The Film Independent Spirit Awards happen every year to recognise independent filmmakers, with awards for Best Director, Best First Feature, Best Breakthrough Performance, Best Cinematography and many more. It is a daytime event, which often means that those in attendance decide to dress a little more casually. This is a perfect opportunity for celebs to dress down a little and show us their personal style a little more.
As high as my hopes were today, I'm going to be honest, I was disappointed. One or two looks stood out, but beyond those it was really a pointless red, sorry I mean BLUE, carpet. As our tradition goes, we will talk through the best dressed first, working through the middle ground, before we get to the worst list (this one should be fun). We'll wrap up with our Top 3 and Worst 3, but before we get there, let's take a look at some good moments, shall we?
Best dressed
1/8
Charles Melton in Louis Vuitton
Not only is Charles gorgeoussss... He is really pulling off fashion moments on the carpets this season. Today's look is perfect for the Independent Spirit Awards, a more casual, daytime affair where the attendees can relax a little. Charles is wearing a perfectly relaxed, beige pleated pant that grazes the floor which feels so casually cool. It's been paired with an oversized blazer that seems to be double breasted - but it's being worn open - and a white shirt and tie. I really love the tie matching the colour of the shirt as it distracts less from the structure and silhouette of the look. The colour palette is stunning and the entire look is just easy.
2/8
Jessica Chastain in Oscar De La Renta
Oscar De Le Renta is known for their illusion dresses, where they create designs over a sheer, skin tone fabric to give the illusion that they are nude and the motif is just floating on their body. Sometimes this works, like Jessica's dress for this event, as the sheer fabric is a perfect skin tone match and the electric blue complements her complexion. I also love the fringe that transitions down from the body of the gown and falls to the floor beautifully. It feels almost like the better executed sister of the gown Selena wore to the EMMY's this year.
3/8
Da'Vine Joy Randolph in Da Shoné
No-one is doing it like Da'Vine this awards season, she is turning out look after look and always fitting the different nuances of each event. Here, it seems like she is wearing a gorgeously deep mahogany red satin gown that is ruched at the bust, which would be perfect on its own for a formal evening red carpet. However, she has added a matching trench coat and cinched it by tying it at the waist, finishing the look off with a pair of oversized sunglasses - that I would usually hate - which create an equally casual and formal, powerful and strong look that is so fierce.
4/8
Celine Song in Thom Browne
This look has immediately convinced me that Celine is the ideal Thom Browne woman. Almost every celebrity you see in Thom Browne looks overwhelmed, like they're being worn by the garment, but Celine embodies the put together, chic yet casual customer in this uniform-esque tailoring. Thom predominantly uses black, greys and navy to achieve his looks which - understated as they are - look too much on most people. Here Celine is wearing a double breasted 'sack' jacket and 'sack' skirt, both embroidered with sequins and fringe as well as featuring patchwork.
5/8
Lee Sung Jin
Lee Sung Jin is really putting out some great looks this season, which have been overlooked or unnoticed by most because he's not quite as recognisable yet and I can't find any details on his stylist. He is wearing simple suits, but each one with a quirky print/pattern. Here he is giving full on frog-core, with a relaxed fit suit - which I usually can't stand - with a huge lapel that is so cool as it is, but with the ombre green and beige fabric, this is so effortlessly quirky and cool. Don't forget the white Tabi boots which he has worn at multiple other events this season, making me think he might actually be styling himself??! Iconic.
6/8
Erika Alexander in Ese Azenabor
Is it an oversized trench coat? Is it a gown? Yes and yes. Ese is a bridal designer who finds inspiration in world arts and culture. She is known for her eye for detail, hand beading and embroidery. This custom piece is a stunning yet subtle pastel pink, with ballooned sleeves and an empire waist, which leaves a large expansive canvas for the designs on the skirt. These are prominently symmetrical - yet unique as they are hand painted - paint sketches of florals and water lilies, which are both simple and fantastic.
7/8
Teo Yoo
Some people will think this is bland and uninspired, particularly for a 'blue' carpet, but for me this works for this event. It's unusual to see indigo on a mens look so immediately I'm intrigued, plus that jacket is just perfect. I wish that the sweater underneath was ever so slightly more cropped so we got a clearer, longer leg-line and that the trouser had been an exact colour match. I do love the shoe though and this look overall is just really nice.
