Awards season continues, this evening being the BAFTA's, which fall on the final evening of London Fashion Week. My expectations for tonight weren't as high a they are for other red carpets because these awards aren't as significant to most of the entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood, yet I remained hopeful that some celebs, perhaps a few brits, would turn it out.
As always, we'll talk through the most memorable looks, starting with the best, making our way through the middle ground before moving on to the worst... We'll wrap up by choosing our usual top 3 and worst 3. So let's get started, but spoiler alert: it's not anything to write home about.
Best dressed
1/12
Da'Vine Joy Randolph in Robert Wun
Da'Vine is truly paving the way for plus size fashion in 2024. Intentionally working with specific designers - that already work in the plus-size market - on custom pieces that are tailored specifically for her type of body. The draping of this gown frames her figure beautifully and creates an elegant shape, whilst still holding a bold, powerful presence. The black portion is refined and understated, the champagne-pink is equally fabulous and feminine. Keep an eye out for a deep dive on Da'Vine and her red carpet style.
2/12
Gillian Anderson in Valentino
Gillian is always a firm favourite when she shows up at an event. This time, she didn't walk the carpet, however I felt that this Valentino piece that she wore to present an award deserved a mention. The lighter green panelling at the sides of the dress are responsible for creating a narrow, curved figure which is extremely flattering. This dress also perfectly demonstrates the right way to do side cutouts (unlike Dua Lipa in Couregges) in a flattering way.
3/12
Taylor Russell in Loewe
This is without a doubt the best look of the night. This gown is essentially a halter neck top, that is cut to reveal the entire back as well as lower ribs and sides around the front. This feels super modern and risky, which contrasts beautifully with the floor length, immaculate white skirt - lined at the hips and hem with feathers - that feels old Hollywood. The balance between avant garde and refined glamour creates a bombshell look that I can't get enough of.
4/12
Ryan Gosling in Gucci
This is the perfect mens red carpet look for those celebs that don't want to push the boundaries, it demonstrates that you don't need to change the world to create a great fashion moment. A full white suit is a statement in itself, this one being gorgeously tailored, yet it's the deep 'rosso' piping on the jacket and the side of the pants, which make this suit so perfectly Gucci. 'Rosso' being the new signature colour of the house, introduced to us during Sabato De Sarno's debut collection at Milan Fashion Week in September 2023.
5/12
Bradley Cooper in Louis Vuitton
This look is totally unexpected from both Bradley Cooper and Louis Vuitton. It is so easy for men to stick with a standard tuxedo at events, so it is already a pleasant surprise to see Bradley opt for a long, double-breasted jacket. On top of this, the shape of the pants is exquisite, falling perfectly over the shoes.
6/12
Rosamund Pike in Dior
Rosamund is killing it this awards season, this look being the latest addition to a great track record. In real life, Rosamund nailed it, with a ton of movement, which really brings this dress to life - the micro pleats create texture throughout the gown as well as volume in the skirt that flows beautifully with movement. I can't quite tell if the layer beneath the bust is a nude corset, or just panelling that connects the sections of the dress together, but either way I like the contrast and depth it creates. All I ask is that we drop the Topshop chunky heels please.
7/12
Andrew Scott in custom Berluti
A red suit for a red carpet, how revolutionary. In all seriousness, Berluti is really standing out this season for their custom mens red carpet looks. Opting for full suits - continued down even into the shoes - in incredible, bold colours is giving Berluti an obvious, recognisable signature style they previously didn't have - think Matt Bomer in electric blue at the Critics Choice Awards. I feel that the jacket could be slightly more snug, but otherwise this is a beautiful suit.
8/12
Adjoa Andoh in Lanvin
This micro pleated, floor length, A-line gown in red is so simple yet so effective. The look was styled with a chunky, white platform shoe that balances out the colour palette. Most significantly, it was worn with a grand necklace seemingly made entirely of cowrie shells: these have been used for centuries in African art - as they represent destiny and prosperity - and historically have even been used as currency. Throughout history and in the present day, these shells are a cultural symbol that have been used to create anything from bracelets to elaborate headpieces.
9/12
Sophie Ellis-Bextor in Antonio Riva
Let's put aside the 2015 glam and up-do and just look at this showstopping dress. The intricacy and detail used to create floral artwork on the body of this dress is exactly the expectations that Antonio Riva - known for putting elegance and femininity first - has set through his bridal collections. It's exciting to see him design a piece in black, which is almost as out of character as him using sheer materials. Looking closely you can see the body is covered in colourful sequins, matching her bright rings, adding to the 'disco superhero' fantasy.
