There’s red carpet dressing, and then there’s whatever etherial height was reached at the Los Angeles premiere of Black Panther last night. ‘Magical’ doesn’t quite cover it. The dress code was “royal attire requested,” and last night was a celebration of African culture and royalty.
LUPITA NYONG’O
Where do I even start? Lupita Nyong’o can do no wrong anyway, as far as I’m concerned, but this is another level of excellence. The Black Panther star shines in a custom Versace gown, with her long-time stylist Micaela Erlanger telling The Hollywood Reporter that “there’s definitely a nod to her warrior character Nakia here.” Queen.
CHADWICK BOSEMAN
THAT JACKET. Of course the *actual* Black Panther / T’Challa would be looking regal as hell.
The king has arrived. 👑 #BlackPanther @chadwickboseman pic.twitter.com/ZVTL1qNRHN
— Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (@theblackpanther) January 30, 2018
ANGELA BASSETT
Cause of death: Angela Bassett rocking a mustard, Naeem Khan jumpsuit. And those are LeSilla platforms peaking out beneath the frills.
DANIEL KALUUYA
On top of everything else, Daniel Kaluuya looks like he’d be really, really comfy here, and that’s making me happy. And LOOK HOW STOKED HE IS WITH HIS SHOES.
Daniel Kaluuya: ‘Look at the shoes. BAM! My aunty creamed my feet in the car’ 😂 #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/LFKiFVIXhF
— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) January 30, 2018
DANAI GURIRA
Danai Gurira is a shimmering queen in this Viktor & Rolf dress and I love it. Her red carpet game is consistently on point and this is no exception.
ZINZI EVANS & RYAN COOGLER
Black Panther director Ryan Coogler keeping it simple with a dope suit and just a flash of royalty, while his wife Zinzi Evans is goddamn slaying the purple carpet. Perfection.
LETITIA WRIGHT
Ahhh Letitia Wright. This Bibhu Mohapatra gown is flawless and it’s a shame it almost gets lost in the other purple carpet looks because it’s frankly great.
DONALD GLOVER
I have one thing to say about the delicious range of incredible suits Donald Glover wears to events like this: someone please collect them and put them in a museum. This Dolce & Gabbana one will be the centrepiece, obvs.
JANELLE MONAE
Black Panther: if you’re feeling it, please go a little “royal attire” in your premiere outfit thanks.
Janelle Monae: I AM A QUEEN AND WILL DRESS AS SUCH. Christian Siriano, eat your heart out.
ISSA RAE
Issa Rae in Rosie Assoulin is a match made in heaven. More of this forever, please.
JANESHIA ADAMS-GINYARD
THIS is how you stand out on a red / purple carpet. Janeshia Adams-Ginyard is a stunt woman, actress and pro-wrestler who was a stunt double for Danai Gurira in the film. This look is hot fire.
ATANDA KANI
Atandwa Kani, a Tony Award-winning South African actor, plays the young T’Chaka in Black Panther and we can absolutely see the resemblance to Chadwick Boseman, tbh.
RYAN MICHELLE BATHE & STERLING K. BROWN
Oh yeah, and their son, Andrew, throwing a LOOK on the purple carpet. This kid is going places.
DAVID & JESSICA OYELOWO
Yep, great, this miss-match of prints is wonderful, but I’m running out of things to say here so NEXT.
STORM REID
Honestly, I wish I was anywhere near as cool as Storm Reid is at 14 years old. The 12 Years A Slave actress is about to appear in A Wrinkle in Time and also featured in Jay Z‘s Family Feud short with Beyoncé. Damn.
YARA SHAHIDI
Yara Shahidi looking like an actual goddess here.
MILES BROWN
This is 12-year-old Miles Brown and he is LIVING his best life.
MARTIN FREEMAN
You might think that Black Panther actor Martin Freeman‘s look is insanely boring here, but let I remind you that he’s a middle-aged British white man. A brown, spotty tie is WILD.
ANDY SERKIS
Ditto for Andy Serkis doing his thing with a very 70s shirt that I need to see up close (and not in a sexual way).
Also, just gotta end this piece with one final, incredible pic:
I mean, these goddesses. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/LxzotUlX6g
— Darrell Borquez (@DarrellBorquez) January 30, 2018
The premiere of Black Panther began with a standing ovation and ended with gushing early reviews. The film comes out in Australia on February 15; get yourself to a cinema as soon as humanely possible.
I’m very envious of those who saw #BlackPanther last night. I Can’t even have breakfast yet because of this salty taste in my mouth…..
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) January 30, 2018
