On the weeks leading up to the 75th Golden Globes Awards, which took place last Sunday at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, you might have noticed on the social media of most of the Hollywood’s brightest mentions of Time’s Up and the hashtag #WhyWeWearBlack.
It was during the awards ceremony that the attendees came out in full force, showing their solidarity against sexual assault, harassment and workplace inequality, which has recently been brought to the forefront, like an avalanche following the multiple exposures of Harvey Weinstein’s – and many other renowned personalities in the film and TV industries – sexual misconducts.
As Seth Meyers, talk show host of The Seth Meyers Show, and host of this year’s Golden Globes mentioned in his opening monologue: “For the male nominees here tonight, this is the first time in three months it won’t be terrifying to hear your name read out loud.” Cue nervous laugh, here.
Whilst the current affairs may have cast a sombre cloud over the otherwise titular red carpet, celebrities in attendance that night still managed to pull off some rather stylish notes that made the most common of colour in the fashion palette a classy and dapper one.
The night saw many falling into the comfort of black’s formality with the black-on-black template, (perhaps the one year at the Globes when it’s OK to turn up a tad dull and old fashioned, without being criticised by the fashion police), but equally as many of them wore the colour with pride and confidence, especially with the night’s highlight accessory – the Time’s Up pin, upon their shiny lapels of their well-fitted suits.
While on the other hand, some took things up a notch, styling up their usual black-on-black suits and ties with something more contemporary: the Thor: Ragnorak leading man Chris Hemsworth added a little subtlety to his ensemble with an Etro suit with prints, and a pair of Christian Louboutin suede lace-ups, whereas the young Caleb McLaughlin of Stranger Things fame, paired his Ports 1961 suit with a turtleneck and a glittering vintage Dior brooch to light up the otherwise monotonous outfit.
Another band of brothers went for the classic black tie do, which can rarely do any wrong at awards ceremonies, whether it’s a double breasted or a single button cut. The key is, of course, to accessorise and embellish: whether it’s a choice of printed or suede blazers, or an equally empowering women (or brother) as a plus one.
Winner of Best Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film, Alexander Skarsgård for his role in Big Little Lies opted for a Bulgari Octo 38mm watch in gold with a white dial, and complementing Octo cufflinks in 18ct pink gold with onyx.
Whereas fellow nominee of the same category Christian Slater for Mr Robot, chose to show up donned with a Chopard L.U.C XPS 40mm timepiece, featuring a silver dial with an 18ct rose gold case, and cufflinks set in 18ct rose gold with onyx and diamonds.
But the one that took the cake in terms of black tie ensembles, is young actor Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things, who has already captivated us with his red carpet look last year, and did it once again with a double-breasted Balmain tuxedo with embellished silver buttons, with a Brackish bowtie, Jésù-SégunLondon loafers, and an Elizabetta Boutique scarf where his Time’s Up pin sat proudly.
Whilst August Man Malaysia may primarily focus on men, we couldn’t help but turn our attention to the fairer sex at the Golden Globes red carpet this year, especially those that rocked the power suit with equal dapper tones as the men.
Real life Wonder Woman Gal Gadot was a fashion embodiment of gender equality, with a tasteful Tom Ford dress with a knee high slit, capped with an authoritative half-body blazer, and a splash of Tiffany & Co jewellery.
The Crown leading actress and nominee for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, Claire Foy’s Stella McCartney all-black suit augmented the shimmering Harry Winston earrings, as well as the more important pin upon her sleeve that read: “50:50 Actresses Equal Representation”, in light of the exposé of BBC’s inequal gender pay back in England.
However, the one Golden Globes attendee that had the final say for us was Laurence Fishburne, who resurfaced in the recent DC film world as Perry White in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but who remains forever to many as Morpheus from The Matrix film trilogy.
While many struggled to jive up the all-black theme, Fishburne simply rocked up with a black traditional Chinese Manchurian chang pao with inner red lining to match his red shoes, and a pair of shades reminiscent of his famed ‘90s movie role, and became to us, the best dressed at the Golden Globes this year.