The 2017 awards season peaked with the 89th annual Oscar ceremony held as per tradition, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood this afternoon.
Once again, the eyes of the world will be on the fashion darlings and disasters on the red carpet in the lead up to the ceremony.
Join us as we look at some of the best and worst looks of this year’s nominees and tagalongs.
Meryl Streep
It was the gown everyone was ready to see, the one that Karl Lagerfield accused Meryl Streep of being paid to wear, over one of his Chanel creations.
Meryl Streep made a low-key entrance into the Oscars, shunning photos and entering the ceremony at speed. Streep’s streak meant we didn’t get a proper look at the gown that topped Chanel, but a couple of sneaky photos allowed a glimpse at the navy blue bedazzled number. Streep's off-the-shoulder look was obviously inspired by every top in every Westfield shopping mall at the moment. Maybe she bought it with one of those Glassons mystery codes? The Oscar-nominated star looks classy and beautiful, big thumbs up from me.
Kirsten Dunst
You know in kids' movies where there’s the scary lady villain, who still clings to her wasted youth and wears her old wedding dress and slaps makeup on her face and hates children? Come on, you know the one. Well that’s what Kirsten Dunst’s gown reminds me of. The hair looks like she curled it 30 years ago and has been sleeping on it since then. The necklace looks like it has the power to put a curse on those that cross her. It also annoys me that she is putting her hands in the gown’s pockets, like everyone did in 2007 when that was actually a gimmick. One of the worst of the afternoon Kirsten, this dress is almost as irritating as your character in Wimbledon.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson is obviously filming a sequel to 50 Shades of Grey, called 50 Layers of Satin. The petite starlet has pulled the cover off one of Donald Trump’s couches and draped it around herself. It’s swamping her in ugly, and is weirdly at odds with the Amish milkmaid hair. She looks like a bride from Star Wars. (Disclaimer: have never seen Star Wars, for all those about to scathingly email me about my ignorance of Star Wars fashion).
Auli'i Cravalho
The Moana soundtrack has been my guilty pleasure this summer and now Auli'i Cravalho is my new obsession. While many celebs struggle to keep their head above water with their first awards season, Cravalho has come out swimming. (Sorry). Cream and gold combo is always a winner, and a reference to Moana with the shell inspired detailing hits it out of the park. While a dramatic gown can often make young stars look like they’re trying to be older, by keeping the hair and jewellery simple it’s just restrained enough to be age-appropriate. Snaps for Auli’I, can’t wait to see more in the future.
Isabelle Huppert
The best actress nominee has nailed the ultimate red carpet juggling act; how to wear sequins and a bold lip while still keeping it classy. While the colour of an under-brewed tea might wash some people out, Huppert’s hair and makeup keep her in the spotlight on the red carpet. My only qualm is with the belt. The studded tie up reminds me of the belt I used to rock with my flared cords from Urban Angel. While that was the peak of fashion at the time, probably doesn’t need to be repeated. But I’m nit-picking, because everything else is flawless.
Hailee Steinfeld
I’m in two minds over this look. On the one hand the back of this dress looks like an actual waterfall, and is just sheer enough to push the boundaries. Stunning. The hair and makeup are amazing. But the appliqued flowers and high collar I just feel we have seen approximately 6000 times this awards season. I get it Hailee, you’re throwing it back to Sandra Bullock at the 2011 Golden Globes, when mixing bold hair and makeup with a feminine dress was edgy and ground-breaking. But now it’s just a wee bit….yawn.
Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow
One of my two favourite celebrity couples (for the other, see below). Leslie Mann has really broken out from the neutral tones we’ve seen dominating the red carpet, by going for one of my favourite colours, this bold mustard. There’s a lot going on in this dress and you could either love it or hate it. But it reminds me so much of the Disney animated Cinderella of my childhood I can’t help but love it. The gathered skirt brings the drama that you can only get away with at the Oscars. Finally, an Oscar worthy-gown. Oh and Judd looks fine.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
I love, love, love these two. They are ultimate couple goals, give me faith that love exists etc etc. Let’s be honest, supermodel Teigen could wear bags of rubbish as a coat and still look flawless. This dress could have ever so slightly teetered on boring, but luckily the cape just adds enough old Hollywood glam to bring it back. The glitzy panel on the chest is beautifully crafted. Alongside John Legend in his classic tux, these two could have stepped off a red carpet in the 40s. But at the end of the day, the best accessory they’re bringing is their laughter. Don’t they look like they’re having fun? Don’t you want to be adopted by them? Or is that last one just me?
Dev Patel
This is the part where I have to massively applaud Dev Patel for going for something different, but then as usual I turn my nose up at it. I’m contrary; tell me something I don’t know. I would say he looks like he’s dressed to serve the drinks, but then I don’t know if the academy would let him get away with that shoddy facial hair if he was. It’s all a bit thrown together last minute, which you can get away with at some ceremonies, but come on Dev, this is the Oscars. You’re up for an OSCAR, so clean it up. On the other hand he did bring his Mum as his date. So all is forgiven, if your Mum loves the ‘attend the Oscars after being mugged outside a fancy hotel’ look then I do as well.
