The 76 th edition of the Golden Globe awards was held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The red carpet was rolled out for actors, filmmakers, musicians and the usual star brigade, for the ceremony that felicitates the best in film and television in the year gone by. Since a few award seasons, clothing has become a tool to embody the mood of the moment. The pivotal example is the 2018 Golden Globes red carpet that witnessed a 'black'-out, with noir being the choice of colour for Hollywood biggies. The colour code was in solidarity with Time's Up, a movement against sexual harassment in the industry. This season, the political did not become ostensibly personal, but that didn't mean that the attendees had nothing to say by the way of sartorial selection. While some switched romantic gowns with pants, others just had fun with fashion. Here, seven looks, seven varied statements.
Not Sabyasachi
31-year-old actor and beauty pageant winner, Manasvi Mamgai, attended the Golden Globes for reasons that only a few publications have reported. However, by ardently exploring the internet we learn that Mamgai was there to promote a Chicago-based production company of which she is the Vice President. What actually put her in the spotlight was her blush pink sari with understated embroidery, complete with a sheer pallu. A soft lilac-toned lip, a matching minaudiere and a laid-back blow-dry completed her look. Simple yet non-boring, with individuality intact – Mamgai managed to own her look. Of course, international publications seemed to give her a miss, although the actor said in a quote shared by various publications that the attendees were spell-bound by her choice. This, along with her claim as the first ever wearer of the sari at the Golden Globes. She made a statement alright, though we are yet to see a designer stake a claim to the design.
The Second Coming
Part deux of Golden Globe's support to the post Harvey Weinstein (film producer accused of sexual misconduct) #metoo 'awakening' came in the form of pins, ribbons and bracelets. The Time's Up X 2 accessories were designed by American costume designer Arianne Phillips. Actor Idris Elba, television host Giuliana Rancic, co-host for the night actor Andy Samberg and TV personality and host Ryan Seacrest were amid those who sported the fashion/political accessory, to continue the conversation against sexual harassment and discrimination in Hollywood. This follows 2018's black colour code.
However, Seacrest's support seemed problematic to many, especially to the opinion-loaded world of Twitter, owing to a sexual misconduct accusation against him by his stylist last year— a claim he has denied.
A Star is Re-Born?
Musician-actor Lady Gaga has left her risqué sartorial days behind. The 32-year-old washed off all the remnants off her infamous 'meatloaf dress' from a 2010 awards function and the character-driven Alaïa number from Oscars 2015, with her Elsa-like ball gown for Golden Globes 2019. The A Star is Born actor wore an elaborate periwinkle blue Valentino gown, with a train and old-Hollywood puffy sleeves which wrapped her arms in romantic florets. The look was reminiscent of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's fairytale-ish Michael Cinco gown from Cannes 2017 – a look which seemed too simple for the individualism Gaga stands for. Some saw the dress as an homage to Judy Garland who starred in the 1954 version of A Star is Born.
Gaga managed to make a place in most Best Dressed Lists of international digitals, with a special mention for her lavender-streaked hair which matched her dress. Did she look great? Of course! Did she "wear the pants" like she did in a Marc Jacobs suit at an event last year, claiming to take the "power back" with her clothes? Not quite.
The Shoe Stopper
Actor Lupita Nyong'o has broken many a glass ceilings in Hollywood, and at the Golden Globes, she broke em' with her heels. The Black Panther actor, the first Kenyan to win an Oscar in 2014, wore a heavily-beaded Calvin Klein cobalt blue gown, with multiple layers of fringe, finished with dreamy oceanic eye makeup. Nyong'o, 35, unarguably looked radiant in the look, with her dark chocolate skin glowing from within and offsetting the blue tones beautifully. But her strappy heels, by Canadian retailer Aldo, won fashion followers and critics' hearts because of the pair's $45 price tag (₹3,135 approx). A starry statement, without any pricey sheen.
Beyond Boundaries
Some say it with their choice of designer, some, with the choice of design. American singer-performer Billy Porter belongs to the latter clan. Porter, 49, was poised to perform without giving a dime to gender binaries or 'safe' tuxedo dressing on the Golden Globes red carpet. Porter wore a monarch-style cape lined with a satiny magenta pink with embroidered shoulders.
He wore his superhero accessory with a dove grey suit, featuring matching floral embroidery, reportedly hand-crafted, by the team of New-York based designer Randi Rahm. Porter was nominated for his work in the TV series Pose. He lost the award, but won the red carpet.
It Suit Her
Billowy trousers, a chic blazer with pointed wide lapels, an ivory shirt and an oversized bowtie. Gowns didn't cut it for Judy Greer, so she went the suit way with Italian design label Alberta Ferretti.
A fuss-free ponytail and a Judith Leiber embellished clutch completed the 43-year-old American actor's look, which was accompanied by understated makeup complete with a nude lip. Greer provided a breather among the sea of dresses and gowns. Of course, it didn't stop her from making to some online lists for the Worst Dressed attendees.
The New Fashion Accessory
Timothée Chalamet, a best actor nominee at the Golden Globes, skipped the tuxedo for an all-black pairing. A classic shirt tucked neatly in formal pants made up the 23-year-old's look, which was accessorised by a bit of sparkle n' jazz, courtesy something the internet called a 'harness.' It was later clarified by media portals, that the harness, by French luxe label Louis Vuitton is actually an embroidered LV 'bib'. Social media straight went in to meme-mode, but Chalamet managed to ace the look.