8/8
A.V. Rockwell in Elie Saab
Rocky is glowing!! She looks almost angelic in this piece from Elie Saab. A full ombre dress is so hit or miss, often looking incredibly cheap, but here I think it has worked. The transition between shades of green isn't so dramatic that it looks choppy, and all the shades on the gown are flattering with A.V.'s complexion. This piece also fall off the back of the shoulders into two panels, almost like a cape, which adds a beautiful, ethereal layer to the overall look.
Maybe this list was short and it wasn't exactly brimming with inspiring or iconic fashion moments, but when the bar is so low, the best dressed list is really hard to flesh out. This next portion was a little easier to make today, as it really was an event full of average, forgettable moments.
Middle Ground
1/9
Natalie Portman in Balmain
I am really excited about Balmain at the moment, with recent red carpet looks we have seen - as well as the progression in the recent collections - I feel like we are moving rapidly towards a place where the brand is turning out jaw-dropping, undeniably iconic moments, both on the runway and for celebrity events. I love the bold red and florals of this piece, as well as the fact that Balmain are clearly trying to move somewhere unique in terms of silhouette and structure, but something about the result (the shape and the way it falls) just isn't quite on the mark.
2/9
Anne Hathaway in Valentino
I understand we are doing more casual moments for the awards ceremony, but I would rather have seen Anne in blue jeans and a white tee than this disappointing attempt. A glittery jumpsuit could have been such a moment, but the rows of beads/pearls across the bodice completely take me out of the sparkling fantasy - granted we could have done of row at the waist to accentuate the proportions and give some depth - and there is so much going on that it looks cluttered, clumsy and cheap. I do love the shape of the pants though.
3/9
Greta Lee in Lii Studio
This piece was so close to being on the best dressed list for me, if only it had seemed more sure of itself. Greta's stylist, Danielle Goldberg, is doing a great job at puling amazing pieces from huge brands like The Row and Bottega Veneta as well as independent, small designers such as this look from Lii, all of which seem to fit perfectly into a similar vibe that is giving Greta a very recognisable style. This piece particularly just doesn't seem to have a clear enough structure for me to understand what is going on, but I can see it being a creative architectural masterpiece with a few tweaks.
4/9
Emma Roberts in Valentino
Emma Roberts could look good in a bin bag (unlike Melissa McCarthy) but we should still be giving her looks that are worthy of her. This piece feels like a Shein dupe of a Valentino look, as if it could fall apart any minute. It could have worked with a higher shoe and hair up for an evening look, but this just feels out of place, even though she still looks good.
5/9
Anna Kendrick in Markarian
I actually quite like the print of this dress and I have seen Markarian do it in a high waisted, scoop neckline, floor length gown, which was gorgeous. I think this doesn't work because of the low fit at the bust and the incredibly low waistline which throws off the proportions dramatically, leaving a very unflattering silhouette. The styling of the hair and shoes is also an issue for me, so perhaps with different styling and better posing this could have actually worked.
6/9
Aja Naomi King in Miu Miu
I immediately assumed that this was Miu Miu, as it seems like a natural progression of their two piece looks from the previous seasons: skirts and crop tops made with loose knits/sparse crystals, with black undergarments beneath. Unfortunately, with the heavy fabric they have chosen, the skirt ends up weighing itself down and not holding any shape that could have been more fitted to the legs. I think the short fringe element is rather fun, but due to the loose fit of both the top and skirt, the look doesn't quite come together.
7/9
Bel Powley in Marni
This look is super cute, the perfect way to take on a casual daytime event. The scrunched down socks in violet pumps are so youthful and quirky and contrast perfectly with the structured, oversized blazer-dress.
8/9
Quinta Brunson in Prabal Gurung
The is a sequinned, strapless column gown with has a fabulous shape for Quinta. It seems a little confused or incomplete around the bust, perhaps the chosen fabric doesn't sit very well when it isn't straight? The best element of this gown is the floral silk appliqué all down the left side of the body. I would have loved if these had been darker or just more defined so you can clearly see what is going on, as it really is well-executed. For me, this dress is beautiful by itself, it just feels underwhelming on Quinta. I could see this as an evening look, super tailored on Adut Akech or Anok Yai and absolutely serving.
9/9
Billie Eilish in Valentino
I am intrigued by Billie's current style, something has changed and I don't think I like it. We have almost reverted to the baggy, oversized, logo-mania tracksuit era which I was excited to leave in the past. Somehow she looks cool and pulls it off, but it literally is just a busboy uniform with a Valentino tracksuit over the top. I'm just biased, for sure, because if anyone else wore this, they would be given a top spot on my worst dressed list.
