One of the most anticipated aspects of watching the Oscars is witnessing the array of extravagant fashions worn by Hollywood’s most celebrated talent. Despite the limitations of enforced social distancing within a compact venue, the 93rd Annual Academy Awards were aglow with the transcendent glamour of this year’s red carpet looks. The haute couture on display at the Oscars has always been a popular topic of discussion, but what remains overlooked in these conversations is the jewelry that complements all of the regal attire. Every year celebrities accentuate their natural grace and charisma by adorning their high fashion ensembles with brilliant gems. The 2021 Oscars were an exceptional showcase of formalwear bedecked with dazzling jewels, which were made possible by the stylists and renowned fashion labels that ingeniously beautified that night’s award nominees.
Stylist Elizabeth Stewart was the visionary who accessorized Viola Davis and Laura Dern’s lavish gowns. Fascinated with the ornate weaving on Davis’s Alexander McQueen dress, Stewart expanded upon these intricacies by adding a Forevermark diamond ring, Sterling Silver earrings, and bangles. Meanwhile, Stewart embellished Dern’s Oscar de la Renta gown with a ring, a chain Sterling Silver bracelet, and drop earrings from Pomellato's Sabbia collection, each of which had a color combination of white, black, and bronze. The inventive stylist selected jewelry ensembles according to each actress’s aesthetic, with Davis’s simplistic diamonds illuminating her classic beauty and Dern’s jewels completing her subtle yet sophisticated look.
Davis was one of multiple celebrities who wore Forevermark jewelry to the 2021 Oscars, as it was also found on Amanda Seyfried and Regina King. Draped in an Armani gown, Seyfried flaunted a pair of yellow diamond Forevermark earrings. Not only did King’s accessories consist entirely of Asscher-cut diamond drop earrings, studs, and a ring from Forevermark, but even her baby blue Louis Vuitton gown was encrusted with diamonds.
Already an esteemed fashion brand, Bulgari had ample representation on the red carpet. Zendaya had proven herself to be a phenomenal choice as a brand ambassador, for she was stunningly radiant in a diamond necklace from Bulgari’s upcoming Magnifica collection that contained a yellow diamond matching her Valentino dress. Additionally, both Reese Witherspoon and Isla Fisher wore Bulgari earrings, with the latter actress matching her pair with a Dior diamond choker.
Chopard Haute Joaillerie was another exalted jewelry brand that was prominent at the 2021 Oscars. R&B singer H.E.R. was ornamented in a multitude of Haute Joaillerie Collection items, including earrings made of two 2.01-karat diamonds and rings made of sapphires and spinels, all of which are set in 18-karat white gold. She also wore two sapphire rings set in 18-karat white gold from the “L’Heure du Diamant Collection”. Yuh-Jung Youn took home her first Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role while gleaming in her oval sapphire ring, earrings made of white gold and diamonds, and a 50-karat diamond bracelet plated in white gold. Angela Bassett appeared as elegant as ever when she paired her Alberta Ferretti gown with Chopard Haute Joaillerie earrings made of 28-karat rubies and 9-karat diamonds set in white gold. Wearing a rose-colored gown similar that of Bassett, Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nominee Olivia Colman sported Chopard diamond drop earrings and rings.
Other distinguished jewelers each had brief but iconic presences within the remaining award winners and nominees’ wardrobes. Interestingly, Best Original Screenplay winner Emerald Fennell is the daughter of the British jeweler Theo Fennell, who gifted her with morganite drop earrings and a 13.97 karat tourmaline ring. Best Supporting Actress nominee Maria Bakalova evoked a sense of wonder and romance by adding a 75-karat rivière necklace, pink and white diamond earrings, and a ring set composed of a flawless 8-karat diamonds by the Bond Street jewelry Moussaief to her tulle, satin Louis Vuitton gown. Cartier provided Best Supporting Actor Daniel Kaluuya with a tennis necklace, Carey Mulligan with a pair of tourmaline and sapphire earrings and a matching ring, and Leslie Odom Jr. with a panther-shaped 18-karat gold ring.
The 2021 Oscars upheld the yearly tradition of providing luxurious escapism for everyday viewers, a feat that is especially impressive amid pandemic restrictions. The opulent garments worn by Hollywood’s veteran performers and rising stars never fail to inspire awe, and this year demonstrated that fashion jewelry is key to creating an iconic red carpet look.