Time’s Up: How Hollywood Transformed The Golden Globes Red Carpet From Catwalk To Political Platform

Below is a briefly updated version of my post from before the awards, as I managed to repost it by accident! Jem x

As a photo editor for fashion magazines, awards season is one of our highlights and beyond ‘fashion month’ one of the busiest times of the year – and now with digital, the rush to upload images of the stars as they arrive on the red carpet, with the details of who-wore-what often eclipses who-won-what! It’s a powerful tool for designers, all vying to dress the stars and showcasing their talents on the global stage through the magical media trifecta; broadcast, print and online. This year however, Hollywood is harnessing the power of the red carpet, transforming it from more than a mere catwalk, to a platform for promoting change, summed up best by Eva Longoria in the NY Times;

“This is a moment of solidarity, not a fashion moment,” Ms. Longoria said. A vast majority of the women who had been contacted and planned to attend the ceremony pledged to participate, she said.

“For years, we’ve sold these awards shows as women, with our gowns and colors and our beautiful faces and our glamour,” Ms. Longoria said. “This time the industry can’t expect us to go up and twirl around. That’s not what this moment is about.”

You may have seen the below popping up your newsfeeds? It’s an open letter signed by a host of A-list celebrities, producers, directors, agencies etc pledging financial support to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund created to help survivors of sexual assault and harassment across all industries, not just their own and inviting everyone to participate.

Following shortly after the NY Times exposé of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct by journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor and the floodgates they opened, and inspired by a letter from the National Women’s Farmworkers Alliance pledging support to the victims, the Time’s Up initiative was formed and stretches beyond just the legal fund, to a series of groups tackling various issues of discrimination and disparity in the workplace. With members including; Reese Witherspoon, Shonda Rhimes, Eva Longoria and Ashley Judd, where better to shine a light on the cause than this year’s 75th Golden Globe Awards?

On Sunday afternoon, 3pm LA Time (11am (AEDT) on Monday here in Australia) the stars  began to arrive for the much anticipated red carpet walk wearing black in solidarity with all those affected by workplace harassment. Many guests also sported a specially designed pin by costume designer and stylist Arianne Phillips with Jewellery designer Michael Schmidt as shared below by Sarah Jessica Parker – a version of which is currently available via the Time’s Up Now website, along with other merchandise – 100% of the proceeds of which will go to the defense fund.

Jessica Chastain was recently spotted sporting the much coveted black t-shirt on a visit to the Jimmy Kimmel Live show and following instagram posts by a number of celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, the latest fashion must-have was temporarily sold out, but don’t panic, it is currently available on a 4-6 week back order should you wish to get your hands on one!

Then the call went global with Eva Longoria posting a message asking everyone everywhere to don black in solidarity on the day and share posts with #TIMESUP. An action also called during International Women’s Day last year when everyone was asked to wear red in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman  – women were encouraged to take the day (March 8th) off from work in protest of the injustices and discrimination in the workplace.  There was no doubt this latest call would trend globally too as did the related #METOO boosted by Ashley Judd last year.

And it’s not just the ladies getting on board, actor Edgar Ramirez shared this shot pre awards with Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Laura Dern and a baby bump cradling Eva Longoria to his instagram crediting the photographer as non other than former Golden Globe winner Brie Larson.

In fact, Natalie Portman is popping up all over the place, and apparently we have Reese Witherspoon to thank for her finally jumping on the Instagram train! So far all posts are related to the #TIMESUP movement, including the quickly trending tile below explaining the move:

Plus this fantastic shot of stars and activists post-ceremony driving and supporting the #TIMESUP initiative.

With a new slogan T and a black theme, there was still a great deal of buzz surrounding how each star’s outfit would meet the brief on the red carpet this year – how awesome would it have been if the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had joined in and rolled out a black carpet?

Stylists urged designers to contribute to the fund and those who dressed the stars this year will hopefully, more than ever before, earn their place as part of a conversation reaching far beyond sartorial style. And while the conversation of who-wore-what was not the focus in the red carpet, acknowledgments were still made thanks to Instagram! Oprah thanked Versace via her Insta account for example…perhaps they’ll design her outfit if she announces a run for the 2020 candidacy? #OprahForPresident! We can hope right?!

And so, the fashion wheels keep turning and, not for the first time I might add, they have contributed to pushing forward a movement, not just a trend, and one that will last a lifetime, not just a season. #TIMESUP.

Join in the conversation and let us know your favorites in the comments below or via our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Jem, x