Sandra‘s Closet

Last night, the awards season officially closed with the 2020 Oscars. The biggest ceremony of the year, now in its 92nd year, was once again being held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Renée Zellweger in Armani Privé

Some of our favorite A-list nominees were all in attendance, in the hopes of taking home one of the industry’s highest honors: that iconic golden trophy. Renée Zellweger (Judy) in Armani Privé and Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) in the Stella McCartney suit he’s been wearing all season long, won the best actor categories this year.

Joaquin Phoenix in Stella McCartney

Phoenix was not alone showing his environmentalism. The entertainment industry’s push for a more sustainable awards season has made its way to the Oscars red carpet. Vintage dresses made an appearance, following past award show mandates this month, such as the BAFTAs, that have enforced a more eco-conscious dress code.

Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

Saoirse Ronan recycled part of her BAFTA’s Gucci dress for the 92nd Academy Awards red carpet.

Elizabeth Banks in Badgley Mischka

Pitch Perfect star Elizabeth Banks wore the same fire-red dress by Badgley Mischka that she had worn at the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. She just had removed the jewelry straps in the back.

Kaitlyn Dever in Louis Vuitton

Kaitlyn Dever supported the Red Carpet Green Dress initiative in a custom red Louis Vuitton gown made with ethically sourced and sustainable materials.

Jane Fonda in Elie Saab

Jane Fonda repeated her Cannes Film Festival 2014 outfit at the Oscars 2020 and she has a solid reason to do so. Dressed in an Elie Saab F/W 2013 Haute Couture gown, Jane, ethereal as ever, presented the Best Picture Oscar on stage at the Dolby Theatre. She also carried a red coat that has a deeper meaning behind. In 2019, Fonda, who had been a lifelong activist, had been arrested five times in Washington, D.C. for civil disobedience during her climate action campaign. While addressing the crowd, Jane had said that she will refrain from buying new clothes henceforth. This is why she repeated not just her Cannes outfit at the Oscars but the coat as well. «You see this coat? I needed something red and I went out and found this coat on sale. This is the last article of clothing that I will ever buy,» Jane had said on November 1.

And there was another strong message, Jane Fonda sent down the aisle this award season. When the 82-year old stepped onstage, there was something different about her: Instead of the Hollywood legend’s natural brunette, or the sandy blonde hair colour, her new pixie cut was a beautiful shade of silver. Fair or not, gray hair is not considered an option in La La Land. Going against certain beauty norms in regard to aging in Hollywood, this move is fitting considering the actress is as radical as ever.

Natalie Portman in Dior

Natalie Portman made another important statement about the state of Hollywood, that was stitched into her beautiful cloak. The actress stepped onto the red carpet in a Maria Grazia Chiuri designed embroidered Dior gown and matching cape that paid tribute to cinema’s female creators who weren’t nominated, such as Lorene Scafaria, Greta Gerwig, and Lulu Wang.

The craftsmanship of Portman’s Haute Couture gown is breathtaking. Have a look at the behind the scene photos below… investing in a beautiful piece of clothing and keeping it is a message I have tried to convey since ever. Sustainability was the one theme that ran throughout the Oscars while there was no shortage of glamour.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior, via Vogue/Getty

Last night, my all-time favorite red carpet event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York: the Met Gala 2019. Personally speaking, this year’s exhibition theme: «Camp: Notes on Fashion», based on an essay from 1964 by the late Susan Sonntag, delivered a bout of wild, over-the-top fashion moments. It was like a playground to dress up for all fashion aficionados.

Even the hostess went gaga: Anna Wintour in an embroidered Chanel gown with feathery cape.

If you seem confused… in this case, camp is not to be mistaken as in sleeping bags and tents, but camp as in exaggerated fashion. Sonntag’s essay, that provides the framework for the exhibition, defines camp as «love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration» and examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 9 – September 8, 2019.

This was her theme! Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell changed her outfit four times!

Co-hosted by two fashion-loving celebrities: Lady Gaga and Harry Styles and sponsored by Gucci. What do you want more?

The exhibition itself is featuring both men’s and womenswear, over 200 pieces of fashion, along with sculptures, paintings, and drawings from the 17th century through today. The works of versatile designers from Alexander McQueen to John Galliano, Rei Kawakubo to Mugler, Mary Katrantzou to Jeremy Scott, and more are featured. What I have seen so far, among the exhibited items are many pieces that also hang in my closet. I couldn’t be more proud of my collection…

Before the Hollywood royalty and fashionistas presented themselves on the red carpet in front of the Metropolitan Museum, they met in the nearby «The Mark». The hotel is the venue for Anna Wintour‘s «pre-party» of the glamorous event every year. Definitely the place to stay!

Below are my favorite looks of the night… enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

My favorite outfit! My favorite reveal! Thierry Mugler himself is back, now called Manfred, and envisioned Kim Kardashian as a California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping. This latex dress took 8 months to make and is for me a true innovation on the runway!

Reminiscent of the Gucci runway: Jared Leto with his beheaded doppelganger

OMG! To die for! Cardi B in Thom Browne

Looking sensational: Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

She looked like a young Linda Evangelista in the ’90s: Bella Hadid in Moschino.

