Billy Porter turns heads in Oscars dress inspired by Kensington Palace
Billy Porter isn’t just brushing off critics upset that he’s wearing his 2019 Oscars tuxedo dress on an upcoming episode of Sesame Street. On Sunday, the Pose star shut down naysayers with another daring frock on the Oscars red carpet.
The Emmy winner — who was tapped to co-host ABC’s Oscars pre-show coverage — made a dramatic entrance in a custom couture creation from British designer Giles Deacon. The head-turning look featured a gold foil feathered sleeveless top paired with a voluminous ball skirt with a graphic print in shades of orange.
Porter added extra dazzle by wearing gold metallic platform boots by Jimmy Choo, Atelier Swarovski jewels, a custom Judith Leiber handbag and embellished Dita eyewear.
Welcome to the #academyawards2020. Let the fashion games begin! Wearing @gilesgilesgiles custom couture. Jewels by Atelier @swarovski. Custom shoes by @jimmychoo. Creative Direction and Style by @sammyratelle. #oscars2020 #oscarsredcarpet ? pic.twitter.com/AO96wlqPPq
— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) February 9, 2020
According to the New York Times, Porter’s majestic look was inspired by something on a lot of people’s minds: the British royals.
“This look is all about royalty,” the actor told the newspaper.
Video: Billy Porter Rocks Gold Feathers on Oscars 2020 Red Carpet
Porter’s look takes inspiration from the Georgian era and Kensington Palace — London residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton and, formerly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — after the star’s stylist, Sam Ratelle, toured the palace last year. The walls of the palace’s Cupola Room, with its wood and marble elements and gold statues of Roman deities, were turned into an enlarged print for the balloon skirt he’s wearing. Porter is expected to swap the skirt for pants in the same print later in the evening.
“I love the idea of Billy being this kind of messenger sent from the gods,” Deacon told the Times.
Though Porter’s look is bound to subvert gender norms, Ratelle — who likened the Jimmy Choo platforms to “a parallel of a stripper shoe in Georgian times” — said he doesn’t “see female energy” in the red carpet look.
“I see a dude,” he told the paper. “I see a dude wearing armor, wearing something that’s artistic and innately couture.”
But it wasn’t all glam. Porter was forced to cover up with a gray blanket thanks to the bad weather.
It’s raining in LA and it’s cold Betches!!! https://t.co/gpsXJxERfp
— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) February 9, 2020
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