The 2025 Oscars: Old Hollywood Glamour, Diversity, and a Best Picture Win That Shattered Expectations
The 2025 Academy Awards were more than just another night of Hollywood spectacle. This year’s Oscars paid homage to the Golden Age of Hollywood while ushering in a new era of diversity, inclusivity, and bold storytelling.
With historic wins, an unexpected Best Picture winner, and red carpet fashion that channeled classic Hollywood, the 97th Academy Awards proved that the past and future of film can exist in the same frame.
Here’s what made the 2025 Oscars an unforgettable night for us.
Hollywood’s Golden Age
Reimagined for 2025
From the moment the red carpet was unveiled, it was clear that this year’s Oscars fashion was all about Old Hollywood glamour—reinterpreted for a new generation and you know, that at Hollywoodland News, we are here for that.
Elle Fanning in Givenchy: A Love Letter to Grace Kelly
If you’re looking for timeless elegance done right, Elle Fanning’s Givenchy gown was the definition. Fanning, a known connoisseur of classic style, channeled 1950s Givenchy couture at its finest, wearing a delicate white lace gown cinched with a soft satin ribbon belt. But it was the Cartier necklace from 1958 that took this look from “lovely” to “are we watching a Hollywood goddess from the Golden Age?” It was Grace Kelly reborn, and we were all just lucky enough to witness it.
Mikey Madison in Dior: Audrey Would Approve
The first member of Gen Z to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, Mikey Madison didn’t just win her Oscar for Anora—she won the red carpet, too. Custom Dior. Black-and-pink 1950s-inspired ballgown. Tiffany & Co. necklace from the 1910s. Need we say more? The structured black bandeau bodice with that soft, ballerina-pink skirt and bow detail was nothing short of Hepburn-esque perfection.
Ariana Grande in Schiaparelli: A Couture Fairytale
If anyone knows how to commit to a theme, it’s Ariana Grande. And for what is likely her final Glinda moment, she floated onto the red carpet in Schiaparelli Haute Couture straight from the Spring-Summer 2025 runway. The sculpted satin bodice paired with layers upon layers of delicate tulle created a look so ethereal it felt like it was plucked right out of a dream. And let’s talk about the 190,000 crystal sequins, rhinestones, and cut beads embellishing this gown. That’s not just fashion—that’s art.
Cynthia Erivo in Louis Vuitton: Serving Elphaba Realness
Listen, Cynthia Erivo doesn’t just wear a dress—she OWNS it. And this Louis Vuitton deep forest green gown? This was power dressing. With a sculptural neckline, dramatic sleeves, and a structured velvet silhouette, Erivo made sure that if Ariana was the light, she was the storm. With her signature theatrical flair, this look was a statement of grandeur—one that would’ve made even Joan Crawford do a double take.
Selena Gomez in Ralph Lauren: The Definition of a Bombshell
If we’re talking Old Hollywood bombshells, Selena Gomez took notes from the queens—Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe—and brought it into 2025. Her Ralph Lauren gown was dripping in opulence, quite literally. The off-the-shoulder masterpiece was hand-embellished with 16,000 glass droplets, creating a shimmering effect that made her look like she was bathed in liquid gold. Add a Bulgari diamond necklace, and boom—instant Hollywood icon.
Zoe Saldaña in Saint Laurent: The Art of Sophisticated Drama
The moment Zoe Saldaña stepped onto the red carpet, it was game over for the rest of them. Wearing a Saint Laurent gown styled by Petra Flannery, she brought unparalleled sophistication with a strass-embellished bodice, deep red satin skirt, and semi-sheer gloves that screamed vintage glamour. This was the kind of elegance that doesn’t just get photographed—it gets remembered.
Demi Moore in Armani Privé: A Walking Sculpture
Demi Moore has been serving looks since the ‘80s, but her custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown at the 2025 Oscars? This was next level. Dripping in Swarovski crystals, the structured silhouette featured a cinched waist and an architectural bow detail—pure editorial magic. Paired with sleek, minimal styling, Moore looked like a Hollywood legend who’s been doing this long before today’s It-Girls even knew what couture was.
Lupita Nyong’o in Chanel: The Pearl-Draped Fantasy
There are statement dresses, and then there’s Lupita Nyong’o in Chanel. The ivory pleated gown, adorned with 22,000 embroidery elements, was a pearl-covered dream. The delicate pearl-strapped bodice and sheer layering gave it an ethereal quality that only someone as regal as Lupita could pull off. If old money elegance was a dress, this would be it.
Oscars 2025: A Testament to Couture Craftsmanship
One thing was clear on this year’s Oscars red carpet—couture is alive and thriving. Luxury wasn’t just worn—it was celebrated. The sheer attention to detail, the historical inspirations, and the unapologetic glamour were all a reminder that Hollywood, at its best, is about spectacle—and that’s exactly what we got.
What this year proved is that Old Hollywood isn’t just a memory—it’s a movement. And it’s finally making space for ALL of us.
Diversity and Representation Took Center Stage
The 97th Academy Awards weren’t just about honoring Hollywood’s past—they were about reshaping its future. With historic wins across multiple categories, this year’s Oscars proved that representation isn’t just a conversation—it’s a reality that’s winning big.
Historic firsts and groundbreaking wins dominated the night:
Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for his breathtaking work in Wicked (dir. Jon M. Chu, 2024). Known for his ability to merge fantasy and historical accuracy, Tazewell’s designs brought the world of Oz to life with intricate, theatrical costumes that honored both the original Broadway production and the cinematic vision of the film. This long-overdue win recognized the impact of Black designers in shaping Hollywood’s most iconic eras.
