True-confession time: Sometimes even a tireless fashion editor needs a nap. This is why I was facedown in a pool of pillow Monday night, while Black Panther had its “red carpet” premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood
But every so often, you wake to a reality better than anything you could possibly be dreaming of; which is exactly what it felt like waking up to the royal AF purple carpet rolled out for the cast of the most anticipated film of our year. And now I’m rethinking my wardrobing choices for opening night Feb. 16, because while my body is ready, after looking at Lupita and the Dora Milaje-clad actresses, I’m clearly not well-dressed enough for Wakanda. Not yet, at least.
Come through, black royalty! From director Ryan Coogler and his wife, Zinzi Evans, to a fringe-laden Angela Bassett—who reminded us that black women invented the color yellow (at least according to our intrepid weekend social media editor, Corey Townsend Black Panther cast and crew showed up and showed out Monday night.
Black Panther baes: Ryan Coogler and Lupita Nyong’o at the “red carpet” premiere of Black Panther on Jan. 29, 2018, in Hollywood, Calif. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Black love, Wakandan style: Producer Zinzi Evans and husband and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Lexus)
On the fringe: Angela Bassett (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Dashiki chic: David Oyelowo (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
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Crowned Miss Wakanda: Danai Gurira (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Ready for box-office battle: Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
The villain always wears black: Michael B. Jordan (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
When Star Wars met Wakanda: Mellody Hobson and George Lucas (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
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Marvel heroes travel: Iva Colter and actor Mike Colter (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Always a classic: Forest Whitaker (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
How much do we love this moment? Miles Brown and Angela Bassett (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Black royalty: Janelle Monáe (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Lexus)
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Purple reign: Lupita Nyong’o (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Lexus)
More black love: DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Lexus)
Yaaaaas, Queen! Issa Rae (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Is this velvet? Daniel Kaluuya (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Lexus)
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Laced: Tessa Thompson (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Lexus)
Grown-ish and glorious: Yara Shahidi (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Ayyyyyyye: Snoop Dogg (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Lexus)
From The Chi to Wakanda: Lena Waithe (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Lexus)
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Tangerine dream: Donald Glover (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Lexus)
Black on black: Chloe Bailey and Halle Bailey (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Lexus, for us (and looking like a Crown Royal bag): Custom Black Panther Lexus LC (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Lexus)
She makes the magic happen: Costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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Not a Wrinkle in sight: A Wrinkle in Time star Storm Reid (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Glee to be in Wakanda: Amber Riley (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
From Mudbound to Wakanda: Director Dee Rees (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Flawless: Florence Kasumba (Rich Polk/Getty Images for Disney)
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She Red-dy: Shaunette Renee Wilson (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
We roll deep and delicious: The chefs of Ghetto Gastro (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
From One Universe to Another: Actor Storm Reid and director Ava DuVernay (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
