Next to the Met Ball, the Oscars is the biggest night for dramatic sartorial statements. While many of fashion’s most formal events have been dressed down by streetwear, there are certain occasions where more is actually more. ‘Refined’, ‘minimalist’ and ‘tasteful’ seem to synonyms for ‘boring’, so we picked some of the most extra looks to celebrate the people who were truly living at the 91st Academy Awards.
Billie Porter
“When you come to the Oscars, you must dress up,” Billie Porter wrote on Instagram, and he certainly stayed true to his word. The Pose star cemented his place in Oscar fashion history with his velvet tuxedo ball gown by Christian Siriano. Siriano, who has built a reputation on dressing women who fall out of the sample-size range, created a gender-defying look for Porter. The crowning achievement is that the actor looks natural in the outfit and not like a costume.
Gemma Chan
While many starlets opted for slinky or body-con cuts, Gemma Chan of Crazy Rich Asians and Captain Marvel, took to the red carpet in a trapeze fuchsia Valentino Haute Couture look, complete with a high neck and voluminous train.
Glenn Close
After four decades in the business, a 71-year-old Glenn Close is still snagging Best Actress nominations – this year for The Wife – and wearing whatever the hell she pleases. We love The Wife actress’ head-to-toe solid gold Carolina Herrera gown — and especially as the world becomes a bit fatigued by prominent backsides, a matching cape feels refreshing.
Sandy Powell
When you are a costume designer competing against yourself for your fourth Oscar, we get curious to see what you’ll step onto the carpet in. Sandy Powell, nominated for her work in Mary Poppins Returns and The Favourite, did not disappoint. Instead of a gown, she opted for an expertly fitted geometric double-breasted suit with a beret and necktie. We’re not surprised that she won.
Chadwick Boseman
The Black Panther leading man always makes strong choices on the red carpet – this year’s Oscar’s were no different. His Givenchy Haute Couture sequin suit was far from the tired tuxedo staples you usually see at the event, with a floor length coat and extra-long ascot creating all the right drama.
Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson made history at the Oscars for being the first woman of colour to receive the Honorary Academy Award for her six-decade-long career, making her an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner) at 94-years-old. To mark the occasion, she looked stunning in tiers of black ostrich feathers.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga made a very public campaign to land the Oscar for Best Actress in A Star is Born. She may have toned down her outfits from the early days, when she used to wear dresses made of meat on the red carpet, but we don’t hate this Alexander McQueen ball gown. While the look definitely says Hollywood, the sharp sculpting of the hips, leather gloves and white hair (instead of platinum) give it an avant-garde edge.