BAFTAS 2023: The must-see looks from the red carpet

Cementing the overriding trend of the BAFTAs 2023 red carpet as monochrome, the Prince and Princess of Wales donned complementary black and white looks. Catherine, Princess of Wales, went for simple elegance in a floaty one-shouldered white gown and black accessories while William, Prince of Wales, opted for a classic velvet double-breasted tux.

Cate Blanchett has no problem pulling off some of the more avant garde high fashion looks but, perhaps in line with the quietly chic and expensive style of her character in Tár, she’s opted for something a little more understated for the BAFTAs. Which isn’t to say I’m not a fan. Those subtly structured shoulders are the ideal edgy element to offset an abundance of pearls.

Want to know just how cool Michelle Yeoh is? Not wanting to punch holes in her (probably incredibly expensive) Dior cape suit, she opted to wear her blue #WithRefugees ribbon as a ring – which she then modelled on the red carpet like an absolute pro. Goes rather nicely with her jaw-dropping Moussaieff jewellery and Richard Mille watch, doesn’t it?

Florence Pugh never met a piece of tulle she didn’t love – and I’m here for it. The vibrant orange hue is just bright enough to avoid clashing with the carpet and I’m a big fan of the way her hair echoes the pleated ruffles. Let’s just hope the Royal Festival hall offers stair-free access; I don’t love her odds in that tight fishtail.

Opting for the sheer trend that has been sweeping the red carpets this awards season, West Side Story star Ariana de Bose chose a neutral Fendi Haute Couture beaded gown, worn over a matching bodysuit and complemented by Bulgari Serpenti jewellery, for the BAFTAs 2023.

British actress Gwendoline Christie has never been one to shy away from drama on the red carpet and the BAFTAs 2023 were no different. With her platinum hair set in loose Hollywood waves, Christie donned a voluminous tiered A-line gown.

Switching things up a little from the usual penguin suits, Richard E Grant makes a case for both double-breasted tailoring and a white tuxedo jacket. Throw in some patent shoes and gobstopper of a watch and I’m sold.

It’s London in February. No one can blame Jamie Lee Curtis for wanting to wear a jacket over her white silk gown. The choice of oversized black tailoring could have erred a little too far into ‘bride at 1am wearing her new husband’s dinner jacket’ territory but the minimalist approach to hair and jewellery keep things fresh.

If you’ve been tuning into the fashion week street style imagery you’ll know that metallics are having quite the moment. Sheila Atim, nominated for a Rising Star BAFTA, takes things to the next level in this shimmering silver Prada gown and Chopard jewellery.

Her viral celebrity interviews have made her a national treasure and now Alison Hammond is taking them to the big time as the host of the 2023 BAFTA awards ceremony. In a sparkling sequinned gown, voluminous black wrap and with a few draw-dropping rocks for good measure, she looks every inch the Hollywood star.

As someone who has spent her life creating fantastical gowns for celebrities and brides who think they’re celebrities, the weight of expectation must have laid heavy on Vera Wang’s shoulders this evening. She needn’t have worried, in a minimalist asymmetric shift dress and contrasting black bralet (I suspect from her own line) she’s the picture of nonchalant cool.