When Vintage Jewelry and Indie Designers Ruled the Oscars Red Carpet

Times were different

During the Y2K era from around 1997 to 2003, the Oscars’ red carpet showcased jewelry from independent designers and vintage emporiums based in Los Angeles and New York. It was a big upgrade from the practically nonexistent jewelry of the early 1990s and a world away from the period we live in now when stars receive ginormous contracts to act the part of ambassador for a big jewelry brand.

Working with stylists was a new thing back at the turn of the 21st century. Some stars had them. Many of the best-dressed women from this period were very hands-on and collaborated directly with fashion designers. They also cultivated relationships with jewelry designers and vintage dealers.

In anticipation of tonight’s Oscars, I’ve compiled 7 of my favorite looks from those glory days, when the red carpet felt a bit spontaneous, or at very least, less calculated.

The looks seemed like they might have been grabbed out of a star’s own jewelry box and sometimes they actually were. Jewelry ran the gamut from Mughal-style vintage treasures to a contemporary carved Lucite-bead bracelet that cost less than $100 and is still available.