Blackout at BAFTA

BAFTA went the Golden Globe way, as celebs wore black in solidarity with the Me Too movement

In a move mirroring last month’s Golden Globes initiative, black continues to dominate the red carpets of award ceremonies with the 71st British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) witnessing a sartorial blackout. To push for higher respect and equality since the Hollywood sexual harassment scandals and to show solidarity with the Time’s Up initiative and #MeToo movements, stars stunned in black as they walked the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Jane Lush, chairman of BAFTA, opened the evening telling the starstudded audience that it was important to acknowledge a “difficult” past year and noted efforts to tackle gender inequality. “Brave revelations have followed brave revelations of bullying and sexual harassment, and which to all our shame has been hidden in plain sight for decades,” she said. “This is a moment in history, and it should be a watershed, a catalyst for lasting change.”

Though most attendees followed the all-black dress code, the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was a notable exception, in full-length dark olive chiffon gown with a black belt by British designer Jenny Packham.

British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) 2018, held in London on Sunday, was less about awards and more about the Me Too movement. Taking a cue from the Golden Globe awards held last month, the attendees wore black and sported Me Too pins, to show solidarity in the fight against sexual harassment in the film industry.

However, the night’s biggest female winner, Frances McDormand, who won Best Actress for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, did not join in the sartorial protest, stating in her acceptance speech that though she supported the movement, she had “a little trouble with compliance.”

Many female celebrities brought feminist activists as their dates to the event, using the platform to amplify others’ voices. Before the ceremony, an open letter signed by 190 women, including actors Emma Watson and Carey Mulligan, was published in The Observer, calling out sexual harassment and abuse.

PHOTO: JOEL C RYAN/INVISION/AP PHOTOS: JOEL C RYAN/INVISION/AP who won Director Martin McDonagh, movie, five BAFTA awards for his Ebbing, Three Billboards Outside badge Missouri, wore a Time’s Up (Top right) Angelina Jolie and (above) Jennifer Lawrence in black outfits Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, wore an olive...

PHOTOS: HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS Allison Janney, who won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for I, Tonya, wore a dramatic Bibhu Mohapatra gown Actor Lupita Nyong’o went for an Elie Saab Couture gown inspired by the medieval times Actormodel Cressida Bonas arrived at event in a ruffled...

Hugh Grant (left) wore a black suit to the event while his girlfriend, Anna Eberstein, was seen in a black dress and blazer

Actor Margot Robbie, nominated for Best Actress for I, Tonya wore an embellished Givenchy gown

PHOTOS: JOEL C RYAN/INVISION/AP Actor Lily James, who starred in Darkest Hour, was seen in a voluminous Burberry gown

PHOTO: VIANNEY LE CAER/INVISION/AP Greta Gerwig, nominated for best original screenplay, was seen in a Jonathan Cohen Fall 2018 dress

Last year’s Rising Star nominee, actor Anya TaylorJoy went for a Dolce & Gabbana lace dress and golden tiara

Best Actress winner Frances McDormand expressed her solidarity with the movement despite not wearing black

Gary Oldman, who won Best Actor award for Darkest Hour, wore a black suit along with a bow tie at the event