Award shows have something for everybody: if it’s not the movies or TV you’re into, the red-carpet looks are most definitely the next best thing. And this year, the attendees pulled out all the stops, with bold reds dominating the carpet and floral shoulder pads definitely making for difficult seating arrangements.
Black was most definitely back this year at the BAFTAS, with all of the Oppenheimer cast looking solemn in their neutral tones. However, it was Sophie Ellis-Bextor who really blew us away with her macabre floral ensemble. Performing her hit 2006 classic ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’ (which has resurged in popularity thanks to Saltburn), Ellis-Bextor wowed us in her sheer, floor-length dress by Antonio Riva, with billowing hems adorned with black flowers.
Large floral shoulder pads have certainly made a small resurgence. Both Lily Collins and Emma Stone hopped onto the trend, with Stone wearing a salmon pink dress with period-style accents, pointing toward her role as Bella Baxter in the surrealist, steampunk Poor Things.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who picked up a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mary in The Holdovers, was out to wow. In a floor-length dress that can only be described as a gown, the matching black sleeves contrasted beautifully with a light pink sash, which truly set her apart from the rest of the crowd as she made her way up the stage to receive her award (which she did with phenomenal grace).
Andrew Scott, reeling in success from All of Us Strangers with Paul Mescal, stood out in his bright red suit – and he wasn’t the only one. Many of the attendees wore outfits that rivalled that of the carpet they were walking on, with Fantasia Barrino wearing an equally red, angular dress by Benchellal couture, paired with long black gloves and impressive stilettos.
If there’s anything to take away from the BAFTAS, it’s that good, stylish fashion has most definitely returned to Hollywood; gone are the days of jeans over dresses – gowns, gloves, and period-pieces are in.
Finally, celebrities have started delving into their pots of gold and copious wealth to find themselves stylists and purchase outfits viewers can agree are impressive. Certainly, the BAFTAs red carpet has shown us that we should be looking forward to the Met Ball coming later this year.
‘Fashion at the Baftas’ by Lucy Keegan