As the “champagne” carpet was rolled out, the 2023 Oscars saw the latest trends in fashion as showcased by A-list stars and celebrities.
India had a successful run at the awards, with SS Rajamouli’s movie, RRR, winning Best Original Song for 'Naatu Naatu,' and The Elephant Whisperers taking home the award for Best Documentary Short Film.
Actress Deepika Padukone was a presenter at the event. She wore two of her ambassador brands, Louis Vuitton and Cartier. The actress wore a black off-shoulder velvet gown that featured a mermaid silhouette and matched it with velvet gloves. She accessorised the outfit with exquisite diamond jewelry, including a statement necklace from Cartier, with a pear-shaped yellow diamond in the centre.
Indian actress and producer Deepika Padukone attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
To complete her look, Deepika opted for a centre-parted messy bun, winged eyeliner, a nude pink lip shade, kohl-lined eyes, subtle nude eye shadow, feathered brows, rouged cheeks, and a dewy base.
At the Vanity Fair after-party, she opted for a pink mini dress with short sleeves and a V-neckline that highlighted her décolletage. She paired the dress with black stockings and kept the black gloves from her Oscars outfit.
One standout feature of her after-party look was the black broad belt that she wore with the dress, creating a sophisticated silhouette.
The dress was designed by New York-based Naeem Khan, who was also tagged in Deepika's Instagram post.
To complete her ensemble, she wore pointed black stilettos and accessorised with diamond earrings from Cartier. She opted for a messy bun, blue eyeliner, well-groomed eyebrows, contoured cheeks, and nude lips.
Sharing the pictures on her social media handle she captioned them, "And then the after."
For the Academy Awards, RRR actor Ram Charan was dressed in a bespoke three-piece ensemble by Shantanu & Nikhil, styled by Nikita Jaisinghani. The outfit included an asymmetrical kurta, straight-fitted pants, and a bandhgala jacket adorned with golden buttons.
Ram Charan & his wife Upasana - Image Credit: Instagram
The actor completed the look with a golden brooch, a trimmed beard, and a sleeked-back hairdo. His attire paid homage to his Indian roots and freedom fighters with a black bandhgala jacket featuring a badge of buttons.
His RRR co-star, Jr NTR, opted for a Gaurav Gupta outfit styled by Ashwin Mawle and Hassan Khan. The bandhgala kurta featured a gold-embellished tiger motif on one shoulder and an angrakha-style neckline.
Jr NTR - Image Credit: Instagram
The actor paired it with matching pants and a rugged beard, completing the look with a pulled-back hairdo. Jr NTR’s bandhgala kurta featured a striking gold embellished tiger motif, paying homage to India's national animal.
Upasana Kamineni Konidela, Ram Charan’s wife, also attended the event to support Team RRR's nomination. She was clad in a stunning sustainable ivory silk saree, specially crafted by Hyderabad-based designer Jayanti Reddy, using handwoven silk spun from recycled scraps. To complete the look, she carried a handmade potli made from scraps that complemented her silk saree, and wore an intricately crafted Lilium neckpiece that apparently had been in the making for the past four years.
The exquisite Lilium piece was part of a collection of life-size flowers designed by avant-garde Mumbai-based jewellery designer Bina Goenka, and was skillfully made using the highest quality natural gemstones, including pearls and approximately 400 carats of high-quality gems.
SS Rajamouli, the director of RRR, donned his signature look of a kurta and dhoti at the Oscars, standing out from the crowd of formal suits and tuxedos.
For the prestigious event, Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, the Naatu Naatu singers, were dressed in traditional kurta-pyjama sets. They captivated the audience with a live performance of their song.
Kartiki Gonzalves and Guneet Monga, from The Elephant Whisperers, also added an ethnic touch of glamour at the ceremony. Kartiki chose to wear a vibrant gown with a sheer overlay by Rahul Mishra, while Guneet opted for a traditional Benarasi saree.
Kartiki Gonzalves and Guneet Monga, from The Elephant Whisperers - Image Credit: Instagram
Comedian Lilly Singh turned heads with her pink trouser suit, featuring a trench coat layered on top of a silky pink top and flared bottoms at the Oscars.
Canadian YouTuber Lilly Singh attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
British Asian star Riz Ahmed sported Prada's latest oversized collar shirt, fresh off the 2023 catwalk and Malala Yousafzai arrived in style, donning a silver floor-length gown by Ralph Lauren that featured a head covering and a neatly ruched side waist.
Malala Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik - Image Credit: Instagram
British actor Riz Ahmed attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Mindy Kaling chose a stunning laser-cut white dress by Vera Wang, featuring detached sleeves.
US actress Mindy Kaling attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
And David Byrne, along with Mala Gaonkar, stood out from the tuxedo-clad crowd with a tailored Nehru collar suit.
Scottish-US singer David Byrne (L) and US businesswoman Mala Gaonkar (R) attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley looked lovely with her bold and striking sequinned dress, which featured shimmering fabric, two decorative bows, and a daring thigh-high slit. Her stunning aquamarine gown was designed by Harris Reed for Nina Ricci, from the fashion label's Fall/Winter 2023 collection. The British-American designer was appointed as the brand's creative director in 2022 and is renowned for his subversive and gender-fluid styling.
British actress Simone Ashley attends the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Michael TRAN / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Prior to the awards, Priyanka Chopra Jonas looked stunning at the South Asian Excellence Awards for the Oscars , donning an all-white lehenga designed by Falguni Shane Peacock. The outfit consisted of a two-piece set featuring a sheer corset, an embellished and body-hugging maxi-skirt, and an Ostrich feather coat.
According to the site high heel confidential, Mindy also graced the South Asian Excellence event on Thursday (09) evening, dressed in a sari designed by Falguni and Shane Peacock.
Jacqueline Fernandez in a purple saree along with Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas and other celebs - Image Credit: Instagram
Meanwhile, Jacqueline Fernandez attended the pre-Oscars get-together, representing the cast and crew of Tell It Like A Woman in a glamorous purple saree followed by a midnight blue trouser suit.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.