At the BAFTAs, the Princess Gown Gets a Little Less Precious

Tonight in London, celebrities took to the red carpet at the 2019 British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTAs. In terms of style, the ceremony is typically one of the most experimental of the awards season: Stars are still warming up for the Oscars, which makes it a good time to take a risk and try something fun.

This year’s step-and-repeat did not disappoint. We saw many a classic princess gown, but reimagined in all the right ways—a little less precious and a whole lot more powerful. Consider Rachel Weisz in a pale yellow Gucci number, all ruffles and bare shoulders anchored by a crystal-covered belt. There was Margot Robbie in Chanel Haute Couture, the embroidered gown given a fanned-out tulle trim along the shoulders and hem. Yes, the night’s real-life royal—Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge—followed this theme: Her white, one-shouldered gown felt very current due to its soft pleats and a floral-adorned shoulder strap.

A few women played in a league of their own. Cate Blanchett chose a wildly offbeat look from the Scottish designer Christopher Kane: a curve-skimming black gown, its cut-outs filled with large gemstones. Zawe Ashton took luxe casual to the next level in a loose-fitting, eye-popping magenta dress, worn with thick shoulder straps and red carpet flats. It goes to show that even the dreamiest fairy-tale moments can be nontraditional. In fact, they should be, and more often at that.