In which it’s very clear that Emma Stone and her longtime stylist Petra Flannery knew she had zero chance of winning anything, and styled this entire awards season as Just Happy to Be Nominated. Emma looks professional, but not flashy. None of these looks are designed to be worn on stage or holding an award. She would probably have gone flashier as a presenter, honestly! Compare this awards season retrospective, for example, with the 2024 awards season, where she was the underdog to Lily Gladstone much of the way but certainly knew she had a fighting shot (and did, ultimately end up winning the Oscar for Poor Things). To be clear: This isn’t a complaint. I am underwhelmed by several of these looks on their sartorial merits, but I think the vibe was tonally correct. Let’s take a look back.
PS: Someone someone on the internet (I am sorry for how vague this is!) noted that they think Emma has been doing some 1990s Gwyneth Paltrow cosplay the past few months, beyond the time she LITERALLY dressed up like her. And looking at our (lengthy) Paltrow red carpet retrospective, I can kinda see it? I think it’s also just possible that, for good or ill, the 1990s are super back.
