Emmy’s red carpet was a testament to restraint. Monochromatic long gowns with asymmetrical twists, and an emphasis on waists, were the evening’s trend. Understated glamour was the watchword of the night with men stepping forward as stylishly as women. Kit Harington with a tidy beard tamed his famous locks in a slicked back look. His black bow tie, pearl buttons and Bulgari watch smacking of the powerhouse he has become. Adam Levine had the best accessory with new wife Behati Prinsloo who wore a sweeping black gown, demure with it’s long sleeves and high neck, yet revealing skin through the chiffon bodice and sleeves. Adam, in true rocker style, made a statement with his shoes, sunglasses, and forewent the bow tie completely. The Breaking Bad men, Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, went retro with the traditional black bow tie and tux, though Brian added flair with an Errol Flynn-style mustache, and a white pocket accent. His partner, Robin Deardon, continued the elegance of the night in a silver gray asymmetrical long gown with a train – the cut showing flesh but hiding more.
Lizzy Kaplan, her hair neatly coiffed in this season’s side part, and bun, seemed covered up from the front but teased with a plunging back in a long black gown with a white train that was not only an optical illusion but epitomized the art of the 60s that seemed to inspire designers this year. Red was also dominant. Julia Louise Dreyfus took a dress that could’ve been blah and added a modern twist with a thin belt that made the gown current and stylish. January Jones, always marching to her own drummer wore an unusual red concoction by Prabal Gurung. Uzo Aduba looked nothing like her character Crazy Eyes in a fitted red gown, hair upswept, minimal jewels and a waterfall train. Claire Danes red Givenchy had the asymmetrical peekaboo lace at the waist, a thin belt and upswept hair – the jewels at her neck like a collar.
While green was worn by Orange is the New Black’s Laura Prepon, Alison Tolman, and Sarah Silverman – also accentuating her waist with a jeweled belt in a dress by Marni, Kristen Schaal, Danielle Brooks, Lucy Liu, and Selenis Leyva, Kristen Wiig, Gwen Stefani, Kate Mara, Laverne Cox, and Dascha Polanco the latter in a Joanna Johnson fitted bodice and Cinderella skirt with a jeweled belt, mimicked the bridal trend of white on the red carpet.
Sofia Vergara was hourglass perfect in a Robert Cavalli that must have been a design master holding up her famous upper half without a strap in sight. But it was Robin Wright who may have walked away with the look of the night. Hair short hair swept off her face, understated make-up in a white tuxedo shirt tucked into another seasonal trend: High-waisted trousers. She looked simply stunning in the Ralph Lauren design.
Julia Roberts bucked the trend with a short flouncy blue dress by Elie Saab. Sarah Paulson deserves a special mention in a black gauzy gown dotted with red drops. The elegance was so consistent, one almost felt nostalgic for the wardrobe malfunctions, unitards, and flesh as dress, of the VMAs.
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Margaret Gardiner