The Oscars performance
The 96th Academy Awards unfolded with the kind of polish and pacing expected of Hollywood’s biggest night. Carefully choreographed performances, formal presentations, and red carpet arrivals defined the evening until Slash took the Oscars stage as part of Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie.
As the performance built, Slash entered with guitar in hand, joining Gosling onstage and immediately changing the tone of the moment. His live solo cut through the theatrical framing of the song with clarity and weight, bringing a distinctly musical authority to a performance already familiar to audiences from the film’s soundtrack.
Produced by Mark Ronson and joined by Wolfgang Van Halen, the performance balanced humor and musicianship. Gosling leaned into character and timing, while Slash’s presence anchored the song in something more grounded and live. The contrast between the two was deliberate and effective, turning a well-known track into a moment that felt new again.
Audience reactions became part of the experience. Cameras moved between the stage and the room, capturing responses from attendees including Margot Robbie. Within minutes, clips of the performance began circulating across social platforms, fashion media, and music press. The song, already popular following the film’s release, reached a new audience through the broadcast, reinforcing its success beyond the screen.
“I’m Just Ken” had already proven its staying power as part of the Barbie soundtrack. The Oscars performance gave the song a second life, transforming it from a cinematic moment into a live collaboration that felt spontaneous while remaining tightly executed. For many viewers, the appearance of Slash was the defining element that pushed the performance into viral territory.
SHAO bespoke on red carpet
For the performance, Slash wore SHAO bespoke tailoring, created specifically for the Oscars stage. The look emphasized precision and movement, designed to hold its own within a performance defined by scale and attention. The tailoring was restrained, intentional, and unmistakably personal.
The process began with understanding context. A live guitar performance requires freedom of movement, balance, and durability. The tailoring was engineered to allow ease through the shoulders and arms while maintaining a sharp, controlled silhouette. Every element was designed to perform as much as it presented.
At the same time, the look had to feel personal. Slash’s visual identity is immediately recognizable, and the tailoring was shaped to align with that without feeling costume-like. The result was a piece that felt natural on him, structured without stiffness, precise without excess.
On the red carpet, Meegan Hodges appeared alongside Slash wearing SHAO bespoke, extending the house’s presence beyond the stage and into the broader ceremony. Her look was created with equal intention, designed to complement without mirroring, and to stand on its own within the visual language of the night.
Designing bespoke looks for both individuals required a coordinated approach. Each piece was developed independently, but with an understanding of how the two would appear together. Proportion, tone, and finish were considered carefully so the looks felt connected without appearing styled as a set. The result was cohesive but not uniform, reflecting SHAO’s approach to bespoke as deeply individual rather than prescriptive.
Bespoke with authorship
SHAO bespoke is built on the belief that clothing should reflect authorship. Each piece is developed through a collaborative process, shaped by the wearer’s needs, the event, and the context in which it will appear.
Rather than working from templates, SHAO approaches bespoke as a conversation. Clients are involved throughout the process, from initial discussion to final fitting. The goal is to create garments that feel lived-in from the first wear, designed with intention rather than imposed style.
Moments like the Oscars highlight what bespoke can do when it is approached thoughtfully. The tailoring becomes part of the narrative without demanding attention for itself. It supports the wearer, the event, and the story being told.
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