Best red carpet looks at the 2024 Oscars

CNN — The red carpet at the Hollywood Dolby Theatre shimmered on Sunday, as the stars arrived at the Oscars in a flurry of sequins, sparkles, and striking metallic gowns.

Lupita Nyong’o’s Armani Privé dress, Gabrielle Union’s bedazzled Carolina Herrera number, and Michelle Yeoh’s custom Balenciaga gown were among the glittering looks on display during an elegant — if somewhat unadventurous — evening of red-carpet fashion. (Indeed, a fair number of attendees opted for monochrome black, white, or black-and-white ensembles.)

Elsewhere, “Barbie” actor America Ferrera gave the metallic trend a pop of color in a pink chainmail design by Atelier Versace, while co-star Margot Robbie took a rare break from Barbie-pink in an equally glistening black Versace dress. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande also opted for color-coded dressing, with the former’s emerald-green leather Louis Vuitton dress and the latter’s pillowy pink custom Giambattista Valli gown nodding to their roles in the forthcoming movie adaptation of “Wicked.”

15 PHOTOS

1.

Michelle Yeoh stunned in a custom Balenciaga gown, sleek black opera gloves, and Cindy Chao earrings made from diamonds and sapphires. Mike Coppola/Getty Images
This awards season has provided plenty of florals, cut-outs, and sheer gowns, but the Oscars heralded a new theme altogether: mermaid chic.

Sunday’s red carpet was awash with gowns channeling scallops and shells, from Anya Taylor-Joy’s Christian Dior Haute Couture gown, inspired by Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” to Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan’s custom Balenciaga look featuring an elegant mermaid skirt. Elsewhere, Emma Stone wowed in a shell-inspired custom Louis Vuitton dress with a flared peplum waist, and Hailee Steinfeld looked ethereal in a sea foam green Elie Saab Couture design.

The evening’s menswear was relatively pared back, on what is usually the most formal of Hollywood red carpets (though that didn’t stop Simu Liu and “Young Royals” star Omar Rudberg from turning up shirtless). Even actors known for colorful suitings like Colman Domingo and Ryan Gosling, who arrived in Louis Vuitton and Gucci, respectively, stuck to a largely black palette, though many accessorized with broaches, bracelets, and pins. Gosling did, however, make the change into a hot-pink number for his performance of the Best Original Song-nominated “I’m Just Ken” during the ceremony.

Ramy Youssef, Mark Ruffalo, Mahershala Ali, and Finneas meanwhile used their lapels to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. They were joined by a handful of other attendees — including Billie Eilish, Ava DuVernay, and Quannah Chasinghorse — wearing red pins as part of the Artists4Ceasefire campaign.

Scroll down to see the best looks from the 96th Academy Awards.

2.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who went on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown with hand-embroidered tulle and oversized fringe sleeves. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

3.

Cillian Murphy wore a custom Atelier Versace suit topped with a gem brooch designed by Hong Kong-based designer Bertrand Mak’s jewelry brand Sauvereign. Gregg DeGuire/WWD/Getty Images

4.

Greta Lee, styled by Danielle Goldberg, wore an elegant black and white Loewe gown. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

5.

Lily Gladstone, nominated as Best Actress for "Killers of the Flower Moon,” paid tribute to Native American design in a blue velvet Gucci gown that was created in collaboration with Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain. 

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

6.

Taking a rare break from Barbie pink, Margot Robbie stunned in a shimmering black Versace dress with Fred Leighton jewelry Mike Coppola/Getty Images

7.

Ariana Grande nodded to her role as the good witch in the forthcoming movie “Wicked” with her pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown that featured pillowy waist attachments and a trailing train. David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images

8.

Carey Mulligan’s custom Balenciaga gown featured a classy flared mermaid skirt. The Best Actress nominee accessorized with Fred Leighton jewelry and was one of several stars to wear black evening gloves. 

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

9.

Riz Ahmed arrived in a black ensemble by Marni featuring a knee-length coat. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

10.

Melissa McCarthy channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a red Christian Siriano gown with magenta sleeves. The actor accessorized with Dena Kemp jewelry. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

11.

Director of the Oscar-nominated “Barbie,” Greta Gerwig, dazzled in a champagne-colored Gucci gown and a diamond-encrusted Boucheron necklace. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

12.

“Dune” star Florence Pugh turned heads in a silver Del Core gown with floating straps. The actor paired the dress with shimmering Bulgari jewelry. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

13.

Sterling K. Brown wore a Dior Men navy suit with a black satin scarf, bow tie, and a pair of Bruno Magli Oxford shoes. 

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

14.

Regina King wore an eye-catching orange Atelier Versace gown with Pomellato jewelry. 

Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images

15.

Ryan Gosling, nominated as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Barbie,” arrived in a custom Gucci suit lined with silver sequins. 

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP