This year’s Oscars red carpet was not filled with your typical designer get-ups and over-the-top embellishments, but still the entertainment industry’s elites managed to define themselves as illustrious stars with an impactful agenda. Ranging from sustainability to female empowerment inspired looks, the Oscars red carpet took an unprecedented turn as it transcended itself into the perfect platform for making politically charged and culturally relevant statements. Among the most standout fads of this year’s Oscars fashion wear, actors and actresses alike chose their garments as a means of inciting conversation and attention to international recognition, gender equality, tribute, and environmental sustainability. When our society’s idols were met with the question “what are you wearing tonight?,” they didn’t respond with what designer or stylist inspired their look, but rather with remarks that ignite a movement and need for change.
International Recognition
Syrian filmmaker, Waad al-Kateab, was nominated this year for her documentary “For Sama,” which details the siege of Aleppo and the affliction of the Syrian population during their nearly decade-long civil war. She wore a pink gown with an embroidered Arabic statement: “We dared to dream” and “we don’t regret asking for our dignity,” sharing the ever-prevailing and momentous message of her film.
Female Empowerment
America’s dream girl, esteemed actress, and Harvard graduate, Natalie Portman, shook the red carpet with her custom, protest-inspired Dior cape. The cape was embroidered in gold with the names of female directors who were left out of this year’s Oscars nominations, calling out the saturated sexism the award ceremony has historically portrayed (as only five women have ever been nominated for their roles as director). Lulu Wang of “The Farewell,” Greta Gerwig of “Little Women,” Marielle Heller of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” Mati Diop of “Atlantics,” Melina Matsoukas of “Queen & Slim”, Alma Har’el of “Honey Boy”, Céline Sciamma of “Portrait of a Lady of Fire,” and Lorene Scarfaria of “Hustlers” were among those mentioned on the cape’s lining. Portman told the Los Angeles Times that she “wanted to recognize the women who were not recognized for their incredible work this year in [her own] subtle way.” Similar to her alluded disdain at the 2018 Golden Globes, where she presented an award by stating “and here are the all-male nominees,” Portman continues to voice the need for equal recognition and respect for women in the workplace.
Tribute
Spike Lee, American film director, producer, writer and actor, wore a custom purple, gold-trimmed Gucci suit to pay tribute towards the life of Kobe Bryant, his dear friend. Bryant passed away on January 26, 2020, just a few weeks ago, with his beloved daughter Gigi in a helicopter crash. When asked about his choice to wear such a standout look, Lee was at a loss for words but instead pointed to the “24” patches on his suit’s lapel and back, representing Kobe Bryant’s jersey number for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sustainability
As Hollywood’s elites flooded the 92nd Academy Awards and its notorious after party (hosted by none other than Vanity Fair), it seems as though one fashion trend dominated the red carpet: sustainability. Numerous actresses, actors, and influencers made the notable decision to rewear, repurpose, opt for vintage, and use ethically made and sustainable fabrics when picking their attire for the night. These icons of the entertainment industry capitalized on their highly publicized and sought after red carpet moments to advocate for more eco-friendly rituals in fashion, which currently credit for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions.
Re-Wearing
Joaquin Phoenix pulled up in the same Stella McCartney tuxedo we’ve seen him wear throughout this year’s awards season. According to Phoenix, he continues to present this commendable fashion choice as an objection and revolt against textile waste.
Jane Fonda, an actress venerated for her lifelong commitment to environmentalism, presented the Best Picture award while wearing the same Elie Saab gown she wore to the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. While entering the stage at the Oscars award ceremony, she draped the same red coat over her arm that she spoke about during one of her famous Fire Drill Fridays climate change protests, stating “You see this coat? I needed something red and I went out and found this coat on sale. This is the last article of clothing that I will ever buy.”
Elizabeth Banks attended the Vanity Fair after party in the red Badgley Mischka dress she wore to the same event in 2004.
Repurposing
Saoirse Ronan repurposed the black satin from the Gucci dress she wore to last weekend’s BAFTA awards (right) and turned it into the V-neck bodiced gown she wore for the Oscars red carpet (left).
Eco-Friendly Fabrics
The French fashion house Louis Vuitton dressed two actresses, Kaitlyn Dever (left) and Léa Seydoux (right), in their newly introduced eco-friendly fiber, Tincel, that will be introduced to the market in May (according to WWD). Both actresses are ambassadors for the Red Carpet Green Dress Initiative, “a woman-led global change-making organization from moment to movement, bringing sustainable design to the forefront of conversation and action within the fashion industry.” “Booksmart” actress Kaitlyn Dever told E! that “supporting sustainable clothing is really important.”
Timothée Chalamet’s shockingly athleisure-esque Prada set (which seems to have taken over the meme community) was devised from the Italian luxury brand’s Re-Nylon textile, which uses renewed nylon and Econyl.
Vintage
The beautiful and talented Margot Robbie, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in “Bombshell,” wore a vintage Chanel haute couture dress that was first seen on their runway in 1994.
Reality star and vintage connoisseur, Kim Kardashian West, attended the Vanity Fair after-party draped in the timeless Oyster gown from Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2003 collection, and as if this dress isn’t enticing enough on its own, only two of them exist in the entire world (the other one can be found in a glass case at the Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Award shows unite some of the world’s most iconic and idolized celebrities in one space, making it one of the most powerful stages to endorse better fashion industry and consumerism practices, while also bringing to the forefront some of society’s most necessitated change efforts. As the award season has now officially come to a close, I still hope to see as much, if not more, courageous and commendable efforts made by stars and stylists throughout the rest of 2020. These seemingly minuscule outfit choices directly affect and inspire the masses to make fashion choices based on a deeper meaning than just useless vanity.
By Bella Sprague
FASHION X EXPRESSION 