Oscars red carpet: Best dressed at 2023 Academy Awards - Los Angeles Times
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The best fashion from the Oscars red carpet

A cascade of looks worn to the Oscars.
Glamour and drama on the arrival carpet.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Judging from the arrivals at the 95th Academy Awards in Hollywood, the days of playing it safe on the red carpet are history — and so too is the redness of the carpet. Stars embraced the maximalist themes that have been coursing through high-fashion houses, bringing vivid color, rich embellishment and a touch of fantasy to a pathway now carpeted in a faint beige called champagne. (This could be the launch of a sarcastic hashtag called #OscarsSoBeige.)

Yet some of the nominees continued to channel the themes and characters of their recent films, turning their formalwear into a glamorous extension of their movie wardrobes. Throughout awards season and even now, a bit of surrealism touches the attire of the nominees from “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” while Austin Butler of “Elvis” channels a bit of 50s rock ’n’ roll. It’s easy to imagine conductor Lydia Tár in any of the pitch-perfect ensembles Cate Blanchett has been wearing, including her Oscar look, a vintage Louis Vuitton. Others are cleverly using the Oscars carpet as another kind of stage, where they can audition new characters, such as the sexy vixen, the sophisticate or the gender-bending glamster.

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ dominated, Rihanna gets a standing ovation, Ke Huy Quan tears up and more at the 2023 Academy Awards.

March 12, 2023

The Oscars red carpet has come to represent the culmination of a monthslong image campaign that is as much about the actors’ fashion aptitude as it is the nominated films.

Here are the highlights from the Oscars carpet:

Many of the gowns matched the pale color of the new champagne carpet, including Ana de Armas’ scoop-neck mermaid gown by Louis Vuitton with a skirt of embellished scalloped petals and Zoe Saldana’s delicate Fendi couture pale pink satin ’90s-inspired slip dress. Jessica Chastain channeled Old Hollywood in a custom Gucci silver crystal-encrusted gown.

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The 2023 Oscar winners include “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh and “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

March 12, 2023

White also made a big comeback. Michelle Yeoh looked heavenly with a Moussaieff diamond “halo” hair ornament and feather-fringed white Dior haute couture silk gown with a floor-sweeping train. Michelle Williams paired her signature pixie cut and red lipstick with a Chanel couture strapless silver and white column gown overlaid with a sheer chiffon wrap. Halle Berry also opted for white with giant bronze beaded floral trim at the neck and hip. Emily Blunt wore the evening’s simplest gown, a white strapless column with gauntlet sleeves by Valentino.

Stars also embraced vivid color. Sandra Oh from “Turning Red” turned the color wheel toward orange with her marigold-hued Giambattista Valli haute couture silk chiffon gown. Kerry Condon brought sunny yellow to the event with an asymmetrically wrapped, one-strap dress. Janelle Monáe went full solar flare in a Vera Wang haute couture vivid orange skirt with a black bustier. Stephanie Hsu’s hot pink strapless Valentino haute couture gown featured an enormous, full skirt.

An exclusive look at what happened backstage at the 2023 Oscars.

March 12, 2023

Full-volume was another key trend, with oversize appliques, bows, skirts and trains, many paired with big gems for balance. There was a punk feel to Florence Pugh’s extra poufy, strapless gown with shorts by Valentino couture and a Tiffany & Co. choker. Fan Bingbing’s Tony Ward couture ensemble paired a sleek silver halter dress with an enormous emerald floor-sweeping wrap. Looking regal, Angela Bassett wore an off-shoulder royal purple gown with exaggerated bow neckline by Jeremy Scott for Moschino. Cara Delevingne’s deep red Elie Saab gown wrapped up into a huge bow at the shoulder.

Corsets and boning also were trending. Jamie Lee Curtis showed how to be elegant and a little avant-garde with her crystal-encrusted Dolce & Gabbana gown in the on-theme blush tone. The gown’s exterior boning created an inside-out corset. Similarly, Mindy Kaling’s custom Vera Wang white gown emphasized visible boning at the waist. Fresh from the recent Versace runway show in West Hollywood, Lady Gaga’s black gown did it best, though. The sheer bodice had corset-like boning and a ’50s inspired bullet bra top anchoring the voluminous skirt.

For all its representational achievements, the sentimental, self-important ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ is not as bold a choice as it appears.

