It’s not every day Oscar winner Cate Blanchett compliments you on your attire. Let alone Schitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy and Golden Globes winner Michelle Yeoh. But just one look at Cynthia Erivo’s custom Louis Vuitton gown and Tiffany & Co. jewellery for the 2023 BAFTA awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday night, and it’s no wonder the elite of Hollywood couldn't help but gush.
‘I automatically knew that is was special and unique and I was extremely happy with it,’ Erivo recalls on first seeing her custom copper embroidered gown during a chat with ELLE UK ahead of the BAFTAs ceremony.
‘I loved the deep bronze metallic colour. Each slice of bronze was individually stitched on, and the entire dress was fitted to a tee!’
The halterneck sleeveless gown featured an asymmetric constructed high collar and a flared skirt with an exaggerated train at the back, and was covered in approximately 20,000 rectangular-shaped sequins – individually applied with a crochet and needle, we might add - which gave a fluid movement to the structured ensemble.
Louis Vuitton shared with ELLE UK that it took a total of 280 hours to assemble the gown, with an additional 800 hours to hand-embroider it. So it’s no wonder Blanchett - who won the BAFTA for Leading Actress on the night – felt compelled to tell the Wicked actor that she was leaving a ‘trail of glitter’ backstage at the event.
‘Cate B was right!’ she jokes after the event. ‘I was flattered that she mentioned it. On her way to make that speech she told me I looked hot. I blushed!
‘Michelle Yeoh said I looked beautiful and my presenting partner, Eugene Levy, made me walk on the inside so he wouldn’t “block the dress.” Some said it was like a phoenix.’
Erivo styled the look with a pair of gold-coloured sandals and a gold sequinned bag by Petite Malle, and opted for a grungy-yet-polished make-up look, comprising of a metallic smokey eye and dark brown lip.
‘Last night was such fun, I’m still floating!’ she says. ‘Nicolas Ghesquière and Jason Bolden know how to create a moment in a dress, I’m lucky they like me. I love them!’
You can read more 2023 BAFTAs coverage on ELLE UK here.
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