Early arrivals have started trickling along the red carpet for the 94th Academy Awards, and one overwhelming trend is already emerging.

Stars are all about dark, gothic-inspired outfits – the bigger, the better…

The best part of Laverne Cox’s outfit is the architectural silhouette, with exaggerated hips, an asymmetric neckline and a fishtail train trailing along the floor. She set off the dramatic black gown by August Getty with a statement shawl.

Vanessa Hudgens amps up the sex appeal in a slinky black sequinned Michael Kors Collection dress – bang on trend with cut-outs and a knock-out diamond and emerald Bulgari necklace.

If you’re going to pull out all the stops, the Oscars is the place to do it – and Sofia Carson did so in a voluminous tulle gown from Giambattista Valli’s couture collection.

A trend already seems to be emerging for dramatic black gowns – and Maddie Ziegler walked her first Oscars red carpet dressed in all-black, her outfit set off by sparkling Swarovski jewels.

Taking a risk on the red carpet is internet personality Rickey Thompson, wearing black trousers, a super crop top with a cape, and his bare chest bedazzled to look like sparkling ribs.

While not technically black, Jamie Lee Curtis’ sparkling midnight blue makes a statement – particularly as she holds up a blue ribbon in support of those affected by the war in Ukraine.