FEMALE NOMINEES
Some of fashion’s most iconic moments have been at the Oscars. Every year, actresses make their most important statements on the red carpet and the media and public alike anxiously wait to see what they chose for their big night. WWD picks looks for the women from the recently wrapped-up couture collections —Mayte Allende
Emma Stone
Film: “La La Land”
Designer: Giambattista Valli
Stone is a risk-taker and she does not mind experimenting and pushing the envelope: We still remember her chic, unexpected Lanvin jumpsuit at the Golden Globes and her memorable golden beaded Elie Saab at the 2015 Oscars. We would love for Emma to try one of Giambattista Valli’s extreme-volume silhouettes such as this one
Ruth Negga
Film: “Loving”
Designer: Givenchy
A relative newcomer on the awards scene — this marks her first Oscar nomination — Negga has already made quite the splash; she wore an exquisite Louis Vuitton silver column gown to the Golden Globes signaling that perhaps she favors an edge. This black Givenchy beaded mesh number is right up her alley.
Meryl Streep
Film: “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Designer: Chanel
Streep holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any actor with 20 nominations and three wins so as the veteran that she is, we suggested this regal Chanel Couture feather beaded gown fit for a queen.
Isabelle Huppert
Film: “Elle”
Designer: Francesco Scognamiglio
This is Huppert’s first Oscar nomination and although not a stranger to the red carpet, she often shies away from a glamorous statement in favor of a tuxedo or understated gown. This Francesco Scognamiglio has the ease of a shirt with just enough glitz to make her shine.
Natalie Portman
Film: “Jackie”
Designer: Valentino
It is not easy doing a red carpet while pregnant, but Portman has definitely raised the bar. Last month for the Golden Globes, she wore a gorgeous yellow Prada gown, so for the Oscars, we suggest this sublime Valentino gown with tulle overlay.
MALE NOMINEES
Who can forget those legendary black-and-white pictures of Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope in the early Sixties wearing matching tails? Or the charismatic Richard Burton in a sharp peak-lapel tuxedo and oversize bow tie in the Seventies, with the one and only Elizabeth Taylor by his side?
The good news is that those golden days are not gone forever. Yes, there have been some boring and questionable years, but the game of making fashion history is back on.
Last year, Eddie Redmayne raised the bar with an ultrasleek peak- lapel velvet tuxedo, while Tom Hardy turned heads with a three-piece style and silver aviator sunglasses. Our hopes are sky high this year, with nominees including the always-dashing Ryan Gosling, the modern and sleek Andrew Garfield, the charismatic and traditional Viggo Mortensen, the bohemian and free- thinking Casey Affleck and the cool and elegant Denzel Washington.
This leading-man category promises a heady red-carpet fashion competition. But until the big reveal on Oscar night, here are some of
our suggestions for what would make a true head-turning event.— Alex Badia
Denzel Washington
Film: “Fences”
Designer: J. Crew
One of the most charismatic actors of his generation, Washington always looks best when channeling the classic and traditional. He is big fan of the simple, single-breasted notch-lapel tuxedo, however, a peak-lapel double-breasted in a form-fitting silhouette would still be classic but would add a little glamour. And J. Crew has just the one that he can accessorize with a hint of a pocket square.
Andrew Garfield
Film: “Hacksaw Ridge”
Designer: Neil Barrett
With model-like looks, this young actor can wear fashion like no one else, as evidenced by red-carpet appearances this season that have ranged from a white smoking jacket from Burberry to a stunning midnight blue Dior Homme. All these high choices suggest that he’s ready to go one step further with a subtle jacquard tonal camouflage tuxedo by Neil Barrett. This look would pay off and present him as a risk taker — and potential fashion protagonist.
Ryan Gosling
Film: “La La Land”
Designer: Ralph Lauren
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it — and in the case of Gosling, it certainly isn’t broken. His magnificent red-carpet arrival at the Golden Globes in a white tuxedo was breathtaking.
We suggest a similar white tux, but a wider lapel and a black pocket square from Ralph Lauren would propel him to the next level and evoke old Hollywood glamour.
Viggo Mortensen
Film: “Captain Fantastic”
Designer: Hugo Boss
This Danish-American actor has total silver fox status, but he hides behind too-traditional sartorial choices that downplay his leading-man sex appeal. Case in point: the three-piece suit he wore to the Screen Actors Guild Awards was more appropriate for a board meeting than the red carpet. A modern and formfitting narrow shawl-lapel style with a skinny tie from Hugo Boss would empower him and elevate his chic factor without feeling too forced or fake.
Casey Affleck
Film: “Manchester by the Sea”
Designer: Dsquared2
Affleck’s style is good. He opts for sleek tuxedos from the likes of Louis Vuitton, usually wearing single-breasteds with classic bow ties — although on some occasions he has opted for a three-piece. But his longer hair and thick beard indicate a rebellious and independent spirit that is lacking in his clothing choices. For that reason, a more fashion-forward option would suit his soul better. A dark burgundy number with narrow pants and narrow bow tie from Dsquared2 would give him the harder edge that’s lacking.
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