The red carpet of the Oscars too often resembles a ceremony that is impeccably well-behaved, yet devoid of surprise. Hollywood celebrates imagination on screen, but when it comes to fashion, boldness suddenly seems suspect.

Fortunately, a few flashes occasionally crack this polite dress code. When Rihanna appears pregnant in sculptural leather by Alaïa, or when Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande transform the red carpet into a stage with creations by Louis Vuitton and Schiaparelli, fashion suddenly reminds us that it too can be spectacle.

Who will shine in Schiaparelli or Chanel, while some actresses might choose a vintage dress from Louis Vuitton by Nicolas Ghesquière? Others may remain faithful to the romanticism of Valentino, while Givenchy and Elie Saab continue to embody the brilliance of couture.

One question remains: why does this temple of spectacle still hesitate to let fashion perform its own act? At the Oscars, boldness does appear from time to time… but always on the tip of a pair of sandals.

FM