Oscars 2025: A Night of Glamour and Bold Fashion Statements
Introduction to the Oscars Red Carpet
The 97th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, brought together Hollywood’s finest for a night of celebration, with the red carpet serving as a dazzling showcase of high-octane glamour. Stars like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo paid homage to their roles in Witted with their outfits, while others embraced bold colors, classic black, and metallic hues. Grande stunned in a strapless, pale pink Schiaparelli gown with a structured, airy skirt, channeling her character Glinda, while Erivo’s custom Louis Vuitton look, featuring oversized shoulders and a high collar, nodded to her role as Elphaba. The carpet was a testament to the return of old-school Hollywood elegance, with a focus on intentional, bold dressing.
Metallics and Color Trends Dominate the Carpet
Metallic tones shined brightly at the Oscars, with Demi Moore turning heads in a sleek, silver custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown, while Mindy Kaling opted for a heavily embellished silver Oscar de la Renta look. Emma Stone embraced a slinky metallic nude hue, and Selena Gomez dazzled in a full-crystal Ralph Lauren gown in metallic pink. The color red also made a strong statement, with Zoe Saldaña wearing a maroon Saint Laurent gown and Storm Reid donning a bright red dress with a dramatic cape. Black remained a timeless choice, with stars like Marlee Matlin, Coco Jones, and Yasmin Finney opting for the classic shade, each adding their own unique twist.
Bold Fashion Choices and Beauty Highlights
Fashionistas like Lupita Nyong’o and Elle Fanning wowed with their looks. Nyong’o wore a stunning white custom Chanel gown adorned with over 22,000 pearls, while Fanning chose a classic Hollywood white Givenchy gown with a sweetheart neckline. Beauty trends leaned toward understated elegance, with nude, glowing makeup and polished hairstyles dominating the looks of stars like Halle Berry, Selena Gomez, and Zoe Saldaña. Sleek buns were a favorite, with Grande, Fanning, and Johansson among those opting for the timeless updo. The overall beauty aesthetic was effortless yet refined, enhancing the natural beauty of the stars.
Men’s Fashion: Innovation and Elegance
While women’s fashion stole the spotlight, the men’s looks were equally noteworthy. Timothée Chalamet broke conventions in a soft yellow leather ensemble by Givenchy, designed by its new creative director, Sarah Burton. Jeff Goldblum added a touch of whimsy to his off-white Prada tuxedo with an orchid arrangement on his lapel, while Mario Lopez impressed in a midnight navy dinner suit with a fly front shirt and black bow tie. Colman Domingo, a red-carpet standout, wore a bright red Valentino tuxedo jacket with matching belt and black trousers. Menswear specialist Derek Guy praised these looks for their balance of innovation and tailoring, proving that men’s fashion can be both bold and sophisticated.
Fashion as a Platform for Social Commentary
The Oscars red carpet also served as a canvas for social and political messaging. Swedish singer Kayo Shekoni used her heels to advocate for “Free Congo,” while writer Peter Straughan sported a Ukrainian flag pin on his tuxedo to show support for the embattled nation. Actor Guy Pearce took a stand for Palestine with a “FREE PALESTINE” pin featuring a white dove and gold branch. These subtle yet powerful gestures highlighted the role of fashion as a tool for expression and activism, adding depth to the evening’s glamour.
A Night to Remember: Trends and Takeaways
The 97th Oscars red carpet was a celebration of bold fashion, timeless elegance, and personal expression. From the return of old Hollywood glamour to the innovative use of color and metallics, the evening showcased a mix of risk-taking and classic styling. Experts like Harper’s Bazaar’s Brooke Bobb noted a broader trend toward intentional, elegant dressing, as seen in Lupita Nyong’o’s pearl-adorned Chanel gown and Elle Fanning’s classic Givenchy look. The event also highlighted the growing influence of social messaging in fashion, proving that the red carpet is as much about making a statement as it is about celebrating style. As the awards season comes to a close, the 2025 Oscars will be remembered for its blend of glamour, creativity, and purpose.
