As Hollywood’s biggest stars united on the iconic red carpet of the 92nd Academy Awards, they not only touted the season’s next must-have looks but also made an inspired case for modest dressing, putting extravagant covered ensembles in the mainstream limelight once again and capping awards season with an unforgettable nod to the region.
Sparkle was clearly the word at the 2020 Oscars. Opening performer Janelle Monáe appeared like a vision of starlight in a custom Ralph Lauren gown and hood adorned with all-over crystals while Saturday Night Live comedian Maya Rudolph wore an elegantly draped burnt-orange kaftan covered in sequins.
Billie Eilish embraced logomania once again—this time in a classic Chanel suit redefined in the five-time Grammy Awards winner’s signature oversized style while the 2019 Oscar Best Actress Olivia Colman was one of the few celebrities who engaged in sustainable fashion with a velvet Stella McCartney dress that was fit only for a queen.
Yet, what can’t be missed was Natalie Portman’s feminist sartorial statement paying tribute to the female creatives who were noticeably missing from the Best Director category. Subtly embroidered all along the actor’s Dior cape were the names of notable women directors who many believed rightfully deserved a nomination this year, including Little Women’s Greta Gerwig and Hustlers Lorene Scafaria.
Arab designers were once again coveted by the leading ladies of Tinseltown, from Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad‘s masterpieces making a record three appearances, including on Egyptian dame Yousra, and Elie Saab dressing Killing Eve frontrunner Sandra Oh in a glamorous creation of peach tulle. Television personalities championed designers from the region as well with Rami Kadi‘s strapless iridescent dress on Lilliana Vazquez and Giuliana Rancic donning a show-stopping red feather gown from rapidly emerging UAE-based label Atelier Zuhra.
Scroll through our gallery above for more noteworthy ensembles that will go down in Oscar history as beacons of fashionable modesty in all shapes and silhouettes.
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