Let’s talk Oscar outfits!
Specifically, let’s talk about best actress nominee Rose Byrne’s, my favorite of this year and probably any year: a lovely Dior black strapless gown embellished with moody florals around the bodice and hem, accessorized with a delicate necklace that looked like a trailing blossom. Very Old Hollywood; you could imagine Audrey Hepburn in it.
More favorites from Sunday afternoon’s red carpet: Audrey Nuna, a music artist who’s among the voices of the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” looked wonderfully dramatic in a Thom Browne design: a voluminous black skirt that morphed into a high-buttoned gold jacket. And supporting actress nominee Teyana Taylor, slaying — as she has all season — in a beautifully fitted sheer, fringey black-and-white Chanel.
Those two aside, this was a surprisingly colorful night on the red carpet. Some gorgeous greens popped up: on Demi Moore, in a strapless moss-green feathered confection, and supporting actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku in form-fitting jade sequins. Best actress nominee Renate Reinsve wore a simple, effective column in fire-engine red. Chase Infiniti, of “One Battle After Another,” looked striking in pale lilac ruffles. Best actress nominee Kate Hudson sparkled in pale aqua sequins, with a sculptural shape.
Best actress winner Jessie Buckley’s oddly clashing orangey-red top/pink skirt number was underwhelming, despite being a Chanel design reportedly inspired by Grace Kelly. (The organizers might want to rethink the backdrop; I spent a long time looking at a photo of Buckley, wondering why her necklace was standing up around her head like a halo, then realized it was the “O” on the Oscar-logoed wall behind her.)
And it wouldn’t be the Oscars without a few attendees standing out in simple white. Nominee Elle Fanning turned up in a white-and-silver Givenchy princess gown, looking like the top of a perfect wedding cake. Emma Stone, nominated for “Bugonia,” wore a very simple, sparkly ivory sheath, a bit nightgowny but still lovely, like a time-traveled Regency gown. Nicole Kidman’s pale, strapless gown (was it white, or pink?) sported a feather peplum; not a phrase one types every day.
Other nice details: So many tuxedos accessorized with brooches. (I wish I could have two of Kumail Nanjiani’s gorgeous sparklers, to use as earrings. Adrien Brody’s, however, was nearly as big as his head.) Spike Lee’s purple fedora. Ballerina Misty Copeland’s sharp blazer, whimsically equipped with a white tulle tutu. Another blazer on best supporting actress winner Amy Madigan, texturized with feather-like tendrils. Novelist/nominated screenwriter Maggie O’Farrell (“Hamnet”) in a caped pink gown accessorized with a veiled fascinator. (Why are there so few veils on the red carpet?)
As always, way too many gorgeous outfits got away.