The TIME Next Gala happened last night in New York as the magazine recognised an incoming class of changemakers. And we’ll start with my girl Anna Sawai who, in her toast, called herself the “first Asian actress to win an Emmy in my category and the first Japanese actress to win any Emmy”. That’s right, embrace your title!
But also, Anna followed that by making it clear that it took too long, and paid tribute to the Asian actresses who came before her and why playing “Mariko” in Shōgun made such an impact on her.
By the way, if you haven’t already been watching, she is just as mesmerising in season two of Pachinko. As for her outfit – the skirt is sublime. Look at the detail at the waist – it’s not just that it dips and rises, it’s the tiny folds that make it so distinctive.
And I am so surprised that it’s Tory Burch?!
Nicola Coughlan’s toast started off politically because she kicks it off by hoping for America that it will soon, in a month, have its first female president. And then she pivoted to Ireland and her country’s first female president, Mary Robinson. Her toast was dedicated to President Robinson and she went to talk about many of the former president’s achievements and concluded with a call for peace.
Nicola was in custom Dior, a belted black off-the-shoulder gown that fits her beautifully. And I very much like the choice of wearing her hair loose and almost casual.
Unfortunately not as into Ashley Park’s look for the night. And this is unexpected because Ashley for me is always a style winner. Remember when Taylor Swift showed up to the football game in denim on denim, that corset and shorts? Look at how much better it works on Ashley.
But the dress at TIME Next …wasn’t giving. And the hair is so 90s but the 90s that we didn’t bring back. This, for me, is a rare miss.
Sabrina wore silver, clingy, it’s well within her style range and that range often makes me laugh. Because, like, take her hair for example. On anyone else, this hair is a flop. She’s 25 and she looks at least a decade older. But this is also Sabrina’s signature, a look that she’s committed to at least for this stage in her career, with this album. It’s consistent, it’s recognisable, it’s not super stylish, no, and it might even be a little tacky. But it feels deliberate, with a sense of humour, and for that reason, it’s actually a bonus. Here's an example: like in what world would bouncy curls and tucked under bangs be the sh-t? And somehow… she makes it funny and fun.
Here’s Shaboozey, crushing it in a beautiful jacket with that pearly button detail over trousers and a long wrap. He’s new to this, but he’s serving up a taste of his fashion potential. Shaboozey has never been to the Met Gala. But there’s no way he won’t be there next May if the schedule allows. If he’s free that night, I can’t wait to see how he interprets the Black dandy theme.
And finally, my personal best dressed of the night…
Renee Rap, in a warmup jacket over a belted skirt. This is SO good, so fresh and funky and so totally her. Definitely will be trying to recreate it.
