We ask Filipino designers how they would garb these Oscar nominees on the red carpet for this year’s Academy Awards.
The Oscars is fast-approaching, signaling the end of the awards season. But apart from that, it’s also indicative of the last act of all the celebrities on the red carpet. So, it’s only expected that the big stars will be donning their very own best look out of all the entire season–a one last big hurrah, so to speak.
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As we can’t keep our excitement anymore for what they will be wearing, we picked a total of ten female nominees (five from each of the best actress and supporting actress categories) and asked some of the top Filipino designers how they envision them on the red carpet.
Charlize Theron in Lesley Mobo
“Since Charlize won an Oscar already for Monster, her nomination this year for best actress for her performance in Bombshell will be a relaxed one (I personally think) as everyone knows Renee Zellweger will more likely to take home the Oscar this year for Judy. So, I decided to design something easy and with slight ease but still very “Charlize.” Something the actress can just wear easily and have fun during the Oscars. ‘Ease’ is probably the keyword–nothing heavy, just a modest train, lightweight, and easy to move with.
This is a bias cut based dress in silk and with a silver of velvet inserts, draped with panels of layered bias cut soft tulle with paillettes, and encrusted with additional stones, jewels, and crystals. To open up the look, there will be a side slit on the left legs and fully lined with silk to finish the look with comfort. Then, to finish things off beautifully, an asymmetrical strap wikl be tied into a soft bow. Colors are mainly in the deepest tones of midnight blues with black panels and highlights of crystals and scattered Gelb tone stones.”
Laura Dern in Ebiro
“We have observed that Laura Dern’s style is very Americana: simple and modern. She always goes for a subtly elegant look: a column or A-line silhouette gown with an interesting neckline in dark or neutral color. We want to put her in something edgy yet being true to her personal style.
Instead of a gown, we would like to see her in tailored pants. An uncommon choice for Oscars red carpet look, but with her long lean legs, it would still give her the clean line silhouette she’s used to. And with Laura’s Statuesque figure, she can definitely carry a dramatic accent detail like a bow with a long train. Using fabrics with delicate details like geometrical beadworks in rich vibrant colors would give her look life and would make her stand out.”
Florence Pugh in Chris Nick
“Breakout star Florence Pugh is not short of surprises. Being very versatile in her work and in fashion, she has been dubbed by Vogue as a red carpet star in the making. For the young Academy Award nominee, I envisioned a classic Chris Nick ensemble—tailored and feminine. A piece made out of ivory and black wool, trimmed with silk fringe, embellished with crystals, and finished off with covered buttons. Showing just the right amount of skin and an accentuated figure with an inner corset to cinch the waist. The ensemble is elegant, chic, modern, and sultry without being too much. A perfect dress to go with the phrase, ‘I would like to thank the academy…‘”
Kathy Bates in Pablo Cabahug
By now, perhaps it’s safe to say that Kathy Bates has had her fair share of the red carpet in her illustrious career in film with over 200 acting and directing credits to her name. She has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. So, as she’s once again nominated for an Oscar, Pablo Cabahug envisions her in a gorgeous black silk crepe draped jumpsuit veering away from her quintessential columnal gown. To finish off her look, Pablo chose to add that hint of luxe as he had the sleeves embellished.
Saoirse Ronan in Marc Rancy
“If I were to make a design for Saoirse, it would be something quirky and vibrant—a reflection of her personality as seen from her TV interviews. What I made is a simple pencil-style gown made of Peu de soi silk that overlaps with a slit, and embellished on the waistline with a beautiful embroidery of Rosettes and birds that take flight, similar to her flourishing career. And since she is young, I figured to pair it with a bit of deconstructed top made of organdy to give it a contemporary flair without losing the luxury touch. Colors of her gown could either be chartreuse or mint, with fuschia pink pumps and nude top. ”
Margot Robbie in Renan Pacson
“I imagine Margot Robbie walking down the Oscars’ red carpet in a deep sapphire blue number in silk faille and pleated tulle. The dress would be devoid of embellishments but rather focus on the bajillion pin tucks on the bodice to follow Margot’s figure before veiling it with an ethereal overlay of pleated tulle, with some knots and twists here and there.
Her character Kayla Pospisil in Bombshell is an ambitious, feisty Millennial trying to prove herself to the people around her. As an actress, I believe Margot has proven herself over and over again (from Suicide Squad to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), and it’s definitely high time for Margot to have her big gown ‘Cinderella‘ moment on the Academy Awards’ red carpet.”
Cynthia Erivo in Jaggy Glarino
“Watching Cynthia Erivo during her American Idol performances, as well as of course clips of her turn in The Color Purple on Broadway, she seems to be quite the gentle soul, but with an electric personality. A magnetic force on the red carpet for her solid portrayal of historic abolitionist, Harriet Tubman, she has been taking hold, daring choices, all of which consciously highlights her beautiful color and gorgeous toned body.
While it may sound odd, but I took inspiration from many things, particularly the Tridacna Crocea Okinawa Clam and fungus enamel in a petri dish. Just like Cynthia Erivo, these organisms are complex creatures, where more definitely meets the eye. So, with that in mind, I am envisioning her in a sexy and dangerous look that is a burst of frosted beadwork, yards of tulle, and an exclamation point of cobalt blue plumage on the bustier. An homage to vintage YSL in terms of silhouette, this original is a nod to Jean Paul Gaultier in which it honors sustainability with the feathers rendered in a glycerine alternative.
Just as the houses of Lanvin under the helm then of Alber Elbaz and Schiaparelli have done, this Oscars’ awards creation is modern, bold, and nonchalant, veering away from the strict rules of red carpets and more into the age of bravery and intuition–very fitting for a woman one step closer of the much-coveted EGOT club.”
Renée Zellweger in Rajo Laurel
Renée Zellweger is no stranger in the business of film. She has already garnered several accolades from being nominated by various award-giving bodies. But the highlight of her career was, of course, in 2004, when she won the Academy Award, the Golden Globe, the BAFTA Award and the SAG Award for best-supporting actress. And as she’s back, nominated under the best actress category, we’re really on the lookout on what she’ll wear on the red carpet. After all, with her lithe figure, it’s safe to say that whatever Renée would wear on the red carpet, she’ll always be the woman we all aspire to be.
So, for her look at this year’s Oscars, Rajo envisions her “dream client” donning a pale mint seafoam green gown, primarily because he believes that the color will impeccably suit her gorgeous eyes and blonde hair. He also said that he “wanted something architectural and sculptural because I think she really loves structure, and she’s going to look amazing in it.”
Scarlett Johansson in Neric Beltran
“Nominated for two films this year, dressing up Scarlett Johansson for the Oscars would be am absolute dream. Focusing on the qualities of her films, both of which explore the strength of the woman on different fronts and capacities, I envision dripping her as if it were liquid metal. Femininity comes to the edgy fore in this metallic mesh original, with a smattering of my signature beadwork and embellishments featuring a bounty of pear and cut beads that explode like tasteful but festive fireworks on the shoulders down to the arms. Finally, to give an element of sensuality, a side slit juts out, picking up enough wind at every confident stride.”
