It’s the second-most exciting red carpet of the year, after the Met extravaganze: The night when a dazzling coterie of extreme A-Listers walk the plank of glory or defeat; into the room that will elevate their careers (and salaries) for the rest of time (or at least a respectable couple of years), or the room that will blow apart their dreams to smithereens like that fucken watermelon with the rubber bands. The make-or-break moment at the 91st Academy Awards is as important as choosing a good script: What does a person wear to the filmmaking rapture?
Welcome, yet again, to Jezebel’s annual, updating, real-time look at the ensembles these hopeful, hapless nominees, presenters, and entourages decided was worthy for their moment. I shall do as much justice to the looks as they do to us. As Daenerys Targaryen so fatefully put it, “I’m not going to stop the wheel… I’m going to break the wheel.” Lehgo!
Above, my favorite celebrity roommates Jenifer Lewis and Shangela in complimentary king and queen ruffles. They look fantastic even though Shangela was robbed in the Best Supporting Actress category for A Star Is Born.
Here are three wonderful flips on a tux: Pose’s Billy Porter gave us the best pants/gown combo since Sharon Stone’s halfsies joint; Bryan Tyree Henry goes with a very cool shawl-collared jacket; Elsie Fisher is a little bit mod, a little bit “fuck yo waistcoat, a new teen’s in town.”
Amandla Stenberg’s chandelier gown is a stunner, as is Diane Warren’s crisp white tux and chain neckless. Danielle MacDonald went classic in red and tulle, while Marie Kondo’s blush party gown is definitely sparking joy for me and for her! Note that she did not carry an accessory: CLUTTER.
Are we seeing a lavender trend emerge, with Emilia Clarke and Meagan Good’s drapey pieces? Constance Wu is gleaming in custom Versace, which has what appears to be extremely nice crystal detailing on the neckline; Ashley Graham’s fishtail gown looks a little stiff and starched, but that could just be the angle.
Ceci Dempsey is channeling Favourite energy with this court-ready robe; Maria García Garcia’s lovely rose embellishment is elegant and sweet. Tonya Lewis Lee and Spike Lee are literally popping (with color!) (GROAN), but his Prince-honoring look is surely significant and hopefully he will be able to tell us while accepting an Oscar. Elaine Welteroth looks typically great in a flowing gown that looks like ice crystals, but I can’t help but wonder: where are the signature glasses? Did she get contacts? Is she gonna put the glasses on later? What even is happening! My equilibrium, mon dieu!
Diego Luna’s rather classic standard is a scooch boring next to Questlove’s clean-kicks-and-beads look, and Stephan James’s fly burgundy velvet. (Those BOOTS!) Laura Harrier is quickly becoming a wee style icon and this belted, seashell embroidered gown is not a miss. There’s something playful about its formality that a lot of these staid ass gowns tend to miss out here.
Adam Lambert is apparently singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” to open this shit? And so the opera-length sleeves and orchid corsage are theatrically appropriate, props. Fatima al Remaihi and Michelle Yeoh went for sophisticated detailing, but my absolute reina Yalitza Aparicio is more radiant in simplicity than anything. Let your spirit shine, ma.