Another night, another awards show in the 2024 awards season. Unfortunately Zendaya is booked and busy on the Dune 2 international press release, so couldn't attend, yet they still went again and put out a red carpet for those that wanted to give it a go - how generous of them. Of course, no-one hit Zendaya levels of fashion iconography this evening but there certainly were some damn good looks. Let's talk about them.
You know the drill by now: we're going to talk through the best, the unmemorable and the worst, before rounding off with a top and bottom 3 of the evening. So sit back, relax and judge people you have never met.
Best dressed
1/9
Carey Mulligan in Armani Prive
This is without a doubt my favourite look from this entire awards season. Carey looks like an Oscar statue in this radiant, glossy gown and absolutely deserves to win every award for this look alone. The dress is a masterclass in draping and the silhouette - which cuts in at the waist and legs yet reaches outwards at the hips - is beautifully flattering. I really can't get over this look.
2/9
Da'Vine Joy Randolph in custom Valdrin Shahiti
Da'Vine has done it yet again, this might actually be her best look of the season! This shade of ivory looks timelessly glamorous with Da'Vine's complexion and current hair colour. The draping is so simple and so clear with a very refined, a-symmetrical, floral embellishment that overall creates the vision of a perfectly preserved statue of an ancient greek goddess.
3/9
America Ferrera in Dior
Granted, this look isn't revolutionary, ground-braking or jaw-dropping, yet I still feel that it's a beautiful, classic look and America looks lovely. Of course we have could have done without a belt/strap but look past this and you have a timeless, classic Dior look. The chiffon, off the shoulder sleeves are feminine and light to balance out the bold, strong look of the solid black gown, with a sharp, pointed neckline.
4/9
Halle Bailey in Dolce and Gabbana
As always we're going to forget that this is a Dolce and Gabbana look and enjoy it as a separate entity entirely. The mermaid silhouette has been done to death, particularly in the last 5 years, yet this gown feels fresh and unique. The best description I can think of for the shade of this gown is like a Cabernet Sauvignon, it feels extremely rich, earthy and deep, which gives the look an overall sultry, sexy look. The dress lining is a perfect skin tone match, which gives that nude illusion, adding to the overall fantasy. I adore this.
5/9
Brie Larson in Versace
Once again proving that peachy hues are in and on trend right now, we have Brie Larson. This look features a grand, expansive skirt in the style of an old ball gown, which is given intrigue and fun with cute bow details. The gathering at the waist matches the gathering of the crop top and bring some cohesion to an otherwise unsure look.
6/9
Greta Lee in The Row
This look from the Resort 2024 collection by the Olsen twins is so different for The Row. It is so fun to see an off the shoulder look in a light colour, which looks Greta is beautifully poised in, with the creative pattern of the dress. I love that it was styled exactly as it was on the runway (with dark forest green leather gloves and pumps), dare I say Greta looked even better than the model originally did.
7/9
Elizabeth Debicki in Armani Prive
I love a backless moment, almost as much as I love Princess Diana. This gown has a completely invisible net/fabric that allows the cut of the back to be even more dramatic, which itself is adorned with tiny crystals that are sparse over the back and gather closer towards the body of the gown, creating a stunning water droplet effect.
8/9
Ali Wong in Iris Van Herpen
Ali, I know you can afford contacts, just grab a pair or two, for me. It's not a personal issue with glasses, they just genuinely distract from the fantasy of this Iris Van Herpen masterpiece - that features literal floating diamond structures - which is incredibly grand and deserves full attention. This look is the final piece from her Fall 2023 Haute Couture presentation - titled Architectonics - and it is, without a doubt, fabulous, constructed to be an architectural marvel. I truly wish we saw more of this brand of red carpets and at events, there is a huge range of magical, gorgeous and ethereal looks to tap into that I hope get a chance to been seen and worn soon.
9/9
Maddie Ziegler in vintage Alexander McQueen
Never did I think that a child actor from Dance Moms would feature on any of my red carpet lists, let alone in the best dressed category, but most of all, to see Maddie Ziegler in ARCHIVAL MCQUEEN!? Gagged. This distressed gown is from Spring/Summer 2003 and is considered the 'little sister' of Alexander's famous Oyster dress. The ruffles and torn up hemline create a messy, animalistic vibe, fitting for McQueen.
Surprises in the form of archival Alexander McQueen and Armani Prive truly made this a successful red carpet, although coming up with just 9 attendees for the best dressed list was a bit of a challenge. It only goes downhill from here, so buckle in.
Middle Ground
1/9
Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton
This halter neck style looks rather flimsy and cheap here, although it is almost entirely made up for by the intricate silver and purple detailing on the body of the gown.
2/9
Billie Eilish in Vivienne Westwood
If anyone can get me behind the unusual tie trend, it's Billie Eilish, and here she almost did. She looks good, the loose knit sweater vest is cute and a necessary pop of colour over an otherwise 'busboy' outfit. I just don't think anything interesting has been done here.
3/9
Selena Gomez in Atelier Versace
I can't tell if it's the colour or the silhouette that is just slightly off about this gown, but something isn't working. Perhaps if we had gathered in tighter at the legs and let the train fall out a little lower, this could have created a lovely shape. I also feel that the cut of the underarm portion is just unflattering. Finally, I will never get behind the medusa head logo hardware connecting the straps.
