The hidden meaning behind five Oscars outfits

Marie-Claire Dorking
·Contributor
·5-min read
Ariana Grande, Isabella Rosellini and Morgan Freeman at the Oscars. (Getty Images)
Some of the attendees at last night's Oscars had some hidden meanings in their outfits. (Getty Images)

While the Oscars may be all about celebrating achievements on the screen, equally as important is what the attendees choose to wear.

But with so many red carpet looks to wade through it can often feel overwhelming. However, there are some sartorial choices that have significance outside of making a style statement.

From Ariana Grande's nod to Wicked's ruby red slipper to Isabella Rossellini's touching tribute to the late David Lynch, we've rounded up some of the unmissable fashion moments from last Academy Awards that are packed with hidden meaning and sentimental significance.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo seen backstage at the 97th Annual Oscars.
Ariana Grande performed in a dress with a heel embedded into the back, pictured with Cynthia Erivo. (Getty Images)

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (who was nominated for Best Actress in Wicked) came together to deliver one of last night's stand-out performances belting out a medley of songs from the film. Grande wore a glittering red gown making her appear almost like a real life version of Dorothy’s ruby red slipper. But a hidden detail was only revealed at the end of the performance, when Grande turned round to reveal she had an actual red high heel embedded into the back of her dress.

Grande's earlier red carpet outfit also seemed to have significance, via further channelling of her Wicked character Glinda the Good Witch. The singer and actor has been playing tribute to her character at various promotional events, and her magical Schiaparelli number, with its waterfall skirt and cinched bodice, was no exception.

Ariana Grande attends the 97th Annual Oscars
Ariana Grande gave a nod to her Wicked character Glenda the Good Witch, in her Oscar gown. (Getty Images)
Isabella Rossellini pictured at the Oscars.
Isabella Rossellini paid tribute to David Lynch via her Oscars dress. (Getty Images)

Isabella Rossellini, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, used her Oscars outfit to pay a subtle yet touching tribute to the late David Lynch. The Twin Peaks creator died earlier this year and the Conclave star, 72, who appeared in Lynch's mystery thriller Blue Velvet chose to wear a sumptuous ensemble in the same fabric and hue as the film's name. According to reports, the actor told Italian TV that the gown had been an intentional choice to honour Lynch.

It would be understandable if Rossellini did opt to give a nod to Lynch considering the duo had not only worked together professionally, but also dated between 1987 and 1991.

Rossellini's dress wasn't the only aspect of sartorial significance either. The actor also opted to wear earrings that her mother, Ingrid Bergman, wore in Viaggio in Italia, which was directed by her father, Roberto Rossellini.

Morgan Freeman at the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars)
There's a reason Morgan Freeman wore a single black glove at the Oscars. (Getty Images)

Morgan Freeman wore a simple black tuxedo to deliver an emotional tribute to the late actor Gene Hackman, but fans also spotted the Seven actor was wearing a single black glove.

It isn't the first time the star has worn a single glove to the Academy Awards having worn an elbow length glove when he presented at the 2023 Oscars alongside Margot Robbie. But there's actually a significant reason behind the single glove-wearing.

In 2008, Morgan Freeman was involved in a serious car crash. He was airlifted to hospital and despite undergoing surgery was left with irreversible nerve damage to his left land, leaving it paralysed and leading him to wear a compression glove to keep the blood flowing.

"I suffered nerve damage and it hasn’t gotten better. I can’t move it," he told People in 2010. "If you don’t move your hand, it will swell up. Do you know you move your hand about a million times a day?"

Morgan previously told Esquire magazine that he suffers from fibromyalgia stemming from the nerve damage. "The condition causes pain 'up and down the arm', he said. "That’s where it gets so bad. Excruciating."

Kieran Culkin, Oscar winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Kieran Culkin paid tribute to his family via the brooch he wore at last night's Oscars. (Getty Images)

Not only did Oscar winner Kieran Culkin surprise his wife by sharing baby plans live on stage, but the A Real Pain star, who won an Academy Award for his role in the film, also paid a sweet tribute to his family with his outfit.

According to Town & Country the former Succession actor accessorised his all black tux with a brooch studded with emerald, peridot, and purple sapphire, which are in fact the birthstones of his wife Jazz Charton and their two children.

Zoe Kravitz at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Zoe Kravitz kickstarted a new take on the cut-out trend in a cheeky gown revealing her bottom. (Getty Images)

There wasn't so much a hidden meaning in Zoe Kravitz after-party outfit, more a pivot on the cut-out trend. From the front the Batman star's long-sleeved satin gown was demure enough, but the back featured some very cheeky mesh cutouts that exposed not only her back, but also her bare bottom cheeks. Perhaps the Blink Twice director was hoping to start a new peekaboo trend?

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