March 12, 2023

Several stars pulled from the archives, literally and figuratively. Blanchett’s custom Louis Vuitton sapphire blue velvet top and black satin skirt were never-worn items from the fashion house’s archive. Blanchett and others opted for power shoulders common to the ’40s and ’80s, including Ariana DeBose in a white Atelier Versace gown with Art Deco embellishment. Model Winnie Harlow’s pale yellow Giorgio Armani Privé dress is from the 2005 collection. But Nicole Kidman’s custom Giorgio Armani Privé black-sequinned gown brought the look forward with large floral appliques, one sleeve and one very sharp shoulder.

Men’s formalwear was refreshingly creative. In Saint Laurent, Lenny Kravitz skipped the shirt but served layers of chain necklaces on his bare chest, bringing rock ’n’ roll vibes to the event. Austin Butler’s Saint Laurent tuxedo offered a touch of vintage with the extra-sharp shoulders, skinny bow tie, wide lapels and pointy boots. Dwayne Johnson rocked a “ballet pink” satiny jacket with a pink corsage. And Steven Spielberg showed how a midnight blue tuxedo and sneakers, his by Gucci, keep the elders looking fresh.

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The guys used embellishment well. Michael B. Jordan’s large lapel pins made a strong case for a new kind of men’s jewelry. Even better? The starburst buttons on Barry Keoghan’s lavender suit. The matching embroidery on Brian Tyree Henry’s white tuxedo shirt and lapels offered new options, as did director Daniel Kwan’s red tuxedo with gold embroidered sleeves.

With an historic number of Asian nominees, several paid homage to their roots. First-time nominee Hong Chau worked with Prada to develop the pink sleeveless dress with a Mandarin collar that she asked the house to add to acknowledge her heritage. The train of black feather-like paillettes elevated the look to luxe. Harry Shum Jr. wore a navy-edged white tuxedo with an obi-sashed waist for an East-West feel. The carpet looked regal, as well as global.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga wears a black gown with translucent, bustier-like top.
We have a million reasons to love Lady Gaga’s Versace gown.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh in a white, flowing, cloudlike gown.
Michelle Yeoh is ethereal in Dior Couture.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson in a sparkling gown with train.
Kate Hudson stands out in Louis Vuitton.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Pedro Pascal and Salma Hayek Pinault

Pedro Pascal in black tuxedo and Salma Hayek a sparkling red gown.
Name a more iconic duo ...
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe in a black bustier top and wrapped red long skirt.
Janelle Monáe dazzles in Vera Wang.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Halle Berry

Halle Berry in a white gown with waist-high slit.
Halle Berry turns heads in Tamara Ralph.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Halle Berry raises her gown's train, wing-like.
Halle Berry is the moment.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett in a black skirt and poufy, della robbia blue top.
Cate Blanchett donned a custom Louis Vuitton sapphire blue velvet top and black satin skirt.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams in a gown with silvery, sparkling bustline and diaphanous white skirt.
Michelle Williams captivates in Chanel Couture.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman in a sparkling black gown with flowery blooms and thigh-high slit.
Nicole Kidman impresses in a Giorgio Armani Privé black-sequinned gown.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Miles Teller

Miles Teller in a classic black tuxedo and bow tie.
Miles Teller looks dapper at the Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt in a white column gown.
Emily Blunt is sleek and stylish in Valentino.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett in a violet gown with train.
Angela Bassett did the thing.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Angela Bassett strikes a hand-on-hip pose.
It’s all about the details ...
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal in a long white tuxedo jacket with flared black pants.
Paul Mescal, in Gucci, looks considerably flashier than his struggling dad character in “Aftersun.”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Austin Butler

Austin Butler in a black tuxedo with peg-legged pants.
The King is in the house.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a black gown with contrasting patches of fabric.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge has this in the bag.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Kerry Condon

Kerry Condon on the Oscars 2023 red carpet.
Kerry Condon brought a pop of color to the carpet with Atelier Versace.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey in a sea-blue gown with tulle skirt.
Halle Bailey looks like a princess in Dolce & Gabbana.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Stephanie Hsu