4/9
Reese Witherspoon in Elie Saab
If we had seen Reese in a much higher, non-peep-toe stiletto, this could have been a serve. Stylists, please pay more attention to proportions, especially when working with a shorter client. I also feel that Reese is a little too smiley girly and this Elie Saab piece is a little too sexy and commanding for her.
5/9
Ariana Greenblatt in custom Vera Wang
Custom Vera Wang is always going to be major, but as grand as this look is, it just doesn't feel complete. I feel like Ariana just isn't embodying the Vera Wang woman which isn't an easy feat, especially in a gown this extravagant. I do really love the pointed tips of the neckline and the volume of the skirt, not to mention the stunning deep colour of the fabric, but it just isn't quite a best dressed moment.
6/9
Kathryn Hahn in Givenchy
I actually quite like this, as a white dress that doesn't feel overly bridal, it seems more modern and even slouchy. It seems like a comfortable, lived in dress, which has been further elevated by a black wrap around detail and of course, an evening glove. This look is elegant, yet slightly dull.
7/9
Storm Reid in custom Balmain
This gown seems to me to be based off a look from Balmain's Spring/Summer 2024 collection which saw this black base, with symmetrical florals and emerald green sequinned piping, except here t is a full length look. I think the red shoe adds a much needed bold colour to the look, which otherwise feels all little unsure of itself.
8/9
Margot Robbie in Schiaparelli Couture
At this point, Margot has set up camp and made herself at home in the world of bland, unmemorable, middle ground fashion. This look features a Barbie pink confection that wraps around the waist, the shoulder and falls dramatically to the floor, which should be camp and dramatic, yet it ends up looking like a duvet set strapped to a cheap LBD.
9/9
Emily Blunt in Louis Vuitton
Under normal circumstances, this gown would be a fabulous moment. Unfortunately, it just doesn't do anything intriguing enough for a red carpet look. The structure of this piece, particularly the top portion, is risky and flattering, as is the styling with jewellery.
It was pretty hard to find a handful of looks for the best dressed list tonight, most of them could have fallen on the middle ground, if not the worst. It was, generally, a disappointing evening, so let's get through the worst of it.
Worst dressed
1/10
Anne Hathaway in Versace
I really really reallyyyyy don't like this. Such a bold 'cerulean' blue - likely a nod to 'The Devil Wears Prada', which had a reunion moment later this evening - is incredibly overwhelming on Anne, which has been poorly balanced out with a silver bag and shoes. The belt looks cheap and bothered by the cluttered waistline, with so much going on.
2/10
Hannah Waddingham in Tony Ward Couture
This is what would happen if Dolce and Gabbana were told to design a dress based off a tacky Christmas bauble. The sleeves, the draping, the shimmer, the slit and the material all look so incredibly cheap I hope that this piece is burned, never to be worn again. The one redeeming quality of this look is not seen in this image, but Hannah rocked a cardboard clutch bag 'designed' and created by her young daughter, which I think is such an adorable touch.
3/10
Jennifer Aniston in Celine
Another cheap looking dress.
4/10
Rachel Brosnahan in Tamara Ralph
I can't decide if this gown looks like a golden awards statue, or a terrifying antique found at an estate sale. The reflective effect given by the material is rather uncomfortable and once again, cheap. The belt actually feels necessary here, as do the unique flowers at the collar.
5/10
Melissa McCarthy in custom Puey Quinones
If bin bags were high fashion. This is - to me - the ugly sister of Carey's look on the same red carpet.
6/10
Penelope Cruz in Chanel Haute Couture
I like this as an iteration of the same look in pink - during the Chanel Spring 2024 Haute Couture presentation - as they have removed the horrific circle print on the skirt. The floral embroidery across the off the shoulder neckline is sophisticated and looks almost like 'Haute Joaillerie'. I just think the sequinned navy bodice is ugly and he overall silhouette of the dress is not suited to Penelope.
7/10
Meryl Streep in Prada
This is the second time seeing this exact print from Prada on the red carpet this season - first seen on Lashana Lynch at the BAFTA's and I feel with one more look, I might start to understand and love it. For now, however, it just looks like a school teacher dress. Don't get me started on the collar.
8/10
Danielle Brooks in Christian Siriano
This monstrosity should never have been made. I know it outdates Emily In Paris but it feels like a replica of the Mindy Chen look from her drag show in Season 2 Episode 1... I understand that it could be a nod to her most recent film, The Colour Purple, but no reference or context could make this moment acceptable.
9/10
Cara Jade Myers
I had to see this, so you do too. All I'm going to say is I think it's clear that a bet was lost...
10/10
Ayo Edebiri in Luar
This was almost a good moment, but my personal hatred for gingham took over. Although if anyone could pull it off, Ayo would likely be the one to do it. The shape of the dress is really intriguing, the slightly off the shoulder moment creates a lovely structure in the sleeves and the mermaid-esque silhouette of the skirt looks lovely.
As it turns out, with Zendaya missing, this carpet never stood a chance, so let's choose our favourites and least favourites quickly before we lay this night to rest, never to be discussed again.
Top 3
Worst 3
As always, opinions are opinions, so yours will likely differ from mine, so leave a comment telling me who I missed, what you think and what you agree with. Also, follow my socials for more fashion content and head over to another post...
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