Anticipation of red-carpet style is generally not what Tony Awards night is known for, but this year, there was anticipation for Billy Porter, the reigning fashion hero of the Golden Globes, Oscars and Met Gala, among other awards shows in 2019.
The winning streak continues. He arrived in a glamorous creation by Celestino Couture. Their tagline is couture “designed with a purpose, using only up-cycled and organic materials.”
The one and only @theebillyporter has arrived on @TheTonyAwards red carpet! ✨ pic.twitter.com/zw6ClgXsmY
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) June 9, 2019
Pittsburgh native Porter’s pink-and-red tailored suit was a confection whipped up from the velvet curtain that was the gateway to the role of a lifetime — drag queen Lola in "Kinky Boots," for which he won the 2013 Tony as best actor in a musical. "Kinky Boots" closed on April 7 after more than 2,500 performances, but lived on for another night at the 2019 Tonys.
The designer called the outfit a “gender-fluid evening suit,” according to The Hollywood Reporter, which added that it was embellished with over 30,000 Swarovski crystals.
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg. Sign up for the PG performing arts newsletter Behind the Curtain at Newsletter Preferences.
First Published: June 10, 2019, 12:04 a.m.
