By Iris Edén Santiago
Special to The STAR
Where to begin? It was quite the night! The 94th edition of the Academy Awards was full of drama, excitement and glitz.
For me, a fantastic fiesta for the Latino community with Ariana DeBose (Valentino Couture) winning her first Oscar and the first one awarded Sunday night. And let’s talk about Bruno. The live performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s contagious song was electrifying. Megan Thee Stallion, Becky G, Mauro Castillo and Puerto Rican Luis Fonsi along with other cast members, were incredible. Fonsi was a winner in both his looks, black tux with shiny lapel piping on the red carpet and electric blue -- from head to glittering shoes -- inside Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
The red carpet
It was an endless parade of fantastic gowns, polished looks and, as local fashion designer Lisa Thon said, “so much individuality.”
“I loved seeing so much identity,” Thon said. “Celebrities are embracing themselves. People are getting real, comfortable in their own skin.”
Also noticeable and laudable, many stars wore blue and yellow ribbons to show their solidarity for Ukraine. There was also a moment of silence.
A respected authority in everything fashion, Thon’s best dressed star is Mila Kunis, in Zuhair Murad, “effortless glamour, excellent fit and a great color on her.” She noted that pink, red and black were the colors most stars chose for the event. There were undeniable hints of the dramatic 1980s and 1990s, but drama?
“Yes, but much less exaggerated,” Thon said. “Not excessive see-throughs, tulle or extreme beading. I saw more attention to volume, silhouettes. Less is more.”
Designer José Raúl’s favorite styling belongs to Kodi Smit-McPhee, who wore a baby blue retro Bottega Veneta tux, “perfect fitting, perfect for his body type and a beautiful color. Also, bold wide lapels, which are back in popularity.” He also singled out actress Naomi Scott, in Fendi Couture.
“Naomi’s styling is perfection,” he said. “Elegant, sophisticated … color on trend. The total look.”
For globetrotter and fashion designer Jaer Cabán, the trophy is split between Irish actress Caitríona Balfe (Louis Vuitton), dancer Maddie Ziegler (Giambattista Valli) and rapper Megan Thee Stallion (Gaurav Gupta).
“They all wore designs with volume, construction, architectural silhouettes,” said Cabán, who texted his notes from Portugal. “Also exuding personality? Billie Eilish (Gucci), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Schiaparelli) and Zendaya. They show us that fashion is fun. It’s art.”
Actress Zendaya, who rocked a crop top and sequined skirt with train by Valentino, was plucked out by designer Miriam Budet, who noted that “she always delivers, high impact is her thing. Effort less, young and elegant.”
Sofía Carson (Giambattista Valli), Zendaya, Oscar winner Jessica Chastain (Gucci), Beyoncé (Valentino) and Lupita Nyong’o (Prada) were the top five for San Juan Moda President Carlos Bermúdez.
“These are true showstoppers,” he said. “Mesmerizing looks, memorable. Their overall look is flawless.”
Influencer and fashion designer David Antonio said he loved Lupita Nyong’o and Becky G (Etro), but was quick to add that Nicole Kidman (Armani Privé) is the best dressed by far.
“She is at the top of her game,” David Antonio said. “A goddess in dusty blue. Perfect balance, color and style. Loved the statement wrinkled peplum, sooo good! A vision … old Hollywood glamour but refreshingly current.”
I must say that the boys dressed to the nines, very very handsome. And away from the boring black tux. Oozing style and looking oh so sharp: Sebastián Yatra (Moschino), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Bottega Veneta), Timothee Chalamet (Louis Vuitton, Cartier), Jason Momoa (Savile Row) and Simu Liu, in red with regal chest-piece by Atelier Versace.
My best dressed? Rita Moreno, of course! The 90-year-old Puerto Rican legend wore a black one shoulder Carolina Herrera. But the piece de resistance has to be the fabulous jaw-dropping gorgeous headpiece she wore, by Adrienne Landau.