It’s been a serious year for television—on all of its increasingly varied platforms—and here at Vogue, we couldn’t be more thrilled. From Orange Is the New Black and Girls to Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey, the stars of the small screen will be turning out in full force for next Monday’s 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, and we’ve got just the thing. Here, our picks for the nominees’ red-carpet looks: Consider it something of a runway fashion RX.
Photo: Kim Weston Arnold/Indigitalimages.com1/17Lena Dunham, Girls
Dunham, nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, is known for favoring fun, brightly colored frocks at big-time events and we’d love to see her continue the trend with this Dolce & Gabbana flowery look from fall (not least because of the way that the sixties silhouette would play off her very French New Wave Jean Seberg crop).
Photo: Monica Fuedi/Feudiguaineri.com2/17Allison Janney, Mom
We’ve loved Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series–nominee Allison Janney since all the way back to (and all seven seasons of) The West Wing, and it would be nice to see her do her best tall drink of (sparkling!) water in this Givenchy jumpsuit from fall.
Photo: Marcus Tondo/Indigitalimages.com3/17Lizzy Caplan, Masters of Sex
Caplan (nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her star-making turn on Masters of Sex) is having what we like to call a full-on fashion moment, and she should play it to the hilt in one of Christopher Kane’s flirty page-turners from fall.
Photo: Monica Fuedi/Feudiguaineri.com4/17Kerry Washington, Scandal
Kerry Washington is beautiful, was nominated for the second time for her verifiable runaway hit of a role on the cult-favorite Scandal, just had a baby, and can still wear anything she wants. That doesn’t mean she should, though; that means she should wear this futuristic and entirely fabulous Miu Miu.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com5/17Robin Wright, House of Cards
Look, Princess Buttercup has a lifelong pass in our book. (Plus, she won the Golden Globe for best actress in a TV drama series earlier this year.) But with that kind of a combination of poise, bone structure, and body? House of Cards’ own Lady Macbeth needs a sleekly sexy and sophisticated modern take on Bianca Jagger, courtesy of Altuzarra Resort.
Photo: Marcus Tondo/Indigitalimages.com6/17Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
This could very well be Lady Mary’s night. By all means, let her dress the part in Oscar de la Renta resort.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com7/17Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Maggie Smith rarely if ever attends these ceremonies, but let us begin our campaign for her to show right here, right now. And not just show up; we want the Dame in Dries; all cool angles, naturalistic forms, and inspired unexpected elegance. Need we say more?
Photo: Kim Weston Arnold and Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com8/17Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
What else would a queen—even one as wicked as Headey’s Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones—wear but Chanel couture?
Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com9/17Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
This isn’t Hendricks’ first rodeo at the Emmys for her role on Mad Men—and it hopefully won’t be the last. We want her to make this one count in Giambattista Valli Couture’s achingly pretty and perfectly tailored dress.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com10/17Helena Bonham Carter, Burton and Taylor
This elegant and unfussy Lanvin frock from fall is just vintage-minded enough for Bonham Carter—who’s made her feelings on the subject known—without reverting to the overly fripped and frilled Victorian era.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com11/17Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful
A monumental gown (Valentino couture, natch) for a monumental icon of stage and screen.
Photo: Kim Weston Arnold/Indigitalimages.com12/17Julia Roberts, The Normal Heart
Here’s to hoping that America’s sweetheart falls for this sugary, figure-skimming, and totally forward-thinking Dior.
Photo: Gianni Pucci/Indigitalimages.com13/17Angela Bassett, American Horror Story: Coven
For the ageless Angela Bassett, what could be cooler than this completely youthful and undeniably chic sparkling Marc Jacobs pant-tunic combo?
Photo: Kim Weston Arnold/Indigitalimages.com14/17Betty White, Betty White’s Off Their Rockers
Betty White can famously get away with pretty much anything. Why not go for gold in Marco de Vincenzo’s psychedelic rainbow of a fall look?
Photo: Gianni Pucci/Indigitalimages.com15/17Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes in House of Cards
Kate Mara is nominated for her guest-starring (and short-lived) role in House of Cards’ second season, but nothing says staying power like a little sequined Saint Laurent.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com16/17Jane Fonda as Leona Lansing in The Newsroom
What could be better for the one-time Barbarella than this sophisticated, subtly skin-baring Nina Ricci?
Photo: Marcus Tondo/Indigitalimages.com17/17Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset in Orange Is The New Black
Laverne Cox blew our minds and stole our hearts in her role as Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black: we’d love to see her sport something as multifaceted and appealing as her character, like this embroidered Mary Katrantzou number.
