Taking the lead in fashion
THIS year’s best dressed Hollywood newcomer is Lupita Nyong’o, the Yale School of Drama-educated actress garnering awards buzz for her role as the abused slave Patsey in 12 Years A Slave.
Nyong’o, who is styled by Micaela Erlanger, has been working the red carpet circuit since September and hasn’t made a misstep yet. What’s she doing right?
She’s got range, and each look has something special to say.
Nyong’o is comfortable in everything from an indie cool Rodarte flame-coloured brocade and leather dress (an inspired choice for a film festival in the Mardi Gras capital of the world, New Orleans) to an old world Chanel Couture high-neck black tile sequin dress and doublebreasted tweed jacket, worn to a benefit in New York City honouring style icon Tilda Swinton.
She doesn’t shy from colour. But she can also master the classics, including the sublime black-andwhite Lanvin goddess gown with ribbon detail across the neckline she chose for the Britannia Awards.
She can rock modest long sleeves (the crystal-dusted ivory Prada gown she wore to her Toronto Film Festival premiere) as well as flirty cutouts, as seen on the Christopher Kane black bodycon dress in which Nyong’o stepped out at her London premiere.
The message? My career is just beginning. I can be a model or spokeswoman for anyone and everyone. And just to make sure the fashion world is taking notice, Nyong’o in October made the rounds at Paris Fashion Week too. – Los Angeles Times/McClatchy-Tribune Information Services