After a television pause last year, the 2023 Golden Globes awards show was back on NBC. It was an uneven broadcast with some touching moments (hello, Jennifer Coolidge), a welcome inclusion of diversity (from the nominees and winners to the red carpet interviewers, the effort the Hollywood Foreign Press has made to update and diversify the organization is visible), and many, many awkward moments like when host Jerrod Carmichael made small talk with the pianist, or when Carmichael made Tom Cruise Scientology jokes, or when Carmichael, well, you get the idea. To be sure Carmichael had a thankless task trying to helm the comeback show, but his schtick did him no favors.
Onward to the fun part: the fashion! I'm starting with the ladies, but I have to admit I thought the men really brought it last night. The show featured a good deal of chiffon, structural ruffles, traditional ball gowns, traditional meets modern, pops of color that reminded me of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette movie, fitted bodices, and minimal jewelry.
My overall favorite last night is perennial standout Michelle Williams. Williams glowed in frothy, ruffled Gucci. The gown featured a creamy color, structural ruffles edged in small jewels, and a perfectly placed leg slit to break up said ruffles. The ruffle perfectly highlighting her shoulders and collar bone really made this confection work. Her casual updo and radiant minimal make up really made the complicated dress shine.
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All hail ageless Angela Bassett! Another stand out was the Wakanda Forever star in a slinky silver sequined halter-style Pamella Roland dress. She balanced the modern, sleek style with old Hollywood style hair and a classic cat eye.
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Lily James ruled the ballgown trend, albeit with modern cut-outs, in her stunning red Versace gown. She paired her more traditional shaped gown with a modern, sleek lob which also highlighted her Harry Winston jewels.
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Anya Taylor-Joy brought all the sunny vibes to the red carpet in her yellow two-piece Dior gown. The sheath wrap skirt was paired with a bandeau top with a fun bow in the back. This gave us the traditional meets modern look we saw a great deal on the red carpet last night.
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A huge favorite of mine last night was Top Gun: Maverick actress Monica Barbaro. Barbaro looked straight out of the Eisenhower era in all the best ways. Her orange-based red tulle Dolce & Gabbana gown was swoon-worthy. The color of her fitted bodice with a twirly ballgown skirt dress matched her lipstick. She finished her look with diamond flower earrings.
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Additional standouts last night were Rhea Seehorn, Quinta Brunson, Jennifer Hudson, Michelle Yeoh, Julia Garner, and Margot Robbie.
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Until the last ten years men's fashion at awards shows were pretty much a yawn, basic black tuxedos all around. No more! Between Billy Porter's over-the-top fabulousness to Henry Goulding's classic velvet tuxedo, the men's red carpet game was taken up 1000 notches.
Jeremy Pope's traditionally cut leather suit and Justin Hurwitz's umber velvet tuxedo were gauntlets thrown down on the carpet for every other dude to try to match this awards season. Well played, guys.
Here's a toast to the 2023 awards season!