At the 2015 Academy Awards, which designer made Lupita Nyong’o’s pearl-covered white gown?

At the 2015 Academy Awards, Francisco Costa made Lupita Nyong’o’s pearl-covered white gown.

Nyong’o wore the custom Calvin Klein Collection gown at the 87th Academy Awards. Francisco Costa, then the brand’s creative director, designed the dress, which was covered with more than 6,000 Akoya pearls and featured a low back and thin straps.

The gown was especially notable because its surface treatment transformed a simple white silhouette into a highly reflective, jewelry-like look. Nyong’o paired it with jewelry from Fred Leighton, and the overall appearance became one of the ceremony’s most discussed fashion moments.

A common mistake is to name Calvin Klein as the individual designer. Calvin Klein Collection was the fashion label, while Francisco Costa was the designer responsible for the custom creation. Nyong’o attended as a presenter and nominee-era Hollywood star, having won Best Supporting Actress the previous year for 12 Years a Slave.