The Run-Through with Vogue: What You Might've Missed At the 2025 Oscars

Release Date: March 3, 2025

In this episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, hosts Chloe Mao and Cho Min Ody, alongside Vogue editors Marlee Marius and Taylor Antrim, delve into the highlights and behind-the-scenes moments of the 2025 Oscars. The conversation spans fashion highlights, memorable speeches, social media reactions, and the broader implications for Hollywood’s future.

1. Fashion Highlights at the 2025 Oscars

Classic Hollywood Glamour

The red carpet at the 2025 Oscars exhibited a strong inclination towards classic and conservative styles, reminiscent of the 1950s Hollywood glamour. Cho Min Ody remarked on the event's "very classic" and "timeless" aesthetic, noting, “It felt very safe” (00:52). This year saw an emphasis on traditional silhouettes, with numerous strapless gowns featuring sweetheart necklines and hourglass figures.

• Notable Looks:
  • Elle Fanning donned a Sarah Burton for Givenchy haute couture dress, referencing the designer's inaugural collection from 1952, beautifully modeled by Ivy Nicholson (03:11).
  • Emma Stone impressed in an understated Louis Vuitton 1920s-inspired sequin slip dress, complete with finger waves and short hair (09:59).

Chloe Mao added, “It was like sweetheart neckline, hourglass. Sort of everyone trying out for, like, Little Mermaid prom kind of vibe” (02:45), highlighting the widespread adoption of this nostalgic look.

Best Dressed Men

The men’s fashion made strong statements, blending classic styles with bold choices. Omar Apollo stood out in a Valentino ensemble paired with a face veil and striking Boucheron jewels, embodying a blend of glam and modernity (04:07). Conversely, Andrew Garfield’s brown Gucci tuxedo received praise for its timeless appeal (04:07).

• Humorous Highlight:
  • Timothy: Taylor Antrim humorously critiqued a “buttery yellow suit,” saying it was “hugely regrettable” (04:42).

Vintage Moments

Vintage-inspired fashions were prevalent, especially at the after-party. Kendall Jenner shone in a true vintage Thierry Mugler peach dress, characterized by a high neck and full sleeves, emulating a darkly romantic aesthetic (08:41). This look was praised for its homage to the softer 1970s glamour, a style Valentino continues to master (09:41).

2. Memorable Moments and Performances

Best Original Song Controversy

The Best Original Song category ignited significant debate. The winning entry, performed by three French artists, left many viewers perplexed and online communities in uproar. Taylor Antrim highlighted the controversy, stating, “Shoma's Flo is getting seen now because it's on max streaming” (22:44), referring to the unconventional nature of the performance.

• Key Points:
  • The winning song by Emilia Perez received mixed reactions for its departure from traditional Oscar-winning tunes (21:30).
  • Critics like Cho Min Ody appreciated the sincerity, remarking, “I found it really moving” (29:57).

Notable Speeches

Several speeches stood out for their emotional depth and humor:

• Karen Culkin’s Speech: Culkin’s lengthy acceptance speech, though seen as “fine” by Marlee Marius, was critiqued for its length and casual demeanor, including an awkward gum-tossing moment (24:17).

• Sean Baker’s Acceptance: Baker's multi-faceted role in the creation of Anora—writing, directing, editing, and casting—was lauded as a testament to his dedication (13:45).

• Andrew Garfield and Goldie Hawn: Their heartfelt presentation was a standout, with Garfield emotionally reminiscing about how Goldie Hawn made his mother smile (33:14).

3. Social Media and Memes

The event's fashion and moments quickly became fodder for social media discussions and memes:

• Timothy’s Butter Suit: The “buttery yellow suit” became a viral meme, likened to a “stick of butter” (32:12).

• In Memoriam Segment: The overly dramatic tribute received backlash for its lack of sensitivity and appropriateness (32:22).

Chloe Mao observed, “The New York Post had an article about how they had a picture of him sitting in his seat… [Adrien Brody] checking out the photos of himself from the red carpet” (08:16), highlighting the humorous side of post-event celebrity behavior.

4. Snubs and Surprises

The 2025 Oscars were not without their share of unexpected outcomes:

• Notable Snubs:

  • Complete Unknown received no nominations, sparking discussions about the disconnect between voter preferences and critical acclaim (22:21).
  • Nosferatu was also overlooked, further illustrating the selective nature of Oscar nominations (22:26).

• Surprising Wins:

  • Anora: Directed by Sean Baker, this film’s success was attributed to its unique storytelling and Baker’s multifaceted role (12:17).
  • Flo, the Animated Film: Despite lacking dialogue and being created with accessible software, Flo garnered attention for its innovative approach (22:54).

Taylor Antrim commented on the evolving nature of Oscar-winning films, observing a shift towards diverse and independent productions (13:08).

5. Overall Takeaways

The hosts synthesized the night’s events, identifying key trends and future implications:

• Emerging Stars: Mikey Madison was highlighted as a rising red carpet star destined for major contracts, with Cho Min Ody stating, “Mikey Madison is a star to watch” (34:38).

• Hollywood’s Risk Appetite: There was a consensus that while the movies being nominated are increasingly bold and unconventional, the Oscars themselves remained conservative in their approach (25:23). This dichotomy points to a potential shift in future award ceremonies as Hollywood navigates evolving artistic expressions.

• Theater vs. Streaming: The debate between preserving the traditional movie-going experience versus the dominance of streaming platforms was a significant topic. Taylor Antrim expressed interest in seeing how this balance would tilt in the coming years (36:23).

6. Conclusion

As the episode wrapped up, the editors reflected on the 2025 Oscars as a blend of timeless elegance and unexpected twists. They underscored the importance of emerging talents like Mikey Madison and the need for Hollywood to balance classic Hollywood charm with modern, risk-taking narratives. The conversation concluded on a hopeful note, anticipating an exciting and dynamic year ahead for both the fashion and film industries.

Notable Quotes:

• Cho Min Ody: “It felt very safe.” (00:52)
• Chloe Mao: “It was like sweetheart neckline, hourglass. Sort of everyone trying out for, like, Little Mermaid prom kind of vibe.” (02:45)
• Taylor Antrim: “No performances or minimal performances next year. Can we talk about the performances?” (19:30)
• Marlee Marius: “I love when men sort of lean into that.” (04:07)
• Cho Min Ody: “I love Cynthia Erivo. I think she went for it, and I thought she looked.” (06:30)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the rich discussions and insights shared by the Vogue team, offering listeners a detailed overview of the 2025 Oscars' most memorable moments.