BAFTA Awards 2019: Best Dressed
Discover the leading ladies on the BAFTA 2019 red carpet
Lily Collins
Lily Collins continues her run of great red-carpet choices in deep-blue Givenchy Haute Couture.
Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton wears a statement dress from Valentino’s pre-fall 2019 collection.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
The Duchess of Cambridge turned to her wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, for her gown – fitting given that the film about the label’s founder was up for Best Documentary and Outstanding British Film. Her shoes are by Jimmy Choo and the diamond earrings belonged to Princess Diana.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is otherworldly in Chanel, styled by Kate Young.
Laura Harrier
Actress Laura Harrier opts for orange Louis Vuitton, with makeup by Lancôme.
Glenn Close
Nominated for The Wife, Glenn Close wows in waist-defining Alexander McQueen.
Viola Davis
Leading Actress nominee and former PorterEdit cover star Viola Davis is stunning in custom Armani Privé with Fernando Jorge jewels, styled by Elizabeth Stewart.
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz wears a frilled Gucci gown with Cartier jewelry. Styling by Kate Young, hair and makeup by George Northwood and Kay Montano respectively.
Rachel Brosnahan
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actress Rachel Brosnahan has the red carpet wrapped up in custom Erdem.
Amy Adams
Supporting Actress nominee Amy Adams accessorizes her Prada dress with jewelry by Cartier. Petra Flannery is the actress’ longtime stylist, while makeup is by Stephen Sollitto and hair by Ken O’Rourke.
Mary J. Blige
Singer and actress Mary J. Blige wears Ralph & Russo couture with a Jimmy Choo clutch and shoes, styled by Wayman and Micah.
Cate Blanchett
Newly brunette Cate Blanchett is a drama queen in Christopher Kane with Pomellato jewels and Sergio Rossi heels, styled by Elizabeth Stewart.
Zawe Ashton
Making a case for flat shoes on the red carpet, Zawe Ashton opts for a vibrant pink Roksanda gown.
Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira looked sensational in a corseted Thom Browne dress.
Claire Foy
Claire Foy’s understated Oscar de la Renta dress offers fringe benefits.
Michelle Yeoh
Crazy Rich Asians actress Michelle Yeoh sparkles in Elie Saab Haute Couture.
Irina Shayk
Irina Shayk chose a sleek Burberry suit, designed by her close friend Riccardo Tisci, to accompany partner Bradley Cooper on the BAFTA red carpet. Her makeup is by Charlotte Tilbury.
Lucy Boynton
Bohemian Rhapsody’s Lucy Boynton wears Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri, styled by Leith Clark.
Letitia Wright
Letitia Wright, nominated for the EE Rising Star award, opts for a white Stella McCartney tuxedo and silver bag.
Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman, who won the Leading Actress award for her performance in The Favourite, wears British label Emilia Wickstead, with styling by Mary Fellowes, makeup by Polly Osmond and hair by Marcus Francis.
Elizabeth Debicki
Elizabeth Debicki is elegant in slashed-to-the-thigh Armani Privé.
Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek is gorgeous in gold-embellished Gucci, with makeup by Charlotte Tilbury.
Eleanor Tomlinson
Colette star Eleanor Tomlinson wears a Ralph & Russo dress with De Beers jewelry, styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray.
BAFTAs: THE LOWDOWN
What’s special about the BAFTAs?
Generally speaking, the biggest awards ceremonies are mostly a Hollywood affair, so this British outing often brings something a little different to proceedings, from the nominations to the hosts, speeches and slightly more irreverent atmosphere. First held in May 1949, the event moved to February in 2001 to make it more in line with the Academy Awards. Most of the categories are international, but there are awards for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director. This will be the 72nd BAFTA ceremony, hosted for the second time by actress Joanna Lumley.
Who are the most prolific winners – and the standout on-stage moments?
She hasn’t got quite as many BAFTAs on her shelf as Oscars or Golden Globes (she has been nominated 15 times but only won twice), which might be why Meryl Streep was so overcome on winning for her portrayal of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady that she lost her shoe as she walked onto the stage. Luckily, the ever-chivalrous Colin Firth was there to resolve the issue, Cinderella style. Dame Maggie Smith holds the record for the most Best Actress wins so far with four, closely followed by Anne Bancroft, Audrey Hepburn and Simone Signoret on three. A 14-year-old Jodie Foster collected the Best Supporting Actress award for both Taxi Driver and Bugsy Malone, returning 15 years later to take home Best Actress for her performance in The Silence of The Lambs. In a very BAFTA turn of events, when the animated movie Babe was shortlisted for four awards in 1996, its porcine star attended the ceremony in anticipation of a win. Sadly, she left with empty trotters.
Who rules the red carpet?
The BAFTAs usually take a slightly more rock’n’roll approach to the red carpet, and some of the ceremony’s most memorable moments have come courtesy of the likes of Cher (who attended the 1984 BAFTAs with then beau Val Kilmer) and comedic actresses Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. In 2018, Saoirse Ronan, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jennifer Lawrence, Salma Hayek, Margot Robbie, Lupita Nyong’o and Naomie Harris all looked spectacular in black – showing support for the Times Up movement and women everywhere. This year we’re looking forward to seeing Best Dressed regulars Lady Gaga, who we loved at the Golden Globes, Margot Robbie, Emma Stone and Letitia Wright.
Who are the BAFTA 2019 contenders?
A Star is Born, The Favourite, Green Book and Roma have all walked away with prizes from this year’s Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, but we will see some differences here. Regina King, for example, who collected awards at both for her performance of Sharon Rivers in If Beale Street Could Talk, is not shortlisted for a BAFTA. Perhaps more surprisingly, given its subject, there is little recognition for Mary Poppins Returns and its star Emily Blunt; the film only features in the Original Music category, where it’s up against A Star is Born and BlacKkKlansman. We’re also excited about the Documentary shortlist, where fashion biopic McQueen, about the life and work of Alexander Lee McQueen, takes on RBG, the story of formidable Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
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