Filmmaker Nia DaCosta Was the Year’s Breakout Red Carpet Star
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When it comes to big, splashy Hollywood red carpets, attention is often put on the A-list stars who front a film—but this year, filmmakers proved that they can be just as much of a fashion star. Whether it was Sofia Coppola’s stealthily chic looks worn during her Priscilla press tour, or Greta Gerwig’s refined ensembles while promoting Barbie, directors hit the step and repeat in statement looks that rivaled their cast members. Another standout movie-maker this year? That would be The Marvels director Nia DaCosta, who emerged as one of the year’s breakout red carpet stars.
Having made a splash with her directorial debut Little Woods in 2018 (it even won the Nora Ephron Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival), DaCosta has since solidified her status as one of the industry’s must-watch talents, with her 2021 sophomore film, a take on the classic horror Candyman. This year, DaCosta also directed Brie Larson, Zawe Ashton, and more in The Marvels—which centers around Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Larson) in the Marvel cinematic universe. “The shoot was so much fun—letting my nerd flag fly was really the best part,” DaCosta tells Vogue of making the film. “Finishing a movie like that is such a huge undertaking, so I’m really proud of my whole team. I’m also excited because I m shooting my next film, [Hedda], in January, and I’ll be working with a lot of the same crew!”
As she cements her place in Hollywood, DaCosta has also solidified her own personal style for the many carpets and events that she regularly attends. “I try to be holistic about what the event is, and how much fun I can have with it,” says DaCosta about her approach to red carpet dressing. At last month’s premiere for The Marvels, for one, she chose a colorful white and green, one-shouldered Issey Miyake gown. “I really love things that are structural, but have an organic, flowing feel to it,” says DaCosta.
At the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London last month, she opted for a vampy black Acne Studios gown that was deliberately shredded. “I wanted to wear something like lace—not a lot of fabric,” says DaCosta. “I loved that it was really sexy, which is what I was going for, but I also loved all of the layers and texture. And it was super comfortable!” At London’s VogueWorld event in September, she also opted for a colorful Carolina Herrera floral frock that was complete with a voluminous tulle skirt. “It looked like a circus tent on a hanger, and I was like, ‘Let’s try this on,’” says DaCosta. “It was really fun.”
DaCosta says she’s had to train herself to be okay with embracing her flamboyant approach to fashion: “As a director, there’s this assumption that you’re going to be in a suit. Historically, women are trying to be taken seriously in this very male industry, and perhaps trying to get away from that [has meant] avoiding things that might feel frivolous. But that’s all changing—there’s so many women killing the game right now, and they dress however the hell they want.”
