The 10 Most Shocking & Sculptural Looks From The Oscars 2025 Red Carpet: A Fashion Recap
The 97th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, delivered one of the most memorable and architecturally ambitious red carpets in recent history. Unlike previous years dominated by safe, classic silhouettes, the 2025 Oscars saw a seismic shift toward high-drama fashion, with stars embracing sculptural gowns, futuristic metallic tones, and a maximalist approach to couture. As of today, December 22, 2025, the fashion moments from that night continue to define the year's style, proving that the red carpet remains the ultimate stage for sartorial risk-taking.
The night was a celebration of cinematic excellence, with Sean Baker's *Anora* taking home the coveted Best Picture award, alongside wins for Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison in the lead acting categories. However, for fashion critics and fans globally, the real spectacle unfolded on the crimson runway, where Hollywood's elite—including winners, presenters, and nominees—showcased looks that ranged from dazzlingly elegant to defiantly dramatic. The key takeaway? Minimalism is out, and bold, artistic expression is definitively in.
The A-List Attendees & The Designers Who Defined The Night
The 97th Academy Awards saw a powerful lineup of presenters and winners who brought their fashion A-game, often in custom creations that blurred the line between clothing and art. The fashion houses that dressed the biggest names leveraged the event to showcase their most dramatic haute couture capabilities.
- Ariana Grande: The star, whose "Wicked era" dominance continued, arrived in a breathtaking custom Schiaparelli Couture gown. Her look was a fairytale moment, complemented by exquisite De Beers Jewellery, solidifying her status as a red carpet powerhouse.
- Zoe Saldaña: The Best Supporting Actress winner for *Emilia Pérez* made a powerful statement in custom Saint Laurent, a look that perfectly balanced her triumphant moment with sleek, modern elegance.
- Elle Fanning: Known for her ethereal style, Fanning chose a stunning Givenchy creation, accessorized with Cartier Jewellery, embodying a sophisticated, yet whimsical, aesthetic.
- Timothée Chalamet: The actor continued his streak of challenging men’s red carpet norms, opting for a bold, meticulously tailored suit, also by Givenchy, that stood out amongst the sea of traditional tuxedos.
- Selena Gomez: Delivering a classic, timeless look, Gomez graced the carpet in a beautiful gown by Ralph Lauren.
- Whoopi Goldberg: A true showstopper, Goldberg wore a sculpted silver Christian Siriano dress that critics lauded for its futuristic and architectural feel.
- Goldie Hawn: The veteran actress brought glittering sunshine to the event in a vibrant Dolce & Gabbana ensemble.
- Rachel Sennott: Embracing a high-fashion, avant-garde approach, Sennott stunned in custom Balenciaga.
- Cynthia Erivo: Erivo’s custom look, much like Grande’s, continued the narrative of their *Wicked* film partnership with a complementary, high-drama aesthetic.
The Three Dominant Red Carpet Fashion Trends of Oscars 2025
The 97th Oscars red carpet was less about singular standout dresses and more about three overarching thematic trends that dictated the visual landscape. These trends collectively signaled a return to maximalist glamour and high-concept couture.
1. The Rise of the Sculptural Gown
The most defining trend of the night was the prevalence of architectural, sculptural gowns. Forget flowing fabrics; the focus was on dramatic silhouettes and structured volumes that gave the dresses a three-dimensional, almost artistic quality. This trend saw designers utilizing stiff fabrics, strategic ruching, and exaggerated shapes to turn the wearer into a walking piece of art. Whoopi Goldberg’s Christian Siriano look was a prime example, with its metallic, molded bodice that looked like a piece of futuristic armor. The intention was clear: to command attention and leverage the scale of the red carpet for maximum visual impact.
2. The Reign of Pearl Tones and Pale Metallics
While classic black and bold jewel tones always have a presence, the 2025 red carpet was unexpectedly saturated with a sophisticated palette of "pearl tones." Shades of ivory, pale pink, silver, and champagne dominated, giving the carpet a luminous, ethereal glow. This trend provided a soft contrast to the dramatic shapes, proving that a gown doesn't need a shocking color to be impactful. These subtle hues often served as the perfect canvas for the night's other major trend: heavy embellishment and intricate detailing. The pale, near-white tones also beautifully highlighted the diamond and platinum jewelry worn by many of the stars.
3. Maximalist Embellishment and High-Concept Jewelry
In line with the turn toward drama, the red carpet saw an abundance of embellishment, from intricate beading and sequins to elaborate diamond necklaces and statement cuffs. The days of minimalist jewelry were clearly over. Stars like Ariana Grande paired her already dramatic Schiaparelli gown with significant De Beers pieces, ensuring a dazzling finish from every angle. The jewelry itself became a focal point, with many attendees opting for pieces that were historical, rare, or custom-designed specifically for the event, adding another layer of topical authority and exclusivity to their looks.
Beyond the Fashion: The Impact of the 97th Oscars
While the fashion recap is the main event for many, the 97th Academy Awards also provided a powerful backdrop for the year's cinematic achievements. The success of *Anora*, a film that resonated deeply with critics and audiences, emphasized the Academy's continued commitment to independent and artistically bold filmmaking. The acting wins, including Adrien Brody’s second Oscar and the breakthrough win for Mikey Madison, provided the emotional high points of the evening.
The interplay between the winners and their red carpet choices is crucial. Zoe Saldaña, a winner, wore a custom Saint Laurent dress that exuded confidence and power, perfectly reflecting her professional triumph. These fashion choices are not accidental; they are carefully curated statements that serve as a visual extension of the star's career and persona at their peak moment of recognition. The 2025 Oscars cemented the red carpet as a strategic platform where fashion and film converge in a spectacular display of creativity and cultural influence.
The enduring legacy of the 2025 Oscars red carpet will be its audacity. By embracing sculptural forms, dramatic silhouettes, and a sense of high-stakes glamour, the stars and their stylists ensured the 97th Academy Awards would be remembered not just for the awards handed out, but for the unforgettable, museum-worthy fashion that graced the Dolby Theatre that night.
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