The return of the full Oscars red carpet comes at a moment of limited collective escapism, and no doubt horrified looks from those that think frivolity of this kind should be frowned upon. There is the war in Ukraine. There is a new COVID-19 variant. There is every other jigsaw piece of the global geopolitical shitshow. Whether seriousness prevails on stage at the 94th Academy Awards (about war, politics, the erasure of certain categories in the TV show, or… insert unknown-as-yet controversy here) remains to be seen, but on the 2022 Oscars red carpet escapism ruled.
“There are no dresses left in LA,” E! informed us gravely, as if referring to a Doomsday paucity of actual grain.
“The looks are going to be epic,” stylist Brad Goreski added, and he was not wrong. From Rosie Perez to Wesley Snipes to Lily James, a game of serious dress-up unfolded early. Ariana DeBose stunned in a trouser suit and cape, Timothée Chalamet showed chest, Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé looked structurally, ummm, interesting. Then came Jada Pinkett Smith in a stunning, sweeping emerald green Jean Paul Gaultier gown, and Kristen Stewart in tight Chanel tux and tiny shorts. Billie Eilish was puzzlingly swallowed in a sea of black ruffles. Lupita Nyong’o shone in Prada. Whatever awfulness in the world there is, the Oscars red carpet did what it should and could, allowing for a temporary restoration of, well, fun.
![220327-oscars-red-carpet-kristen-stewart_ppnpmo](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/HWWI6LZQA5KTPB6KUJYELU3BWQ.jpg?auth=ec3ac2d1b05e028ac78992f0b171fbd0185caba5abd9d24caf1e9a4d404e0e65&width=800&height=1200)
Kristen Stewart in Chanel. She said she had “so much fun” playing Princess Diana in Spencer. Fabulously, she changed from heels into socks and flat shoes after the red carpet.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-lupita-nyong_o_m2zwvo](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/Q4QLPCKNUJIQRJKK52BMLNOTU4.jpg?auth=4750bcddd72908c9c14ba31080cd937369e7770dd38828245438c6328b68005f&width=800&height=1200)
Lupita Nyong'o in Prada.
Mike Coppola/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-timothee-chalamet_aleber](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/77F674ZU6NM4JKUE5DZI7RR3MY.jpg?auth=c05bfd554a2c5089f0503505efbdc0fa1f66942432bf00677fcca9ca21d9875f&width=800&height=1208)
Timothée Chalamet leaves the world—hetero, homo, whatever—in a collective faint.
Mike Coppola/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-cynthia-erivo_cqyofw](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/NWIBFIWHGJLLLECVPDGU7GQKGE.jpg?auth=3db564e01c7cd20dadbd9ce5884558276d42485c30d3f0decfb41bf0e47788ee&width=800&height=1200)
Cynthia Erivo.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-zendaya_fhh9hz](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/32AWXTBWTBKOVDZKWRAX3JA7EQ.jpg?auth=c585ee6fb99f536a46f55902fea703b75dd1f6c07bca1785b5823b02add2c988&width=800&height=1067)
Zendaya.
Mike Coppola/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-penelope-cruz_twfu7n](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/7D52J3U5M5JATL6SFO7GOGTHPQ.jpg?auth=5ba5a5c82fe9261d30c52b4c414bbb5b30d8c58bacda9593d44f9ff76050a629&width=800&height=1198)
Penelope Cruz in open-backed taffeta Chanel.
David Livingston/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-rachel-zegler_zxpjiv](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/EO3PMIJIDZLYPLSO4HZIN6TUTU.jpg?auth=2cc6700bcc3fc46b684bf451f7f389b3a1de7f32f2775ae87ea56ff0315fea2d&width=800&height=1193)
Rachel Zegler in Dior.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-jennifer-garner_xjsusa](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/NE6L26JJT5PCNGQD4YCI6UF5S4.jpg?auth=a79007b3b0ff16a61a41b1553526082b242e4fd1a1e2b9fc07d5156b9ebef710&width=800&height=1200)
Jennifer Garner.
Kevin Mazur![220327-oscars-red-carpet-hero_ir8yco](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/BVPNM5JVNZJZZFBZDJO65YGRCE.jpg?auth=e6be783ac3d95d40b40ae62b91d537307952fc9794861136bf1795779c2eb262&width=800&height=658)
Her.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-becky-g_vkbhyu](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/RTXDQ2WMD5LTXKBV26YKAKMNP4.jpg?auth=3c1e122a4694bedff4f317d1dae081c31c716e4dfe3820cee04cdc1bee0870c8&width=800&height=1199)
Becky G.
