The Oscars 2018

At this year’s Academy Awards marking the 90th anniversary of the Oscars ceremony, Hollywood actors, actresses, cinematographers, costume designers, directors, and many more arrived in elegant gowns and luxurious suits at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 4th. They walked the red carpet, participated in interviews, and took pictures in preparation for the night of celebrating the film industry’s hard work this past year.

A wide variety of designers, materials, and colors of suits were on display at the Oscars , although men’s tuxedos seemed to have less variation than women’s dresses. Two major trends in menswear were velvet (suits, jackets, and ties) and the color red, which just seemed to make the men appear more attractive, more creative, and more fun. Perhaps nowhere was this more the case than with Armie Hammer, who wore a cranberry-red velvet tuxedo by Giorgio Armani, and Tom Holland, in a three-piece maroon tuxedo by Dolce and Gabbana. Matthew McConaughey’s black velvet Brioni tuxedo jacket, with a Dolce and Gabbana red velvet tie providing a pop of color, made for a classy look that  paired nicely with his wife’s similar color scheme. Jared Leto, per usual, took a more unconventional approach: a bright red velvet Gucci jacket, black pants, and a light pink silk blouse and scarf, which created a fresher, carefree, more modern look than McConaughey’s. Best Actor Award nominee Timothée Chalamet didn’t wear red or velvet, but his all-ivory, Japanese wool tuxedo by Berluti definitely stood out in the sea of black-and-white numbers.

There variety in the the women’s attire was astounding, from a traditional Eritrean Zuria princess gown, to soft pastels for the arrival of spring, and deep, dark colors in remembrance of winter. Like the men, the women spent hours on their hair, makeup, and outfit assembly, often documenting their processes on Instagram and Snapchat. Among the major trends: bright blue dresses with intricate structured designs, red gowns with plunging necklines, and glitter. Nicole Kidman’s structured, Armani Price royal blue gown, with symmetrical, triangular-shaped wings at her waist, was one of the evening’s most fashion-forward designs. Also standing out was Jennifer Garner’s Atelier Versace cobalt dress with drapery and an asymmetrical halter top leading into a cape.Both women paired their blue dresses with silver jewelry, a traditional look for winter. Two of the most eye-catching exemplars of the red theme were Best Supporting Actress Award–winner Allison Janney’s Reem Acra scarlet-red gown with a deep v-neckline and angel sleeves, and Best Actress nominee Meryl Streep’s red Dior dress with a décolleté neck. Janney and Streep both pulled their hair back into elegant, mature buns and paired their gowns with simple jewelry. Because these women were among the older, more seasoned actresses present, the choice of a red dress allowed them to stand out without being too glitzy, over the top, or young-looking.

Glitter, the third trend, is always present at the Oscars, no doubt because of the way it reflects the lights and camera flashes, and also that golden award. Although it was used in far too many women’s ensembles this year, some of the most notable dresses included Best Actress nominee Margot Robbie’s white Chanel dress with 3D crystal embroidery, Gal Gadot’s fringed, silver Givenchy number, and Jennifer Lawrence’s embroidered, gold Dior gown. These stunning dresses made the women wearing them—and their accomplishments—shine brighter.

As important as the Academy Awards ceremony is for movie industry, it is equally significant for the fashion industry because it serves as a showcase for designers’ styles and new collections. Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, and Armani are just a few of the houses that ask film stars to wear their tuxedos and gowns, in the hopes that the actors’ celebrity will rub off on the popularity clothes with the general public.

-Cecilia Reisner '18 and Caroline Baker '18