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Oscars 2020 Red Carpet Looks – Faves and not so faves

I feel bad for all the other award shows that spend thousands to hold their events only to be called the road to the Oscars. Because let’s face it, there is a prestige to the Oscars.

Love them or hate them, the Oscars are supposed to mean something. But then they go and put Cats on the shortlist – this is before the VFX editing had been completed for the premiere of the film and the director of Cats had to release another version after people had already paid for it! Yet the Academy put them on the VFX shortlist a month prior to that……

My point is that if the voting Academy was actually watching the movies, the Oscars would be highlighting the best of cinema. Instead, we get a lot of campaigning for wins. As a lover of film, I have mostly given up on the “honouring the best” aspect of the awards. But since I became a seamstress I now relish the red carpet looks!

There can be no campaigning when it comes to the red carpet. And I love it!

As an aside though – I was shook when Parasite won Best Picture – not only because it was a historical win wherein a non-english film won but because it actually deserved that win. That was a surprise. Could the Academy be changing…..haha…as if. Enough shade thrown let’s get to the good bits.

Fashion!

Here are my thoughts on the looks. I have divided them into categories that stuck out for me: Vintage Hollywood, One-Shoulder Gowns, The Colourfuls, The Risk Takers, The “Not Sure What’s Going On Here” and The guys. Plus “The One I am Obsessed With”

Of course, there were hundreds in attendance walking the red carpet but these are the ones that caught my eye and that I remembered. Mostly because I am familiar with their work.

The Old Hollywood Glamour Gowns

There quite a lot of classic gowns that called back to an era of old Hollywood.

Laura Dern – won for A Marriage Story. She has swept up this award season and deservedly so. I have always loved her work since I first watched her in Jurassic Park. I think it was pretty much a shoo-in that she would win this given that she had won just about every other award. And her Armani Privee dress, while lovely is, makes me feel like getting scissors out to cut the tassels!

Scarlett Johansen – looked stunning in this pewter Oscar de La Renta gown that has the most exquisite bodice I have seen. The delicate chains draped across the bustier add motion and texture – this has been one of my fave looks on her so far.

Rebel Wilson – This is another gown (Jason Wu) that also fit into the one shoulder group but was also beautifully vintage Hollywood. I love the gold sequin fabric and the twist detail at the waist. Rebel Wilson looks stunning – the red lipstick pops.

The One Shoulder Gowns

The one-shoulder seemed to be a trend on the red carpet

Charlize Theron – Noone does thigh-high slits like Charlize! This Dior gown is stunning on her. It features a subtle peplum with the one-shoulder look. It looks like there is some boning in the top of the gown.

Cynthia Erivo – She is wearing Atelier Versace and wow! Those diagonal seams are an art form in themselves. I’d love to see behind the scenes of how they created that bodice. The full skirt is a perfect complement to the fitted bodice.

Salma Hayek – seldom goes wrong in her red carpet looks. She is always stunning and this look is magnificent. She is wearing Gucci – it is a similar style to her Golden Globes look with the column style skirt and thigh-high slit. The accessories make this look just perfect.

Regina King – is in a light pink Versace gown featuring an overskirt. The hand-sewn beading creates a lovely embellishment that highlights the fullness of the skirts. Her make up and styling is on point!

Renee Zelwegger – Kept it simple with the clean lines of this Armani Privee gown. She only wears the one ring as an accessory and it works. She took home the Oscar so that would have been another accessory to add :-). Note the perfect hem length that is just skimming the carpet. She looked like she was gliding over the carpet.

The Colourfuls!

These looks added much need colour on the red carpet.

Florence Pugh – This is such a delight to look at! The teal silk satin Louis Vitton gown took 70 meters of fabric to make. There is 8 layers of ruffles on the dress perfectly hemmed. She looks stunning and its a memorable look. She owns it. Brava!

Mindy Kalin – is resplendent in this yellow one shoulder Dolce & Gabbana gown. Classic old Hollywood glamour. This easily fits into the “Classics” and the “one shoulder” categories as well.

