Vibe Not a Vibe: Oscars 2025 Red Carpet Edition
Not a complete bore - thank you Cynthia Erivo - but nothing worth picking up our jaw off the ground for... except for our Queen Halle Berry
Yes it was the Oscars this past weekend and obviously the most interesting part was the red carpet.
Vibe not a Vibe is a series that started on my Instagram stories which really struck a chord with people. It’s not about judgment. It’s me, gauging the current temperature of culture through various prisms, in this case it’s the art of fashion on the red carpet.
This has nothing to do with the actors, celebrity or talent wearing the fashions - I’m sure they are all very lovely people and if they feel good in what they are wearing then who am I to have an opinion.
Vibe not a Vibe is a fun in-depth look at the aesthetic values, references, craftsmanship and presentation of looks in this particular moment in time. A look may be a vibe today, but it could not be a vibe tomorrow and vice versa because, all art, including fashion, is cyclical.
I don’t always give context about why a look is a vibe or not a vibe but that’s usually because it’s obvious - however, please feel free to ask in the comments if you would like more clarification.
So what can I say about this year’s Oscars red carpet? Not too much to be honest.
There was blend of the classic, the contemporary and a few celebrities embracing some innovative designs that leaned towards more costume elements (I’m looking at you Wicked girlies).
In the women’s section, their choices were one of three categories - silver and mirrored gowns, vibrant reds, and the always timeless (and safe) black and white. For the men there continues to be this push to reinterpret or reinvent the classic tuxedo. I don’t see the need but I suppose it can be fun… or a mess.
What I love about being on Substack is the many choices available in how we can interact with one another on here. So aside from liking and sharing this story, you can also comment and vote (please do vite) on whether you think each look is a vibe or not a vibe.
Enjoy.
Women
Yes there were nods to old Hollywood glamour, innovative sculptural gowns and looks with intricate detailing that fuse classic elegance with contemporary touches. But there was only one look that left me staring while a symphony blasted in my head.
Can you guess which one?
Vibe
Ga-liiinda in also very gal-oriooous. Ariana Grande in Schiaparelli couture is a continuation her delivering Glinda-inspired looks throughout this award season. Note on the right of the above image (next to Sean Bean as Boromir, in Lord of the Rings) Grande in full Glinda costume. Ethereal, ultra-feminine, glamorous have been interpreted across red carpets this year and the Oscars are no exception.
Not a Vibe
First and foremost, Nigel (AKA Stanley Tucci) isn’t pointing at stunning french actress Stacy Martin - he’s pointing at her custom Louis Vuitton gown that looks like a circus tent attempting to swallow her up. While the black lace and silver sequins pattern is beautiful, the structured skirts feels bulky and strange - Martin deserved better.
Vibe
Look, I’ll be honest - at first when I saw Cynthia Erivo in the custom Louis Vuitton ballgown, I was like come on people enough with costumes on red carpets. But after 30 seconds of staring at the dark green velvet gown with exaggerated hips, shoulders and the villainess like pointed collar I took it all back.
It’s a work of art and echoes one of the most iconic and influential monarchs of all time - bold, regal, and highly symbolic the drama and theater of it all if very Queen Elizabeth the first.
Not a Vibe
You have this stunning canvas of woman, Anok Yai is beyond compare, and you put her in a Marni custom gown that is… satin? The abundance of every wrinkles, crease, line, mark is an outrage.
Vibe
Demi Moore may have been robbed of an Oscar for her incredible performance in The Substance, but she stole the red carpet at the Oscars - and every award season this year. You put anything on her - his silver Armani Privé gown or literally, a rubbish bag, and it will be a moment.
Not a Vibe
This was upsetting. Elle Fanning in Givenchy Haute Couture shouldn’t look like a walking doily. Everything from the shoulder and above is perfection - that Cartier necklace is wow.
Vibe
Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres in a dazzling embellished Chanel dress deserves applause.
Not a Vibe
For those of you who are new here, I have very polarising feelings about all forms of animal print. Sorry to Doja Cat in her animal-print Balmain gown covered in sparkles - if you aren’t Fran Fine then it’s nearly impossible to pull off animal print (according to me).
Vibe
Halle Berry in Christian Siriano made from 7,000 mirrored crystals. A gasp worthy, work of art.