Harry Styles in Gucci

In keeping with the evening’s theme of camp, Ezra Miller turned up with the most outstanding optical illusion. His attire? Custom Burberry by Riccardo Tisci.

All about hats: Janelle Monáe in Christian Siriano.

I love pink, I love Barbie and I love this: Multi Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves channeled a true fashion icon, Barbie, in Moschino.

Colorful: Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace and Bulgari jewelry.

Stunning Gemma Chan in and with Tom Ford. Best accessory: having the designer at your side.

Katy Perry in a chandelier dress by Moschino.

Céline Dion in Oscar de la Renta

What an entrance! Billy Porter wore a custom-made sun god outfit by New York City-based designer duo The Blonds.

Blue hair, don’t care: Lucy Boynton in Prada.

I loved this. What a Cinderella moment for Zendaya. Sporting a glowing, Disney-esque gown designed by Tommy Hilfiger, and accompanied by her stylist Law Roach who transformed with the wave of a wand Zendaya’s dress into a glowing ensemble. She even left a glass slipper.

Lily Collins opted for an ivory ruffled gown which featured a flowing train by Salvatore Ferragamo. Very ’60s – very sweetheart.

Fresh off the Couture Week runways, Hailee Steinfeld sparked in Viktor & Rolf slogan couture gown. It was a perfect match as Anna Wintour had forbidden cameras, iPhones inside the event…

This was by far my favorite Met Gala of all and I cannot wait to see the exhibition!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vogue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty Images

Last night the 90th Annual Academy Awards ceremony took place, the most prestigious event of the Hollywood awards season. «The Shape of Water» won Best Picture and Frances McDormand and Gary Oldman won both the award for a Leading Role. But who were the winners of the red carpet, who stunned in her gown? Below are my favorites and some that I personally didn’t like. Enjoy!

My personal winner: Emily Blunt in Schiaparelli Haute Couture with Chopard jewelry. Such a beautiful look!

The most elegant of the night: Nicole Kidman stepped out with definitely one of the highest leg slits at the Academy Awards in a sweetheart-neck, cobalt column gown by Armani Privé with a giant bow!

Another dream in blue: Jennifer Garner stunned in this cobalt hued gown by Atelier Versace that she combined with Piaget jewelry.

This woman is a stunner: Jane Fonda, 80, looks amazing as she wows Oscars 2018 with youthful appearance in a white pearl-dust beaded gown from the 44 François Premier collection, the new eveningwear capsule by Olivier Rousteing for Balmain on par with couture, with Chopard jewelry, Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and a Perrin Paris bag. The only thing that I would add is a little of lip color.

One of my personal highlights: Disney Star Sofia Carson kicked off her first Oscars appearance in a stunning red gown from Giambattista Valli‘s Resort 2018 collection. The cape style is just breathtaking.

Not nominated this year but definitely but dress-wise a winner: Jennifer Lawrence brought the sparkle in a metallic Dior gown which she paired with red-carpet curls that gave the look a modern appeal.

Another metallic option: Wonder Woman Gal Gadot wore a Givenchy Haute Couture gown that she combined with a stunning necklace by Tiffany & Co., that is part of the Blue Book High Jewelry Kollektion (aquamarine/61 carat and diamonds), and which will officially be launched in October 2018.

Let the jewels talk: Helen Mirren looked breathtaking in this elegant blue style by Reem Acra. She wore more than $3.8 million worth of Harry Winston sapphires and diamonds including: a cushion -cut sapphire and diamond necklace (115.27 carats), cushion-cut sapphire and diamond earrings (25.22 carats).

Safe option: Margot Robbie wore a Chanel Haute Couture gown that featured an elegant train.

An unexpected color that stood out from the rest: Greta Gerwig in a Rodarte custom made gown.

The most beautiful curves: Presenter Salma Hayek Pinault wore a custom Gucci lilac sequins gown with ruffled tiered skirt, jeweled chandelier embroideries, metallic high heel shoe and clutch with crystal butterfly closure. The only thing I am not sure about is her hairdo of which I am really not a fan.

Definitely elegant but not my favorite: Saoirse Ronan in a pink silk faille strapless dress with a voluminous bow by Calvin Klein by Appointment was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her part in the film Lady Bird.

Golden Girl: Lupita Nyong’o in a golden mesh dress with black and gold embellishments by Atelier Versace.

Absolutely gorgeous like a Grecian goddess: Zendaya wowed in a one-shoulder, chocolate-colored billowing gown by Giambattista Valli Haute Couture.

Back after her last Oscars appearance in 2014: Sandra Bullock walked the red carpet in a custom silk gown from Louis Vuitton which I personally find very beautiful. But! What has happened to the actress’ face please?

My personal biggest disappointment: Emma Stone showed up in a silky Louis Vuitton suit with a hot pink sash. She finished off the look with a deep side part and sparkly drop earrings. I don’t have anything against a great pantsuit on the red carpet but it has to fit perfectly and really be black tie perfection. This ensemble doesn’t do good for Emma. What a pity!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images, Courtesy of Armani, Chopard, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Versace, Piaget and Chanel.