Momodu Mansaray/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-zoe-kravitz_gksoii](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/P4TLFEBXARPIFCLAFWRUOPAU24.jpg?auth=b5bbbdad51026472483274772bf1b1caf53a77ace013754bceaa35fc230f4692&width=800&height=1189)
Ultimate-cool-meets-glam: Zoe Kravitz in St. Laurent.
Mike Coppola/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-serena-williams_er1x8o](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/A2BQNE362RKPXLKECXEL3EUDVA.jpg?auth=0712864c1c56c1968086f131501a610df33018eb4c1bae60844e1416059762e0&width=800&height=1214)
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian.
Momodu Mansaray/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-venus-williams_kikajr](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/D5VBVK2YFJIFNG7P4LPGDU2ICU.jpg?auth=a15cb3c7cc90f7b67c697c8e947f78870ba0f8b92344759e995e01a6616b7f3f&width=800&height=1200)
Venus Williams.
David Livingston/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-maya-rudolph_rsekf2](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/KEELKEXPWJOQDMUO2HUWNDAZVU.jpg?auth=efc7e60a070b537cfc11c748042821d0b9a8d15e236168fff12a87fda0f4f59a&width=800&height=1179)
Maya Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Mike Coppola/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-aunjanue-ellis_s84jay](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/2KQQTNN6DFIDBFR7QEGU6GGT4Y.jpg?auth=ffd8a3b7be221f7a65ccabc187d96edb2ad26e94098d276f0be08d2fc6c91b31&width=800&height=562)
Aunjanue Ellis.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-will-jada-smoth_tnexsr](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/64C6YNJOGBKKTFJZT5DPVQ4BZM.jpg?auth=c4d73f57862f54ed1b60e859a87bd898505ae048561fb6f5e09c386ebfcf8645&width=800&height=603)
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Mike Coppola![220327-oscars-red-carpet-wilmer-valderama_k6qy7d](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/BFNIXHCZWNOENB6LYAFHAD5XGQ.jpg?auth=11e7e93791ccaf5058af449902930a62ae6f096f132c4e0bd711392ae88e3c7f&width=800&height=1200)
Wilmer Valderrama.
Mike Coppola/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-DIANE-GUERRERO_fcaoly](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/WSJXSUJL7NPF7ITOSRX65IKBHI.jpg?auth=ae0c4e785fd0d644ebf2bd666503db7c6ce227fa5f8c53363a5858246b2d95cc&width=800&height=1200)
Diane Guerrero.
ABC![220327-oscars-red-carpet-kourtney-kardashian-travis-barker_qfzldp](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/3YNS3AM47JNZ3MNDZPTBR45LF4.jpg?auth=36848e157aa3153b5fe13115b4d825f81d965eeb31d03fd9394fad9beafda0aa&width=800&height=552)
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker.
Jeff Kravitz![220327-oscars-red-carpet-nicole-kidman_qbkkr8](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/OZP4GS4YUROIZMT3V7P55NOXK4.jpg?auth=6dda9e7d8102dd03d3d35dde88c6526284c6f1328a5425605e26290e28503f08&width=800&height=1200)
Nicole Kidman came with her own elbow rests for drinks and snacks. This gown is by Armani Privé, and the color was designed for her, Kidman said. This is the new marker of wealth and power: not clothes, but actual colors actually designed for you.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Kodi-Smit-McPhee_pvjety](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/L4HVPYARE5OQPL6EHACVOU4LOM.jpg?auth=d1a3ec6beae5c9dd6b38e70c5faa3b5de5c7e3e7b69f649deee19cf27f4dc44e&width=800&height=1231)
Kodi Smit-McPhee won the suit game, hands down.
David Livingston/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-regina-hall_rcsnkh](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/CGKPSM5YZRNT5FXXDTAFKZOFPY.jpg?auth=5aed82a501ef7fb7ba9c93441fae091f4a82e96931fb43a22600ef7275591b58&width=800&height=1200)
Regina Hall in Vera Wang.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-amy-schumer_z8yg8u](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/7AIZEISVFVL23D67TSMPWSJPSA.jpg?auth=a82515531803a68bc2910bcb969c87b79ad2b21e53068b92bab66cf1cbd67977&width=800&height=1200)
Amy Schumer.
