Gothic Romance Reigns: Black Lace Took Over the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar After Party
The 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar After Party was a night of high fashion and head-turning moments, but one trend reigned supreme: black lace. While the after-party was filled with sheer, barely-there gowns—from Olivia Wilde’s ethereal white Chloé dress to Julia Fox’s avant-garde Dilara Fındıkoğlu ensemble adorned with human-like hair—it was the moody, sultry allure of black lace that stole the spotlight.
Emily Ratajkowski, the undisputed queen of sheer dressing, embraced the trend in a daring Ludovic de Saint Sernin number. The black lace design, though seductive, felt comparatively restrained for Ratajkowski, who has made a name for herself with skin-baring red carpet moments.
Jessica Alba offered another take on the timeless appeal of lace, arriving in a strapless black gown with a dramatic train. The dainty lace detailing softened the look, giving it an air of dark femininity that was both classic and effortlessly chic.
Kendall Jenner led the charge in a striking archival Mugler creation from spring 1992. By naked-dress standards, the piece was almost modest, yet it radiated an undeniable sensuality with its intricate lace detailing and structured silhouette. Jenner, who has mastered the art of curating unforgettable Oscar after-party looks, proved once again that vintage is the ultimate power move.
Meanwhile, Kylie Jenner brought gothic romance to the fore in a corseted black lace dress by Ashi Studio. Accompanying her boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, the beauty mogul channeled old-world elegance with a modern twist, cementing the underwear-as-outerwear movement as one of the season’s defining trends.
Lisa also made a statement, opting for a more demure yet equally captivating take on the aesthetic in a custom leather and lace gown by Miss Sohee. With its sculptural details and strategic sheerness, the ensemble embodied quiet luxury with a hint of dark drama.
The resurgence of black lace on the Vanity Fair Oscar Party carpet is no coincidence. Gothic romance dominated the spring 2025 runways, bolstered by the aesthetic influence of upcoming cinematic releases like Nosferatu. The naked dress remains a red carpet mainstay, but this year, it has evolved—less shock value, more sophistication. Lace, with its ability to balance mystery and seduction, has proven to be the perfect medium for this next phase of sheer dressing. And if Oscars night is any indication, we’ll be seeing a lot more of it this season.
