BAFTA Awards 2020: Best Dressed

Judy’s Best Leading Actress winner, Renée Zellweger, gives a masterclass in modern minimalism with an exquisitely constructed pearlescent pink gown, designed by Prada and styled by Petra Flannery.

Queen and Slim star Jodie Turner-Smith shut down the red carpet in a floor-sweeping, sparkling yellow gown by Gucci. Styled by Petra Flannery and designed personally by Alessandro Michele, this knock-out look took maternity dressing to new heights.

Actor and Joker star Zazie Beetz goes for a ’90s-inspired look in a structural strapless dress, styled by Solange Franklin Reed. From the delicate gold jewelry to the perfectly coordinated mulberry lipstick, this feels like a truly fresh take on red-carpet dressing.

Perennial cool girl and style icon Zoë Kravitz goes for high-octane glamour in a gold-sequined gown by Saint Laurent – another knock-out look from the Big Little Lies star and her long-time stylist, Andrew Mukamal.

Bombshell’s Best Leading Actress nominee, Charlize Theron, proves that sometimes less really is more, in a stunning purple dress by Christian Dior, styled by Leslie Fremar. Finished with a simple, waist-cinching belt and silver necklace, this look is modern minimalism at its finest.

Actor Emilia Clarke puts a contemporary twist on red-carpet dressing in a black beaded gown by Schiaparelli Couture, styled by Petra Flannery. Clarke’s sleek hairstyle and graphic eye makeup take this striking look to another level.

Laura Dern, winner of Best Supporting Actress for her role in Marriage Story, looks effortless in an embellished fuchsia gown by Valentino Couture and a pared-back ponytail. Opting for a dress with pockets was a master stroke by Dern’s long-serving stylist, Cristina Ehrlich.

Actor Olivia Colman flies the flag for British fashion in a stunning gown by Alexander McQueen, with styling by Miranda Almond. From the sheer sleeves to the floral embroidery, this look is faultless.

Nominated for not one but two awards – Leading Actress (Marriage Story) and Supporting Actress (Jojo Rabbit) – Scarlett Johansson’s sensational Versace gown certainly lives up to the occasion. Styled by Molly Dickson, this feathered and beaded dress needed nothing more than a pair of diamond earrings to set it off.

Little Women star and Best Supporting Actress nominee Florence Pugh made a suitably stylish entrance in a cerise gown, designed by Dries Van Noten and legendary couturier Christian Lacroix – DVN x CLX. Styled by Rebecca Corbin Murray, this show-stopping look is nothing short of iconic.

Little Women director Greta Gerwig goes for old-school Hollywood opulence in a sumptuous velvet gown, cast in forest green and finished with embellished straps. Gerwig and her stylist, Cristina Ehrlich, keep the look fresh by pairing it with striking earrings and beachy waves.

Margot Robbie is the picture of elegance in a lacy Chanel couture gown, styled by Kate Young. The Australian star has already made history this year after receiving two nominations for Best Supporting Actress – for her roles in Bombshell and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

This year, BAFTA asked attendees to take a more sustainable approach to their red-carpet looks, either borrowing pieces or re-wearing something from their existing closet – and the Duchess of Cambridge has done just that. This beautiful white and gold Alexander McQueen gown, which had its first outing on a royal tour of Malaysia in 2012, is as breathtaking as ever.

Style chameleon and Little Women’s Best Leading Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan proves that black can be just as impactful as any color – in a voluminous satin Gucci gown, styled by Elizabeth Saltzman. A bright lip added punch – here, makeup artist Karen Alder mixed BY TERRY Lip Expert Matte in Red Shot and Sweet Flamengo to achieve this look.

Never one to shy away from a bold red-carpet look, EE Rising Star Award nominee Kaitlyn Dever stuns in a shimmering baby-pink gown, designed by Miu Miu and styled by Karla Welch.

Actor Naomie Harris is known for her impeccable personal style – and this metallic fringed dress by Michael Kors Collection is no exception. Finished with minimal silver accessories, this mood-enhancing look is unforgettable.

The lack of diversity in the BAFTA nominations prompted criticism from across the film industry, as did the absence of female filmmakers in the Best Director and Best Film categories. Unsurprisingly, references were made to the #BAFTASSoWhite controversy throughout the ceremony – some more overt than others. Best Actor winner Joaquin Phoenix delivered the most charged speech of the night, calling out “systemic racism”.

"This is not a self-righteous condemnation, because I’m ashamed to say I’m part of the problem. I have not spoken out when sets have not been inclusive. I think it is the obligation of those who benefit a system of oppression to be the ones who dismantle it. So that’s on us,” he said.

The Duke of Cambridge, in his role as president of the organisation, also addressed the urgent need to “ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process”, adding: “BAFTA take this issue seriously, and following this year’s nominations have launched a full and thorough review of the entire awards process to build on their existing work and ensure that opportunities are available to everyone.”

Margot Robbie took to the stage to pick up Brad Pitt’s statuette for Best Supporting Actor, reading out a jovial speech from her co-star (who was absent for “family reasons”), which started with a Brexit reference. “Hey Britain, heard you just became single. Welcome to the club. Wishing you the best with the divorce settlement,” she delivered.

In front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were sitting front row, it went on to joke about Meghan and Harry’s recent relocation to North America. “And he’s going to name this [award] Harry because he’s really excited about bringing it back to the States with him. His words, not mine!”

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. After the austerity of all-black looks in support of the Time’s Up movement in 2018, ruffles ruled 2019’s red carpet, with Best Supporting Actress winner Rachel Weisz looking spectacular in a frothy white Gucci gown, Thandie Newton in Valentino and Margot Robbie in Chanel, while Rising Star award-winner Letitia Wright opted for a white Stella McCartney pant suit. This year, the style stakes are even higher – as part of BAFTA’s goal to make the 2020 award ceremony carbon neutral, attendees have been asked to re-wear an outfit they already own, or consider other sustainable options such as renting or borrowing from a designer.