At first glance, the Cartier gold mesh cape worn by Zoe Saldana to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party it sounds simple, but as is often the case when it comes to the highest fashion moments, there is a good story behind it.
Oscar 2023, all the looks at the party by Vanity Fair
At the traditional party following the Academy Awards it seems that the stars have agreed to dress in either black or white. With, ça va sans dire, some exceptions, such as Kendall Jenner wrapped in gold, Gigi Hadid in total red and Simone Ashley in a dress studded with cobalt-colored sequins. Here are all the looks, in the gallery
“It’s a timeless piece,” he said Zoe Saldana to Vanity Fair talking about this unique creation whose realization required two years. Composed of 67,000 gold linksall woven by hand, 150 diamonds and several tassels of onyx multifaceted, this striking garment is the result of a reinterpretation of gold workmanship, volume and the play of contrasts, inspired by the first female creative director of the French luxury brand, Jeanne Toussaint.
«The use of yellow gold has always been an emblem of the Maison, already at the time of Jeanne Toussaint and more recently with the collection Paris Nouvelle Vague. Gold is precious and sumptuous, whether it is polished, decorated or braided. It had become the field of exploration of Jeanne Toussaint, who associated it with new color combinations, such as turquoise and coral», explained Cartier.
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To the emotion conveyed by the exquisite workmanship of Cartier, Saldaña added that aroused by wearing the garment on the occasion of the Oscar ceremony. She remembered her mother, a woman she describes as having a great sense of style, dressed in Sergio Valente jeans, Ray-Bans and a cheeky pixie cut: «I remember my mother had a top probably from the 70s. Made of some sort of assembled metal that you wore over your skirt or jeans. I opened her closet and played with it. It felt cold, but the instant she made contact with your body it warmed, the metals absorbing the heat. I remember the wonderful sensation of that hard material as it was today. On Sunday, when I tried on the Cartier garment, something immediately clicked in my mind. This memory from my childhood resurfaced instantly,” the star said of Avatars.
Cartier design worn by Zoe Saldana.
Cartier design worn by Zoe Saldana.
Wearable art, a pretext for conversation and contemporary jewellery, all gathered together in this single piece, a real jewel built in balance between craftsmanship and savoir-faire, blending the boundaries between high fashion and goldsmith art. “We are thrilled that Zoe chose to wear this bold, free-spirited piece to such an important event. She looked great on her and she fully embodies the strength and independent elegance of the design », declared the brand.
Cartier design for Zoe Saldana.
When it came to defining her Oscars look, Saldaña worked with her longtime stylist, Petra Flannery, to let the uniqueness of the piece speak for itself. The duo tried out several options before deciding to pair the cape with an elegant black reversible mermaid wool skirt by Michael Kors, opting for a simple silhouette that would enhance the statuesque figure of Saldaña. «Zoe is one of the few people able to wear it, thanks also to her natural elegance. Whatever the dress, she always has a regal bearing. The two garments matched perfectly and it was fantastic also because of the zippers, which gave it a tone that we can define, to some extent, edgy».
Choosing a look for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party it’s no mean feat. Choose a dress that reflects your ethos, is memorable, and easy to wear. Saldaña, covering her shoulders with this Cartier cape, experienced a «fantastic sensation», which undoubtedly contributed to the astonishment expressed by many at the fact that she was without a bra – in line with the trend of the evening. “My mother was a very confident woman when it came to exposing her skin,” Saldaña explained. “So on Sunday I thought she would appreciate me putting my reserve aside and daring and risking wearing that wonderful Cartier piece with nothing underneath.”