Cynthia Erivo’s Stellar SAG Awards Look Was a Tribute to Aretha Franklin

Cynthia Erivo is an essential presence on the red carpet. The multi-talented British-Nigerian star is a joy to watch during awards season thanks to the inventive and eclectic looks she and stylist Jason Bolden create. Last night at the SAG ceremony in Santa Monica, Erivo stole the show in a custom look from Louis Vuitton. At first glance, her red vinyl strapless gown designed by Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquière conjured thoughts of sci-fi heroines, but Erivo had another reference point in mind. The arresting style of music legend Aretha Franklin served as the starting point for one of the evening’s best ensembles. While everyone remembers Franklin’s stage presence and inimitable vocals, Erivo, who portrayed the icon in the limited series, Genius: Aretha, wanted to convey her commitment to glamour. “She was so exciting with her style and fashion choices,” Erivo shared post-event. “This was a throwback to some of the ways that Aretha would dress. She was never not risky, always took it with a pinch of salt, and had a bit of fun with it.” 

Franklin’s fashion legacy reflects in the crimson color palette and voluminous silhouette of Erivo’s SAG look. A distinctive bell-sleeved caftan that the musician wore on the Andy Williams Show in 1969 proved especially influential. “There was this incredibly cool outfit she wore from the 1960s that was bright red and orange, and it had feathers all over it,” says Erivo. “This look feels like a modernized version of that—very much in the vein of Aretha.” Indeed the sweeping faux fur cape embroidered with red and silver chains captured the spirit of that moment. 

Even the outfit’s hidden details paid homage to Franklin’s wardrobe. A footwear aficionado, Franklin wore heels her entire career and even requested to be buried in a favorite pair of metallic Christian Louboutin pumps. “She loved a shoe,” says Erivo, whose shiny red LV sandals peeked out from beneath her skirt as she walked the carpet. “The ones that I am wearing particularly remind me of a pair of shoes that she had.” 

Once she made her way into the venue, Erivo’s evening was something of a reunion. “The thing I enjoy the most about the SAG Awards experience is that it is all of your peers hanging out together. If you haven’t seen them within the year, you’ll see them there,” she says. “It is just a bunch of actors that have been doing great work, and those are the people that have gotten you there in the first place.” 

Blessed with a well-deserved nomination for her performance in Genius: Aretha, Erivo found herself grateful she could share the moment with those who contributed to it while honoring the woman whose story she brought to the screen. “The fact that I am nominated is because of most of the people in that room, so it is so nice to see them all together [during] a fun evening with everyone celebrating one another,” she says. [Being nominated] feels a little bit like I get to congratulate Aretha for all her work and throw it back to her, which is awesome. It feels like I am getting to give her back her flowers.”