By Erin Moonyeen Haley
NYFW might have inaugurated such trends as Girly Goth and tilt-a-whirl dresses, but the 76th British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) held at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall
saw the embrace of all things sophisticated and regal. With films like “The Banshees Of Inisherin” seeing victory for Colin Farrell and Kerry Congdon and "All Quiet on the Western Frontier" dominating with seven wins, fashion was not eclipsed by the fanfare. Glit was subtle, silhouettes were streamlined and jewelry was minimized, emphasizing a clean and fresh-faced conceptualization of beauty that was in polar opposition to theatrical trends seen throughout recent Fashion Weeks.
Jodi Turner-Smith was quite literally star-kissed. With crystals fluttering and contouring her cheekbones, the star wore a lavender Gucci gown made stunning with a reptilian iridescence of sequins and asymmetrical tiers of feathers that gave the costume a starlet-languishing-in-her-studio-boudoir-between-takes ambiance.
Florence Pugh made a striking exclamation point of a statement in a tiger-red Nina Ricci gown designed by creative director, Harris Reed. Made from pleated tulle and featuring a mermaid train, there were layers in the back and front, culminating in a dramatic fan to flaunt the face.
To say that Cynthia Erivo was a bronze goddess is an understatement. Wearing Louis Vitton, her architectural copper gown had an almost Art Deco flare courtesy of a sharply jagged, lightning bolt tip at the shoulder. The rest of the dress had thick rows of fringe from top to bottom, keeping the look flouncy and flirty.
Viola Davis wore a Stella McCartney 1930s-style evening gown. Beaded and loose, the bright orchid number came with a sweeping cape and a scooping neckline.
Sophie Turner stunned in a lacy, smokey-gray, sheer Louis Vuitton gown adorned with a haphazard distribution of gems and trinkets from neckline to bottom hem. Among the whimsical accouterments were rubescent tears, jade stones nestled in silver and a melee of crystals.
Anya Taylor-Joy eschewed the sweeping skirts for a champagne micro mini and an oversized cape, all courtesy of Schiaparelli couture. The extremes of the geometrically cut bustier and the excess of fabric for the cape only further serviced the maxim 'less is more and more is better'.
Danielle Deadwyler, star of Till, wore Armani Privé. The Egyptian blue satin gown was color-blocked with a cinched, emerald green sequined midsection.
Lily James cleverly ensured attention would be on her plunging neckline, courtesy of the bejeweled spider web attachment. The Tamara Ralph gown was strapless and sculptured, creating a smooth waterfall of white in Lily's wake.
Our favorite OCD Derry Girls' sweetheart, Nicola Coughlan, took a nod from Jackie O with her Pierpaolo Piccioli's Valentino haute couture. The floral print gown had the detailing that reminded Coughlan of Jackie's famous Ann Lowe wedding gown.
Emma Thompson's cream jacket and suit by designer Laura Pitharas provided all the class that was required. She kept things appropriately chill, however, with the sneakers that peeked out from beneath the tailored pants.
Gwendoline Christine might have been channeling her Wednesday vibes in her black, A-line Giles Deacon ruffled gown with a statement belt that accented the wedding-cake-tiers of fabric. Her crimson pout perfectly matched her hair set in Harlow-Esq Hollywood waves.
Like Thompson, Michelle Yeoh donned a suit, only her Dior, blush-colored number came with a cape and satin lapels, all of which perfectly matched her shoulder-dusting Moussaieff earrings.
It's impossible to think of Spielberg's West Side Story without thinking of Ariana Debose and her megawatt smile. She was both seductive and refined in a sheer, cappuccino Fendi tight bodysuit with an overlay of bedazzled netting, all of which was paired with Bulgari Serpenti jewellery.
From Julianne Moore, to Hong Chau to Ana de Armas, the award ceremony did not disappoint. And, as always, the BAFTA's can always boast about having the Prince and Princess of Wales drop by.
Lashana Lynch in Fendi Couture
Hoyeon Jung in Louis Vuitton
Tohib Jimoh
~ Photos courtesy of Vogue, WWD and stars's Instagrams