Oscars 2019: springy pinks and defiant reds

Hi, all,

Ashley Graham and Gemma Chan on red carpet
Ashley Graham takes a selfie with Gemma Chan (Valentino Couture). Photo by Kevork Djansezian for Getty Images.

 

The 91st Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Awards (aka the Oscars) were last Sunday night, February 24. Since they are such a big event in the fashion world, I thought I should talk about some of my favorite things on the red carpet.

Jason Momoa and Lisa bonet in pale pink at the Oscars
Jason Momoa wearing Karl Lagerfeld and Lisa Bonet in Fendi. Photo by Frazer Harrison for Getty Images

 

 

Many of the women and most of the men stuck to the classics: black or black and white. Those who didn’t usually have a story to tell.

The last few years the story has been palest nudes*-silver-ranging gowns. This year the spectrum leaned warmer: towards pink. From the palest of baby pinks on Kiki Layne, Kasey Musgraves, Jason Momoa and wife Lisa Bonet all embraced their palest impulses. Lagerfeld couture even made Momoa a matching pink velvet scrunchie for his hair.

 

*in skin tones of varying shades

 

 

 

Helen Mirren in pink at Oscars
Helen Mirren shows off the layers of her Schiaparelli Couture gown. Photo by Mark Ralston for Getty Images.

 

 

 

The popping pinks were there too: Helen Mirren’s swirly gown featured a range of sunsetty orange and pink tones underneath the top layer of fuchsia chiffon.I love how the layers gave the gown the effect of constantly shifting tones. Mirren presented an award with Jason Momoa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela Basset wearing Reem Acra. Photo by Jeff Kravitz for Getty Images.

 

 

 

The hottest hot pinks came too. Gemma Chan brought hers in a voluminous cloud of taffeta tiers. Angela Bassett wore classic movie-star mermaid and pouf. This 3-dimensional detail around the neck and shoulders is the 2020s update to the 1980s bridesmaid bows, and I predict it will show up in ready to wear soon.

Sarah Paulson also chose hot pink in a funky shape, and looked better than she has on many runways in the past. Finally, Julia Roberts rocked the pink slink in the bias-y Elie Saab gown she wore to present the award for Best Picture. Pink was the color of choice when the event-goers chose color.

 

 

 

Sarah Paulson at the Oscars
Sarah Paulson in Brandon Maxwell. Photo by Frazer Harrison for Getty Images.
Danai Gur wearing gold gown on red carpet
Danai Gurira in Brock Collection. Photo by Frazer Harrison for Getty Images.

 

 

 

Metallics were well represented, including some silvery looks, like Jennifer Lopez’ dramatic gown covered with tiny stitched-on mirrors. My two favorites here were Michelle Yeoh’s Elie Saab embroidered organza, and Danai Gurira’s gold brocade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen James and Shamier Anderson on Oscars red carpet
Stephen James wearing Etro, with Shamier Anderson. Photo by Jeff Kravitz for Getty Images.

 

Hanna Beachler in red gown on red carpet
Hannah Beachler wearing Rami Al Ali. Photo by Mark Ralston for Getty Images.

 

 

 

Red made the scene as well, from Stephen James’ spiffy red velvet tux to one of my favorites, Oscar winner Hannah Beachler’s stunning scarlet organza extravaganza. For me, this gown summed up “Oscars”, “image”, and “winner”. Beachler won the category of Production Design for her work on “Black Panther”.