The 2023 Oscars was attended by the great and good of the movie industry. “Everything Everywhere All At Once” was the runaway success, followed “All Quiet on the Western Front”, with poor old “The Banshees of Inisherin” with 9 nominations, but no podium time.
Worse still was Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “The Woman King, starring Viola Davis not making the nominations list at all.
The ceremony was full of glitz and glamour, as we expect and love. Some actors and guests played safe with easy styles classic looks, some wearing bespoke costumes and others nicely nodding to the five R’s of sustainability to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. There was sequins, shimmer, silk and satin aplenty from all genders. Some good and others that would have been better left behind on the sketchpad.
There were inventive hairstyles with updo’s and braids, forward ponytails and gestures to yesteryear with finger waves and pin curls. Danai Gurira’s hairstyle was the standout (or stand-up) eye-catching style, with a magnificent towering bubble updo by hairstylist Larry Sims.
Of the stunning array of costumes we have (with some difficulty) selected a few favourites.
Before that, acknowledgement of a stylish dress, conveying a fierce message at a comparatively superficial event is in a category of its own. Christian Siriano’s white dress with black silk taffeta overskirt adored by Oscar nominated actress Shohreh Aghdashloo was fabulous.
Mike Copolla/Getty Images
Scribed on the overskirt was the names of three Iranian women who died protesting in the September 2022 protests (Mahsa Amini, 22; Hajar Abbasi, 70; and Nika Shakarami, 16) on the left. On the right, the slogan which should be the mantra of Women’s International month (and every month) – Women, Life, Freedom.
Congratulations to Aghdashloo and Siriano for seizing the moment, erasing the line between style, beauty and human rights.
So onto our favourites:-
Image credit:- Gilbert Flores for Variety
The Source’s award winner is this irresistible dress from the astonishing artist Lady Gaga. Lady G wore a Versace gown from their 2023 fall ready-to-wear collection. The black gown with a sheer corset, plunging back and low rise (very low) skirt was sophisticated with risqué elegance. Tiffany & Co provided her platinum and diamond jewellery from their archived “Victoria” collection.
Image credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Danai Gurira was regal in Jason Wu’s black gown with Messika diamonds to complement her towering updo, paying homage to her African heritage.
Image credit: Getty Images
Angela Bassett wore a custom-made violet organza Moschino gown with an extravagant bow neckline and sweeping fluted hem. Accessorized with a statement Bulgari diamond serpentine necklace and a celestial disco ball evening bag by Judith Leiber.
Image credit: Getty Images
Cara Delevingne wore a striking Elie Saab rose red gown, catching shoulder bow with thigh high split and satin platform shoes in the same hue as the resplendent gown. Bulgari provided an exquisite three-strand diamond emerald eye snake necklace.
Image credit: Getty Images
Halle Bailey showed she is beautiful as a mermaid or fairy. She wore a whimsical aquamarine Dolce and Gabbana tulle floor length gown, which was light and airy. De Beers provided some extra sparkle with a “Midnight Aura” necklace.
We also love her after-party dress (see below).
Harry Shum Jr’s was magnificent in a kimono style white and navy tuxedo. With a navy silk sash and asymmetric piping it was an inspired look and a gorgeous union of east and west styling by Adeam.
Image credit: Getty Images
Michael B Jordan looked handsome in Louis Vuitton black tuxedo, with Tiffany diamond and pink sapphire and green tourmaline brooches “Birds on a Rock”, designed by Jean Schulmberger, for added elegance.
After the excitement of the awards, the thrill of the Vanity Fair’s after party meant a costume change, naturally.
We particularly liked…
Image Credit: Daniele Venturelli//Getty Images
Lily Aldridge rocking this patent leather Balmain costume.
Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Halle Bailey is a winner wearing shimmering gold satin bespoke gown by Maison Yeya.
Image Credit: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images
Rooney Mara, added a red and off-white Napoleonic style jacket to her vintage empire style Alexander McQueen Oscar dress. The jacket elevate the dress pictured on the “red” carpet earlier.