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Janelle Monáe Sparkles in 168,000 Swarovski Crystals at the Oscars

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The only thing more incredible than Janelle Monáe's 2020 Oscars look is the effort that went into bringing the design to life. The Harriet star walked the red carpet in a sparkling silver Ralph Lauren gown, topped with a draped hood, which glittered with 168,000 Swarovski crystals. The custom creation was also paired with Forevermark jewels and bright red lip. Major Grace Jones vibes. 

According to a WWD Executive Editor Booth Moore, the gown features more than 600 hours of hand embroidery and the final look is a sparkling masterpiece. It also took four people to bring it to Monáe, so we can only imagine how heavy this gown is. 

The Dirty Computer singer isn't a newbie when it comes to pushing the envelope with her fashion choices. Seriously, who can forget her 2019 Met Gala Picasso-inspired look or even her go-to looks over the years of tuxedos and three-piece ensembles?

Monáe opened the show tonight with a medley that paid homage to many of the evening's nominated films, singing alongside Billy Porter. This year's awards may not have a host, but after seeing Monáe's performance, we'd like to nominate her to take the reins next year. 

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Associate Editor, Ultimate Fangirl, Aspiring Beauty Guru

Chelsea Candelario is an Associate Editor at PureWow. She has been covering beauty, culture, fashion and entertainment for over a decade. You'll find her searching the internet...