Not a Vibe
I don’t want to be here again, because I like Emma Stone. The pixie cut works but Louis Vuitton doesn’t. Even last year when she won the Oscar for best actress in Louis Vuitton something was amiss.
Vibe
Most of you will know I’m not really down with the cool kids of music but this is Lisa and she’s very cool in the music scene as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink. That aside, she’s extra super cool to me in this Markgong twist on the tuxedo. Miranda Priestly approved.
Not a Vibe
Lupita Nyong'o in a custom Chanel look should be a no brainer? Nyong'o in anything is usually a win for me. But somehow with everything going on in this look it didn’t work.
Vibe
All hail our rom-com queen. In an Ashi Studio strapless, red-wine velvet gown, Meg Ryan was classic, sexy, elegant.
Not a Vibe
What in the early 2000s fashion statement belt is going on here? H.E.R is too cool for this.
Vibe
Michelle Yeoh in Balenciaga. No words - love her.
Not a Vibe
Love Amelia Dimoldenberg didn’t love this Versace gown on her.
Vibe
Wow. Raye in Vivienne Westwood - old Hollywood glamour in a contemporary twist.
Not a Vibe
Margaret Qualley in Chanel. Countess Luann de Lesseps says it all.
Vibe
Another wonderful interpretation of old Hollywood glamour - Selena Gomez in Ralph Lauren.
Not a Vibe
No, no, no. Penelope Cruz is a queen and she should look like an angel in Chanel. I’m not sure what it is - the cut on her, the styling, the pose (though I’ve seen the dress from other angles) and it’s a mess.
Vibe
Look it took me a moment but Whoopi Goldberg in this Christian Siriano is a vibe - I mean the dress is a work of art. However, I do wish that Goldberg just did something else, something more with her make up and styling.
Not a Vibe
Zoe Saldana in Saint Laurent. I don’t feel I need to explain this one.
Men
An equal smattering between classic elegance across suits and more bold experimentation.
I’m much more of a traditionalist when it comes to men’s fashions on the red carpet, especially at the Oscars. There is nothing like a well tailored black-tie suit. And while it is important and fun to experiment and embrace more contemporary designs and concepts… looking like a Disney villain isn’t an aesthetic one should ever find themselves emulating.
Vibe
Chocolate brown is such a tricky colour. So it took me a moment (a very quick one) to appreciate Andrew Garfield’s choice of a brown Gucci suit - no tie, loose shirt and reading glasses.
Not a Vibe
Is it a bold or bad choice? Both. Timothee Chalamet in yellow ensemble by Givenchy… I think my reference images say it all.
Vibe
Reece Feldman in Saint Laurent is everything I love about combining trends, experimenting while staying true to classic tailoring.
Not a Vibe
Omar Apollo in custom Valentino - please refer to my above Disney villain reference. I’m also unlike Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham from Downton Abbey where I don’t care for anything too new and too experimental.
Vibe
I’m about to contradict myself. I’m not a fan of Jeff Goldblum however I’m a fan of this Prada look. It’s eclectic and experimental but still classic and doesn’t feel forced.
Not a Vibe
Jeremy Strong in custom Loro Piana - it’s colour for me, the super flat shows, the large lapels with the off-kilter tie - it looks like he can’t move.
Vibe
I have nothing to say here except this is Edward Norton wearing a suit as it should be worn.
Not a Vibe
Colman Domingo is amazing and I usually like what he does on red carpets but this Valentino is not it.
Vibe
I didn’t know who this man is until I saw him in this amazing look that is hard to pull off. But yes, definitely adding Calum Harper to my list of must know people now.
Not a Vibe
I can’t tell if if that’s a leather or something else, but the black embroidered blazer from Etro paired with the pink shirt feels overworked and stuffy for Bowen Yang.
Special Mentions
Too terrible and must be mentioned.
Not a Vibe
Storm Reid in Giuseppe Zanotti - brb calling the authorities.
Not a Vibe
Mikey Madison in custom Dior. Congratulations on the Oscar, sorry about the dress.
I don't understand how Jeremy Strong always gets it wrong! Also am realising that black + a bright/pastel combo never works, it's too harsh a contrast. This was fun.