It just gets worse and worse. Honestly, bring on the Oscar's because I could really do with some inspiring moments right now. Anyway, brace for impact, it's about to get worse...
Worst Dressed
1/9
Michelle Williams in Chanel
If Chanel wasn't Chanel, they would go bankrupt. I haven't felt inspired by anything Chanel has put out into the world since Karl Lagerfeld passed and the kingdom keys were given to Virginie Viard and this look is no exception. Those golden, dipped toe boots are clinging to Michelle's calves so uncomfortably. The dress is drowning her in a sea of 'grandma's sofa' pattern and is cut so horribly at the wrists, the hem, the shoulders and the neckline.
2/9
Ali Wong in Cong Tri
I truly hate this. A collared dress is an immediate red flag for me, as is a silver dress, same thing with large sequins, not to mention the ruff-style collar. This piece comes together to create a disaster. Ali Wong is a true enigma, one minute she is wearing the most iconic haute couture piece from a cool, truly special brand, then the next she is walking around in something like this.
3/9
Emma Corrin in Miu Miu
I really want to understand and like this but I can't get past the Shrek green tights and the ill-fitting strappy sling-backs. On this occasion I really do like the gown itself, although I wish the straps has been slightly closer towards each other, as this neckline creates the illusion of a much broader shoulder. The heart and hand motifs on the bust are super fun and unique, but with the strappy heel, the bright green and rhinestones tights, there is way too much clashing all at once for it to make sense for me.
4/9
Colman Domingo in Versace
Let's start with the shoes: I don't feel that the patent leather works with the colour palette, fabrics and even the buttons on the suit, perhaps a matte shoe in a different style (and definitely no tassel) could have worked? As for the suit: I wish the fit of the pants had been a little looser, especially knowing how tall and broad Colman is, as the proportions just look strange. The gingham-esque fabric really doesn't do it for me, but that's just an opinion. Finally the jacket: after all the incredible looks we have seen Colman in - particularly in custom Valentino at the Critics Choice awards - this jacket falls flat, as it looks cheap and flimsy. I do love Colman and every other look this season has really done it for me, so maybe it's a me issue.
5/9
Lily Gladstone
This is hideous, I don't see a reference that would actually make logical sense, so to me this is a bad dress, nothing more. The shape of the dress, stitched together in all the worst places, is just tragic as is the material and pattern.
6/9
Andrew Scott in custom Etro
Andrew, hop back on that Berluti train at the next stop please. This banana yellow is sickening (not in a good way) and if you can somehow look past it, you just see a poorly fitted suit - also poorly looked after - with a poorly made shirt. It quite literally looks like he is standing on banana peels, which feels so comical, perfectly fitting for the look.
7/9
Stephanie Hsu in Kate Spade
I am all for women in suits, but give me some Saint Laurent - think Ariana Greenblatt at the Golden Globes - or at least make sure the fit is right. The bejewelled lapels and rhinestone clutch appear very cheap, as do the columns of sequins down the side of the pants. Both the jacket and the pants appear to fit very poorly, but the worst culprit is that white shirt, which should be the simplest piece to perfect and the base for a solid outfit. Kate Spade is so hit or miss, sometimes feeling incredibly high fashion and other times feeling completely fast fashion, but no in-between (which is supposedly their whole brand).
8/9
Jurnee Smollett in Proenza Schouler
We saw Ayo Edebiri at the Governors Awards is this exact design just in as pastel yellow, which was a beautiful, simple moment. Unfortunately, this iteration of the look doesn't work in the same way. The 'leather' fabric is badly wrinkled and not very well fitted, particularly around the bust, the sandal is just a huge oversight and the overall look feels like a first mock-up of a design that never ended up being finished.
9/9
Rachel Sennott in Balenciaga
I don't think I have ever seen a Rachel Sennott look that I liked... Which is confusing as her stylist is Jared Ellner - Emma Chamberlain's stylist, who I have quite literally been a superfan of for years thanks to his work with her - who is incredibly talented. Perhaps Rachel enjoys the looks that the two come up with and in that case, I will shut my mouth, but everything about this look (and every other Rachel moment) is just undeniably wrong.
Other than Da'Vine, it was almost impossible to choose any looks for the best dressed list today, let alone a top 3, but I made it happen, reluctantly. It wasn't quite as hard to choose a worst 3...
Top 3
Worst 3
As always, these are all just my opinions, so leave a comment and let me know what you think: Any favourites? Least favourites? Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Anyone that I missed? Let me know, don't forget to follow my socials and go have a look at another post...
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