Tonight in London, celebrities took to the red carpet at the 2019 British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTAs. In terms of style, the ceremony is typically one of the most experimental of the awards season: Stars are still warming up for the Oscars, which makes it a good time to take a risk and try something fun.
This year’s step-and-repeat did not disappoint. We saw many a classic princess gown, but reimagined in all the right ways—a little less precious and a whole lot more powerful. Consider Rachel Weisz in a pale yellow Gucci number, all ruffles and bare shoulders anchored by a crystal-covered belt. There was Margot Robbie in Chanel Haute Couture, the embroidered gown given a fanned-out tulle trim along the shoulders and hem. Yes, the night’s real-life royal—Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge—followed this theme: Her white, one-shouldered gown felt very current due to its soft pleats and a floral-adorned shoulder strap.
A few women played in a league of their own. Cate Blanchett chose a wildly offbeat look from the Scottish designer Christopher Kane: a curve-skimming black gown, its cut-outs filled with large gemstones. Zawe Ashton took luxe casual to the next level in a loose-fitting, eye-popping magenta dress, worn with thick shoulder straps and red carpet flats. It goes to show that even the dreamiest fairy-tale moments can be nontraditional. In fact, they should be, and more often at that.
Photo: Getty Images1/10WHO: Kate Middleton
WHAT: Alexander McQueen
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images2/10WHO: Thandie Newton
WHAT: Valentino
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images3/10WHO: Rachel Weisz
WHAT: Gucci
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images4/10WHO: Cate Blanchett
WHAT: Christopher Kane and Sergio Rossi shoes
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images5/10WHO: Margot Robbie
WHAT: Chanel Haute Couture
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images6/10WHO: Stacy Martin
WHAT: Dior Haute Couture
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images7/10WHO: Zawe Ashton
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images8/10WHO: Claire Foy
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images9/10WHO: Olivia Colman
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
Photo: Getty Images10/10WHO: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
WHERE: The British Academy Film Awards, London, England
WHEN: February 10, 2019
