Everything You Need To Know About The 2020 Oscars
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Everything You Need To Know About The 2020 Oscars

Last night, SL stayed up late to watch all the action unfold at LA’s Dolby Theatre for the 92nd annual Academy Awards. Here’s everything that happened – and the SL fashion team’s pick of the red carpet looks…

Parasite Was The Big Winner

South Korean film Parasite was named best picture at this year's Oscars, becoming the first non-English language film to take the top prize in almost a century of the awards. Only ten foreign-language films have previously received Oscar nominations for best picture and none of them have won. Bong Joon-ho’s seventh film – a black comedy which deals with greed and class discrimination in his home country – won four awards in total, including best director, best screenplay and best international feature. Of the film’s success, Bong said: “I feel like I'll wake up to find it's all a dream. It all feels very surreal."

Elsewhere, Sir Sam Mendes's 1917 – the big winner at last week’s Baftas – took home three awards, all in technical categories. The WWI epic had been the favourite to win best picture.

The ‘Big Four’ Won Again

Given the unanimous results at the Baftas, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild awards and Critics' Choice Awards, the four acting prize winners came as no surprise. Renée Zellweger won best actress for playing Judy Garland in Judy; Joaquin Phoenix was named best actor for Joker; Brad Pitt won the prize for best supporting actor for Once Upon A Time in Hollywood; and Laura Dern won the same prize for her role in Marriage Story.

Pitt – picking up the first Oscar of his career – was the first winner of the night and used his speech to attack the way the impeachment proceedings against US president Donald Trump were handled last week. It was a far cry from his humorous take on Brexit at the Baftas the week before.

As per his run of recent speeches, Phoenix also used the podium to send a message about everything from veganism to diversity. Not one to be hypocritical, he also said: "I've been a scoundrel in my life. I've been cruel at times and hard to work with, but so many people in this room have given me a second chance." His win was one of two for Todd Phillip’s Joker, which also saw composer Hildur Guðnadóttir walk away with best original score.

Meanwhile, Zellweger used her win to pay tribute to Judy Garland, who was nominated for two Oscars in the 1950s and 1960s. "Judy Garland did not receive this honour in her time," she said. "I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy."

Elton John Headed Up The Brit Wins

Sir Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin won best original song for ‘(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again’ from Rocketman. It's Sir Elton's second Oscar – 25 years on from The Lion King. Elsewhere, British costume designer Jacqueline Durran won her second Oscar for her work on Little Women; Dominic Tuohy won in the visual effects category for 1917; Roger Deakins picked up the trophy for best cinematography for 1917; and Mark Taylor and Stuart Wilson picked up the sound mixing award for the same film.

The Irishman Went Home Empty-Handed

All the main nominated films won at least one award – except Martin Scorsese's 210-minute epic The Irishman, which had ten nominations but went home with none. Scorsese did get a standing ovation, however, when Bong mentioned him as an inspiration while collecting his best director gong. 

A Lack Of Diversity Was Noted

"Think how much the Oscars have changed in the past 92 years. Back in 1929 there were no black acting nominees," Chris Rock noted in his welcome speech. "And now in 2020 we've got one." Like many times over the last few years, the Academy had drawn much criticism for selecting an all-white shortlist across all four acting categories. But there were some celebrations to be had across the non-acting categories: alongside Parasite’s four wins, Maori director Taika Waititi won best adapted screenplay for Jojo Rabbit; American Factory, the debut film from Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, was named best documentary feature; Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver won best animated short film for Hair Love; and Kazu Hiro won best make-up for Bombshell

Read on for SL’s pick of the best dressed…

DAVIDFISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK

Who: Brie Larson
Wearing: Celine
Why we love it: This is, without question, SL’s best dress of the night. Brie Larson has been a little under-the-radar this awards season, but she more than made up for it with this pink sequined, caped design, with clever detailing giving the illusion of a cinched waist. We all knew Hedi Slimane could do rock 'n' roll glamour, but this old Hollywood version is certainly a surprise.

Who: Charlize Theron
Wearing: Dior
Why we love it: Charlize Theron had her own Angelina Jolie moment last night in this dramatic, high-split gown. With its curved neckline, interesting asymmetric shoulder details and statement train, it’s the perfect balance of grown-up and sexy.

DAVIDFISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK

DAVID FISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK

Who: Renee Zellweger
Wearing: Armani Privé
Why we love it: Serial award-winner Renee Zellweger has stuck to what she knows, and it’s paid off. There aren't any bells and whistles, but this gown's white sequin finish, column fit and elegant one shoulder design make it classic red-carpet dressing at its best.
 

Who: Camila Morrone
Wearing: Carolina Herrera
Why we love it: Girlfriend of Leonardo Di Caprio Camila Morrone wowed in this ethereal Carolina Herrera design. Exposed boning added interest to an otherwise simple tulle and corset style, while relaxed locks and a show stopping diamond necklace added to the romantic feel.

DAVIDSWANSON/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

Who: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Wearing: Saint Laurent
Why we love it: RHW has rarely put a foot wrong on the red carpet, and this is no exception. Proving black is anything but boring, this architectural, off-the-shoulder design is worthy of her supermodel status. A signature slicked-back bun and red lip adds to the Hollywood aesthetic.

Who: Kylie Jenner
Wearing: Ralph and Russo
Why we love it: It’s rare for a member of the Kardashian/Jenner clan to make our best dressed list, but we like to give credit where credit’s due. The tulle detail is what makes this piece so special – navy sequins can feel a little dated on the red carpet, but this unexpected appliqué both modernises the dress and gives the illusion of even more exaggerated curves.

ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

Who: Halima Aden
Wearing: By Fang
Why we love it: Now this is how you do modest dressing. Crafted by little known Shanghai couture label By Fang, its structured shape is exciting, dramatic and different, with an unusual circular, fan-inspired cape adding even more interest; naturally, Halima Aden looks beautiful in anything, but it’s groundbreaking to see covered-up styling pulled off so perfectly on the fashion mainstage.

Who: Florence Pugh
Wearing: Louis Vuitton
Why we love it: Rising star Florence Pugh may have missed the mark with her first dress of the night, but she more than made up for it with this LV look at the Vanity Fair after party. A gold sequined, column design could have been a risky choice for the 24-year-old, but the interesting checkered detail and plunging neckline gave it a modern spin.

ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

Who: Jessica Alba
Wearing: Atelier Versace
Why we love it: It may not be the most original dress of the night, but Jessica Alba proves a strapless, sequined dress will always have a place on the red carpet. A conical design adds a bit of edge, whilst a nude base layer stops the sequins feeling too heavy.

Who: Kerry Washington
Wearing: Zuhair Murad
Why we love it: An exposed midriff can soften even the headiest, busiest designs, as proven here by Kerry Washington. Had this been a dress, it would have overwhelmed the star, but the crop top and skirt design both modernises and breaks up the look.

MATT BARON/SHUTTERSTOCK

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