Elizabeth Banks kicked off the 2024 award season with help from Dolce & Gabbana.
For the 81st Golden Globe Awards, the actor and filmmaker worked with stylist Erin Walsh to select a crystal-embellished gown from the Italian fashion house, and pair it with matching stilettos, jewelry from Messika, and slicked-back hair.
“We decided to look to the classics for inspiration and interpreted it in a way that feels empowering and modern,” Banks tells Harper’s Bazaar in a conversation about her look for Sunday night’s ceremony at Los Angeles’s Beverly Hilton. “Dolce & Gabbana’s version of a black column dress with a corseted waist and incredible texture is a classic look on steroids, and Messika’s subversive take on pearls adds an unexpected twist.”
Before even sitting down in the makeup chair, Banks went through her normal pre–award show routine, which includes a lymphatic drainage facial massage with Camille Fields (“Not only because it makes me feel pampered, but mostly because it gives me time to relax”) and, most importantly, a good night’s sleep. Then, for her glam for the Globes, Banks took inspiration from a ’90s fashion powerhouse, to give the overall look a bit of edge.
“We used a lot of ’90s models as a reference, but especially Kate Moss,” she says. The look was crafted by makeup artist Adam Breuchaud and hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. “You can never go wrong with a Kate Moss reference and the effortless look of the ’90s. As I get older, I’m all about showcasing the freshest version of my skin, looking clean and modern.”
Last night’s Globes came after a busy year for Banks, who had her hand in two of the most talked-about movies of 2023: Cocaine Bear (which she directed) and Bottoms, starring Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott (which Banks produced).
“I’m always proud to be promoting the voices of Emma [Seligman], Rachel, and Ayo, who are the next generation of comedy in our business,” Banks says. “And I am always excited to surprise people with my work and keep people guessing what I’ll do next.”
As for the rest of award season, Banks says she’s simply thrilled to see Hollywood back in action again, after simultaneous strikes by the writers’ and actors’ unions brought the entertainment industry to a monthslong halt last year.
“The annual tradition of seeing friends and colleagues during this time of year is something I always look forward to. Post-strike, it’s especially important to celebrate with a community of my peers,” she says. “It’s always fun to celebrate movies and television with the incredible artists who make them.”
Bianca Betancourt is the culture editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, where she covers all things film, TV, music, and more. When she's not writing, she loves impulsively baking a batch of cookies, re-listening to the same early-2000s pop playlist, and stalking Mariah Carey's Twitter feed.
