Emily Ratajkowski dominated the Hollywood social circuit Sunday night when she arrived at the 2026 Vanity Fair after-party in a deep maroon velvet gown. Attendees at the 2026 Oscars noted her shift from sheer materials to a more structured, archival aesthetic. This appearance marked a decade since her first invitation to the prestigious post-ceremony celebrations. Journalists gathered at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts observed the supermodel as she handled the photography line.
Maroon velvet flowed from a deep cowl neckline that suggested a deliberate return to 1990s glamour. Designer Conner Ives crafted the piece with slinky spaghetti straps and a daring open back. Critics from major fashion publications identified the look as a departure from her recent history of diaphanous attire. Ratajkowski opted to forgo statement jewelry in favor of a minimalist presentation. Matching platform heels from Christian Louboutin completed the ensemble.
Velvet emerged as the night's defining texture.
Conner Ives and the Maroon Velvet Trend
Fashion houses focused on tactile luxury during the 2026 awards circuit. Conner Ives emphasized the draped front and ruched hips to create a silhouette reminiscent of late-twentieth-century minimalism. The deep burgundy smoky eye and light brown lipstick mirrored the monochromatic palette of the gown. Ratajkowski has consistently used the Vanity Fair event to influence seasonal trends. Her 2022 orange top with a sheer center panel previously drove demand for transparent fabrics.
Meanwhile, the history of her red carpet appearances reveals a calculated evolution. In 2023, she wore a glitzy Feben dress that exposed her undergarments. Her 2025 selection featured a lacy black dress from Ludovic de Saint Sernin. But the 2026 choice centered on fabric weight and saturated color rather than transparency. Conner Ives utilized luxe velvet to ground the look in classic sophistication. The dress featured a plunge that extended to the lower back.
Stylists often coordinate these transitions months in advance of the Academy Awards. In fact, the move toward velvet was predicted by several editorial boards earlier in the winter. Christian Louboutin platforms provided the necessary elevation for the long, draped hem. The shoes peered out only when she walked across the carpet.
Guy Oseary Hosts Late Night Elite
Celebrations moved from the Vanity Fair event to the private residence of Guy Oseary as the clock passed midnight. This gathering has become the final destination for winners and nominees seeking privacy away from the press. Gucci partnered with Oseary to enable the late-night festivities. Security teams cordoned off the surrounding streets to manage the influx of high-profile vehicles.
There’s only one venue calling come 2 a.m. on Oscars Sunday: the home of Guy Oseary.
Gucci executives remained at the home until sunrise. Yet the guest list remained strictly confidential to maintain the party's reputation as a sanctuary for the industry elite. Oseary has hosted this exclusive event for years, often drawing the biggest names in music and film. The 2026 edition featured an emphasis on Italian hospitality and luxury brand integration. Gucci provided customized services for the attendees throughout the night.
Still, the logistical scale of such an event requires coordination between multiple fashion houses and management teams. For instance, the partnership between Gucci and Oseary allows for a smooth transition from the red carpet to the dance floor. The presence of top-tier talent ensures the party remains a central pillar of the Oscar experience. Oseary maintains a high standard for exclusivity that few other hosts can match.
Vogue Editors Analyze Red Carpet Shifts
Vogue editors Taylor Antrim and Christian Allaire gathered to record a special edition of their podcast following the ceremony. They discussed the winners and the fashion successes that defined the evening. Antrim highlighted the shift away from experimental avant-garde pieces toward more traditional elegance. Allaire pointed to the recurring use of velvet and deep jewel tones across multiple parties.
According to Vogue, the 2026 Oscars signaled a change in how celebrities approach their public image. The focus has moved toward archival-inspired silhouettes and restrained accessorizing. For one, the absence of heavy necklaces allowed the garment construction to remain the primary focus. Allaire noted that Ratajkowski’s choice of Conner Ives was a sophisticated nod to the 1990s aesthetic currently resurging in popular culture.
In turn, the discussion turned to the business of award season styling. Editors analyzed how specific designers use the red carpet to boost market visibility for upcoming collections. The collaboration between Ratajkowski and Ives illustrated the power of a single high-profile appearance. Vogue remains the primary authority on these cultural shifts.
Vanity Fair Party Fashion Breakdown
Vanity Fair continues to host the most photographed after-party in the world. The 2026 event saw a mix of archival pieces and custom couture. Separately, the arrival of Ratajkowski in the Conner Ives velvet gown created a significant stir among photographers. Her decade-long streak of standout looks has established her as a reliable figure for fashion commentary. The minimalist vibe of her 2026 appearance was a sharp contrast to the more decorative styles of her peers.
At its core, the night was a showcase of contrasting textures and silhouettes. Some stars chose voluminous tulle while others, like Ratajkowski, preferred sleek velvet. Even so, the burgundy smoky eye and subtle curls framing her face maintained the 90s theme. The light brown lipstick provided a neutral balance to the rich color of the dress. Platform heels added a functional yet stylish element to the overall presentation.
Los Angeles became the center of the global fashion conversation for twenty-four hours. By contrast, the previous year’s trends had focused more on technological fabrics and neon accents. The return to velvet and deep maroon suggests a desire for timelessness and physical comfort. Ratajkowski’s ensemble was a definitive example of this aesthetic movement.
The Elite Tribune Perspective
Does anyone actually care about the artistic merit of a film when the discourse is immediately swallowed by the price of a velvet cowl? The 2026 Oscars cycle confirmed that the ceremony is merely a high-budget commercial for European luxury houses and the stylists who manage them. We pretend to celebrate cinema, but the real power lies in the brand contracts negotiated months in advance of the first flashbulb. Guy Oseary and Gucci do not host parties out of a love for the craft.
They do it to cement a social hierarchy that excludes the very public these films are supposedly made for. This year's retreat into 1990s nostalgia feels less like a fashion statement and more like a creative bankruptcy. When a deep maroon gown becomes more newsworthy than the Best Picture winner, the Academy has officially lost its cultural anchor. Hollywood has turned its most prestigious night into a gated community where the only currency is proximity. The velvet is soft, but the reality of an industry obsessed with its own reflection is step by step hard to ignore.
We are watching the slow death of substance in favor of the perfect, minimalist photo op.