Written by Ali Grutchfield, Graphic by District Staff, Photos sourced from Veronica Grega, Kylie Holmboe and Caroline Tetlow
As the Academy Awards return to reminisce on an unconventional year, one constant shall remain: the red carpet will reveal some of the most influential and exciting fashion looks, forecasting trends and inevitably, what to avoid. SCAD fashion students are looking forward to seeing the innovative and intriguing ensembles worn by this year’s nominees.
Caroline Tetlow, a second-year fashion student, says she is excited to see “How COVID-19 has affected the cross between fashion and film,” and predicts there will be more of a spotlight on those in attendance, due to the event’s limited occupancy.
Over the past year, there has been an emphasis on trying to incorporate masks into outfits, highlighting the importance of public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tetlow said she predicts that although some celebrities may continue this trend, rising numbers of vaccinations will allow some nominees to just focus on the fashion rather than its social and political implications.
Aside from COVID-19-related accessories, first-year fashion student Veronica Grega said she anticipates a heightened presence of bright and outlandish outfits because of everyone operating from home. “This might be people’s chance to put on something really fun for the event” and not be competing with so many other well-dressed individuals.
Grega says she has noticed a tendency for the Academy Awards to swing either “very vibrant and eye-catching or some a little more toned down,” depending on the year. With spirit and optimism being recaptured in society, Grega said she expects a lot out of the nominees this year.
Kylie Holmboe, a first-year fashion student, looks forward to seeing which trends from recent years will return and play larger roles in the coming season. “At the 2020 Oscars, the biggest trends were pink and metallic shades, as well as beading and sequins, with a huge emphasis on sustainability,” Holboe said.
This year, Holboe anticipates a larger focus on folk style prints and patterns, because they conjure notions of the imagination, dreams and overall joyfulness — which are few and far between following the downfall of 2020.
Tetlow said her overarching excitement is to see how outfits contrast the roles actors and actresses play. She is most looking forward to the styling of Amanda Seyfried and Leslie Odom Jr.
Seyfried’s past looks, specifically her 2013 Academy Awards ceremony dress, have been an inspiration to Tetlow’s own fashion designs because she loves “floating and ethereal gowns,” much like Seyfriend’s Alexander McQueen “fluttery pink fabric with a gold patterned overlay.”
She also anticipates Leslie Odom Jr.’s look building off of his Berluti wool suit, worn at the 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards. She says she admired the daring, bold suit that had a green and fuschia print with a matching turtleneck.
Grega, however, is most looking forward to Viola Davis’ outfit because of “her streak in only wearing primary hued dresses.” She’s curious to see if this trend is a thing of the past or continued through this awards season. Either way, Grega knows it won’t be anything too wild, but loves the timeless continual hues that bring “a certain level of class” to the red carpet.
Holmboe says she is especially excited about Davis’ look because of how the dresses use boldness rather than complexity to draw the eye. It’s as though Davis uses simplicity to tie in notions of confidence and not hiding behind the extravagance of other outfits. These dresses are always bright and eye-catching, but simple and worthy of special notice.
Today’s society places a bigger emphasis on the loud, exciting and wild outfits, but Grega acknowledges the power and intention that comes from an exclusively elegant look.
Another facet of the Academy Awards fashion is the award for Best Costume Design. Tetlow said she hopes the award goes to “Emma.” because “It’s historically accurate, and encapsulates the entire energy of the film.”
She said she was disappointed in “Little Women” claiming the award last year, because of the frequent “historical inaccuracies and flawed representation of the character’s socioeconomic status.” This year could function as the redemption of the Academy’s decision making.
Veronica Grega said she agrees that the award should go to “Emma.”, however, she attributes this win to the “fresh new flair” that Alexandra Byrne was able to bring to a period piece. She says she thinks it’s rare that films based before the modern era can have fun and inventive costumes, while still maintaining the overarching integrity of the story and film as a whole.
Keeping in tune with historical accuracy, Holmboe anticipates this playing a large role in the award for Best Costume Design, which she predicts will go to Ann Roth for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” She says she was impressed with Roth’s capacity to capture the historical intricacies of the time, while staying aligned with present-day media trends.
Although this year’s Academy Awards will be different than ever before, the excitement and enthusiasm towards the awards and fashion statements remain untouched.
To find out if the predictions from SCAD fashion students were correct, tune in to the 93rd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, April 25.
