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After last year’s limited-capacity event, the Academy Awards returned in full force Sunday evening – and the red carpet was back to something resembling its glamorous best, too.
Though the event was delayed from its usual February slot for a second consecutive year due to Covid-19, there was barely a mask in sight, with social distancing restrictions from last time around also relaxed.
There was plenty of red on display as the guests arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Kristen Dunst, Amy Forsyth and Best Supporting Actress winner Ariana DeBose were among the guests to impress in shades not dissimilar from the carpet itself.
Elsewhere, stars embraced the return of in-person proceedings with sparkling gowns and over-the-top silhouettes. Among the more dramatic looks were Jada Pinkett Smith’s emerald Jean Paul Gautier couture dress, which featured a voluminous ruffled train, and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s theatrically structured custom Schiaparelli column dress embellished with gold leaf and crystals.
The Oscars maintained its reputation as the most restrained of Hollywood’s award ceremonies, however, with several of the night’s best-dressed stars opting for classic glamourp. Rachel Zegler impressed in an elegant black floor-length gown and best actress winner Jessica Chastain wore a shimmery two-toned gown in bronze and lavender, while others looked to gold and silver, from Lupita Nyong’o in a flared Prada dress to Zendaya, who wore a two-piece custom Valentino ensemble – a cropped white top paired with a disco silver skirt and short train.
Several attendees – including Diane Warren and Jamie Lee Curtis – meanwhile used the occasion to send messages of support to the people of Ukraine with ribbons or jewelry.
The evening’s men kept things relatively simple in classic black-tie, though Daniel Kaluuya and “The Power of the Dog” star Kodi Smit-McPhee were among a handful of stars opting for colorful outfits (in an aquamarine Prada jacket and pastel Bottega Veneta tux, respectively).
But it was Timothée Chalamet who stole the show by going shirtless in an embroidered lace jacket and high-waisted pants from Louis Vuitton’s Spring-Summer 2022 womenswear collection. He then put his own spin on the gender-fluid outfit with a sparkling necklace and a pair of black boots.
Below are some of the night’s most eye-catching looks.
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Oscars presenter Rachel Zegler wore a a Dior gown which featured black sequin
detailing and was accompanied by a golden choker.
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Filmmaker Ava DuVernay in a dark blue Louis Vuitton ensemble featuring elaborate shoulder pieces and detailing.
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Megan Thee Stallion in a figure-hugging blue gown with silver detailing from Indian designer Gaurav Gupta.
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Timothée Chalamet bolstered his reputation as one of Hollywood's boldest dressers in an embroidered lace jacket and high-waisted pants from Louis Vuitton's Spring-Summer 2022 womenwear line.
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Daniel Kaluuya wore a bright aquamarine Prada suit to the event.
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Jamie Lee Curtis wore a ribbon around her ring finger, expressing support for Ukranians.
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"The Batman" star Zoë Kravitz wearing a light pink strapless gown by Yves Saint Laurent and diamond necklace.
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Best Actress nominee Kristen Stewart in a Chanel tuxedo and shorts.
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Lily James arrived in a pink figure-hugging Atelier Versace gown finished with lace.
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Will Smith, who won Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in "King Richard," arrived on the carpet wearing Dolce & Gabbana, accompanied with Jada Pinkett Smith in a voluminous emerald green gown by Jean Paul Gaultier.
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"The Lost Daughter" director and Best Adapted Screenplay nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal in custom Schiaparelli.
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Billie Eilish donned a black tiered Gucci ballgown for the event.
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Oscars presenter Serena Williams, co-executive producer of "King Richard" alongside Venus Williams, paired black lace gloves with a flowing Gucci look.
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David Oyelowo eschewed the black suit for an ornately patterned one.
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"Belfast" actor Jamie Dornan and spouse Amelia Warner pose alongside Best Actor nominee Andrew Garfield, who wore a velvet Saint Laurent suit.
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"Euphoria" breakout star Jacob Elordi wore a classic black Burberry tuxedo.
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Best Supporting Actor nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee in a baby blue Bottega Veneta tuxedo.
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"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" actor and Oscars presenter Simu Liu wore a red Versace suit with gold detailing.
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Best Supporting Actress nominee for "The Power of the Dog" Kirsten Dunst in a red Chanel gown with ruffles.
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From left, director Steven Spielberg, actress Rita Moreno and Best Supporting actress winner Ariana DeBose. DeBose wore one of the night's many red-colored outfits, this time by Valentino.
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"CODA" actress Emilia Jones in a midriff cut-out bedazzled gown.
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Aunjanue Ellis, nominated for best supporting actress for her performance in "King Richard," in an orange Versace gown.
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Oscars host Amy Schumer sporting an Oscar de la Renta deep-plunge neckline with diamonds forming the outline of a bow.
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Olivia Colman turned heads wearing a Dior haute couture gown.
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Actress Lupita Nyong'o in a gold-sequined Prada look with rose accents.
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Actress Rosie Perez in a red Christian Siriano dress alongside Oscars presenter Jason Momoa.
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"CODA" actress Marlee Matlin in a satin red Monique Lhuillier dress.
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"No Time To Die" actor and Oscars presenter Rami Malek kept it chic and simple in a black Prada tuxedo.
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Jessica Chastain, best actress nominee for "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," dressed in Gucci for the ceremony, sporting a two-toned colored dress with a flowing train.
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Diane Warren was one of the stars to pay tribute to Ukraine, wearing a blue "#with refugees" ribbon.
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"Coming 2 America" actor Wesley Snipes in a custom Givenchy maroon look paired with silver hoop earrings.
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"CODA" actress Amy Forsyth in a one-shoulder red Marchesa gown with thigh-high cut.
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Lena Waithe arrived wearing a sharp brown suit with black lapels.
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"The Worst Person in the World" star Renate Reinsve's Louis Vuitton lacy gown featured a low back with silver sequins.
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Nikolaj Coster-Waldau wore a monochrome suit.
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Singer H.E.R. in a bright strapless gown and long train.
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Nicole Kidman wore a structured blue gown custom made by Armani.
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From left, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Sian Heder, Amy Forsyth and Daniel Durant wearing complementary outfits.
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Five-time Olympian Shaun White sports a tuxedo at the Oscars.
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"King Richard" co-executive producer Venus Williams in a white Elie Saab gown with silver accents.
Top image: Zendaya attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)