This is how Hollywood’s brightest stars arrived and made a statement on the red carpet at the 96th Oscars. Emma Stone, Kirsten Dunst, Sandra Hüller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Zendaya led a night where risk and refinement went hand in hand, with seventies-inspired patterns and bold jewelry punctuating a spectrum of styles.
Emma Stone drew the spotlight in a sea-green, strapless gown that featured a dramatic waist ruffle and a silhouette that flatters every contour. The ensemble carried the unmistakable stamp of Louis Vuitton, the label she represents as an ambassador, elevating the look with a sleek, modern elegance.
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Zendaya blended glamour with a nod to classic Hollywood. Her pink Armani Prive creation featured plant-motif embroidery stitched with silver threads, a detail that shimmered with movement. Lupita Nyong’o joined the display in a blue Armani Privé dress accented by silver elements and sophisticated feather detailing, underscoring a theme of opulent restraint. Across the carpet, a number of stars echoed the golden-age glamour, including Charlize Theron in a silver look paired with a timeless presence, and Anya Taylor-Joy, born in Miami and raised between London and Argentina, who wore a gray gown with sculptural lines and Tiffany jewelry from Dior, balancing modernity with timeless sparkle.
Among the most talked-about moments were dresses that flirted with monochrome sophistication and gentle shimmer, proving that red carpet drama can come from quiet confidence as much as from overt ornamentation.
Bayona and Berger found fewer trophies than anticipated, but the fashion moment remained vivid. Margot Robbie, Eva Longoria, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Carey Mulligan showcased a range of classic silhouettes in black and deep tones, with styling that recalled iconic cinematic figures. Rita Moreno added a touch of vintage drama with a black ensemble featuring ruffles and long gloves, complemented by jewelry from Schiaparelli and Cartier. Justine Triet arrived in a sleek black suit accented with silver stripes, while Canadian designer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wore a black Zuhair Murad creation with minimal white accents, showcasing a refined, contemporary edge.
Complete list of winners of the 96th Oscars
Danielle Brooks commanded attention in a bold, word-of-honor dress from Dolce & Gabbana, radiating strength and poise. Lilly Gladstone chose a black-blue strapless gown with a sweeping train by Gucci, paired with Bulgari jewels, delivering a polished, refined statement. Director Celine Song maintained a strictly personal aesthetic in a black skirted suit jacket and loafers that spoke to quiet confidence. Billie Eilish leaned into Chanel with a coordinated jacket, skirt, and footwear, finishing with a bold, subdued presence.
Kirsten Dunst appeared in a minimalist white Gucci dress that exuded effortless elegance, while Elsa Pataky favored a seamless design accented with silver details and strategic cutouts. America Ferrera paid homage to the film Barbie with a bright pink creation that aligned with the year’s cinematic color story. Jodie Foster wore midnight-blue Loewe with a crystal-studded skirt, posing with her partner, photographer Alexandra Hedison, for a moment of understated grace.
Emily Blunt push-pushed the envelope in Schiaparelli’s bewitching evening gown that offered the illusion of showing the bodice beneath, while Jennifer Lawrence opted for Dior haute couture featuring a classic polka-dot motif. Ariana Grande presented a bold voluminous Giambattista Valli design in pale pink, capturing a playful yet refined mood.
Actors took risks with seventies patterns
Many stars traded the traditional tux and bow tie for patterns and statement jewelry inspired by the seventies. Bradley Cooper, in a Louis Vuitton suit with wide trousers and a distinctive blue shirt, embraced a retro-modern aesthetic. Enzo Vogrincic and Reece Feldman—who are known for appearances in film projects—stood out in sharply tailored black ensembles, the latter pairing a satin body with a sleeveless cut, creating a look that felt both retro and fresh. Ryan Gosling chose a black tuxedo accented with silver sequins, a wink to his Ken persona in Barbie. Colman Domingo, a figure whose roots span Belize and Guatemala, appeared in a black tuxedo embellished with jeweled buttons and cowboy boots, merging refinement with a touch of frontier spirit. Sean Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, posed with his partner in a monochrome tuxedo set, while Charlotte Kemp Muhl dressed in a similarly dark palette. Spanish director Pablo Berger favored a solid black, with a shirt and bow tie that kept the focus on silhouette. American filmmaker Eugene Lee Yang attended in a red-fitted jacket paired with a wide skirt set, and Taylor Zakhar Perez modeled a blue-black tuxedo with quiet, confident lines. Matt Bomer and Kingsley Ben-Adir strutted in a classic Gucci look, with Ben-Adir opting for an eggplant velvet tuxedo by Brunello Cucinelli, delivering a refined, old-school charm with modern texture.
Throughout the ceremony, the red carpet served as a live catalog of style evolution—bold patterns meeting timeless tailoring, soft palettes balancing metallic accents, and jewelry becoming the punctuation mark on many outfits. The night reminded viewers that the Oscars remain a stage where fashion and cinema intertwine, offering a platform for designers and wearers to tell stories through fabric, cut, and color.