Roll out the virtual red carpet, pour yourself a glass of fizz, and make yourself comfortable on the sofa – the 2021 Golden Globes are here. Hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, this year’s semi-virtual show was a celebration of the things we watched during the era of the global pandemic.
But even with the show running half in-person, half at home, guests of the Golden Globes did not fail to dress up and demonstrate that they can shine anywhere. With an unofficial theme of Hollywood Glamour, many stars rocked up with the intention to serve a stunning look that could shine both on the red carpet and through the screen of a video call.
Here at VOIR, we’re taking a look at some of the ways stars responded to “Hollywood Glamour” – from the full-on embrace to the modern subversion. Check out some of the trends below!
Old Hollywood Glamour
As the unofficial theme of the evening, Hollywood Glamour saw many stars tapping into the fun aesthetics of the earlier half of the twentieth century. Some looks isolated key staples from the era, as seen in Angela Bassett’s incorporation of a dramatic purple feather boa in her Dolce & Gabbana dress, or the layers of sequined fringing reminiscent of the 1920s show girl worn by Susan Kelechi Watson.
Others went full-vintage in their outfits, with Andra Day and Julia Garner sporting a classic 1920s drop waist gown befitting any old Hollywood socialite. Elle Fanning was a major stand out for combining her Gucci gown with jewellery dating back to 1915, opting to channel vintage authenticity and naming Grace Kelly as her style inspiration for the evening.
Shades of Green
Several looks of the night brough the classic aesthetic into the twenty-first century with a green colour palette – a nod to the colour’s fast-growing popularity this year. Gillian Anderson and Anya Taylor Joy both wore Dior gowns which played on the elegant drapery and dramatic skirts of the traditional red-carpet dress, although Taylor Joy took her look a step further with long platinum waves that paid homage to 1940s film star Veronica Lake.
Cynthia Erivo, on the other hand, with her neon green gown and full-length white leather gloves, was solid in her modern update of the Golden Globe’s theme. Styled by Jason Bolden, the Valentino Couture gown emphasises eye-catching grandeur through its sharp angles, exaggerated proportions, and vibrant colour, but maintains an edginess befitting 2021 with the addition of massive silver platform heels.
The Ball Gown
Period dramas such as Bridgerton and The Great have ensured that romanticism remains a recurring staple of red-carpet inspiration. It therefore wasn’t a surprise to see many stars at the 2021 Golden Globes opt for a silhouette that would make even Gone with the Wind’s Scarlett O’Hara proud; the ball gown continues to serve a dramatic elegance both on and off the red carpet.
Bridgerton’s Nicola Goughlan and Golden Globe royalty Rosamund Pike both donned dresses from Molly Goddard. The ball gown style is updated with layers of padded tulle to construct a more modern shape around the waist, while the full skirts still give each gown that classic bygone era romanticism. Maria Bakalova, in contrast, wore a red Giorgio Armani ball gown that recalled the Disney princess dress with its minimal detailing and fine glitter.
Shimmering Patterns
Old Hollywood is characterised by its dazzling shine and glittering fashion, and the fashion of the Golden Globes were quick to pick up on this detail. Awkwafina and Tiffany Haddish attended the show in sequin-covered gowns that echoed the luminosity of 1920s stage costumes. With sequins and beads fixed into striking patterns, the stars of the red carpet shone bright while avoiding any costume-y footfalls.
Viola Davis wore a mermaid-style Lavie by CK gown that played on one of the more extravagant silhouettes of old Hollywood, but it was the lively pattern that made her stand out from the traditional approach to the theme. The brightness of her gown wasn’t a result of sequins, but rather its vibrant colours. Reds, pinks, blues, and yellows gave Davis’ Golden Globes outfit a shine that played into the architectural structuring of the Art Deco period despite the lack of shimmer.
Flashes of Skin
Classic Hollywood was dominated by dresses which highlighted the female silhouette and emphasised elements of sex appeal. The Golden Globes stars of 2021 took this a step further by incorporating cut outs, asymmetric necklines, and side-splits into their looks – imbuing the elegance of the event with peek-a-boo detailing.
Golden Globes Ambassador, Satchel Lee, wore a custom open-backed Gucci gown that played on the streamlined silhouette while featuring diamond-shaped cutouts that echoed the beaded pattern. Similarly, Kiersey Clemons wore a dress from Prabal Gurung that used a cut out on the waist to accentuate her natural curves and elongate the line of her leg peeking through the dress’ slit. Other stars noted for their show of skin include Jo Ellen Pellman, January Jones, and Emily in Paris’ Lily Collins.
Words By Charlie Colville
