In photos: Oscars 2021 red carpet

From left: Actor Alan S. Kim (L) and producer Christina Oh; Zendaya walk the red carpet at the Oscars on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles.
AFP/Chris Pizzello, Mark Terrill

HOLLYWOOD — For the past year, Hollywood's brightest stars have either been forced to wear ball gowns in their living rooms to accept awards -- or they have worn fancy pajamas. On Sunday, they hit the Oscars red carpet with flair.

And although the women were stunning as ever, the men — perhaps inspired by Billy Porter's show-stopping turn in a tuxedo gown at the Academy Awards two years ago — also brought their top fashion game.

Here are a few takeaways from the red carpet, the first big fashion event in Tinseltown since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in early 2020.

Men on fire 

From left: Colman Domingo, Steven Yeun, nominated for an Academy Award for Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in "Minari"; Thomas Vinterberg poses with the award for best international feature film for "Another Round."
AFP/Chris Pizzello

 

Leslie Odom Jr, a double Oscar nominee for best supporting actor and best original song for "One Night in Miami," looked exactly like the golden statuette he is hoping to take home, in a shimmering double-breasted Brioni suit.

Daniel Kaluuya, who won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of slain Black Panthers activist Fred Hampton in "Judas and the Black Messiah," suited up in all-black Bottega Veneta -- T-shirt and tux.

And Colman Domingo, who co-stars with nominees Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," added a pop of color to the proceedings in head-to-toe hot pink.

Paul Raci, another best supporting actor nominee for his work in "Sound of Metal," rocked his black suit with some killer accessories -- silver jewelry and dark nail polish. 

 

From left: Sacha Baron Cohen, nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role for "The Trial of the Chicago 7" and actress Isla Fisher; Leslie Odom Jr., nominated for an Academy Award for Supporting Actor for his performance in "One Night in Miami," Lakeith Stanfield
AFP/Chris Pizzello, Alberto Pezzali

Golden girls 

From left: Carey Mulligan; Andra Day, nominated for an Academy Award for Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in "The United States vs. Billie Holiday."
AFP/Chris Pizzello, Mark Terrill

 

Odom was not the only one sporting Oscars gold. 

Carey Mulligan, a nominee for best actress for her searing turn as a medical school dropout avenging her friend's rape in "Promising Young Woman," sparkled in a strapless golden gown with a bare midriff and a long train.

And singer Andra Day, a nominee in that same category for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in "The United States vs Billie Holiday," went for a daring gold gown with a huge cutout in the middle and a slit up to there.

Pretty in white

Viola Davis, nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom;” Maria Bakalova
AFP/Chris Pizzello

 

Along with Mulligan and Day, Viola Davis is in contention for the best actress prize for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and she turned up in a low-cut white sleeveless Alexander McQueen gown with sexy cutouts all through the bodice.

Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova, a first-time nominee in the best supporting actress category, also went for pristine white, fluttering onto the red carpet in a white Louis Vuitton princess gown with a plunging neckline and a cloud of tulle for a skirt.

From left: Vanessa Kirby, nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for "Pieces of a Woman;" Margot Robbie
AFP/Chris Pizzello
From left: US songwriter Diane Warren, wearing a mask that says 'You Are Seen', Marlee Matlin
AFP/Chris Pizzello

Blast of color

Halle Berry
AFP/Chris Pizzello

 

Despite many gowns in white, basic black or muted hues, some actresses went for old Hollywood glamour in bright colors.

Halle Berry, a best actress Oscar winner in 2002 and a presenter on Sunday, rocked a new short hairdo and a strapless flowing purple gown.

Plum role: Glenn Close, nominated for an Academy Award for Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in "Hillbilly Elegy;" H.E.R., nominated for Music (Original Song) for "Fight For You."
AFP/Chris Pizzello

 

And presenter Angela Bassett stunned in a bright red gown with a slit up the front and puffed sleeves that came together in the back in a huge bow.

"This is Hollywood Christmas," Bassett said at the Oscars pre-show.

 

Ladies in red: Olivia Colman, Amanda Seyfried, nominated for an Academy Award for Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in "Mank;" Angela Bassett, Reese Witherspoon
AFP/Chris Pizzello, Alberto Pezzali

 

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