who is always elegant on the red carpet somehow doesn’t dazzle. Emma Stone sure looked chic in her belted blazer and pants combo, but it was much too informal for a star-studded event.
