The Oscars 2022: Best Dressed

The defining moment from the Oscars 2022 was when Will Smith, who went on to win his first Academy Award, slapped Chris Rock on stage after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. While this was the overshadowing talking point of the night, there were several notable and historic wins elsewhere. Ariana DeBose became the first openly queer woman of color to win, taking home Best Supporting Actress for her electrifying performance in West Side Story. Jane Campion won Best Director for The Power of the Dog, becoming the third woman ever to win in the category, while writer-director Sian Heder was awarded Best Adapted Screenplay for drama Coda – which also scooped Best Picture, the most prestigious accolade of the night – and Billie Eilish was recognized for Best Original Song along with her brother, Finneas. Jessica Chastain, who was named Best Actress for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, gave the most powerful acceptance speech of the night in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Calling out “discriminatory and bigoted legislation”, she dedicated the award to “any of you out there [feeling] hopeless or alone… you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you”.

Discover all the red-carpet looks from the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles…

Best-dressed-list fixture Zendaya teams up with her lauded long-time stylist Law Roach for this exquisite two-piece look by Valentino. A cropped, satin spin on the white shirt and an iridescent silver skirt with a lengthy train replace a traditional red-carpet gown, while a smattering of delicate diamond accessories rounds off the outfit.

The Batman star is the picture of understated elegance in blush pink. The stunningly simple floor-length gown by Saint Laurent remains the focal point, thanks to a pared-back diamond necklace and ladylike updo.

Thurman eschews the billowing ballgown in favor of a refined, streamlined black-and-white ensemble by Bottega Veneta, finished off with punkish silver rings by Cartier. The crisp button-up lends the look a masculine edge, while the sleek satin skirt heralds the return of the maxi.

Ahead of her Best Supporting Actress win for West Side Story, Broadway regular turned big-time movie star Ariana DeBose emerged on the Oscars red carpet in this striking Valentino creation. One of a handful of attendees to embrace separates this year, she dialed up the outfit with a dramatic, floor-skimming cape, a deep-crimson manicure and a dazzling selection of jewels.

Eight years since her scene-stealing Academy Awards debut, where she famously wowed in a baby-blue Grecian Prada dress, Lupita Nyong’o reminds us why she’s a perennial fashion favorite, in a glittering, gilded gown by the same designer, styled by Micaela Erlanger.

Best Original Song winner Billie Eilish proves she’s not just a pop prodigy but a fashion chameleon, too. While last year’s Met Gala saw the typically sneaker-clad singer exude Old Hollywood glamour in a nude-pink Oscar de la Renta gown, for the Academy Awards she opted for a more avant-garde, voluminous affair by Gucci – with a glossy new mane to match.

During her Pam & Tommy press tour, British actor Lily James’ wardrobe was a whirlwind of boundary-pushing outfits that channeled the 1990s bombshell. For the Academy Awards red carpet, she continued in the same vein with a sugary-pink, lace Atelier Versace gown with a daring thigh split, curated by stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray.

Chastain marks her third Oscar nomination in a two-tone sequin-embellished Gucci gown with a statement-making ruffled hem. For accessories, she skips a clutch and necklace, opting instead for a pair of diamond pendant earrings, plus coordinating cocktail ring and bracelet, all by the same designer.

Garner turns to New York-based designer Brandon Maxwell for this award-worthy look that’s in keeping with her effortless, all-American style. The minimal yet impactful off-the-shoulder dress strikes the perfect note for a red-carpet event, with diamond drop earrings all that are needed to accessorize.