Red carpet glam was back on Sunday at the 2021 Oscars, with Carey Mulligan and Leslie Odom Jr. kicking off the pandemic era’s first big parade of fashion in looks of award-worthy gold in Los Angeles in the United States. Mulligan served up a cropped top in bright gold paired with a matching ball skirt, all by Valentino, while fellow nominee Odom shone in a glistening gold double-breasted tux – gold shirt included – from Brioni. Odom walked the carpet with his spouse, Nicolette Robinson. They recently welcomed a second child. “I am a lucky, lucky man,” he said, while Robinson was grateful for no baby spit up. Emerald Fennell, the pregnant best director nominee for Promising Young Woman , smiled bright in a flowing spring green and pink gown from Gucci. Lately, she’s been making up personas for her outfits. She topped off the look with sparkly lilac eye shadow. “So tonight, I am Susan your pottery teacher who has a business opportunity for you – which is absolutely not a pyramid scheme,” she said. The nine-year-old star of Minari , Alan Kim, vamped on the carpet in his black shorts suit with high black socks, including one with horizontal white stripes from Thom Browne. He just had a birthday and got the bike he was hoping for. Glenn Close, nominated for Hillbilly Elegy , paired a jewel-tone blue embellished kaftan from Armani Privé with dark trousers and gloves. And she, like so many others on hand, was back in heels. “I’m feeling great. My shoes are comfortable. It’s not two miles long so that’s lovely,” she said. Other stars chose elegant black for the pandemic-era Oscars. Some were in bright oranges and pinks. Nominee LaKeith Stanfield chose a custom black jumpsuit with a belt and wide-lapelled button-down underneath by Saint Laurent.