That’s a red carpet!
After a year under wraps, Hollywood glamour burst back with a blaze of colour
Twelve months of languishing in designer sneakers and sweat pants has taken its tollon Hollywood’s A-list, who couldn’t wait to dress up in their finery, putting on a spectacular show on the Oscars red carpet. A dazzling display of attention-grabbing gowns saw red walking away as the winning colour choice of the night, in shades from brightest cherry to deep burgundy and everything in between.
This was also the night when the upper-half got the upper hand: an array of cutaway styles revealed toned midriffs, sculpted shoulders and deep decolletages, accessorised with glittering gems — all designed to showcase bodies perfected for a season of Zoom chatshow interviews (shot from the waist up).
Inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood and the style of stars such as vivien leigh and Rita Hayworth, this was high- octane OldSchool Glamour wrought for 2021.
Amanda Seyfried appeared in Armani Privé, wearing an hourglass- shaped, strapless bodice that featured a waist-deep v-shaped plunge and swathes of swirling scarlet tulle, complemented with deep vermilion lips.
Also in the red were Reese witherspoon, in a column of ombre georgette, and Olivia Colman, in a more demure crepe, belted day dress with long sleeves, both by Dior Couture. She styled her ensemble with a liberty-print silk face mask.
In the midriff-revealing cutaway category, Andra Day’s molten-gold vera wang draped style echoed the big-skirted drama of British nominee Carey Mulligan’s shimmering Maison valentino number.
British star vanessa Kirby’s sleek Gucci column of palest rose-pink silk gave a crescentshaped glimpse of her midriff and featured an elegant train — a look given a modern edge with slicked-back hair and claret lipstick. while Halle Berry wore a violet chiffon Dolce & Gabbana gown with a voluminous skirt.
But Chinese-born Chloe Zhao, who won best director for Nomadland, needed no adornment other than her groundbreaking golden statuette, appearing in an understated sandcoloured Hermes gown, paired with white sneakers and a pair of schoolgirl plaits.