Sigourney Weaver – Looks stunning in green Dior. The soft and delicate draping on this column style gown is gorgeous. Plus the twisted cord matching belt is a nice touch. Love it!

THE RISK TAKERS

I do love risk-takers – the ones that do try and go outside their usual zone. It may not always work out but when it does they knock it out of the ballpark and create an iconic fashion moment.

Janelle Monae– is a legend for walking out in this piece of art. Fun fact – this took the Ralph Lauren team over 600 hours to make. 600hours to sew in the approximately 158 000 Swarovski crystals. It was so heavy that 4 people had to lift it to bring the dress to Janelle’s room. Luckily she didn’t have to perform in the dress! But wow – that draped hood. It has a cut out back. Everything comes together beautifully here.

Kirsten Wiig – and her Valentino dress had Twitter abuzz with it being likened to lasagna sheets. Okay I love the colour – scarlet with a rectangular central panel. The plisse flanges take attention away from the beautiful tailoring detail. Its a risk but I think once you get past the initial – lasagna sheet comparison – it is a stunning dress. Especially paired with the black long sleeves.

Saoirse Ronan – This Gucci gown is daring with the pleated double peplum. The colours are quite jarring – black and white with a periwinkle full skirt. The plunging neckline is perfectly done without any sign of gaping at all. The simplicity of her accessories make it all stunning!

Sandra Oh – is stunning in an Ellie Saab frothylicious design. The skirt is freaking awesome on this dress – the combo of the bow, the waterfall beading with the swirly roses is a delight to see in motion. But those sleeves make it risky IMO. Those are the sort of sleeves I’d love to wear as an introvert to make people keep outside my personal space. I was imagining what it would be like to sit next to her. Heres hoping she was given an aisle seat.

Maya Rudolpho – in a burnt orange dress (Valentino). The style is immediately reminiscent of the Japanese drape drape styles. Love the pockets and how comfortable she looks. It also looks like it has a half cape going at the back.

The “Not Sure Whats Going on here”

These looks were the ones that had me wondering what on earth the stylist was thinking and what they were trying to do/say/achieve.

Caitriona Balfe – This makes me so sad because I LOVE Caitriona for bringing Claire Fraser to life for me (Outlander). Usually, she is so on point but I don’t like this. The horsehair braided hem on the mermaid skirt is too harsh in contrast to the floaty drape overlay top.

The top half works without the mermaid skirt. With the hair, red lip and statement earrings, she looks dazzling. The gown is from Valentino.

Penelope Cruz–This black satin Chanel gown is a classic silhouette, yet I cant get past the high low hem. The high low hem with the soft round couture finish makes the dress look a bit too “prom-y”. The string of pearls belt is a nice touch.

Rooney Mara– This Alexander McQueen peek-a-boo lace number with cut-outs is memorable. I like the drape of the skirt but I am not sure about the cut outs.

Gal Gadot – is in Givenchy. A combo of a black lace body suit (very nineties) and a pink silk organza skirt. I feel like the 2 looks clash. There is too much contrast for me.

The One I am OBSESSING OVER

I am totally obsessed with this dress worn by Léa Seydoux (she was in the most recent James Bond film).

I love everything about this dress. The unusual cutaway shoulder details, the princess seam fit with the mermaid style skirt.

Apparently this Louis Vitton dress is sustainably sourced. It  part of the Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD) x Tencel Collection designed to promote ethically sourced sustainable gowns

Men’s Style

The men were quite traditional this red carpet. There were only 2 that caught my eye.

Billy Porter – This was not one of my fave Billy Porter looks. The top is made of 24-carat gold feathers. The top is beautiful and reminds of an iconic McQueen design yet the bottom half doesn’t work for me. His stylist could have paired it with one of those fabulous tailored pants and it would have been amazing.

Timothee Chalamet– looked super smart in this Prada bomber jacket style ensemble. A fresh take on a men’s red carpet look. Look at the use of cuffing at the trouser hem to tie in with the bomber style.

Brad Pitt – although if you are going to wear a tuxedo, do it as effortlessly as Brad does.

That’s it! Those are my thoughts on the Oscars 2020 red carpet looks. What were your favourite looks?