Awards season has yet to end any time soon, and not even the thought of a digital event could stop us from celebrating the performances we’ve seen in film and television over the last year. the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (aka the SAG Awards) was originally pushed back from the 24th of January to the 14th of March, and then later rescheduled to the 14th of April after a clash with this year’s GRAMMY Awards. Better fashionably late than never, right?
Airing last night via pre-taped video, the ceremony mixed up its usual format with a combination of award presentations and “I Am An Actor” docuseries-inspired interviews with nominees and winners. The broadcast itself was dramatically reduced from its usual three hours to one, running through all fifteen categories without its usual emphasis on event entertainment. Winners were also notified in advance so that their acceptance speeches could be filmed remotely – a move that was decided upon in order to allow actors to remain in their production bubbles if filming.
Prominent winners of the night include the late Chadwick Boseman (who also set the record for most nominations in a single ceremony) and Viola Davies for their performances in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Anya Taylor-Joy for her role in The Queen’s Gambit, and Jason Bateman for his performance in Ozark. The cast of The Crown took home the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
The ceremony was also ground-breaking for the fact that it marked the first time that winners in all four acting categories were people of colour.
The fashion on show did not disappoint either. Check out our favourite looks from the night below:
Cynthia Erivo
The actress has smashed the digital red carpet this awards season with her elegant and bold outfit choices. The SAG Awards were no different, with Erivo donning a floor-length Alexander McQueen gown in a light champaign colour. Compared to the neon statement of her Golden Globes attire, Erivo’s SAG dress is a return to minimal sophistication both in terms of colour palette and silhouette. However, she maintained an edge with her styling, as seen by the pair of chunky black boots peeking out from her skirts. The subsequent look was a testament to Erivo’s ability to stun in any style.
Nicola Coughlan
Forgoing the lighter tones and pastels worn by other celebs, Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan opted for a lacey black dress by Christiano Siriano to mark the SAG Awards. Made up of a sheer, lacy overskirt and sleeves, with plenty of frills in between, Coughlan’s dress was marked as a gothic take on the romantic aesthetic – and we couldn’t agree more. The combination of a dark dress and richly toned makeup gave the actress an air of sophisticated maturity, while injecting some drama into the fashion landscape of the night. Coughlan’s entrance lived up to the impact of her onscreen character, and then some (if you know, you know).
Regé-Jean Page
Another Bridgerton star to add to our list is none other than Regé-Jean Page, aka the Duke. Making his SAG Awards debut in a black velvet Louis Vuitton suit, Page certainly showed that the sensual sophistication of his onscreen character carried into the real world. The textured material of his suit was offset by metallic flashes from buttons and pins, as well as a black patterned shirt that matched the lapels of Page’s blazer. The outfit was rounded off with a pair of black quilted loafers and a gold chain that Page wore on his wrist, reinforcing the relaxed classiness of the overall look.
Kerry Washington
SAG nominee Kerry Washington made literal waves with her outfit for the night. Dressed in a blue beaded Etro gown and Bugari jewels, Washington offered a more unique take on the red carpet photograph by posing half-submerged in her pool. The dress, which was paired with a matching cap, was reminiscent of both the costumes worn by 1920s showgirls and synchronised swimmers. The latter was accentuated all the more by the swirling beaded patterns on Washington’s outfit, which mimicked the form and movement of water when submerged.
Jared Leto
Spring was obviously on the mind when it came to styling up musician and actor Jared Leto. Dressed in a pastel purple Gucci suit – with matching sheer shirt and silk scarf – Leto stood out for his eccentrically chic styling. The bold colours of his outfit were complemented by its retro silhouette (who said flares were dead?), which Leto accentuated with a pair of heeled boots. The outfit was topped off with a bejewelled scallop shell-shaped clutch bag, adding a bit of sparkle to the overall look. The actor is scheduled to play designer Paolo Gucci in the upcoming film House of Gucci, and if his impact on the digital red carpet is anything to go by, then we’re more than excited for its release.
Emma Corrin
The Crown actress has consistently impressed with her award show attire this year, taking each opportunity to try new styles and completely change her appearance. Having opted for more glamourous fits recently, it was a bit of a shock to see Corrin in a Prada dress with a pleated half-skirt layered over the top. On its own, the pastel blue and white dress addressed the oncoming spring season with beaded and lace floral detailing, but the incorporation of the grey Prada half-skirt and chunky black boots injected an element of street style into the overall look. Combining elements of femininity and edginess, the outfit is a reflection of how Corrin continues to surprise both on and offscreen.
Josh O’Connor
Unlike his onscreen counterpart, The Crown’s Josh O’Connor was suited up in a brown Loewe creation that emphasised a more classic look. The three-piece suit was an elegant statement that also gave a nod to the season through its light colour and floral accessory: a red boutonnière. The actor wore the suit with a white high-collared shirt and black loafers, finishing off the outfit with sophisticated overtones.
Jurnee Smolett
American actress Jurnee Smollet was an unexpected star of the show in a hot pink Zuhair Murad gown. The Lovecraft Country actress made a dramatic statement with a short, puffed dress that billowed out behind her in a long train, showing off the long line of her legs perfectly. The fun pop of colour made Smollet stand out for all the right reasons, channelling a vibrancy that added some much-needed excitement to the digital ceremony. Smollet styled the head-turning ensemble with a silver necklace and shoes, acting as two pinpoints which drew attention up and down the actress’ outfit and across every detail.
Leslie Odom Jr.
The One Night in Miami… actor received two nominations at the SAG Awards, and subsequently attended the event with the intention of stealing the show. Decked out in a multicoloured Berluti suit and matching turtleneck, Odom Jr. carried off the fluid mix of colours with a poise that only emphasised the chic tailoring of the outfit. The swirling shades of colour covering the fabric offered a nod to the psychedelic aesthetic of the 1960’s, an era which is explored in One Night in Miami…
Lily Collins
Emily in Paris star Lily Collins attended the SAG Awards in a light pink Georges Hobeika dress, Cartier jewellery, and Casadei heels. The bejewelled pink minidress closely adhered to the spring aesthetic, with a light and airy colour palette that was accentuated by beads arranged in floral patterns. A detail of note was the bedazzled overlayer resembling a breastplate, which matched the collar and sequin detailing covering the rest of the dress and provided an edge to the otherwise feminine ensemble. The overall look balanced between elegant sophistication and preppy chic, giving its wearer a multi-faceted visual impact.
Words by Charlie Colville
