And we've made it. We've hit the pièce de résistance of the season, a.k.a. the 89th Annual Academy Awards. Yes, there's been a lot of talk about the movies nominated this season, but there's also been a fair share of buzz about the clothing (way before the red carpet even began). The weeks leading up to this year's Oscars had us stalking Instagram, playing the what-celebrity-what-designer guessing game, and closely following the pre-show saga that was Meryl vs. Karl (because if there's anything us fashion folk enjoy, it's drama with a capital D).
Still, after some damn good red carpets at both the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards, our expectations for the line-up at the Academy Awards were even higher. Because as much as we enjoy a classic Tom Ford gown or an enchanting Gucci moment, nothing makes us happier than spotting some wildcard designers in the mix. And between Ruth Negga in Valentino, Felicity Jones in Dior, and Naomie Harris in (brand-new) Calvin Klein by Appointment, the looks ahead are one-hundred.
Oh, Ruth. Is there anything you can't do? Figuring out what to wear when you're nominated for Best Actress can be pretty daunting, but to no one's surprise, Negga nailed it in this red Valentino number. And, she topped it off with the best accessory of the night: A blue ribbon (that many actors are wearing) to show her support for the ACLU.
Photo: Getty Images.
We're not exactly sure how Kirsten Dunst is going to sit in her seat tonight (or if there will be any leg room left underneath the table), but a skirt that major calls for a toast. Especially when it's Dior Haute Couture.
Photo: Getty Images.
Leave it to uber serious French actress Isabelle Huppert to bust out the sparkles in an understated way. The embroidery on this Armani Prive gown is just the right amount of flash to compliment Huppert's cool-et-serious vibes.
Photo: Getty Images.
Naomie Harris was just one of four cast members from Moonlight dressed by Raf Simons for Calvin Klein by Appointment tonight. And, dare we say, she's the best dressed of the troop? Just look at that cape, the keyhole, those shoes... Sorry, fellas.
Photo: Getty Images.
Okay, we're not going to lie: When Taraji P. Henson stepped onto the red carpet tonight, it took our breath away. With so much flash these days, it's seldom something as classic and tame as this Alberta Ferretti gown that actually makes us weak in the knees. But Taraji, you did just that.
Photo: Getty Images.
Dakota Johnson's blinding Gucci dress is everything we wanted and more from you tonight. Thank you for the accessories, but really, thank you for those shoulder pads.
Photo: Getty Images.
Alicia Vikander wears a Victorian-style corsetted Louis Vuitton ruffled gown.
Photo: Getty Images.
Looks like Emma Roberts was feeling the Old Hollywood vibes when she slipped into her vintage Armani Prive gown tonight. And, as we expected, we're here for every bit of it. It looks like she calls films "motion pictures," doesn't it?
Photo: Getty Images.
The queen has arrived; Viola Slay vis will see you now. The Fences actress just shut it down in this red custom Armani Prive gown that, really, could work for any awards show. That, plus the tailoring on this drop-sleeve dress makes Davis a winner in our book.
Photo: Getty Images.
Emma Stone was one of many to wear a champagne-coloured dress tonight. If it wasn't for the vintage fringe at the bottom, we could have sworn this Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci look was something straight out of La La Land.
Photo: Getty Images.
Thank you, Brie Larson, for giving us one of our first looks at the new Oscar de la Renta by the designers of Monse tonight. The fishtail on that dress may look difficult to walk in, but hey, that's fashion — right?
Photo: Getty Images.
Get out of Janelle Monae's way. The Hidden Figures and Moonlight actress has come to slay. This epic Elie Saab gown needs a wide-load permit, and we're more than happy to notarise it.
Photo: Getty Images.
Perhaps Michelle Williams and Emma Roberts colour-coordinated by accident tonight, but we don't mind seeing double. The knot on this Louis Vuitton number gives new meaning to that whole 'black tie' thing.
Photo: Getty Images.
You know what, we're just going to come out and say it: If this is the last choker we see for a while, we're going to be just fine. Supermodel Karlie Kloss stepped onto the carpet in this ultra-white Stella McCartney gown and took no prisoners with her accessory game. How does one recover from such perfectly-placed bling?
Photo: Getty Images.
If you thought Hailee Steinfeld's ethereal Ralph & Russo dress was love at first sight (it totally was), may we suggest you hold your applause until you see the back? Once Steinfeld turned around, we can only imagine the photographers went crazy snapping shots of the reef-like ruffles that trailed down her spine. Hey, it is haute couture after all.
Photo: Getty Images.
Before Ava DuVernay took the carpet tonight, she honoured Trayvon Martin (who died one year ago today) in a touching tweet. Duvernay is nominated for her documentary 13th tonight, and the director looks regal in this grey gown designed by Lebanon-based Ashi Studio.
Photo: Getty Images.
Tulle is hard to get right, especially if you're more of a Miranda than a Carrie. But Felicity Jones' fairytale-like Dior gown is a great example that, when given the perfect silhouette (and a chilled-out ball skirt), princess vibes can actually look rather grown-up.
Photo: Getty Images.
It's been a while since we've seen Halle Berry walk a red carpet, or at least a carpet as formal as this one. And what better dress to do it in than this epic Atelier Versace number?
Photo: Getty Images.
It's not often we see grey on the red carpet, which means this Prada number on Teresa Palmer was a pleasant surprise tonight in the sea of the usual whites and reds. And, of course, we can never say no to a belt moment.
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