On Oscars night, the pre-show red carpet is only the beginning in terms of seriously stunning gowns. Once the actual show wraps up, there are the after-parties, which bring about an entirely new batch of fashion moments — and that's when certain trends become all the more defined. But outside of the themes that emerge on awards season's biggest red carpet, a couple of actresses had the same idea in mind when it came to their dresses' backstories, by gravitating toward sustainable, eco-friendly numbers.
First up, Vanessa Hudgens: She stepped out at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party — the biggest and most legendary of post-show bashes — in a one-of-a-kind sleeveless gown from H&M's latest Conscious Exclusive Collection (set to drop April 7). The slinky, black dress is made from organic silk and wood fibers. Hudgens' custom silhouette, as well as the new items in H&M's eco-minded collection, was inspired by an upcoming exhibit at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris called "Fashion Forward." The actress isn't the first to don the fast-fashion favorite on the biggest night in Hollywood: Helen Hunt, Penelope Cruz, and Jessica Chastain have worn H&M for the Oscars and its after-parties (the latter two have donned options from the brand's Conscious range).
Hudgens wasn't the only attendee making an eco-friendly red carpet choice last night: Vivienne Westwood designed a strapless gown for model and actress Lily Cole made entirely out of recycled plastic bottles, as part of the Red Carpet Green Dress project.
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The organization, which has highlighted brands and designers with sustainable production practices through step-and-repeat choices, also tapped actress Sophie Turner to walk the Oscars red carpet. Turner wore a mint gown from London-based label Galvan, and she arrived at the ceremony alongside Red Carpet Green Dress' director Samata Pattinson. (She changed into a high-neck cobalt number from the brand for the Vanity Fair fete.)
Another stylish sustainability route? Donning vintage: Newlywed Liberty Ross took the vintage Dior dress she wore to the pre-ceremony luncheon on Valentine's Day for another spin at the Vanity Fair after-party. Michelle Monaghan also went with secondhand, appearing in a long-sleeved Bill Blass midi. Maybe we'll see even more vintage (and eco-minded) picks during next year's awards season.