While the all-black dress code adopted by actresses at events like the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs as a means of protesting sexual harassment in Hollywood and supporting the Time’s Up movement has dominated the awards season narrative this year, things were different at the 90th Academy Awards. Instead of continuing the theme, female attendees dressed in a rainbow of colours, from Best Director nominee Greta Gerwig’s sunshine yellow dress to Best Supporting Actress winner Allison Janney’s scarlet Reem Acra to Zendaya’s Grecian gown in deepest burgundy.
Ahead of the ceremony, an Instagram post from the organisation’s official account confirmed that Time’s Up would be moving away from the black dress code for the Oscars, explaining that ‘tonight, our sisters will be wearing a festive array of colours and Time’s Up pins representing this vast movement of women everywhere’ before going on to encourage followers to share their own photos ‘in full spirit and colour.’
Several days before the event, a handful of Time’s Up members including A Wrinkle In Time director Ava DuVernay, Shonda Rhimes, Tessa Thompson and Laura Dern met with media to discuss what the campaign has achieved so far, and explained that the movement is not confined to the red carpet, and thus no longer needs to be associated with a particular dress code.
‘We are not an awards show protest group,’ DuVernay explained, ‘so we stand down this time.’
‘I think there’s really something about the narrative of Time’s Up that was really important that this not be just capturing the awards show spotlight. It’ll happen again, but not this time,’ she said.
‘It’s really important that you know that Time’s Up is not about the red carpet,’ affirmed Rhimes. ‘And those women who you saw on the red carpet representing Time’s Up [at the Golden Globes] are now off the red carpet working their butts off being activists.'
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Oscars Best Dressed 2018 - Grazia
1 of 34Kelly Marie Tran
*Star Wars *breakout Kelly Marie Tran made her Oscars debut in style - in an embellished blue Jenny Packham princess gown with a tulle skirt, to be precise.
2 of 34Zoey Deutch
First time Oscar-goer Zoey Deutch's intricate Elie Saab gown is flying the flag for Red Carpet Green Dress: as well as being jaw-droppingly beautiful, it's also eco-friendly. Win win.
3 of 34Allison Williams
Allison Williams, who starred in Best Picture contender Get Out, channels classic Hollywood glamour in embellished Armani Privé.
4 of 34Sofia Carson
Disney star Sofia Carson opts for scarlet Giambattista Valli for her first Oscars appearance.
5 of 34Beanie Feldstein
Lady Bird's brilliant Beanie Feldstein wears an embellished gown with a gradated black-to-white skirt. Julie and Christine would approve.
6 of 34Allison Janney
The red carpet is a better place with Allison Janney on it, fact. Her scarlet gown is a custom design by Reem Acra.
7 of 34Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd, who'll present an award alongside Salma Hayek and Annabella Sciorra tonight, wore a classic strapless gown in purple.
8 of 34Phoebe Waller-Bridge
We'll take one of *Fleabag *creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Oscar dress in our size now please, thanks.
9 of 34Betty Gabriel
*Get Out *star Betty Gabriel wears an embellished teal number.
10 of 34Jane Fonda
Ladies and gentlemen, Hollywood legend Jane Fonda wearing Balmain.
11 of 34Eiza Gonzalez
Eiza Gonzalez stands out in this vibrant yellow dress.
12 of 34Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Moss wears a fairytale embellished number by Dior in blush pink.
13 of 34Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek's intricately embellished gown is by Alessandro Michele for Gucci.
14 of 34Annie Clark
Annie Clark aka St Vincent is no stranger to a fashion statement, so we're pleased she's stayed true to her signature style with this unusual number.
15 of 34Laura Dern
Laura Dern's classic white gown with subtle shoulder draping is by Calvin Klein.
16 of 34Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren brings her signature class to the red carpet in this understated custom gown by Reem Acra.
17 of 34Mary J Blige
*Mudbound *star Mary J Blige (who's the first ever star to be nominated for both acting and original song) wears a white gown with asymmetric sleeves and a dazzling embellished bodice.
18 of 34Gina Rodriguez
Gina Rodriguez has opted for the fairytale princess route - and it's certainly working for her.
19 of 34Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson just upped the glamour stakes in this split-to-the-thigh gown.
20 of 34Viola Davis
Last year's Best Supporting Actress winner Viola Davis wears bold colour like no one else in Hollywood (and we are not worthy).
21 of 34Lesley Manville
We like to think that Cyril Woodcock would approve of Lesley Manville's Oscar gown.
22 of 34Zendaya
Definitive proof that Zendaya is a goddess among mortals (she's wearing Giambattista Valli, FYI)
23 of 34Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence is Hollywood's golden girl, so it's only appropriate that she's attending the Oscars in dazzling Dior.
24 of 34Greta Gerwig
We can't help but feel like Best Director nominee Greta Gerwig is channeling Michelle Williams' 2006 Oscar look in sunshine yellow.
25 of 34Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Garner is resplendent in royal blue.
26 of 34Margot Robbie
Newly announced Chanel ambassador Margot Robbie wears... Chanel, of course.
27 of 34Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o goes for gold in a shimmering sequinned gown.
28 of 34Sally Hawkins
*The Shape of Water *star Sally Hawkins (who's nominated for Best Actress) dazzles in sparkling Armani Privé.
29 of 34Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot is a real life Wonder Woman in shimmering Givenchy couture.
30 of 34Emma Stone
Newly-minted Louis Vuitton muse Emma Stone makes a statement in a custom tuxedo with hot pink sash.
31 of 34Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan is pretty in pink in a simple Calvin Klein number that's surely a nod to Gwyneth Paltrow's Oscar-winning look.
32 of 34Danai Gurira
Black Panther's Danai Gurira stuns in a simple and classic strapless gown, complete with dazzling choker and bracelet.
33 of 34Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt is a vision in this light blue Victoriana-inspired gown by Schiaparelli couture.
34 of 34Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish told red carpet reporters that her dress paid tribute to her late father's Eritrean roots.