After last year’s limited-capacity event, the Academy Awards returned in full force Sunday evening — and the red carpet was back to something resembling its glamorous best, too. Though the event was delayed from its usual February slot for a second consecutive year due to Covid-19, there was barely a mask in sight, with social distancing restrictions from last time around also relaxed.
There was plenty of red on display as the guests arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Kristen Dunst, Amy Forsyth, and Best Supporting Actress winner Ariana DeBose were among the guests to impress in shades not dissimilar from the carpet itself. Elsewhere, stars embraced the return of in-person proceedings with sparkling gowns and over-the-top silhouettes.
Among the more dramatic looks were Jada Pinkett Smith’s emerald Jean-Paul Gautier couture dress, which featured a voluminous ruffled train, and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s theatrically structured custom Schiaparelli column dress embellished with gold leaf and crystals. The Oscars maintained its reputation as the most restrained of Hollywood’s award ceremonies, however, with several of the night’s best-dressed stars opting for classic glamour.
Rachel Zegler impressed in an elegant black floor-length gown and best actress winner Jessica Chastain wore a shimmery two-toned gown in bronze and lavender, while others looked to gold and silver, from Lupita Nyong’o in a flared Prada dress to Zendaya, who wore a two-piece custom Valentino ensemble — a cropped white top paired with a disco silver skirt and short train.
Several attendees — including Diane Warren and Jamie Lee Curtis — meanwhile used the occasion to send messages of support to the people of Ukraine with ribbons or jewelry. The evening’s men kept things relatively simple in classic black-tie, though Daniel Kaluuya and “The Power of the Dog” star Kodi Smit-McPhee were among a handful of stars opting for colorful outfits (in an aquamarine Prada jacket and pastel Bottega Veneta tux, respectively).
But it was Timothée Chalamet who stole the show by going shirtless in an embroidered lace jacket and high-waisted pants from Louis Vuitton’s Spring-Summer 2022 womenswear collection. He then put his own spin on the gender-fluid outfit with a sparkling necklace and a pair of black boots. Below are some of the night’s most eye-catching looks.
Jamie Lee Curtis wore a ribbon around her ring finger, expressing support for Ukranians. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
“The Batman” star Zoë Kravitz wearing a light pink strapless gown by Yves Saint Laurent and diamond necklace. Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Best Actress nominee Kristen Stewart in a Chanel tuxedo and shorts. Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Lily James arrived in a pink figure-hugging Atelier Versace gown finished with lace. Credit: Future Publishing/Getty
Will Smith, who won Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in “King Richard,” arrived on the carpet wearing Dolce & Gabbana, accompanied with Jada Pinkett Smith in a voluminous emerald green gown by Jean Paul Gaultier. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
“The Lost Daughter” director and Best Adapted Screenplay nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal in custom Schiaparelli. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Billie Eilish donned a black tiered Gucci ballgown for the event. Credit: ABC/Getty
Oscars presenter Serena Williams, co-executive producer of “King Richard” alongside Venus Williams, paired black lace gloves with a flowing Gucci look. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
David Oyelowo eschewed the black suit for an ornately patterned one. Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa/AP
“Belfast” actor Jamie Dornan and spouse Amelia Warner pose alongside Best Actor nominee Andrew Garfield, who wore a velvet Saint Laurent suit. Credit: Jae C. Hong/Invision/AP
“Euphoria” breakout star Jacob Elordi wore a classic black Burberry tuxedo. Credit: Momodu Mansaray/Getty
Best Supporting Actor nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee in a baby blue Bottega Veneta tuxedo. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” actor and Oscars presenter Simu Liu wore a red Versace suit with gold detailing. Credit: Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images
Best Supporting Actress nominee for “The Power of the Dog” Kirsten Dunst in a red Chanel gown with ruffles. Credit: Eric Gaillard/Reuters
From left, director Steven Spielberg, actress Rita Moreno and Best Supporting actress winner Ariana DeBose. DeBose wore one of the night’s many red-colored outfits, this time by Valentino. Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
“CODA” actress Emilia Jones in a midriff cut-out bedazzled gown. Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Aunjanue Ellis, nominated for best supporting actress for her performance in “King Richard,” in an orange Versace gown. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Oscars host Amy Schumer sporting an Oscar de la Renta deep-plunge neckline with diamonds forming the outline of a bow. Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
Olivia Colman turned heads wearing a Dior haute couture gown. Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Actress Lupita Nyong’o in a gold-sequined Prada look with rose accents. Credit: Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images
Actress Rosie Perez in a red Christian Siriano dress alongside Oscars presenter Jason Momoa. Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
“CODA” actress Marlee Matlin in a satin red Monique Lhuillier dress. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
“No Time To Die” actor and Oscars presenter Rami Malek kept it chic and simple in a black Prada tuxedo. Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Jessica Chastain, best actress nominee for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” dressed in Prada for the ceremony, sporting a two-toned colored dress with a flowing train Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Diane Warren was one of the stars to pay tribute to Ukraine, wearing a blue “#with refugees” ribbon. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
“Coming 2 America” actor Wesley Snipes in a custom Givenchy maroon look paired with silver hoop earrings. Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
“CODA” actress Amy Forsyth in a one-shoulder red Marchesa gown with thigh-high cut. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Lena Waithe arrived wearing a sharp brown suit with black lapels. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
“The Worst Person in the World” star Renate Reinsve’s Louis Vuitton lacy gown featured a low back with silver sequins. Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau wore a monochrome suit. Credit: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa/AP
Singer H.E.R. in a bright strapless gown and long train. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Nicole Kidman wore a structured blue gown custom made by Armani. Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
From left, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Sian Heder, Amy Forsyth and Daniel Durant wearing complementary outfits. Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Five-time Olympian Shaun White sports a tuxedo at the Oscars. Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
“King Richard” co-executive producer Venus Williams in a white Elie Saab gown with silver accents. Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
SOURCE: CNN
