The theme for this year’s 94th Academy Awards is “Movie Lovers Unite”, a reference to the “deep existential crisis” currently facing the film industry and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Los Angeles Times. The Oscars are trying to make a comeback after a year of falling viewership, including last year’s low ratings. In an effort to pique the audience’s interest, this year’s show is hosted by the incredible trio of Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. For fashionistas watching from home, the catwalk before the show is half the fun. The stars of this year’s red carpet? Glittery sequins, large ruffles and bright red look. Many celebrities wear blue-and-yellow accessories to show their support for Ukraine as it endures an ongoing Russian invasion – some guests have nailed a blue ribbon from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that reads “with refugees” on their dresses and lapels. Chastain was one of the first big arrivals on the red carpet. Speaking to the media, the actress said of her dress, “There is something about what looks very old Hollywood … but it has flashes, something that is very much me.” (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Shine on Gucci! Best Actress nominee Jessica Chastain wore an ombre dress with bronze and lavender sequins, a long ponytail and dangling earrings. Dune star Jason Momoa made a statement with his blue-yellow square pocket in support of Ukraine. Several stars show solidarity with the country as it endures an ongoing Russian invasion. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Jason Momoa, who co-starred in Canadian director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, arrived on the red carpet in a simple navy and black tuxedo. He made a statement with the blue-yellow pocket square in support of Ukraine. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to shake things up this year when it struck the unusual trio of Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, from left to right, for the award-winning hospitality concert. (Momodu Mansary / Getty Images, Mike Coppola / Getty Images, Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The three hosts of the evening wore dramatically different looks. Sykes walked the red carpet in a white suit with wide lapels, while the other comedian Sumer wore a discreet navy dress with a ribbon design that frames the neckline. Hall surprised with a sheer hazelnut dress over a bodice. Zendaya, a red carpet professional, arrived at the Oscars in a cropped blouse inspired by menswear. (Momodu Mansaray / Getty Images)
The Dune actress Zendaya is a professional on the red carpet – and Sunday night was no exception. She brought a sophisticated touch to a classic outfit, wearing a two-piece number with a floor-length sequined skirt and a silk cropped blouse with sleeves. Alana Haim was joined by her sisters and band colleagues HAIM, Este and Danielle. Este, on the left, wears a satin blue dress with a high slit in the leg, while Danielle wears a simple black slip. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Alana Haim, who made her film debut in Best Picture nominee Licorice Pizza, looked elegant in a glittering dress and silver sandals. The musician who became an actress brought two familiar faces as positives: Her sisters Este and Danielle, pictured from left to right, are her co-stars in Licorice Pizza and her bandmates HAIM. Among the Canadians rocking the red carpet on Sunday night were Elliot Page, Simu Liu and Denis Villeneuve, from left to right, wearing suits in three different shades. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Canadian star power in Hollywood! Halifax-born actor Eliot Page went for a classic black-and-white suit, while Montreal-based director Dennis Villeneuve (Dune) looked bold in a off-white jacket. But Sang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings who surpassed Simo Liu take the cake as the most well-dressed, in a red fire suit with gold touches from Versace. Nyong’o completed her Prada look with metallic eye makeup. (Momodu Mansaray / Getty Images)
Lupita Nyong’o sparkled with a festive gold confetti dress with pink polka dots, a soft red lipstick and a tall hairstyle. The Oscar winner is also a red carpet style champion: when she won the Best Supporting Actress award in 2014, she wore a baby blue dress like a princess. Dune star Timothée Chalamet was one of the many stars who wore sequins on the red carpet. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Timothee Chalamet was also on the sequined train, walking the red carpet in a light Louis Vuitton jacket with lace-up details on the sleeve. The Dune star chose to go without a shirt under his jacket, except for a pendant that hangs from his neck. DeBose won the second female role award shortly after walking the red carpet, telling viewers at home that she was honored to win as a queer colored woman: “There really is a place for us.” (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Ariana DeBose – the first winner of the night, having won the Best Supporting Actress award – channeled her glamorous, colorful West Side Story character appearance, Anita, in a red cape and suit, accessories with a diamond collar and bold eye makeup . Tracee Ellis Ross, Marlee Matlin and Rosie Perez, from left to right, wow in fiery dresses. Red is all the rage at this year’s ceremony, with stars like Simu Liu and Jennifer Garner wearing similar shades. (Momodu Mansary / Getty Images, Mike Coppola / Getty Images, Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The fiery trend continued with several stars opting for a bold crimson look. Marlee Matlin, who starred in the CODA nomination for best photo, wore a long-sleeved red dress with a fabric tucked in the middle, completing the look with blonde ripples and a blue necklace. Flight Attendant star Rosie Perez wore a dress designed by Christian Siriano by train, while Tracee Ellis Ross was surprised at Carolina Herrera. Renate Reinsve, who starred in the nominee for Best International Feature Film, The Worst Person In The World, injected a 1920s flip flop with Louis Vuitton dress. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
The protagonist of The Worst Person In The World, Renate Reinsve, made a statement on the red carpet in a Louis Vuitton dress reminiscent of the flapper era. The Norwegian actress kept it interesting with her black and cream look, full of lace and sequins. Powder blue was another notable appearance at the Oscars, with Kodi Smit-McPhee, Nicole Kidman and Meghan Thee Stallion wearing similar shades. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images, David Livingston / Getty Images, Mike Coppola / Getty Images)
Another favorite shade? Blue powder. The candidate for the second male role, Kodi Smit-McPhee, charmed with his unusual colored suit, the gold chain and his boots. Nicole Kidman, who was nominated for Best Actress for her role as Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos, was glamorous with a silk Armani Privé design with a veil skirt and a jeweled train. And Meghan Thee Stallion – who made a musical surprise during the TV ceremony – surprised with a strapless dress with a ruffled skirt and sandal heels.