Stars in dazzling fashion storm Oscars gala on champagne carpet
Angela Bassett attends the champagne-colored red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 95th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (Reuters Photo)


The pinnacle of the Hollywood awards season has concluded as the Oscars gala took place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles in spectacular fashion, with Hollywood stars arriving on Sunday in shimmering column dresses, jewel-toned gowns, and structured and voluminous attire, flaunting bold choices that stood out on the novel champagne-colored carpet ensconced under a tent.

Best supporting actress nominee Angela Bassett, from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," opted for a bright purple dress with structural flourishes on both the top and bottom of the gown. Fellow nominee in that category, Stephanie Hsu from "Everything Everywhere All At Once," chose a strapless fuchsia Valentino gown with a wide skirt.

Cate Blanchett, best actress nominee for "Tar," wore a draped azure top over a black skirt with a train.

Mexican American actor and producer Salma Hayek (L) and her daughter attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Actor Halle Berry (R) and singer Van Hunt attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Actor Dwayne Johnson (L), Alyson Sandro (C) and Irish actor Barry Keoghan attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Actor Samuel L. Jackson attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)

Oscars organizers were keen to recreate nighttime glamour in the tent – in contrast to the traditional outdoor red carpet.

Zanna Roberts Rassi, a fashion, beauty, and entertainment journalist and entrepreneur, called this year's Oscars fashion "absolutely exceptional."

Several attendees used the indoor lights to don shimmery silver dresses or gowns encrusted with reflective materials. Ana de Armas, best actress nominee for "Blonde," wore a silver column dress with a flamenco dancer-like ruffle on the bottom. Ariana DeBose donned a sparkly white dress cut low in the front with transparent sleeves encrusted with shiny beads.

Actor Paul Dano attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
U.S. singer and actor Halle Bailey (L) and Branson Bailey attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Vietnamese actor Hong Chau attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Malaysian actor Michelle Yeoh attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)

"Ethereal and silver was a big theme," said Rassi. "We saw Ariana DeBose in Versace. We saw Kate Hudson in an incredible Rodarte. We also saw Ana de Armas in this magnificent Louis Vuitton."

Education activist Malala Yousafzai, executive producer of the documentary short film "Stranger At The Gate," wore a shimmery silver hooded gown.

And then there were the women in white in solid silhouettes.

Michelle Yeoh, who won the best actress Oscar for "Everything Everywhere All At Once," wore sparkling silver in her hair and a feathery white Dior gown. Fellow best actress nominee Michelle Williams, star of "The Fabelmans," also went for ethereal white with a sparkly silver bodice.

Actors Halle Berry (L) and Angela Bassett attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
English actor Idris Elba attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)
Chinese actor Fan Bingbing attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 12, 2023. (AFP Photo)

Some of the men departed from the safe choice of a black tuxedo.

Musician Lenny Kravitz wore a draped black outfit cut low in the front, sporting a giant cross on his chest. Another musician, David Byrne, nominated for best song from "Everything Everywhere All At Once," wore a white head-to-toe suit.

Action star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wore a pink satin jacket. Sarah Polley, director and writer of "Women Talking," opted for a black tuxedo-like suit with a ruffled white blouse rather than a gown.

Several women opted for gowns with high-cut slits, including Nicole Kidman in a shimmery black gown and Cara Delevingne in a dramatic red dress.