By Dale Peers,
True fashionistas love the award season because the most elegant, over-the-top (some might say bizarre) looks are absolutely appropriate. We get to see, for a few short weeks the artistry that is haute couture worn by our silver screen royalty. Let’s look at how the eclecticism of fashion is reflected in the past influences filtered through modern style.
Janelle Monae, singer, songwriter, actress and model channeled the Madame du Pompadour and Marie Antoinette set in this Elie Saab masterpiece. In the incredible split skirt with paniered hips as well as embroidery and touches of gold, Monae could have waltzed down the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles as confidently as she did the red carpet in La La Land.
Both Emma Stone (in Givenchy) and Olivia Culpo (in Marchesa) incorporated “flapper fringe” in their elegant attire while Octavia Spencer evoked the glamour goddesses of Jean Harlowe, Ginger Rogers and Carol Lombard with feathers and satin.
While not one of my personal favourites, Dakota Johnson’s gold gown by Gucci seemed to reference the work of Elsa Schiaparelli who often had a padded shoulder and jewelry that complemented her work. Her famous trompe l’oeil sweater also made use of the feminine bow.
Dior couture seems to be the definition of elegance and the gown worn by Kirsten Dunst is no exception to the rule. Complete with the high-low hemline, model Dovima wears Dior as beautifully as Dunst.
While the hem length of Priyanka Chopra’s gown is by no means “mini”, the geometric pattern and colour palette that Ralph & Russo have used is similar to the work by 1960s designers like Courreges, Cardin and Rabanne.
The renewed Halston label pays tribute to his use of bias cut fabrics as worn here by Rachel McAdams and in the vintage halter neck gown by Halston.
Ryan Gosling’s tuxedo shirt with the ruffles is perhaps a nod to his role, not in La La Land but in The Nice Guys (2016) in which he plays a 1970s era private detective. The shirt is certainly reminiscent of those found in that era.
I can’t decide whether Terrence Howard’s Smoking Jacket style tuxedo is better or worse – especially since smoking is not as fashionable or at least as possible within three metres of most buildings as it formerly was. (Should anyone, even Hugh Hefner, be sporting a smoking jacket?)
And finally, Naomi Harris in Calvin Klein brings us to the minimalism of the 21st century via Calvin Klein during the 1990s.
Fashion, whether on the runway or the red carpet is so interesting to observe because it is modern and new but the photos in this blog post remind us that the past can often be seen in the present.