Runway to Red Carpet: The 2005 BAFTA Awards Fashion Review

The BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards are the British equivalent of the American Academy Awards. Their awards ceremonies include a red carpet, much like their American counterparts, although (not surprisingly) the fashions tend to be more traditional and restrained. I don't usually cover the BAFTA red carpet, mainly because the fashion isn't quite as fun or "wild." But it occurred to me that it might be a good opportunity to look at how a celebrity's look begins with either a runway model (if they choose a piece from an existing designer collection) or a sketch (if they opt for a custom design). So here are some of the looks from the recent BAFTA Awards, along with their origins. 

[Note: There were some other notable looks on the red carpet, but for the purposes of this entry, I am only including looks for which I was able to find the original runway look or the designer's sketch. This may make this entry a little short, but I have just been informed that the SAG Awards are on tonight so I have to get this one finished so I can move on to that!]

Anna Kendrick wore a 1920's-inspired sleeveless trumpet gown from the Georges Chakra Couture Collection from Fall 2025. The pleated black silk chiffon gown featured a deep v-neck front and back, black beading over the bodice and down to the hip, black crystal fringe at the shoulders, a flat bow belt, and a short train. The original runway look was accessorized with a wide black Alice-style headband with crystal beading and flared below-the-elbow black gloves, but Kendrick accessorized with emerald and diamond jewelry by Bulgari, including a diamond necklace with a central 35-carat emerald, a matching pair of earrings, and a large ring. 

Ariana Grande continued her post-Wicked pink-themed red carpet looks in this two-toned custom Louis Vuitton gown. The black velvet top plunged to the waist while the full pink taffeta skirt comprised a floor-length straight hem, a slightly curved knee-length bubble skirt, and bubble ruffles at each hip. Styled by Mimi Cuttrell, Grande accessorized according to the original sketch, with a Y-shaped diamond necklace and round diamond earrings by Chaumet, her hair in a sleek bun topped with a black bow, and a perfect shell-pink French manicure setting off her single ring. 

Camila Cabello chose a champagne-colored Sabina Bilenko Couture design from the Spring 2025 collection. The ensemble combined a corset-style strapless satin bodice with matching bikini-cut panty overlain with a crystal "web" forming a high-necked "bib" that joined the bodice then feel into a sheer skirt with a short all-around train. Although the look would have been great at the Grammys or the Oscars, it was a little much for the more reined-in BAFTAs. Stylist Katie Qian left Cabello's hair loose and center-parted with long curtain bangs, and accessorized with Tasaki jewelry, including dangling earrings, several rings, and a multi-strand bracelet which echoed the beading of the dress. The casual hairstyle didn't work for me as well as the severe, slicked-back style on the runway, but I did love the way the earrings and bracelet tied in to the design.

Demi Moore wore a custom Alexander McQueen halter dress with a geometric design and patches of color. It reminded me of an abstract take on stained glass, which I really liked. The original sketch included a lot more color in the skirt, as well as a more irregular hem, but for the BAFTAs, I like that the final design toned it down a little, yet the sparkliness still gave it a very festive feel. Stylist Brad Goreski accessorized according to the original design with loose, straight hair and diamond drop earrings by De Beers, adding only a diamond cuff bracelet.  

Isabella Rossellini wore a Dolce & Gabbana printed silk maxi dress (you can buy it yourself for less than $2700) with pink and yellow roses on a brown background. The lining was leopard print, as visible in Rossellini's cuffs (and the back neck of the top photo). The picture from the collection accessorized with a black handled purse, which I didn't love, but Rossellini carried a pink silk satin Marlene bag that I did love and which perfectly matched the roses, and she also wore a stunning fan-shaped emerald necklace and dangling earrings by Bulgari that transformed the look from a high-end caftan into an elegant ensemble. 

Marisa Tomei wore a black velvet gown by Sophie Couture. She slightly modified the original runway design by removing the floor-length drapes from the sleeves and slightly lowering the top of the front slit, but keeping the plunging neckline, squared-off shoulders, and the gorgeous beaded detail at the waist and hip. She wore a slightly looser hairstyle and accessorized with earrings by Buccellati and pointy black ankle-strap pumps. 

Mimi Keene wore a strapless tan and blue lace ballgown from Christian Dior's 2025 Dior Resort collection. Despite its formal silhouette, the colors and textures felt very casual and country to me. I was glad that Keene skipped the overly elaborate necklace worn on the runway, which competed with the pretty lace pattern on the bodice, and I also preferred her loose hairstyle, which fit better with the more casual feel of the dress. But the look still felt out of place on the red carpet. 

Monica Barbaro wore an elaborately draped and beaded champagne-and-silver halter dress from the Armani Privé Spring 2025 collection. Stylist Jeanann Williams wisely skipped any jewelry other than a pair of diamond stud earrings, allowing the gown to provide all the sparkle needed, and tied in Barbaro's makeup in soft shades of peach and coral, opting for straight side-parted hair instead of the slicked-down marcelled waves and beaded cap of the runway.  

Nico Parker chose a gown from Chanel's Fall/Winter 2024 collection, featuring silver & aquamarine crystals scattered across the entire dress as well as encrusting the center panel of the bodice, sheer straps, and a two-tiered semi-sheer floor-length skirt over an above-the-knee opaque underskirt. I liked both that the bodice was less bloused than on the runway, and that the length was nearly to the floor rather than ankle-length, as on the runway model. Stylist Rebecca Corbin Murray added a tiny diamond pendant and earrings, both also by Chanel, as well as a pair of pointy-toed Manolo Blahnik pumps, and a softly waved chignon with a single curl falling over Parker's shoulder. 

Pamela Anderson wore an off-the-shoulder white column from the Jacquemus Spring/Summer 2025 collection. The very simple silhouette was accented by crushed fabric and a long train. Anderson wore the same (or at least very similar) shoes worn on the runway, and Pandora jewelry, including a 68-carat lab-grown diamond necklace, some of the stones of which were recycled from her 2024 Met Gala jewelry. As has been her wont of late, she eschewed makeup, and wore her hair in a simple loose style. Honestly, I find her much more beautiful today than I did back in her heavy makeup days. She is more naturally beautiful than I ever realized. 

Saoirse Ronan wore a pale green custom Louis Vuitton gown with a silk double satin stole designed by Nicolas Ghesquière. The original design is simple and sleek, yet took 300 hours to create. Styled by Danielle Goldberg, Ronan wore simple drop diamond and white gold earrings from Jessica McCormack and a slicked-back hairstyle. Her vivid red lips and the icy shade of the gown bring the focus to her gorgeous blue eyes.  

Vanessa Williams wore an olive green organza Pamella Roland gown from the Fall 2025 collection, featuring puffed long sheer sleeves, a double ruffle on one shoulder, a wide chain belt, and a flared skirt with a tiny train. Styled by Vaanita Oakey, Williams wore diamond drop earrings similar to the runway model, but a soft updo hairstyle with long wavy bangs that echoed the soft curves of the dress. 

I love seeing the difference between a) a sketch and a final design, and b) a runway look and a red carpet look. It reminds me of how much a difference hairstyles, makeup and accessories can create. So the designers deserve some credit, but so do the stylists. Congratulations to all who are involved in turning a piece of clothing into a coherent and flattering look!