Hollywood Steps Out! A Look Inside Last Night’s Star-Studded Academy Museum Gala

Four years into the Academy Museum Gala (the annual benefit for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) and the event is fast becoming Hollywood’s favorite night. The reason? Access to the Academy Gala (which is presented by Rolex) is highly restricted, and the event—which features awards, presenters, and a surprise musical performance—is not televised. The result is a swinging good time where Hollywood attendees get to enjoy a night out with a certain level of privacy. (Ain’t no party like a party that’s not for public consumption!)

But of course, there is a red carpet. At 6 p.m. last night, guests started arriving. There was Demi Moore aglow in her sequined Prada dress, posing for photos with her The Substance co-star Margaret Qualley, who added more star power to the moment with her celestial headpiece by Chanel. There was Kaia Gerber in vintage Bob Mackie, paying homage to the history of cinema more broadly with her My Fair Lady-inspired gown. Kim Kardashian was in vintage Mugler couture, while Ariana Grande was seen elsewhere with her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo. The latter was in a Wicked-green (naturally) Louis Vuitton look, and the former wore a prim Balmain polka-dotted dress (based on an archival Balmain gown).

Grande wasn’t the only one in polka dots: Eddie Redmayne and Carrie Coon could also be spotted (get it?) in the black-and-white print. The fashion was out—and so too was the jewelry. Bro-brooches (bejeweled pins worn by men) were a popular choice, as were Rolex watches; the latter less surprising given the timepiece brand is not only the main presenter of the gala but a major contributor to the Academy, having helped realize the creation of the Renzo Piano-designed museum which functions as a sort of cathedral of cinema.