Fashion may be subjective, but the artistry and hundreds of hours of pure craftsmanship poured into every red carpet look deserves respect. So why yuck someone else’s yum when we could celebrate the hits — the outfits that made us go, “Yeah. They ate.”

The 2025 Oscars, as always, brought the glitz, the glamour and a number of unforgettable red carpet moments. Here are some of the looks that turned the carpet into a moment of magic, deserving of their own categories — created by me. 

Pretty in pink

Best actress winner Mikey Madison glowed in a custom Christian Dior haute couture gown. The slick black bodice contrasted beautifully with a bubblegum pink skirt and bow, serving timeless elegance for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Best supporting actress nominee Monica Barbaro also chose Dior — a gown with a modern beaded bust and full ballet pink pleated skirt that screamed classic but contemporary allure.

 

Most wicked

One thing Cynthia Erivo always does best on a red carpet is bring the drama. The best actress nominee wore a custom, luxe green Louis Vuitton dress with a voluminous skirt that commanded just about everyone’s attention. Of course, not far behind her was close friend and best supporting actress nominee Ariana Grande, who dazzled in a custom nude Schiaparelli gown straight from the Spring/Summer 2025 haute couture collection. With over 190,000 intricate crystals and rhinestones in the bustling tulle skirt, what’s not to love? Fellow Wicked cast member Jeff Goldblum kept it quirky and cool in a custom Prada suit — his purple orchid boutonniere adding a typical touch of Goldblum whimsy.

Monochrome magic

Best actor nominee Timothée Chalamet certainly stood out in a custom butter-yellow Givenchy ensemble complete with a double-breasted vest and statement 1988 Cartier yellow diamond necklace. Andrew Garfield also looked dapper in an all-brown Gucci suit, with the perfect caramel silk undershirt to complement underneath. He may have kept the look casual with one button undone, but we say the nonchalance deserves two thumbs up.

 

Sometimes more is more

Selena Gomez turned heads in a shimmering custom Ralph Lauren dress, while best actress nominee Demi Moore also with a custom Armani Privé gown that looked like it was sculpted by the gods. Both stars embodied timeless glamour with an effervescent touch of bling — or a lot of bling we should say. Best supporting actress winner Zoe Saldaña graced the carpet with some bling of her own in a burgundy Saint Laurent gown. The intricate bubble skirt structure was accompanied by a netted, jewel-encrusted bustier and sheer black gloves. Doja Cat also had a more subtle approach to bling in her ensemble, slating a strapless custom leopard-print sequin Balmain gown and matching scarf. The flamboyant look, inspired by a 1953 Balmain archival piece, is proof that sometimes, more is more.

 

Black is the new black

You can never go wrong with a sleek black dress — simple but stunning nonetheless if done right. Miley Cyrus understood that, rocking a glittery Alexander McQueen halter dress, throwing in the perfect pair of matching, black-lace gloves and a set of bleached brows for a slight edge. Ultimate Chanel girl Lily-Rose Depp of course opted for custom Chanel. She even beat Grande with over 191,000 pieces of embroidery throughout the halter bodice and lace peplum inspired by another dress from Chanel’s 1995 spring couture collection. Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Yasmin Finney rounded out this category, each bringing midnight magic to the carpet in Tamara Ralph couture and Harris Reed Fall 2024, respectively. Both brought their own memorable twist to the all black ensemble — Randolph with her chiffon train that cascaded down from her neckline, and Finney with tall, avant garde-like feathers sprouting from the bodice.

 

Suit yourself

Best actor winner Adrien Brody wore a classic Armani suit and statement Elsa Jin brooch that took the look to the next level. This isn’t the first time Brody’s elevated a classic suit with an adorned jewel-encrusted brooch, but we’re hoping it isn’t the last either. In a completely different approach, Omar Apollo unveiled the ultimate veil moment in a Valentino suit. Some have the predisposition that menswear on the red carpet can be a snooze, but Apollo absolutely shattered that theory. Masculine, feminine and clean yet playful — his polka dot top, fringe scarf, alligator brooch and veil proved everything but that. Other honorable mentions include Lisa, who wore a Mark Gong suit-dress inspired by the James Bond tribute she featured in, as well as best supporting actor nominee Jeremy Strong, who wore the perfect olive-colored Loro Piana getup.

Classic Hollywood

Some stars went the classic Hollywood route, showing how well-tailored silhouettes in rich statement colors can never go wrong. Anok Yai channeled goddess in a custom deep peach mermaid dress by Marni accompanied by a dramatic black boa. Raye arrived in a vividly red Vivienne Westwood gown that had the corset and drapery of regal perfection. Gal Gadot chose a red ensemble just as bold, but instead designed by Prada. Meanwhile, Michelle Yeoh brought in royal blue Balenciaga that contrasted with many of the warm-toned gowns from the evening.

Delicate delicacies

Sure, there were a number of daring looks, complete with vivacious colors, shapes and accents, but there were also delicate ensembles that oozed a certain ethereal embodiment. “The Brutalist” actress Raffey Cassidy wore a sleek satin, pearl-colored Loewe gown with a striking sculptured bow perched atop her right shoulder. “A Complete Unknown’s” Elle Fanning practically floated down the carpet in custom Givenchy. With the white lace detailing, classic black ribbon bow and 1958 Cartier necklace literally from a vault, she looked, per usual, like a princess. Also serving graceful delicacies was Lupita Nyong’o in a custom Chanel dress complete with a sparkling sequin corset and 22,410 pearls, Rachel Zegler in a haze of nude polka-dotted tulle by Dior, and Penélope Cruz in a custom white silk chiffon Chanel dress that wasn’t complete without the gorgeous gems running down the centerline.

Contact Ella Kwon at [email protected].