10/12
Charithra Chandran in Sabina Bilenko
This gown is absolutely stunning to me, I just feel that Charithra is being worn by it. The dress was originally styled by Sabina with a hairpiece to match the coral-esque strap and really made the look. I feel that with her hair up (preferably with the hairpiece) and a presence that really owned the look, this could have been a masterpiece. The gown itself is so elegant, the colour palette so sexy and deep, the asymmetrical, baby-pink coral feature at the bust takes the entire look to a whole new level.
11/12
Lily Collins in Tamara Ralph
I will never get tired of a black velvet gown. This one fits so perfectly that it doesn't need to shout out or try to be more than it is. The neckline is framed in 3-dimensional silver hardware flowers that plunges lower at the sternum. The off-the-shoulder sleeves are puffed out with satin fabric flowers. It feels as it the two floral constructions are parts of two different dresses - perhaps this look would have been even better had it just included the silver hardware neckline, or had it just featured the sleeves.
12/12
Yomi Adegoke in Johannes Warnke
The piece is titled the Pina Kaftan Dress by the British designer Johannes Warnke. The label is known for it's work with silks which they have very clearly mastered. Under this lighting you can't quite tell that this look is relatively sheer, although you can see it's character and elegance as it flows in the wind. The overlapping layers reveal a certain depth similar to that of a gorgeous deep sunset (just in a pinky red colour palette) which just adds to the pure beauty of this piece.
For a typically bland red carpet event, at least we saw a handful of great looks. Now it's time to look at those fashion moments that didn't hit and didn't miss, they just existed, which as I always say, might just be worse.
Middle Ground
1/6
Colman Domingo in Boss
I am a huge fan of the looks Colman has turned out over the last few red carpets, but for me this one just misses the mark. The idea, silhouette and colours happening here are all fabulous, it just feels poorly executed, from the creased fabric, to the slightly oversized fit that doesn't feel intentional, to the cheap looking fabric of the jacket. If a few issues had been ironed out - figuratively and literally - we could have had another incredible moment.
2/6
Dua Lipa in Valentino
Under any other circumstance I would have truly adored this look, but due to a huge oversight from Dua's styling and hair/glam team this is just unforgivable. Dua has had this gorgeous, deep 'pinot noir' hair colour for months - so there was time for fittings and planning - yet her stylist still put her in this blood red gown, which just clashes so painfully. Aside from this, the gown is a micro pleated masterpiece, with a lengthy cape that falls as a train.
3/6
Vera Wang
Vera is demonstrating her iconic style here, being feminine, sophisticated whilst also dramatic and modern. Here we see a soft, silky, white chiffon that grazes floor which feels incredibly elegant and feminine, yet the neckline is plunging almost to the naval, feeling super modern and risky. To balance out both of these factors, she is essentially wearing a black tube top and black leather gloves which bring a sense of drama and powerful energy that most bridal wear doesn't have.
4/6
Margot Robbie in Armani Prive
The thing I'm most excited for in 2024, is Margot's 'Barbie' era to end. As if the Chanel contract wasn't bad enough, she is now stuck in a parallel universe. in which she MUST wear bland pink outfits to every event. The look seems like a less inspired, baby-pink version of the Versace Couture Spring 2002 (look 27) that Zendaya wore to the NAACP Gala in 2023. In other words, yet again, Margot Robbie just looks fine, which must be difficult, being such a beautiful woman, so hats off to her incredibly talented stylist - not a compliment.
5/6
Ayo Edebiri in Bottega Veneta
The more I look at this, the more I love it, so if I had more time it would likely end up in the first third of this list. Surprisingly, the silver, white and peach all work together for me and all look flattering on Ayo. The feathered shawl matched with satin gloves are sophisticated and feel appropriate for an extravagant event. The silver pointed toe heels feel sort of sci-fi and modern. The peachy gown fits very well, I just don't quite understand what the intention was with the halter neck and folded fabric at the bust. Regardless, I truly love the different moments as a whole and feel it demonstrates you can style with a broader vision in mind.
6/6
Phoebe Dynevor in Louis Vuitton
This is sweet, it's nice, I just don't think I'll ever think about it again past today. It is a silk halter neck dress with an almost empire waistline. From the waist to the halter neck, the bodice features large pleats, that feel a little sloppy. It falls well and looks visually pleasant, it just doesn't excite me in any way.
I am so ready for this event to be forgotten and never talked about again. Bland look after bland look, we may as well all wear a uniform to events at this point. It infuriates me, knowing that young designers are striving to create something new, beautiful or revolutionary in the fashion space, yet celebrities are being dressed in boring, repetitive looks by major fashion houses with more money than sense. Anyway, let's take a look at some of those dreadful moments - of which I only selected 10, otherwise we would both be here all night.
