There is greatness in sophistication
The South Korean movie, Parasite, won Best Picture at the first Oscars of a new decade and the red carpet was adorned with sophistication and class. Judy Garland never won an Oscar during her life and died 45 years ago, but some say she was ever present on this night. She famously kept quoting herself saying “I didn’t ask to be a legend”. This night belongs to her and even fashion and style on the red carpet reflected what she herself may have loved to wear….
The 92nd Academy Awards was aired live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, reaching the largest audience ever, even outshining New York Fashion Week (slap-dap in the middle of) as official trendsetter to fashionistas, style watchers, and critics worldwide.
Since Oscars’ nomination day, it was bashed for #OscarsSoWhite as was 2 years ago. Many persons of colour felt they were unfairlysnubbed. The exact same hashtag can now be used, but for a different reason, the right reason. A wardrobe reason. It came as no surprise when red carpet stars paraded in mostly a white and/or black garment – and some mixing it up with monochrome coloured gowns in various metal undertones (silver rosegold, gold). I should dare to mention that neither white nor black is a colour, but that the odd yellow, pink and red was also seen - not always as best dressed.
Although there were 2 or 3 worst dressed people, sophistication ruled the day. Renee Zellweger (in Armani) took the night, both winning the Oscar as leading actress in “Judy”, and as best dressed on the red carpet. Charlize Theron added another black Dior outfit to her now very predicatable wardrobe references, but remained classy and dignified in simplicity, yet striking look.
They were just two of the many that went for a monochrome look, rather snubbing fads and complexity. This fashionable and classy clean look (which was often predicted over past decades as futuristic, is now normal. Jonelle Monae stunned in a metallic silver/blue look, donning a romantic hoodie, causing positive “ooohs” and “aaaahs” everywhere she turned.
On a night like this, you cannot have "a best dressed" if there was no "worst dressed", and of them there were several. In pure contrast with sophistication, the worse dressed just do not know when to stop adding. Confucius visited several of the "wanna be seen" or not so seasoned walkers of the Red Carpet.
Trends to watch in 2020;
- White-like hints of colour in soft ice cream colouring. Regina King (in Versace) by far wore this the best.
- Keep your gown monochrome.
- Jewelry was small and complimentary.
- Several statement necklaces were worn.
- Hand purses were absent.
- Hairstyles were neatly combed and/or bunned at the back, or soft and flowing down-and past the shoulderline.
- Shoes were not the focus of the day, but when seen, they were elegantly matching and not the focus.
Laura Dern, who won "best supporting actress" for the night (also by Armani), glamoured a light pink gown and tassled black upper half. Her star is shining brighly at the moment, leaving some with the inspirational saying:
"You live, You learn, You Laura and You Dern".
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