The 94th OSCARS: Fashion Rundown
The stars were ready to show off their most glamorous looks for the 2022 Oscars red carpet. After last year's limited guest list to stay safe during the pandemic, having a full-scale version of the biggest night in Hollywood was destined to be exciting. With so many people tuning in to see what the best of the best would be wearing, it was a chance to make a statement. Below are some of the most exciting looks of the night for you, as well as the night’s most notable brand and stylists. Enjoy!
PhotoBook's Top 5 Oscars Fashion Winners
Cynthia Erivo in Louis Vuitton Styled by Jason Bolden
Cynthia Erivo’s black gown, custom made by Louis Vuitton’s Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere would’ve been stunning on its own, but what shot her straight to the top of the best dressed list was the custom tuxedo jacket paired with it. The chunky silver double zipper and asymmetric lapels gave an otherwise simple silhouette the perfect edge. To match the sparkling buttons on the cuffs, a diamond necklace just barely peeked out from her jacket, complete with a large green stone, perhaps a nod to her role as Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked movie adaptation.
Ariana DeBose in Valentino styled by Zadrian Smith and Sarah Edmiston
Ariana DeBose, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “West Side Story,” appeared in a stunning red ensemble designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino. The custom silk cape paired with matching pants and cropped bustier was the perfect mix of elegance and youthfulness. She accessorized with natural diamonds set in white gold from De Beers, and, of course, later on a certain iconic golden statue. Who says you can’t mix metals?
Kodi Smit-McPhee in Bottega Veneta styled by Jared Eng
Nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in “The Power of the Dog,” Kodi Smit-McPhee made a statement in a powder blue suit by Bottega Veneta. The matching pants, shirt and blazer with silk lapels were perfectly tailored and allowed a subtle base for his intricate boots. An instantly recognizable Bottega silhouette, the lug sole boots also featured the brand's signature Intrecciato woven leather. Cartier jewelry was added for a little sparkle to complete the look.
Timothée Chalamet in Louis Vuitton styled by Erin Walsh
It’s rare to see more than one exciting and innovative menswear looks on a single red carpet, with most men reaching for a classic tuxedo. However, Timothée Chalamet has never been one to play it safe with fashion and that’s what repeatedly lands him on best dressed lists. This custom cropped Louis Vuitton blazer embellished with sequins and lace would’ve been unique enough on its own, but Chalamet’s bold choice to go shirtless took the look to the next level. Accessorizing with a Cartier panther head necklace was the perfect choice to finish off this rockstar-esque outfit.
Demi Singleton in Miu Miu styled by Jason Bolden
This is how you make your Oscars red carpet debut! Demi Singleton, who starred in the Best Picture nominated “King Richard,” wore a lavender embellished custom Miu dress. The dainty dress was the perfect choice for her, a timeless silhouette with a youthful flair earned her a spot-on PhotoBook’s best dressed.
PhotoBook’s Winning Brand: Carolina Herrera
Carolina Herrera dressed some of the biggest stars of the night. From the dramatic red gown on presenter Tracee Ellis Ross, to “West Side Story” legend Rita Moreno’s ruffled one-shoulder gown, to the star of “Encanto” Diane Guerrero’s classically chic polka-dot gown. Each of these pieces are so different and yet perfectly capture the brand’s essence.
Tracee Ellis Ross styled by Karla Welch
Rita Moreno
PhotoBook’s Top 5 Oscars Fashion Stylists
Law Roach styling Zendaya in Valentino
Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach is known to reference other iconic moments in fashion history (at last year’s Oscars, they teamed up to pay homage to Cher). Zendaya’s Valentino look this year, comprised of a super-cropped silk satin shirt and a silver embroidered organza skirt, was a nod to Sharon Stone’s 1998 Oscars outfit, which featured a Gap shirt nonchalantly tucked into a vera wang skirt, and is recognized as one of the most iconic Oscar’s fashion moments in history.
Sarah Slutsky styling Rachel Zelger in Christian Dior
Considering Rachel Zelger was only invited to the Oscars six days before the ceremony, Sarah Slutsky pulled together an amazing look in such a brief time span. This quintessential draped and sheer Dior dress was elevated by the beading and braided back. Adding Tiffany jewelry was the perfect finishing touch on the simple and classy look.
Nina Clare styling Kirsten Dunst in Vintage Christian LaCroix
Kirsten Dunst received her first Oscar nomination for her role in “The Power of The Dog,” after more than two decades in the industry. The dress was a vintage piece from Christian LaCroix’s Fall 2002 Couture Collection (yes, 2002 is officially vintage now). The dress was also paired with vintage 1950s diamond earrings by Sterle. This sustainable take on the red carpet is definitely PhotoBook approved, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s also just a stunning dress.
Elizabeth Stewart styling Jessica Chastain in Gucci
While Jessica Chastain may have won Best Actress for her portrayal of Tammy Faye, Elizabeth Stewart wins her place as one of the best stylists of the night. Choosing two equally stunning custom Gucci gowns, Stewart proves you can go big, and still go home a winner. For the actual awards ceremony, Chastain wore a lilac tulle gown embellished with sequins that transitioned into a shining copper bodice. The look was finished off with a ruffled organza hem and Gucci fine jewelry. For the Vanity Fair after party, she wore a rich emerald, green silk gown with ruching details and a structured bodice. The statement necklace with a matching green stone (also from Gucci’s high jewelry line) brought the look to an even higher level of glamor.
Jill Lincoln and Jordan Johnson styling Jennifer Garner in Brandon Maxwell
Jill and Jordan were also part of the biggest color trend of the night. This red Brandon Maxwell gown on Jennifer Garner was simple and elegant. The timelessness of the silhouette earned comparisons to the red gown worn in “Pretty Woman.” Whether it was intentional or not, such a similarity to a classic film earned this look a spot in our favorites of the night.
Finally, there was no shortage of amazing looks for this year's Oscar’s. While some stars used this night to make a fashion statement (Kristen Stewart made headlines for wearing shorts to such a formal event), others chose to make a political one by wearing ribbons and pins in support of Ukraine. Either way, I think this night will go down in history as one of the most exciting Oscar ceremonies yet.
Article + Photos by Skylar Miller, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
