Attention, earthlings! When it came to red-carpet style at the 2023 BAFTAs in London last night, futuristic, out-of-this-world fashion ruled. Amongst the chocolate-box metallics (think Jodie Turner-Smith in lilac feathered Gucci and Anya Taylor-Joy in crushed peach velvet Schiaparelli Haute Couture), stars turned their attention to something a touch interstellar.
Take Sheila Atim, who dazzled in a floral embellished custom Prada gown that resembled futuristic crushed metal, or Cynthia Erivo, whose molten bronze Louis Vuitton creation was layered with streaming rectangular paillettes, and boasted a space-age pagoda shoulder. This was futuristic fashion that’s a far cry from the nostalgic prom-inspired looks that have dominated 2023’s red carpets so far. Who needs high school style when you can get inspired by the whole galaxy?
Elsewhere, embellishments were decidedly otherworldly. The cut-out contours of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s trailing Alaïa skirt traced the body in wiggling, serpentine style. There was something spacey about the cobwebby cage of pearls that traced the décolleté of Lily James’s Tamara Ralph gown, while Gwendoline Christie’s Giles Deacon patent ruffles were more steampunk than Victorian gothic.
The peplum is one prom-era accouterment that has popped up on the red carpet so far (and has also cropped up on the London Fashion Week autumn/winter 2023 runways, courtesy of Christopher Kane), but for Naomi Ackie, it’s a detail that’s decidedly more intergalactic than under-18 disco. For her BAFTAs 2023 red carpet look, the I Wanna Dance With Somebody star opted for a custom Loewe look—a Grecian-style strapless dress with a graphic, enameled brass Obi belt.
With the Oscars just weeks away, stars will be sizing up their next red-carpet style moves. But for now, these looks are light years ahead of the game.
