Casey Mendoza
The Political Statement Stars Made On The Oscars Red Carpet
Some stars wore blue ribbons on the red carpet.
LEARN MOREPosted: 5:59 p.m. EST Mar 1, 2018
The question "who are you wearing" is as prevalent on the red carpet as the celebrities who walk it. The question lets celebrities give credit to the designers who made their lavish outfits, and it's long strengthened the relationship between the fashion and entertainment industries.
But the question seems to be falling out of vogue, as social issues and initiatives like Time's Up take the spotlight.
Pulitzer Prize-winning fashion critic Robin Givhan noted this change after the Golden Globes, when many attendees wore black to protest sexual misconduct in Hollywood. Givhan argued the black attire was as much a statement by designers as well as celebrities but says the designers didn't get credit.
Designer Christian Siriano told People magazine: "I'm glad all these powerful women are coming together and it's time that their voice is heard. ... [But] It's not just about showcasing the actors. The designers are being showcased. The hair and makeup teams are being showcased. We're all in the industry together."
Siriano dressed more than a dozen people this awards season, and he says he hopes future red carpet events keep honoring the people behind the dresses and styling.
For smaller, independent designers, on-air credit and visibility on the red carpet can mean a big boost in sales. After designers invest hours and hundreds of dollars on making dresses, some creators give them to celebrities for free.
To solve the issue of wardrobe credits in the age of #MeToo, one fashion critic suggests showing designers' names on screen.
Bigger brands like Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein have made separate announcements for their creations and have used their own platforms to support social causes.
After the Golden Globes, designers auctioned off the black dresses worn on the red carpet and donated the money to the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund.
