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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeThe 75th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) were held in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Britain’s biggest night in film was back with a red carpet for the starriest names in cinema, despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While organizers offered words of support, explicit nods to the crisis were few and far between.
Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Dune may have been the big winner at the 2022 BAFTAs with five wins in the craft categories, but it was Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog that took home the coveted best film and director awards.
Cumberbatch had only just lost out on best actor to King Richard’s Will Smith. Fumbling with some notes at the podium, he jokingly made to read his thwarted acceptance speech before saying, “You don’t lose to Will Smith, you win to be in his company.”
Other big winners of the evening included After Love actor Joanna Scanlan, meanwhile CODA star Troy Kotsur became the first deaf actor to win a BAFTA.
Here are some fashion highlights that made a statement:
1. Subtle political statements
Ariana DeBose’ Oscar de la Renta dress actually doubled up as a political statement – when put together with that of her
West Side Story co-star, Rachel Zegler. Together, they were wearing the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
“Did anybody see what Rachel Zegler’s wearing? Because the two of us together are standing with Ukraine, like seriously, we are reflecting it in colour,” she said.
It wasn’t the only reference to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the ceremony. Woody Norman, the 13-year-old star of C’Mon C’Mon, and Boiling Point star Stephen Graham both wore ribbons on their suits in the colours of Ukrainian flag. Benedict Cumberbatch, meanwhile, wore a blue and yellow badge.
2. Go gaga!
Lady Gaga wowed in dark shades, as she walked on the red carpet in an elegant emerald Ralph Lauren gown that took over 150 hours (and 50 meters of both velvet and silk taffeta) to produce. The singer and House of Gucci actress completed the look with Tiffany & Co. jewels that sparkled above a plunging neckline.
3. A hint of playfulness
Some celebrities were more playful with their choice of outfits, despite the serious tone. Emma Watson’s Oscar de la Renta halter dress featured a layered tulle skirt. Her look was a Y2K girl’s dream with bobby pins, highlights in hair and great brow work. And that pair of pointed black heels adorned with beaded ankle straps by René Caovilla has a life of its own.
Florence Pugh arrived with a huge pink bow emerging from the back of her long-sleeved Carolina Herrera mini dress. She sported darker sleek back hair with a deep part accented with rhinestones.
The ceremony was loosely themed around James Bond (with 2022 marking 60 years of the movie franchise), and many men opted for straight-forward tuxedos befitting of Britain’s best-known spy. But it was Sebastian Stan whose tuxedo won the most plaudits, with his Givenchy-designed outfit including a white shirt decorated with small metal rings.
5. Lady in red
The Cyrano star, Haley Bennett oozed glamour in a voluminous crimson Valentino gown featuring burgundy and brown imprints depicting entwined human beings. She accessorized her look with a collection of dazzling rings.
