CNN
—
The 97th Academy Awards delivered an evening of elegant and, at times, dramatic fashion, with many stars saving their best looks for the biggest red carpet of them all.
This year’s awards season has witnessed its fair share of restrained styling and dark monochromatic looks, but Hollywood’s A-list brought shimmer, sparkle and metallics to LA’s Dolby Theatre on Sunday. From Halle Berry’s disco-ball Christian Siriano gown to Demi Moore’s Swarovski crystal-embellished Armani Privé dress, the work of embroiderers took center stage.
The numbers speak volumes: Selena Gomez’s Ralph Lauren outfit, inspired by Sophia Loren, shone with over 16,000 glass droplets. Lupita Nyong’o’s pleated ivory-colored Chanel dress meanwhile comprised over 22,000 elements of embroidery, including straps made from strings of pearls. Then there was Ariana Grande, whose stunning Schiaparelli gown — recently seen on the label’s Spring-Summer 2025 Haute Couture runway — came alive with over 190,000 crystal sequins, rhinestones and cut beads, giving her tulle skirt an iridescent shimmer.
Grande’s “Wicked” co-star Cynthia Erivo delivered another of the evening’s most memorable looks, arriving in a dark green Louis Vuitton creation with a theatrical collar and bow. Scarlett Johansson also opted for velvet in a floor-length Thierry Mugler gown with matching evening gloves. But satin was the material fabric of choice for many of the red carpet’s best-dressed, including “Anora” star Mikey Madison and Raffey Cassidy in sleek outfits by Louis Vuitton and Loewe, respectively.
The evening’s men largely played it safe, though there were floral flourishes from the likes of Jeff Goldblum, in Prada, and Bowen Yang, who wore an embroidered leather jacket by Etro. Timothée Chalamet opted for leather, too, arriving in a butter yellow Givenchy suit. Perhaps the evening’s best tuxedo, however, was that worn by Blackpink singer (and now, “White Lotus” star) Lisa, whose Markgong dress put an elegant feminine spin on formal menswear.
See below for some of the red carpet’s best looks.
