There was a whole lot of gorgeousness worth gawking over, on the red carpet at the 93rd Academy Awards.  As usually happens, there were some trends that became more prominent as the evening went on, both in shape (midriff-baring gowns, plunging necklines, flowing fabrics) and in color (gold, white).  And, as always, there were a few that adhered only to the construct of fabulosity, working by themselves or with stylists to ensure that they stood out from the crowd.  Which did I like best?

Skin was in!  If you hadn’t received the memo, a look at any of the many thousands of fashion and style commentaries about Oscars 2021 online will tell you that the bare midriff was all the rage, this year.  Some of the best examples of this included Carey Mulligan in Valentino Haute Couture and Cartier High Jewelry; Andra Day in Vera Wang Haute; Zendaya in Valentino Haute Couture and Bulgari High Jewelry; and Vanessa Kirby in Gucci and Cartier.

Further, plunging ‘V’ necklines, as well as bared arms on display (don’t you love it when the Gun Show comes to town?), were evident in the brash, bold, and beautiful designs worn by Amanda Seyfried in Giorgio Armani Privé and Forevermark; Halle Berry in Dolce & Gabbana; Maria Bakalova in Louis Vuitton and Moussaieff Jewels; Viola Davis in Alexander McQueen and Forevermark; and Ariana DeBose in Atelier Versace and Harry Winston.

Gold was all the rage, this Oscars night; and whether you preferred Andra Day’s metal mesh (from Vera Wang’s new Haute collection) or Carey Mulligan’s splendidly sequined bandeau and high-waisted full skirt (from Valentino’s SS21 Haute Couture collection), there are no losers in this category.  Certainly not Leslie Odom, Jr. who paired his Brioni ensemble (made with silk thread dipped in 24k gold!!) with one of Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier rings, in a look that would’ve made Auric Goldfinger jealous.

White looks popped, on the red carpet, as evidenced by Taira Thomas looking fierce in a three-piece white Jovana Louis ensemble with feather trim; Diane Warren (the Susan Lucci of the Oscars) wore a white Valentino suit; Viola Davis stunned in bespoke Alexander McQueen with floral cutouts and chiffon skirt; and Maria Bakalova looked like a princess in “layers and layers and layers” of tulle by Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton.

But I had three faves, this year, and they slayed; not simply for their looks, but their overall styling, and the way they held themselves.  Regina King looked fantastic in a custom Louis Vuitton gown in blue duchess satin with structured “butterfly wing” shoulders and insanely intricate beading that she accessorized with Forevermark jewels.  H.E.R. channeled Prince in a purple beaded Dundas ensemble consisting of a jumpsuit with flared pants and a halter top, and a hooded cape embellished with the lyrics to her Oscar-winning song, “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah.  And Angela Bassett was all that and a bag of chips in a custom red organza off-the-shoulder Alberta Ferretti gown with exaggerated drop-shoulders, a slit up to “there,” and a flowing train that she paired with Chopard jewelry, as well as my favorite makeup-story of the night.

Oscars 2021 Fashions
93rd Academy Awards
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