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.”
Directors like Janicza Bravo and Coppola have inspired DaCosta to experiment with her own look. “I remember seeing these behind-the-scenes photos of Sofia Coppola on the set of Marie Antoinette, where she’s wearing a mini skirt,” says DaCosta. “I was like, ‘Oh, you can still wear whatever you want.’ Just because you re a woman director doesn t mean you have to be a drag king on set. That image of her gave me a lot of freedom.”
Of course, DaCosta’s approach to day-to-day style isn’t quite as exuberant as what her red carpet approach is. When it comes to casual wear, DaCosta says she enjoys wearable staples with a cool, modern slant. “In the summer, I wear a lot of dresses and sheer stuff,” she says. “In the fall, I really do love a sweater. I have a couple of sweaters from The Row, and they’re perfect. Right now I’m also really into turtleneck bodysuits and jean shirts, and boots by Chloé and Acne Studios.”
DaCosta is also a big collector of vintage and archival designer, citing favorite labels such as Alexander McQueen and Issey Miyake. “I just picked up this really fucking awesome Alaïa two-piece when I was in Paris for fashion week,” says DaCosta. “It’s a hunter green lace—the purple version of it was worn by Naomi Campbell on the runway, back in the day.” She finds such gems at stores like Sleeper in L.A., or Relic in London—“when I’m trying to blow up my whole life and bank account.”
As for what you can expect DaCosta to be wearing in 2024, when awards season kicks off? She’ll be busy filming Hedda—but she does have her sights set on even more fashion experimentation. “I love what Daniel Roseberry is doing at Schiaparelli,” says DaCosta. “I’m trying to be more adventurous with clothes; It’s really fun to be someone different for a day.”
Photo: Getty Images1/3
Photo: Getty Images2/3
