Everything
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. In fact, this is the moment we wait for at every red carpet event; Billy Porter’s avant garde arrival, and boy, did he deliver. After a week of attending runway shows during London Fashion Week, Billy Porter descended onto the purple carpet at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles for the 2019 Emmy Awards.
It is hard to beat the past seven days of outrageous looks, but amongst a sea of billowing gowns and loud bursts of colour, the Pose star delivered a striking power suit, bejewelled with $55,000 worth of crystals – how’s that for extravagant? Inspired by Studio 54 and a nod to the disco era, Porter and his stylist Sam Ratelle approached Michael Kors for a custom couture suit drawing style cues from Spring/Summer 2020. The result is 130,000 crystals adorned on a long-line double-breasted blazer and wide-leg pants.
“We’re living our fashion dreams, that’s for sure!” stylist and creative director Sam Ratelle told The Hollywood Reporter. “I feel like people are expecting something obnoxious and grand, but I think [his look tonight is] going to be striking in a different way that just exudes class. I want to insure that, given that he’s just turning 50, this is a monumental moment for Billy and his career. Given that he were to win an Emmy award, I want to make sure that these photos are iconic for the rest of his life and history because we’re going to see them for a while.”
But a Porter look is not complete without a pair of platform heels and Stephen Jones Millinery hat – another custom piece for the star – another $50,000 worth of diamond jewellery from Oscar Heyman and even crystallised nails.
Here’s to you Billy Porter; now go win an Emmy.
