THE ROYAL-APPROVED GLOVES WE ALL NEED

With stars out in full swing for the British Academy of Television and Arts Awards (BAFTA’s), its a time for our on-screen favourites to dress up. During the night of significance, the royally-titled Queen of Repeats, Cate Blanchett wore a Maison Margiela Couture black gown designed by John Galliano which she first wore to the 2015 Oscars; and not shy of repeating; Princess of Wales in an ethereal Alexander McQueen gown. The white chiffon gown which seen her exude all the elegance of a Grecian goddess – up-cycled from her 2019 BAFTA look. Cleverly modified, the dress been re-designed from a ruffled shoulder detail to a draped detail, adding a touch of opera with jet black elbow grazing gloves.

Runway gloves: Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta and Valentino

Causing style divide, the gloves are designed by Cornelia James and are not to be confused with evening gloves, opera gloves reach above the wearer’s elbows. They first gained popularity in the Regency Era, and remained in style throughout the Victorian and then Edwardian Eras of the 1800s and early 1900s. Opera gloves were popular even in the 1940s and 1960s. Though opera gloves have existed for centuries, they have always evoked themes of high-class. Even the name “opera gloves” makes the accessory sound like they should only be worn to glamorous, formal events. “Initially they were used to determine a woman’s wealth and status. Today, it’s a frequently used accessory among international top-stylists,” CEO of Handsome Stockholm Ingrid von Konow explained to Vogue Scandinavia.

Standing the test of time, Opera gloves appeared on Regina Hall at the Golden Globes in January 2023. Then, at the Grammy Awards in February, Doja Cat, Bebe Rexha, and Beyoncé all sported them as well.

So with a style resurgence and a royal re-approval – shop our edit below!