FASHION FEUDS

Oscars 2017: Meryl Streep Ends Chanel Controversy, Wears Elie Saab to Academy Awards

The Hollywood icon chose to wear the Lebanese, Paris-based couturier to the 89th Academy Awards.


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One of the most anticipated fashion moments of the 2017 Oscars was what Meryl Streep would wear—though, perhaps, not for the reasons that you’d assume.

The Academy Awards legend had the fashion industry guessing which designer she would finally align herself with for this year’s show after Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld said in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily that Streep had demanded to be paid to wear the gown on the red carpet. ““A genius actress, but cheapness also, no?”

The story, as it turns out, was product of an apparent misunderstanding, which triggered a blistering response from the actress, who attended the awards ceremony to be honored for her record-breaking, 20th Academy Awards nomination. “I do not take this lightly, and Mr. Lagerfeld’s generic ‘statement’ of regret for this ‘controversy’ was not an apology. He lied, they printed the lie, and I am still waiting,” Streep said in a statement.

She also said that in running the story, Lagerfeld and WWD had defamed “the illustrious designer whose dress I chose to wear.”

In the end, that designer was Elie Saab, the Lebanese, Paris-based couturier whose designs have become a fixture on the red carpet, especially at the Oscars—Halle Berry won her Academy Award in one of his designs. Streep arrived on the red carpet of the Dolby Theatre in an elaborately beaded, off-the-shoulder satin gown that she wore over matching pants and heels. Streep completing the look with a pair of drop earrings and a voluminous blow-out, proving that her best possible riposte to the dress non-scandal was to look spectacular when she made her entrance.

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Streep didn’t comment on her decision to wear Saab on the red carpet, as she skipped TV interviews. But by the time she made her appearance, Chanel had issued a statement apologizing for the hubbub on behalf of Lagerfeld. “After an informal conversation, I misunderstood that Ms Streep may have chosen another designer due to remuneration, which Ms Streep’s team has confirmed is not the case. I regret this controversy and wish Ms Streep well with her 20th Academy Award nomination,” the statement read.

On that note, you can consider this feud that none of us ever wanted between a design legend and a Hollywood icon officially over.

Oscars 2017: See What Everyone Wore On The Red Carpet

Ruth Negga in Valentino and Irene Neuwirth jewels attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Jessica Biel in KaufmanFranco attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Ava DuVernay in custom Ashi Studio attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Emma Roberts in Armani Prive attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Kirsten Dunst in Dior Haute Couture attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Karlie Kloss in Stella McCartney attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Taraji P. Henson in Alberta Feretti attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Felicity Jones in Dior attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Sofia Carson in Monique Lhuillier attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Isabelle Huppert in Armani Prive attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Hailee Steinfeld in Ralph & Russo Couture attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Andrew Garfield in Tom Ford attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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John Legend in Gucci attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Teresa Palmer attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Pharrell Williams in Chanel attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Cynthia Erivo attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Kevork Djansezian

Leslie Mann in Zac Posen attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Olivia Culpo in Marchesa attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Riz Ahmed attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Kevork Djansezian

Octavia Spencer in Marchesa attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Ginnifer Goodwin attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Terrence Howard in La Perla attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Kevin Mazur

David Oyelowo in Dolce & Gabbana attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Kevin Mazur

Justin Timberlake in Tom Ford attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Kevin Mazur

Mahershala Ali attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Dev Patel in Burberry attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Janelle Monae in Elie Saab Couture attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Casey Affleck attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

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