Zoe Saldaña hit the Oscars 2025 red carpet in a Saint Laurent look that’s pure Anthony Vaccarello—sharp, deliberate, and a little off-kilter. The strapless gown, dipped in a deep merlot, stacks three tiers of satin with bubble hems, paired with a sheer, rhinestone-dusted bodice that catches light without begging for it. Sheer black opera gloves stretch up her arms, and a Cartier choker with emerald pops sits heavy on her neck—less an accessory, more a statement. It’s not loud, but it’s not quiet either; it’s Saldaña doing Saldaña, leaning into that effortless thing she’s nailed for years.
This isn’t her first rodeo with Saint Laurent this season—Saldaña’s been locked in with the brand, from the SAG Awards’ velvet one-sleeve number to the Critics Choice’s open-back red moment. It’s a nod to Emilia Pérez, the film that landed her the Best Supporting Actress win on March 2, co-produced by Saint Laurent Productions. The house, under Vaccarello since 2016, has been flexing its film game lately—think Anora and The Brutalist too—merging runway and screen with a cool that doesn’t try too hard. Saldaña’s look feels like the payoff, a walking billboard for that synergy, minus the cheese.
Her glam keeps it real—hair down in loose waves, courtesy of Mara Roszak, and makeup by Vera Steimberg that doesn’t overdo it, just a flick of burgundy to echo the dress. She’s not chasing trends here; she’s setting them, or maybe sidestepping them altogether. Saint Laurent’s Spring 2025 campaign dropped her in sheer layers last month, and this Oscars pick doubles down—structured yet fluid, a balance Vaccarello’s been riffing on since he took the reins. Saldaña pulls it off because she gets it: fashion’s art, not a costume.
