95th Academy Awards 2023: The Red Carpet Turns Champagne
2023: The Year of the Champagne Carpet
The 95th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, once again brought together the biggest names in film to celebrate the year's finest cinematic achievements. The ceremony was hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who returned as Oscars host for the third time.
This year's nominations featured several of the most talked-about films of the season, including Elvis, Tár, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Fabelmans, all competing for Best Picture. In the Best Actress category, nominees included Ana de Armas, Andrea Riseborough, Michelle Yeoh, Michelle Williams, and Cate Blanchett, while Bill Nighy, Austin Butler, Brendan Fraser, Colin Farrell, and Paul Mescal were nominated for Best Actor. One of the evening's most controversial talking points, however, wasn't a winner or a speech—it was the carpet itself. For the first time in decades, the traditional red carpet was replaced with a champagne-colored carpet, a decision that sparked widespread debate among fans and fashion critics alike. Beyond the controversy, the lighter-colored carpet also created logistical challenges behind the scenes, as it became dirty remarkably quickly, forcing organizers to replace entire sections throughout the event.
Despite the unusual backdrop, Hollywood's biggest stars arrived in spectacular fashion, showcasing an extraordinary variety of couture looks—some more successful than others. As always, fashion became one of the night's main attractions, and everyone had their own favorites.
My standout look of the evening was undoubtedly Fan Bingbing, who delivered one of the most breathtaking appearances of the night with a timeless Old Hollywood-inspired ensemble. She wore her hair in classic sculpted waves and dazzled in a Tony Ward mermaid gown, exquisitely tailored to her silhouette and embellished with delicate crystals that appeared to cascade like droplets of water. The dramatic emerald green cape and voluminous sleeves beautifully complemented the elegant V-neckline, while her jewelry elevated the look even further: a stunning pair of 85-carat emerald and diamond earrings and a matching 20-carat diamond ring, both by Lorraine Schwartz Jewelry. Platform heels and a coordinating clutch completed what was, in my opinion, the most unforgettable look of the evening.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Below you'll find a selection of some of the most memorable looks from the 2023 Academy Awards red carpet. Feel free to share your own favorites and opinions in the comments.
