At the Vanity Fair Oscars party following the 98th Academy Awards, guests favored realistic '90s-inspired dressing over sheer naked looks. Sarah Burton's Givenchy designs influenced the trend toward individualism in silhouettes and custom details. Celebrities like Elle Fanning and Kaia Gerber exemplified the shift at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art event.
The 2026 Oscars night highlighted a move away from naked dresses toward 'real' dressing with a '90s Carolyn Bessette Kennedy influence, as seen at the Vanity Fair after-party on the new silver carpet at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Sarah Burton's Givenchy presentation emphasized individualism, with her stating, “Each woman is her own person, each silhouette is her own character.” Vogue’s Nicole Phelps recalled women's reactions: “I loved that,” “so beautiful,” “exactly how I want to look now.” This mood echoed after a fashion month focused on realistic styles, making the after-party looks a contrast to prior years' sheer trends, which now seemed crass, especially amid Oscar winners attending. Elle Fanning wore a bustier draped bow dress in black satin duchesse, while Kaia Gerber donned a red velvet draped and slashed bare-shouldered dress, both showcasing Burton’s ladylike minimalism. Hailey Bieber chose a Giorgio Armani leopard-print gown with an hourglass silhouette and painstaking spot embellishments over Saint Laurent. Kim Kardashian appeared in a form-fitting gold Gucci gown, and Kendall Jenner in a baby-blue Chanel gown reflecting Matthieu Blazy’s Old Hollywood style. Models Adwoa Aboah and Paloma Elsesser wore slinky black covered-up confections, and Sarah Pidgeon, CBK spring ambassador, sported a metallic Calvin Klein slip. Jessie Buckley switched from her Grace Kelly-inspired pink Chanel ceremony gown to an effortless little black dress for best actress style. The focus was on exquisite custom looks prioritizing cut, fit, fabrication, and detail.
