The Oscars red carpet this year was unusually cheery, optimistic, and impassioned. This translated into some of the prettiest pink dresses in years (Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein; Danai Gurira in Gabriela Hearst), embellished superheroic fabulosity (Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior; Lupita Nyong’o in Versace), and new takes on big-time grandeur (Emily Blunt in Schiaparelli Haute Couture; Margot Robbie in Chanel Couture). More streamlined but equally dramatic statements were made by Zendaya (in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture), Meryl Streep (in Christian Dior Haute Couture), and Nicole Kidman and Sally Hawkins (in Armani Privé). Serious dresses for spectacular times, we must say.

Greta Gerwig in a bright yellow custom Rodarte gown and Tiffany & Co. jewellery with tonal floral appliqué and delicate Tiffany & Co. archival moonstone necklace.

Jennifer Lawrence dons the pewter-coloured, gunmetal Christian Dior gown that she paired with Niwaka diamonds.

Zendaya in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, Brian Atwood shoes, and Bulgari jewellery.

Sandra Bullock wears a custom black-and-gold Louis Vuitton halter with coordinating black-and-gold Jimmy Choo clutch and Lorraine Schwartz jewellery.

Nicole Kidman wearing Armani Privé, Christian Louboutin shoes, a vintage 1953 Omega watch, and Harry Winston jewellery.

Emily Blunt appeared in pale blue Schiaparelli gown, made with aqua silk polka dot tulle and lace and embellished with a floral leather harness.

Topping off the look were $250,000 worth of Chopard jewels, including earrings with 30.96-carats of pear-shaped aquamarines set in blue titanium and diamonds and two rings – one with a 12.92-carat aquamarine set in diamonds and the other with a 5.11-carat pear-shaped aquamarine with an amethyst, diamonds and tanzanite surrounding it. She opted for a matching Judith Leiber clutch.

Jennifer Garner wears a high-neck cobalt Atelier Versace gown with cape and Piaget diamond-and-sapphire jewels.

Allison Janney in a custom scarlet Reem Acra gown with long caped sleeves, a matching Roger Vivier clutch $4 million of Forevermark jewellery and Jimmy Choo heels.

Margot Robbie wearing a white Chanel Haute Couture gown with beaded straps and a crisscross skirt, plus a clear clutch and Fine Jewellery by Chanel.