Something is happening in the world of award-show-dressing.  I can’t quite put my finger on precisely what it is, but it’s palpable.  Maybe stylists are collaborating more closely with their clients?  Perhaps designers are creating their confections with particular actors in mind?  Whatever it is, I like it.  And while most of the looks are “safe” or “classic” there’s absolutely nothing wrong with serving elegance at an elegant affair!

Keeping this in mind, the red carpet is a place (if not the place) to kick things up a notch; taking that elegant look and pairing it with some slightly over-the-top accessories, and a fierce hair and make-up story, and looking beat to the gods.  So, I’ve compiled some slides that group various trends I enjoyed on the red carpet at the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

TOUJOURS GLAMOUR Not a trend, per se; but is there any quality more apropos for a “star” to channel on a red carpet than glamour?  Not in my book!  Here are those who nailed it, all around.   Taraji P. Henson combined a closely-shorn head with a Reem Acra gown that managed to be naughty (read: barely there) and nice (read: the blush hue, bows and star appliques), with Nirav Modi jewels (which seemed to be lucky talismans for those wearing them, this night). Brie Larson rode the minimal/modern wave in Jason Wu’s asymmetrical sheath with its curved slit – worn with Repossi earrings – and gave every indication that she was ready to “cut a bitch” (if you’ll pardon the expression).

Thandi Newton paired her incredible bone-structure with a Schiaparelli Couture dress that combined the surrealist mindset of the house’s founder (Elsa Schiaparelli, duh…) with the savoir-faire of the house’s new design director, Bertrand Guyon – and to wonderful effect.  And Viola Davis!  Thank you!  In a strapless ivory peau de soie gown from Vivienne Westwood, worn with Nirav Modi’s dramatic “Grand Celestial” diamond necklace, Davis gave us a thoroughly modern take on old-school glamour.

Does this mean every woman should be in a gown and every man in a tuxedo?  Absolutely not! 

PANTS, PLEASE! Women’s’ formal suiting has never been more present on the red carpet.  Look at the waves made by Evan Rachel Wood this awards season, by refusing to wear a dress as a message to young women - this time in a custom midnight blue velvet ALTUZARRA cocktail suit (worn with Salvatore Ferragamo heels, a Judith Leiber clutch, and jewels from Tiffany & Co.) that was simultaneously dramatic and chic.  Naomie Harris, who went with a Lanvin jumpsuit with chain-detail, took a chance, and it worked. 

And statuesque glamazon, Gwendoline Christie, in that black-sequined Vivienne Westwood Couture belted jumpsuit, has cemented her relationship with Westwood as a designer/muse pairing for the ages, noting Westwood’s “activist mindset” as what continues to draw her to the godmother of punk design.  Meanwhile, her Game of Thrones costar, Michiel Huisman, mixed continental flair with good old fashioned handsomeness, in a well-cut shawl-collared evening suit of black velvet.

NOT-SO-BASIC BLACK When worn properly, the eveningwear staple can give its wearer (and those who see her) life!  For my money, Sarah Paulson on the red carpet is pretty much heaven on a Triscuit, and at SAG she did not disappoint.  Wearing a Vera Wang tuxedo-inspired strapless dress (both with and without Wang’s coordinated ivory capelet) and ethereal hoops from Nirav Modi, with a sleek ‘do, Paulson killed it.  I’ve really enjoyed Kathryn Hahn’s looks, this year, and sticking to the rocker-chic look she featured at the Globes, she wore the bejeezus outta that ADEAM dress with its futuristic fabrications and built-in corset with grommets.  Also, a big thumbs-up on the hair! 

Unlike most models who wear things on the red carpet that just look ridiculous (I’m looking at you, Klum!), Chrissy Teigen knows how to work a formal look while still kicking-up the sexy.  To wit: this tuxedo-dress by DSquared2 that plunged down-to-there, while being slit up-to-there (two things that should rarely be done on the same garment) that she wore with a lariat of onyx, diamonds, and emeralds and a single diamond and emerald earring (that can be converted to a brooch, fyi…) – both by my pal, Nikos Koulis, whose Art Deco-inspired jewels have won him raves (and not just from me).

Tracee Ellis Ross looked wonderful, and used her flowing black Ulyano Sergeenko dress as a backdrop, against which her ruby tassel earrings from Narcisa Pheres, and her quartet of brightly colored rings (a pearl ring from my friends at Yvel on one hand with a ring from L’Dezen; and a pair of flower rings by the brilliant Lydia Courteille, on the other).  If you ask me, the folks at COUTURE should talk to her about fronting their #ShowMeYourRings campaign; but I digress.  So, to complete the Not-So-Basic Black category I give you the wonderful Octavia Spencer who wore a beautiful black dress with a peplum and sheer-detail designed by her longtime red carpet collaborator, Tadashi Shoji; who always makes Miss Octavia look marvelous.  Spencer lit-up her Shoji with jewels from Jacob & Co. including a dramatic pair of turquoise and tsavorite earrings.

Now, you’re probably thinking “But Shulman, that’s only three categories (with corresponding slides), so where are the rest?” Well, you’ll just have to come back for Part 2, where we’ll go into these trends – Jewel Tones, The Gun Show, and Shoulders.  Also, my three picks for best jewels of the night.  See y’all, then!

Red Carpet Fashion
2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards
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