Hollywood gathered Sunday night for a reimagined Golden Globe event. This was the first issue following the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, a conflict between the US actors union and the TV and film studio association AMPTP. It was also the first awards ceremony since the event was taken over by the multinational television production company Dick Clark Productions and the US holding company Eldridge. After the previous owner, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, was accused of a lack of diversity and unethical practices, the concept was to be made more commercial and improved.
These events in the film world made the work of the stylists on the red carpet more difficult. In addition to large gatherings of other events like the Critics Choice Awards, Emmys, Grammys and Directors Guild Awards, creative shakeups in the fashion industry, with creative director departures and appointments dominating the second half of 2023, also hampered high-scoring looks.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, long-time US stylist Jessica Paster told US fashion magazine WWD that the change in creative directors has resulted in many brands becoming either “taboo” or “promoting clothes for real life instead of evening gowns”. Still, the Golden Globes nominees showed up in droves, showing off their most elegant outfits and quashing any signs of aversion to glamour.
Louis Vuitton and Armani are represented in large numbers
All eyes were on Australian ‘Barbie’ star Margot Robbie. The press tour for the film was already her personal catwalk – a tradition that she continued on the red carpet of the Golden Globes. Her pink sequin dress with a tulle cape was custom-made by the Italian luxury fashion house Armani based on the ‘Superstar Barbie’ model from 1977. Although the Barbie film raised high expectations, it only won the first prize for box office and box office success with a box office gross of over one billion US dollars (913 million euros).
Armani was very popular that evening and found himself in the wardrobe of many nominees and presenters. Both nominated American actress Selena Gomez and presenter Amanda Seyfried, also from the USA, walked on the carpet wearing Giorgio Armani Privé, the brand’s haut couture line. Gomez wore a red dress with a sparkling cut-out bodice, crystal flower appliqués and a full, asymmetrical skirt. Seyfried opted for a black velvet dress studded with Swarovski crystals. A large number of male nominees also used the brand, including US actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Charles Melton, Ben Affleck, Will Ferrell as well as musician Finneas O’Connell and director Martin Scorsese.
Also in the spotlight was French fashion house Louis Vuitton, which dressed the evening’s winner, ‘Poor Things’ actress Emma Stone. Her tulle dress with a V-neck was decorated with floral motifs, and pieces of jewelry from the brand complemented the look. Irish actor Barry Koeghan, nominated for his role in ‘Saltburn’, deviated from the traditional black tie and suit combination and opted for an outfit made from red wool with Louis Vuitton’s signature Demier pattern. The American presenter Oprah Winfrey, the actor Colman Domingo and the German Sandra Hülser were also outfitted by the brand.
Seductive red tones and black lace
As with Gomez and Koeghan, red seemed to be the color of the evening. British actress Florence Pugh stayed true to her Valentino ambassador role, wearing a blood red dress inspired by the brand’s pre-fall collection this year. In contrast, American comedian Ayo Edebiri, who won Best Actress in a Television Series for her role in ‘The Bear’, chose a fitted gown from Italian luxury brand Prada with a knotted voile train at the back. The fashion house Bottega Veneta, also from Italy, dressed both Michelle Yeoh and Julianne Moore in red dresses that differed in their fullness, but still emphasized prominent cleavage.
In keeping with the sensual essence of red hues, black lace and lingerie-inspired looks were another highlight of the weekend. Australian ‘Succession’ actress Sarah Snook, who won Best Actress in a Drama Television Series, wore a look by Nepali-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung that featured sheer lace panels and a lightweight polka dot skirt. A similar piece was seen on American actress Kristen Wiig, who opted for a bralette and skirt two-piece by Italian fashion brand Giambattista Valli. A highlight, however, was British actress Rosamund Pike of ‘Saltburn’ fame, who wore a statement FW19 Dior bustier dress paired with an apple-shaped lace fascinator.
Glitter galore
There was also no shortage of glitter at the event. American singer Taylor Swift, nominated for her concert film ‘The Eras Tour’, wore a light green, sparkling sequin dress by Florentine fashion house Gucci. The brand also outfitted American actress and presenter Julia Garner in a glittering silver dress adorned with sequins. The French luxury brand Dior also relied on glittering pieces. Israeli actress Natalie Portman showed off a haute couture evening dress from the label that features an “impressionistic landscape of microflowers and vermicelli,” according to the label. Australia’s Elizabeth Debicki, on the other hand, chose a piece from Dior’s FW23 haute couture collection – a floor-length tulle dress made of silver plates, paired with high-quality jewelry.
Suits get an update
American actress Meryl Streep stuck to the glitter theme, but also embraced the concept of a reinterpreted suit: her sequin blazer designed by Italian luxury fashion house Valentino was paired with a coordinated figure-hugging skirt. A pussy-bow blouse and cat-eye sunglasses completed the look. Streep’s outfit reflected a broader trend toward modern tailoring that many of the night’s nominees represented. The American-French ‘Wonka’ actor and lover of unusual suits Timothée Chalamet was also outfitted with an embroidered gabardine jacket and a loose shirt by the French fashion house Celine Homme.
Despite the dominant colors of black and white in the men’s looks, many male visitors presented a refresh of classic codes: Canadian actor Ryan Goslings wore a two-piece suit from Gucci, Irish nominee Andrew Scott wore an androgynous Valentino outfit. The stars of the adventure series ‘The Last of Us’ revolutionized red carpet etiquette. Despite being injured, American actor Pedro Pascal made a statement with a knotted sweater and classic suit pants. His British co-star Bella Ramsey underlined the casual countermovement with a Prada outfit and chunky boots.
Old school pastel Hollywood glamour
A similar trend was seen among the ladies, who maintained the traditional Hollywood glamour, but this time with a touch of pastel. Italian fashion house Prada led the way, dressing the stars in classic silhouettes with modern updates. California-born actress Brie Larson wore a full skirt that evoked 1950s red carpet glamor and contrasted with the light lavender tone of the dress.
The American actress Hailee Steinfelds relied on geometric shapes with her satin gown. The powdery pink and a bow detail enhanced the simple dress. Another Prada representative was American model Hunter Schafer, whose gown was layered in light pink silk and voile. Elvis Presley’s granddaughter and actress Riley Keough opted for a similar look, but by Chanel. For the ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ star, the label paired a sheer top with a flowing long lace dress.
But classics were also represented, especially by the French fashion house Dior. American actress Jennifer Lawrence wore a dark blue velvet dress, while American Golden Globe winner Ali Wong wore a draped silk crepe dress with braided sleeves. The winner of the award for best female lead in a motion picture, American Lily Gladstone, also attracted everyone’s attention. The ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ star wore an elegant white maxi dress from Valentino, topped with a heavy, ruched cape that is synonymous with the brand.
This article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk. Translated and edited by Heide Halama.