Worst Dressed
1/10
Cate Blanchett in Louis Vuitton
The crystal details that fall diagonally from the centre of the chest to around the hips look too much like a zipper, which immediately feels very cheap and not high fashion (very fitting for Louis Vuitton). The dress doesn't create a very flattering shape and the shoulders also feel a little like an idea that was given up on mid design. Just as icing on the cake, we have necklaces layered directly on top of one another, which - if you know me - is one of my biggest pet peeves.
2/10
Barry Keoghan in Burberry
My hopes were so high after Saltburn and at this point I just try not to expect anything from Barry Keoghan on the red carpet. I understand that this man is relatively short, but WHY can't we tailor a suit to his and it look right??? I do feel that the military jacket vibe that we have going on could have been intriguing and it works in this colour, yet the execution is overwhelmingly costume-y.
3/10
Celeste
Perhaps there is a fashion movement that I am not aware of yet - and if so, please educate me because this feels like something I could get behind with a little understanding - but this 'aesthetic' to me is simply 'ugly' or 'clash-core'. This skirt doesn't know what it wants to be, neither do the heels or shoes, the necklace is meant for another dress and we have a huge, unapologetic square just pressed into the centre of the torso? I have absolutely no idea what is going on here.
4/10
Florence Pugh in Harris Reed
At first I really enjoyed this look, Harris Reed having been one of my favourite designers over the last year or two. This silver corseted bodice presents as a poorly made piece from a fast fashion brand, especially with the straps that don't do a great job of covering the black straps beneath them, whilst looking flimsy themselves. The black gown doesn't have any definition to create a silhouette or intrigue, leaving it looking like a confusing black mass of fabric.
5/10
Naomi Campbell in Chanel
At this point, I hear Chanel and I sigh. I feel like with another base dress I would love this look as the hooded black chiffon cape gives me a dark, 'little red riding hood' fantasy which I'm loving. Unfortunately, the magic of the cape is ruined by a black mess underneath, made even worse by a chunky crystal/sequinned belt.
6/10
Bryce Dallas Howard in The New Arrivals
As if we haven't been through enough, since the Dua Lipa in Couregges moment at the GRAMMY's... This look has been done before in so many ways - all of them better than this - but most obviously, the Saint Laurent version that Hailey Bieber wore to the Vanity Fair Oscar's After Party in 2022. Essentially what I'm saying is that this brand has stolen a design, made it ugly and done an awful job in every way.
7/10
Alison Oliver in Loewe
What in the Loewe??? This is not the first time I have hated an Alison Oliver in Loewe moment this season, but it only seems to be getting worse. This look features plastic looking fringe in a metallic silver that falls down from random parts of the gown, as well as a single red button at the bust? These confusing designs are placed on a poorly fitting, creased, silk slip dress which never stood a chance of looking good. If this is a Loewe reference that I am looking past, please enlighten me, but otherwise, never show me this disaster again.
8/10
Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton
Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton, on the worst dressed list?? Never... This dress is somewhere between peach and coral, but whatever it is is just wrong, especially on a ginger person. The gown itself seems like a reference to Emma's latest movie 'Poor Things' which features a lot of late 19th and early 20th century dress, but in 2024 (and done by Ghesquiere) this jut looks ugly. We have a single puffed sleeve, a quilted hem, messy buttons, an asymmetrical neckline, it all just looks bad.
9/10
Emily Blunt in Elie Saab
I have to admit, the sheer fabric is almost a perfect match for Emily's skin tone - something that Oscar De La Renta haven't successfully done in years - but beyond that, this dress feels overly cluttered (no-one of the embroidery seems to make sense or follow a pattern), ill-fitted (the skirt especially), badly styled (the necklace is falling over the neckline terribly - my pet peeve) and has no solid identity (the floor length gown feeling elegant, then huge side cutouts with... Is that a belt?? Not to mention the oversized sleeves which are just sad in their own little way).
10/10
Emma Corrin in Miu Miu
There is so much going on here that doesn't work together, yet I kind of enjoy it?! It doesn't feel like a Miu Miu look at all - perhaps the black underwear with tights underneath is a nod to the pantless trend they are responsible for - but I'm just trying to see it as what it is: chaos. I think the cyan blue tights and bows are camp and fashion forward. The sheer skirt panel, the strappy shoes, the long sleeved crop top and odd headpiece all come together to create something so confusing and outright ugly.
Aside from one or two standouts, this was another rather disappointing red carpet. I feel that the desire to try something new, to push the boundaries, to get creative is just inherently missing in most celebrities right now. Anyway, it's that time again to choose a top and bottom 3, this one feels rather easy:
Top 3
Worst 3
As always, thank you for reading through my brain-vomit. I hope you agree with my opinions, I hope you disagree with my opinions, that's what makes fashion so fabulous. Let me know what you think and follow my socials for more fashion content. Now head on over to another post...
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