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

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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Chelsea Candelario

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...
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