Kevin Mazur/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-laverne-cox_xbb5x0](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/DJOW5D67BVLYPJTCSH533Y3DTU.jpg?auth=9053a72b5e656377917e22ce925f3523c08f9df9a0ab15d26de3259afe60f7d3&width=800&height=1199)
Laverne Cox in custom August Getty.
Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-alana-haim_tdrfwa](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/5SZHQ66RGJJZ3DX7WGIYGS67YA.jpg?auth=f5ee7aabfc2e4de8e8157c6e550db0759fee30c4714f3f6f576e9d7e9b5da706&width=800&height=1106)
Alana Haim.
ABC/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-ariana-debose_i53iix](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/E4DMLF5OZVM3DAFYIXHFR4O6NA.jpg?auth=1ec5fb195b98a499e507417240c75e6e968577361954dfb375f7abee00637174&width=800&height=1115)
Ariana DeBose.
Momodu Mansaray/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-David-Oyelowo-_ee2jiz](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/6PQ2NZ4DE5NVBKOYIPKTCDRTOA.jpg?auth=8978f4284650569422a5d032d591b3e572e9db92a33d204181e54fbb94b027e3&width=800&height=1200)
David Oyelowo.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-kirsten-dunst_b8oylm](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/RYQGWL4D4NMVJOPYU7JRINGOA4.jpg?auth=e1bb8077ddaaa2da59a979c13f4c3dbe71e2f991246ddec8ad48865bd1b11d07&width=800&height=1199)
Kirsten Dunst.
Kevin Mazur/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Marlee-Matlin_toaiag](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/MRRV6CANA5NLBKIF4OWLMZ56PQ.jpg?auth=74f1f353481c7cf2717bb583a2b6c4a97cf6da14fc2feec390939b894fc9566e&width=800&height=1200)
Marlee Matlin.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-rita-moreno_dsacnk](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/3C7U7PH7RVM6NL4WCTT6LMVYWE.jpg?auth=0687947032723f6c51488499437d26df4a57200fa2d1e9373b92834285f3a0a3&width=800&height=1199)
Rita Moreno in Carolina Herrera made it clear she thought she looked fabulous. And she did.
Mike Coppola/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-rosie-perez_efvd3t](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/5AQXG56PFRLGRIND3WA4TWZQ74.jpg?auth=7431431b60b68bb758e4c7ff6ab06308cd49bd9591fbb9fdb829fb7fdfdde605&width=800&height=1199)
Rosie Perez.
Kevin Mazur![220327-oscars-red-carpet-wesley-snipes_qx6xhq](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/FQLW4FOMOVNDFGTBO3NMKH76IQ.jpg?auth=85805c2f9856de965b5423ac7a749d6bba53a0507e5d94487688bd187fbfea99&width=800&height=1200)
Wesley Snipes.
Kevin Mazur/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-naomi-scott_sjmjhf](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/ACNQ7WOGZJJFPCOU62GJHK7JOY.jpg?auth=b97c849a31d26475868afc4a7cadef156e7401e9f5702530f162fa69d8b80378&width=800&height=1200)
Naomi Scott.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Saniyya-Sidney_soyl5v](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/VOHLPOFZSJNFJCZZ5SREVFRLEU.jpg?auth=c0ef68da6416137bac3c75fb31dd6795767ed6daef27dfe6f13a9f27d2eb0ca6&width=800&height=533)
Saniyya Sidney who played Venus Williams in King Richard, in Armani Privé. “I love fairytale and old Hollywood,” she said, referencing Audrey Hepburn.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-lily-james_tngj5d](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/EEUPFAZTRJLB3PV7DJYVRCRXWQ.jpg?auth=3234135f859625535ed11e0d6070c59aede3a4fa35265545c0fe14bfd9138af8&width=800&height=1199)
Lily James in Versace.
Kevin Mazur/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Wanda-Sykes-Alex-Sykes-_sxfqqj](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/7FBL5Y235ZJW5NNKHA3L73RZCM.jpg?auth=1e72ef2a5c52a9054bebe54d59d6374c5502c1be1f623ad8338facc3c3ab1e41&width=800&height=1199)
Wanda Sykes and Alex Sykes.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-jessica-chastain_r0nsdv](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/GC4CO6VKJJOL3KNTGWNFPM7MGE.jpg?auth=36357461b4423b937870a08a2871378489a6665d45d8da5f2603fe84bd54f5b3&width=800&height=1200)
Jessica Chastain.
