Fantasy Red Carpet: How We’d Dress the 2020 Oscar Nominees

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Red Carpet Fantasy Cover
Illustration by Callum Abbott

From Charlize Theron in Dries Van Noten to Cynthia Erivo in Valentino Haute Couture, AnOther plays dress up for the most talked about ceremony of awards season

The pleasure of flicking through an online red carpet gallery the day after a glittering, Los Angeles-based event occurs, is that one suddenly becomes a fashion critic without having to move an inch from a sofa littered with the morning’s toast crumbs. While slumped in front of your laptop, it suddenly becomes entirely appropriate to act as judge and jury for some of the most talented actors on the planet. And why not? After all, despite the warranted criticism hurled at Hollywood – for, among other things, the lack of diversity when it comes to nominees – the unashamed ‘camp factor’ of red carpet fashion remains a silver lining year in, year out. 

The Oscars, which take place on Sunday, are, of course, the most talked about awards ceremony of the bunch. The 2020 iteration is set to celebrate the likes of AnOther’s latest cover star Laura Dern, for her turn as a duplicitous divorce lawyer in Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story; Florence Pugh, for managing to outshine most of the cast of Little Women using only a clip-in fringe as a prop; and Cynthia Erivo, who earned her nomination for a sublime portrayal of abolitionist Harriet Tubman in Harriet, in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories. While we’re yet to see what each might be donning on the red carpet – and rate each look accordingly – we take a moment to play celebrity stylist and fantasise about who of the acting nominees should be wearing what from the S/S20 season. 

Saoirse Ronan, Best Actress for Little Woman (JW Anderson S/S20) 

JW Anderson is a brand for a woman immersed in literary pursuits. The male gaze? Please. A perfect dress for Saoirse Ronan to pay tribute to Ms. Josephine March. 

Cynthia Erivo, Best Actress for Harriet (Valentino Haute Couture S/S20) 

The sumptuousness of this ruffled, violet-hued Valentino Couture gown is simply made for Cynthia Erivo. 

Florence Pugh, Best Supporting Actress for Little Women (Alexander McQueen S/S20) 

The mere thought of Florence Pugh wearing Sarah Burton’s flamingo-pink McQueen is sending us to awards-ceremony heaven. 

Scarlett Johansson, Best Actress for Marriage Story and Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit (Jacquemus A/W20) 

Simon Porte Jacquemus proves cotton can be just as sexy as any sequin... 

Renée Zellweger, Best Actress for Judy (Marc Jacobs S/S20) 

Three words: CAMP. AS. HELL. Judy Garland would be proud. 

Margot Robbie, Best Supporting Actress for Bombshell (Balenciaga S/S20) 

Robbie is yet to win an Oscar, and this year the odds are stacked against her. So we’d like to see the actress in a huge, gold metallic gown by Balenciaga, so that she can outshine the Academy Award statuette itself. 

Laura Dern, Best Supporting Actress for Marriage Story (Givenchy Haute Couture S/S20) 

Is there a better way to celebrate playing a divorce lawyer than by wearing particularly bridal Givenchy couture? 

Charlize Theron, Best Actress for Bombshell (Dries Van Noten S/S20) 

If anyone can pull off a sheer organza dress worn over a white tank top to the Oscars, it’s Charlize Theron.

Kathy Bates, Best Supporting Actress for Richard Jewell (Simone Rocha S/S20) 

Kathy Bates is certified acting royalty, and Simone Rocha makes clothes that are fit for no less.Â