Stephanie Hsu on the Oscars 2023 red carpet.
Stephanie Hsu stuns in Valentino.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas in a sparkling gown with ruffled lower skirt.
Ana de Armas wows in a Louis Vuitton scoop-neck mermaid gown.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield in a classic black tuxedo and bow tie, plus a perfectly aligned white pocket square.
Andrew Garfield looks amazing in a double-breasted Fendi tuxedo.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria in a sparkling silver and white gown.
Eva Longoria dazzles at the Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh in a white gown with ruched sleeves and long train.
Don’t worry darling, Miss Flo has arrived.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer Connelly in a black gown with sparkling neckline.
Jennifer Connelly is a vision in Louis Vuitton.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Danai Gurira

 Danai Gurira in a sleeveless black gown with flowing skirt.
Danai Gurira looks glamorous in Jason Wu.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Jonathan Majors

Jonathan Majors in a three-piece black suit with middle-1800s-style shirt collar and tie.
Jonathan Majors cited Frederick Douglass as the inspiration for his Oscars look.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai in a silvery gown and head scarf.
Malala Yousafzai shines in Ralph Lauren Collection at the Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne in a scarlet red down with a huge bow on one bare shoulder and a flowing train.
Cara Delevingne is red hot at the Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana  in a champagne gown with spaghetti-strap shoulders.
Zoe Saldana is among the stars donning champagne.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh in a marigold gown with fabric draped from the waist.
Sandra Oh is a ray of sunshine at the Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain in a sparkling, champagne-colored gown with black train.
All that glitters is ... Gucci.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose in a sparkling white gown studded in an Art Deco geometric pattern with silver studs.
Ariana DeBose in the color of the night: white.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz in black tuxedo pants with dramatically draped black shirt.
Lenny Kravitz proves he’s a rockstar through and through.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling in a white gown with cutouts.
Fashion show, fashion show, fashion show at the Oscars!
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Allison Williams

Allison Williams in a sparkling gown with long, trailing, cape-like pink train.
Allison Williams’ Oscars look is bulletproof.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Winnie Harlow


Winnie Harlow in a diaphanous yellow sleeveless gown
Winnie Harlow arrives in Armani.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis in a shimmering, champagne-colored gown.
Jamie Lee Curtis is on theme in this Dolce & Gabbana champagne dress.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

James Hong

James Hong, in a black tux, with googly eyes on his bow tie, assumes an aggressive martial arts pose.
James Hong is a sight for googly eyes.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
James Hong shows off the googly eyes on his dark bow tie.
James Hong accessorizes with a bow tie with googly eyes.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Hong Chau

Hong Chau in a pink gown with a darker colored, fringed train.
Hong Chau worked with Prada to develop the pink sleeveless dress with a Mandarin collar that acknowledges her heritage.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Sofia Carson

Sofia Carson in a white gown with a fluffy, tulle bottom.
Sofia Carson looks more like a Disney princess than a “descendant” at the Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Sofia Carson in a white gown, standing next to a life-size Oscar statue.
Sofia Carson deserves applause for this ethereal look.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Monica Barbaro

Monica Barbaro in a light blue gown with darker wrap-around, floor length skirt.
Monica Barbaro is top gun in Elie Saab.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham in a black gown with long, translucent sleeves.
Ashley Graham delivers the drama at the Oscars.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Fan Bingbing

Fan Bingbing in a shimmering silver gown with green, cape-like sleeves and wrap-around, trailing green skirt.
Fan Bingbing sparkles in Tony Ward Couture.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Chinese actress Fan Bingbing attends the 95th Academy Awards.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Harvey Guillén

Harvey Guillén in a black tux with floor-length black train.
Harvey Guillén rocks Christian Siriano on the champagne carpet.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Laverne Cox

 Laverne Cox in a black gown with blue, scarf-like accents that crisscross at the back.
Laverne Cox stands out in a black and Tiffany Blue Vera Wang gown.
(Mike Coppola / Getty Images)

Harry Shum Jr.

Harry Shum Jr. in a white tux with black collar trim and black sash.
Harry Shum Jr. looks dapper in Adeam.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Erin Lim

Erin Lim in Rick Owens on the Oscars 2023 red carpet.
Erin Lim wears a one-shoulder Rick Owens gown with a trailing skirt.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens in a long, straight black gown with white trim and bared shoulders.
Vanessa Hudgens does minimalist fashion right in a vintage Chanel column gown.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Zuri Hall

Zuri Hall in a black gown with flaring skirt, bared shoulders and long black gloves.
Zuri Hall sports opera gloves: the fashion accessory of the season.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Naz Perez

Naz Perez in a gown printed with large red flowers on a dark background.
Florals? For winter? Groundbreaking.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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