Mike Coppola![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Amy-Forsyth-_e6ryum](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/2ZYIN4F4CFNGBPEU56A3J5LMYI.jpg?auth=f1f86156069b816df2863cd4da0c234112a30dc03854fc42f6a956ffc9edc0c1&width=800&height=1206)
Amy Forsyth.
Jay L. Clendenin![220327-oscars-red-carpet-tracee-ellis-ross_psys20](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/FIIZUEUUQJLCFOSH43TDEWGY2A.jpg?auth=5d52960da76433a169a21393ac3a60ed7c8e4e514ac253589bd36ba323862544&width=800&height=1200)
Tracee Ellis Ross in Carolina Herrera.
Mike Coppola![220327-oscars-red-carpet-maddie-zegler_xduv1r](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/NNV2FXUMBRJEPG3YJJ5BS2EPXM.jpg?auth=15c033ec611a1911bc8776f2ce1aa7a5b44952d1f00350fd7c29b60994023bfa&width=800&height=533)
Maddie Ziegler in Giambattista Valli.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-jamie-lee-curtis_pccovn](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/JIZR2SOSXZJ4HH6OT4UT7P2CDI.jpg?auth=885cc61bfb4815390e5ffc3baf7abc9efa8d6cb40cdcc8b5975204d2f2d3fde9&width=800&height=1111)
Jamie Lee Curtis.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Renate-Reinsve_ujajfk](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/GA6UJEVTGVPR3GJ3XYVFZ2KNQQ.jpg?auth=7f99f2342be2192722592e0abad5aaed7358cac6dad9d24ac0e381ef83f5466a&width=800&height=1199)
Renate Reinsve.
Kevin Mazur/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Demi-Singleton_vokcfp](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/DIIVRLUDMFPWBEYUZVJP66ZCGQ.jpg?auth=25db7cba61db67646502064b53c1fcfde2b3597ed5c0d9d9d0af91cae8f2b8a8&width=800&height=1200)
Demi Singleton, who plays Serena Williams in King Richard, in Miu Miu.
Momodu Mansaray![220327-oscars-red-carpet-niecy-nash_wmeoqr](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/3U2FNIEYCRJ3NPG7MZDF5X24YQ.jpg?auth=e80cde08714f00ab7edf4f9ce03eda689457ef9cefb0e256c40b4aad0ef142ea&width=800&height=1199)
Niecy Nash.
Jeff Kravitz![220327-oscars-red-carpet-jude-hill_bk8omp](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/M5DO7PSKVJPA7G6V3NMWCBNVKE.jpg?auth=bb4b44ee3c7202afa04baead2c64557f4ea0ac50933f0412cbd86e95ef5266fa&width=800&height=1199)
Jude Hill, 11 years old, and the extremely eloquent star of “Belfast.” He revealed that Dame Judi Dench was a skilled whoopee cushion prankster on the set.
Mike Coppola![220327-oscars-red-carpet-Sebastián-Yatra-_ngsofu](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/P5RRU5TF65IZNEBVUY3BDLATNU.jpg?auth=f2e760988809ee0140783a37c69b3569f3bdf410275235a54097ed88497b8af5&width=800&height=1200)
Sebastián Yatra in custom made Moschino by Jeremy Scott.
David Livingston![220327-oscars-red-carpet-nicky-hilton_slhkoh](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/ISX2Q6U2QJMKZMP4GPDGHLL3FI.jpg?auth=3537da7ced4512c8ff284178f420e1362968b1e80520519642b9a77ee397cd28&width=800&height=1200)
Nicky Hilton Rothschild.
Kevin Mazur/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-diane-warreny_ayxajw](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/O57ZUURRLFLU3IPCFNCOKIQ62M.jpg?auth=97deac60ae4cb2a71d8b1cb1261a84463ed0ebd22ba959006b4a42702972662a&width=800&height=1210)
Diane Warren.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-sofia-carson_bxwwqz](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/J5AHLSRRI5OPBH7G3AA3X4VWXE.jpg?auth=5529e7ef0f64159245ea8db7ed323eade9cb1a0e167a23eb2442908660951993&width=800&height=1200)
Sofia Carson.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty![220327-oscars-red-carpet-vanessa-hudgens_zfkxu9](https://www.thedailybeast.com/resizer/v2/GRQL2WPCLBNRHGVFVVIIHAC3FA.jpg?auth=2e04fb71e2529bf24f08690d433913717a183303ce7f469a350b24e5fc81ce57&width=800&height=1200)
Vanessa Hudgens.
Jeff Kravitz/Getty