74th Golden Globes Emphasize the Global

Meryl Streep
Photo: NBC

Recap of the actual hot three-hour mess: Jimmy Fallon (already on a low flame with some liberals for playfully tousling the Republican candidate’s hair on his show) became toast after suffering a “Mariah moment” with a malfunctioning teleprompter during the opening monologue, basically disappearing for the remainder of the show; “newcomer” Meryl Streep, accepting her Cecil B. DeMille award by issuing a polemic against one Donald J. Trump, who like it or not is about to become our 45th president. Nice sparkly dress though! Oh, and Brad Pitt showed up looking none the worse for wear, to thunderous applause.

Pretty pretty princesses Emma Stone, Hailee Steinfeld, Chrissy Teigen

Now for the red carpet fashion: Judging by the proliferation of princess looks seen on last night’s Golden Globe attendees, Hollywood’s fashion pendulum is swinging somewhere between film’s “LaLa Land,” and television’s “The Crown,” both of which scored handsomely during the political statement masquerading as an awards show.

Where is the prom Janelle?

It seems that the supposed vilification of the words “Hollywood,” “Foreign” and “Press” may have given rise to the idea that “fairy tales can come true (it could happen to you”) if you wear an escapist princess dress.

Lily Collins

Fantasy gowns befitting of Kate Middleton were seen on the likes of Lily Collins (Zuhair Murad), Nicole Kidman (Alexander McQueen), Sofia Vergara (Zuhair Murad), Emma Stone (Valentino), E! host Guiliana Rancic (Rani Zakhem), Chrissy Teigen (Marchesa), Priyanka Chopra (Ralph Lauren) and Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhuillier. (I will not count Georgina Chapman in the mix– as co-designer of Marchesa, that is always her aesthetic and she probably runs out for a quart of milk in lace, tulle and beading). By the way, in case you don’t feel old enough, the great musician Phil Collins is now known as the father of Lily (sheesh!).

Olivia Culpo

Other influences particularly on hairstyles included “Game of Thrones” (although it wasn’t up for any awards this year) as witnessed by Jessica Chastain, Olivia Culpo and perhaps Sarah Jessica Parker who may have been channeling another recently fallen princess known as Leia. A tribute to “Trolls” as well as Shrek’s Princess Fiona may have eked into the ether of the hair salon (maybe through “Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,”) and produced these looks.

Naomi Campbell and Carrie Underwood

Another sartorial theme – Architectural looks as seen on Naomi Campbell (Atelier Versace), Amara Karan, Blake Lively in velvet Atelier Versace, Reese Witherspoon, and most unfortunately on Carrie Underwood whose pink sculptural neckline was compared to a brain, a rose, and even likened to a part of the female anatomy.

Kirsten Bell and Mandy Moore

Plunging black gowns were a thing though as witnessed on Mandy Moore, Jessica Biel (complete with flattened side boob but sans runway necklace in an Elie Saab gown) and Kristen Bell in sequined black Jenny Packham.

Ruth Negga Missed the Met Gala


Other special mentions: Ruth Negga looking like she had dressed for last year’s “Manus x Machina” Met Ball in a metallic sequined Louis Vuitton gown while Janelle Monae is even later to the ‘80s prom.  When did Goldie Hawn morph into Melanie Griffin (the same plastic surgeon perhaps?) and Kristin Wiig turn into Sarah Paulson?

Kathryn Hahn and Evan Rachel Wood

The year of the pantsuit was extended and celebrated by tuxedoed Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra (she also called to mind David Bowie and Marlene Dietrich); Octavia Spencer in a dark suit and Felicity Huffman in a white and gold beaded jumpsuit . In contrast but no less effective was last year’s best actress winner Brie Larson presenting in a femme fatale deep red strapless gown by Rodarte.

Brie Larson in Rodarte

History came back to me as Ms. Paulson won for portraying Marcia Clark in the OJ Simpson TV series. An even worse reminder that I’m no spring chicken — Kerry Washington’s response to Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet about her portrayal and political times of Anita Hill in the HBO film “Confirmation” – “I remember my parents arguing about it.”  Ouch!

– Laurel Marcus

Laurel Marcus

OG journo major who thought Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style" was a fashion guide. Desktop comedienne -- the world of fashion gives me no shortage of material.

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