Oscars 2023: Why has the Academy done away with the ‘red’ carpet this year?

For the first time in 62 years, the Oscars will replace its red carpet with a champagne-coloured rug. The decision was taken by creative consultants Lisa Love (long-time Vogue contributor) and Raúl Àvila (creative director for the glamourous Met Gala in New York). For movie buffs, the Academy Awards ceremony promises excitement and endless debates of “did this film really deserve this award?” and “wow, how did they ignore this performance!” But before the actual awards announcements start, all eyes are on the red carpet, where Hollywood stars are at their glamorous best. Millions of people tune in to listen to what the nominated actors have to say before the ceremony and to bask in all the high fashion the event has to offer.

However, this time round, the red carpet buzz is going to be a little different. For the first time in 62 years, the carpet for the 95th Oscars will not be red. Instead, it will be champagne-coloured, a significant departure from tradition. Moreover, this year the carpet is going to be covered with a tent: firstly, to protect the stars and cameras from the weather, and secondly to create more of an ‘evening event’ atmosphere.

Why champagne?

The decision to go champagne was taken by creative consultants Lisa Love (long-time Vogue contributor) and Raúl Àvila (creative director for the glamourous Met Gala in New York). Love said that apart from ‘champagne’, the carpet’s colouring can also be described as ‘sand’. According to the Associated Press, Love also pointed out that there wasn’t any debate over the change, and they just knew they had the freedom to break from tradition. She added that she and Àvila tried some other colours as well, but they came off as too dark in the tent.

“We chose this beautiful sienna, saffron colour that evokes the sunset, because this is the sunset before the golden hour,” Love said. As a result, they chose a lighter colour, which was approved by Academy CEO Bill Kramer.

Jimmy Kimmel, who is hosting the ceremony this year, said, “I think the decision to go with a champagne carpet over a red carpet shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed.” According to the Associated Press, Love also pointed out that there wasn’t any debate over the change, and they just knew they had the freedom to break from tradition. She added that she and Àvila tried some other colours as well, but they came off as too dark in the tent.

“We chose this beautiful sienna, saffron colour that evokes the sunset, because this is the sunset before the golden hour,” Love said. As a result, they chose a lighter colour, which was approved by Academy CEO Bill Kramer.

Jimmy Kimmel, who is hosting the ceremony this year, said, “I think the decision to go with a champagne carpet over a red carpet shows how confident we are that no blood will be shed.”