Last night was the New York premiere of The Butler, the Lee Daniels film about a long-term African-American employee at the White House. Fun fact: The script was written by Danny Strong, aka Jonathan on Buffy and Doyle on Gilmore Girls. But this is a red carpet fashion post and we're here for the clothes, so let's take a look.
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were very elegant and well-accessorized in black. Even more elegant: Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash Whitaker. Looking très divine: Cicely Tyson. And is Lenny Kravitz wearing the type of dinner jacket a butler might wear? Very clever.
Looking shiny and shimmery: Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley; Stedman Graham and Oprah Winfrey. In chic black narrow-leg ensembles we have Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts — we've seen some bad jumpsuits lately, but hers is effortless, comfortable and cool.
An long asymmetrical dress certainly frames Minka Kelly's face, but is there too much fabric? Much prefer the violet lacy streamlined number on Yaya Alafia. A bare midriff and tight gold skirt don't seem right for an evening with Oprah, but loving Fantasia Barrino's hair and lip color.
Lawdamercy, Jane Fonda is rocking the hell out of those tight jeans and that sequin jacket. A simple black and white look is so fresh and so clean clean on Keshia Knight Pulliam. Debbie Harry's fierce sunglasses and evening-lounging-on-a-yacht shirtdress say haaaay.
Mmmm, tasty and delicious well-cut suits. That's Cuba Gooding Jr. (with Sarah Kapfer); James Marsden; and yes, your boyfriend Jesse Williams.
TILT TILT TILT DING DING DING LEVEL UP BONUS JESSE WILLIAMS TRIPTYCH, LET'S JUST GET LOST IN THOSE EYES FOR A MOMENT
All the black is very nice and classic, but it's so great to see people wearing color! That's why these are the best looks of the evening: Tika Sumpter is stunning in a coral red dress that's fitted without being too snug. Georgina Chapman's floaty white dress (let's assume it's Marchesa) is a midsummer night's dream. And Gayle King and Kirby Bumpus are sweet and refreshing in orange creamsicle frocks.
(BTW, Minka Kelly plays Jackie Kennedy in this movie. James Marsden plays JFK and Liev is Lyndon B. Johnson. Jane Fonda plays Nancy Reagan.)
Images via Getty.