- Ruth E. Carter became the first Black designer to win an Oscar in 2018 for Black Panther (dir. Ryan Coogler, 2018). Then she did it again in 2023 for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (dir. Ryan Coogler, 2022), making history as the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards in any category.
- Charlese Antoinette Jones has been a powerhouse in modern cinema, designing the unforgettable looks in Judas and the Black Messiah (dir. Shaka King, 2021).
- Marci Rodgers brought her artistry to BlacKkKlansman (dir. Spike Lee, 2018) and Till (dir. Chinonye Chukwu, 2022).
These designers—alongside Tazewell—are rewriting the narrative of who gets to define Hollywood’s most iconic eras. They are not just dressing characters; they are telling stories through fabric, color, and historical accuracy. And now, with Tazewell’s win, the industry is finally catching up to what we’ve known all along: Black designers are an undeniable force in the legacy of Hollywood fashion.
Zoe Saldaña made history as the first Dominican woman to win an acting Oscar, taking home Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez (dir. Jacques Audiard, 2024). Her transformative performance in this genre-blending musical crime drama not only wowed audiences but also cemented her legacy as a trailblazer for Afro-Latina representation in Hollywood.
International filmmakers made a major impact this year, with Brazil’s I’m Still Here (dir. Pedro Morelli, 2024) taking home Best International Feature Film, and Iran’s In the Shadow of the Cypress (dir. Bahman Ghobadi, 2024) winning Best Original Screenplay. These wins reinforced that Hollywood is no longer the sole gatekeeper of cinematic excellence—global storytelling is thriving, and audiences are embracing it.
Best Documentary Feature went to No Other Land (dir. Basel Adra, Hamdan Balal, Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor, 2024)—a collaborative effort between Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers that captured the devastation of communities displaced from the West Bank by the Israeli military.
The film’s victory underscored the power of cinema as a tool for activism, using real-world stories to challenge perspectives and ignite conversations.
“Can’t you see that we are intertwined? My people can only be truly safe if Basel’s people are truly safe and free.”
It was one of the most powerful moments of the night—one that transcended Hollywood and reminded audiences why film has always been a vehicle for truth.
With these groundbreaking wins, the 2025 Oscars cemented a new era of inclusivity, proving that diverse voices are no longer just part of the conversation—they’re leading it, winning it, and shaping the future of film.
Adrien Brody’s Win:
Confronting the Lingering Traumas of War
Adrien Brody took home Best Actor for his hauntingly powerful performance in The Brutalist (dir. Brady Corbet, 2024), portraying a Holocaust survivor-turned-architect grappling with the ghosts of his past while rebuilding his future in postwar America. The film, a deeply evocative exploration of displacement, survival, and resilience, resonated with audiences and critics alike for its raw emotional depth and striking cinematography.
In his acceptance speech, Brody dedicated his performance to the “lingering traumas of war, systemic oppression, and antisemitism,” acknowledging that history’s wounds do not simply fade—they shape generations. His words struck a chord on a night when themes of identity, injustice, and perseverance were woven throughout the evening’s most impactful wins.
Brody, who won his first Oscar for The Pianist (2002), is no stranger to playing characters marked by historical tragedy. But in The Brutalist, his role carried a deeper weight—a reflection of the ongoing struggles faced by displaced communities worldwide. In an industry that often romanticizes survival, this performance forced audiences to confront the uncomfortable realities of war’s aftermath, the fragility of rebuilding, and the resilience required to keep moving forward.
His win, paired with the evening’s celebration of international voices and stories rooted in real-world history, was a poignant reminder of why cinema remains one of the most powerful tools for remembering the past while shaping the future.
Anora’s Best Picture Win:
A Victory for Bold, Unapologetic Storytelling
And then came Anora.
The $6 million indie film that no one saw coming just walked away with Hollywood’s highest honor—and in doing so, shattered every industry expectation.
For decades, sex workers on screen have been boxed into three tired categories: the tragic victim, the redemption arc, or the disposable side character. But Anora refused to play by those rules.
This wasn’t a cautionary tale. It wasn’t a Hollywoodized tragedy. It was a human story—raw, messy, and completely unfiltered.
And somehow, against every studio-backed, multimillion-dollar prestige film, Anora took home Best Picture.
This was more than just an indie underdog win. This was a statement—a sign that stories from the margins, narratives that challenge Hollywood’s outdated tropes, and films that dare to be different are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
A New Hollywood, Rooted in the Love of Movies
So what did we learn from the 2025 Academy Awards?
- Old Hollywood glamour is still alive—but now, it belongs to everyone.
- Diversity isn’t just a conversation—it’s winning.
- Films that challenge traditional narratives aren’t just being made—they’re taking home Oscars.
- And most importantly… Timothée Chalamet needs new friends.
Listen, we’ve all made bad fashion choices, but his butter-yellow Givenchy suit? That was an assault on the retinas. Somewhere, a bottle of mustard and a roll of vintage wallpaper are calling their lawyers. I’d say he lost a bet, but we all know this man wears whatever the hell he wants. And while we love him for it… this was not the move.
But that’s why we love the movies, right? Because, at their best, they tell stories that need to be told. And if the 2025 Oscars proved anything, it’s that Hollywood’s next chapter is finally making room for more voices, more perspectives, and more truth.
And that, my friends, is what makes this year’s Academy Awards one for the history books. Next year, let’s figure out how I get on the red carpet and make this real.
Written by Regina Luz Jordan| Editor & Founder, Hollywoodland News
Retelling Hollywood’s Story, One Truth at a Time.
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