The 89th Academy Awards ceremony (2017 Oscars) took place February 26, 2017 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Aside from honoring the best films of 2016, the fashion presented was a huge “retro rewind and glamourous gowns for the ages at the Oscars” (latimes). Another remarkable trend at the Oscars were the patriotic colors, red, white, and blue, that overtook much of the Oscars fashion. The red carpet was struck with numerous celebrities’ memorable fashion statements.

There was not a single celebrity who looked out of place, even Janelle Monae who pulled off the Elie Saab Haute Couture gown. This was all due to the abundance of throwback thursday silhouette gowns, velvet fabrics, and many sparkling accessories like headbands and striking necklaces.

Many seemed to take part in the retro look like Michelle Williams who mixed a black low-cut top with an embroidered white skirt. Not only Michelle, but Ruth Negga who was inspired by the fashion long before Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her look was designed to be “a pagan goddess” with her custom red gown and her headpiece, earrings, and ring that completed this romantic retro look (latimes). The list goes on and on about celebrities who rocked the retro inspired looks such as “Kristen Dunst’s 1950s-style Dior, Emma Stone’s 1920s-esque Givenchy, and Brie Larson’s stunning turn-of-the-century-style, Oscar de la Renta” (nymag). It is still unknown as to what specifically brought the retro trend to the Oscars, but Nicoletta Fidelis (11) voices, “It was the celebrities way of showing how they miss olden days and the fashion during those time periods.”

Apart from the retro style, there were standout celebrities who dominated the all black or all white looks on the red carpet. The all black gown squad included Taraji P. Henson who had an off the shoulder navy black gown, Alicia Vikander with her specially made black lace Louis Vuitton dress, and Brie Larson with her simple, yet magnificent strapless black ruffled gown. Now onto the all white chic squad that proved bridal white could be worn anywhere. Karlie Koss and Chrissy Teigen pulled off the all white curved and caped detail gowns.

Aside from all of the magnificent gowns and attire worn by the celebrities, many of them wore a little blue ribbon in support of ACLU(American Civil Liberties Union). ACLU was able to get many celebrities to support this in order to “Stand With the ACLU” and defend and protect the rights and liberties of individuals. The Oscars event was the perfect time for this nonprofit organization to display its awareness.