In Hollywood, the question “Who are you wearing” carries a lot of weight. The fierce scramble to dress the stars on the red carpets is intense. And it is not just about stars flaunting their fashion chops, it is also a golden opportunity for brands to make a killing. Take, for example, Liz Hurley’s iconic safety pin dress at the Four Weddings and a Funeral premiere. That outfit literally put Versace on the map. And when it comes to the Oscars, both celebs and designers go above and beyond, saving their best looks for the big night.

The 96th ceremony was no exception. Every Tinsel Town resident tried to step up their fashion game for the night, and some of them really stood out as the fashion frontrunners.

7. Emma Stone

Bella Baxter would surely give Emma Stone‘s pick of the breathtaking mint-colored Louis Vuitton dress a thumbs up for the Oscars. Stone’s elegant light mint strapless gown with a tulip bustier and a crinoline-like design perfectly channeled the timeless elegance of Old Hollywood and the current obsession with hourglass silhouettes.

The outfit also had a neat shell pattern on the shiny fabric, creating a look that was both refreshing and ideal for Bella Baxter. Even though she had a bit of an “OOPS” moment at the ceremony with her outfit, it did not fade her shine. To enhance her gorgeous jacquard gown, the 2024 Best Actress adorned herself with an exquisite 30-carat yellow diamond necklace from Louis Vuitton High Jewelry.

6. Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy made her debut at the Academy Awards this year, though she did grace Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party in 2022. Choosing Dior, Anya Taylor-Joy, wore a custom silver-gray creation. The original skirt, adorned with ombré petals, sought to mirror the allure of peacock feathers. It was a fresh interpretation of Christian Dior’s iconic Junon dress from his Fall/Winter 1949–1950 collection.

Last year, at the Cannes Film Festival, Natalie Portman stepped onto the red carpet with a similar scaled design in a recreated Dior Junon dress. The 2024 Oscar presenter finished her look with Tiffany & Co. diamonds, including an 8-carat marquise diamond necklace, which was just the icing on the cake.

5. Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o flaunted a divine silk-embroidered ensemble that had a plunging V-neckline. The outfit had all the elements enough to make her glow on the carpet- crystal bead accents, and delicate pale blue feathers covering the peplum waist and hem. All these embellishments had a soft powder blue shade.

To complement the dress, she accessorized with a cascade of diamonds, layering on a series of dainty bracelets. Additionally, the Little Monsters actress added a ring with twin diamond studs and diamond drop earrings, all provided by De Beers.

4. America Ferrera

America Ferrera may not have been lucky at the Oscars this time, but fans were definitely lucky to have seen her in her stunning Barbie-esque outfit.  The Real Women Have Curves actress flaunted her curves in a shimmery pink sequin gown by Atelier Versace. The pink metal mesh Atelier Versace column gown draped effortlessly on her.

The Oscar-nominated actress paired the outfit with the rubellite-studded Pomellato choker and cocktail ring. The pink dress she wore was particularly special as it was her first time during awards season into the official color of Barbie. Otherwise, it was usually Margot Robbie, who had been steeped in pink hues ever since Barbie happened.

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In the 2024 Oscars, however, Margot Robbie chose to ditch pink. And fans have cooked up some interesting theories behind it.

3. Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie caught everyone off guard on 10th March when, for the first time since Barbie, she stepped out in a color other than pink for an award function. The actress walked down the carpet in a strapless, shimmery gown from Versace’s autumn/winter 2024 ready-to-wear collection.

The choice of black outfits for the Barbie lead sparked numerous fan theories. Some speculated that Margot Robbie intentionally chose this color to divert attention to her Barbie co-star, America Ferrara, who was nominated for the Oscars. Others suggest it could have been a silent protest by Robbie herself, possibly due to her own Oscar snub.

2. Cillian Murphy

The best actor of the 2024 Oscars somehow also managed to pull the best dresser. Unlike the flamboyant choices of Colman Domingo, Cillian Murphy usually opts for subdued yet impactful ensembles. His outfit for the evening was a celebration of his Irish background. Styled by Rose Forde, Murphy wore a Versace tuxedo suit, with a crisp white shirt, black trousers, and a sleek black silk bow tie.

The whole get-up was tailored flawlessly and looked dashing on Murphy. To amp up the ensemble, the Oppenheimer actor wore an 18-karat yellow gold brooch crafted by the Hong Kong-based design label, Sauvereign. This brooch served as a direct nod to J. Robert Oppenheimer’s invention- the atomic bomb. He finished off the look with personalized boots.

1. Zendaya

Saving the best for last, it is none other than the fashionista who can pull off anything she wears with style. Whether it is an oversized t-shirt paired with baggy trousers or an elegant embellished gown (there might even be a sneaky pair of baggy trousers underneath that as well), the actress truly knows how to steal focus. Zendaya, as this year’s Oscars presenter, turned heads in a stunning Giorgio Armani Privé antique rose silk gown with a single roped strap. And it is safe to say that she looked like a million bucks.

The dress had an embroidered palm tree print and a bodice with gunmetal paillettes for that extra dazzle. The Dune star was styled by her trusted fashion guru, Law Roach. The dress also had a completely backless design which added even more glamour to her Oscars night. For accessories, she chose pink drop diamond earrings and a sleek white diamond bracelet, all courtesy of Bulgari.

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Who do you think owned the red carpet the most? Did we miss anyone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!