Vera Wang Dazzles at BAFTA Nominees Party in Striking Midriff-Baring Ensemble
Fashion icon Vera Wang, at 76, turned heads and defied expectations as she graced the BAFTA nominees party in London on Saturday night. The legendary designer, known for her timeless style, opted for a daring and chic midriff-baring two-piece ensemble, proving that age is merely a number when it comes to making a fashion statement.
The exclusive event, held at the prestigious National Portrait Gallery, brought together stars and industry heavyweights ahead of Sunday’s much-anticipated award ceremony. Wang was a vision in a black bandeau cropped top paired with a matching flowing maxi skirt. The outfit perfectly showcased her toned physique, a testament to her dedication to well-being and her enduring sense of style.
To complement her bold fashion choice, Wang accessorised with long leather gloves, an oversized black hat that added a touch of dramatic flair, and a luxurious dark grey fur hand muff. She posed confidently on the red carpet, radiating an ageless glow and captivating photographers with her poise and striking looks.
BAFTA Nominations: A Deep Dive into the Contenders
The buzz surrounding the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards is palpable, with nominations announced last month by David Jonsson, a nominee for the 2025 Rising Star Award, and Aimee Lou Wood. This year’s nominations reflect a diverse and exciting cinematic landscape, with several films vying for top honours.
Leading the Pack:
- One Battle After Another: This film has emerged as the frontrunner, securing a remarkable 14 nominations, including a nod for its lead star, Leonardo DiCaprio. Its success follows a strong showing at the Academy Awards.
- Sinners: Hot on its heels, Sinners has garnered 13 nominations, indicating a strong presence in various key categories.
- Marty Supreme and Hamnet: Both films have impressed the BAFTA committee, each receiving eleven nominations.
- Frankenstein and Sentimental Value: These two films have earned eight nominations apiece.
- I Swear and Bugonia: Each secured five nominations, highlighting their notable contributions.
- The Ballad of Wallis Island, Pillion, and F1: These films round out the nominations with three nods each.
Best Film Nominees: A Clash of Cinematic Titans
The prestigious Best Film category features a strong lineup of contenders:
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
- Sentimental Value
Notably, Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel, Hamnet, has made history by breaking the record for the most nominations for a female-directed film in BAFTA history. This achievement underscores the growing recognition of female voices and talent in the industry.
The Race for Acting Accolades
The acting categories are particularly competitive this year, with a host of talented performers recognised for their contributions.
Leading Actress:
- Jessie Buckley for Hamnet (building on her Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award wins)
- Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue
- Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another
- Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone for Bugonia
Leading Actor:
- Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another (potentially his second BAFTA win)
- Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme
- Robert Aramayo for I Swear
- Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan for Sinners
- Jesse Plemons for Bugonia
Supporting Actor:
- Paul Mescal for Hamnet (despite an Oscar snub)
- Benicio Del Toro for One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein
- Petter Mullan for I Swear
- Sean Penn for One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value
Supporting Actress:
- Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners (representing a strong British-Nigerian presence)
- Carey Mulligan for The Ballad Of Wallis Island
- Emily Watson for Hamnet
- Odessa A’Zion for Marty Supreme
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value
- Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another
A Spotlight on First-Time Nominees and Directors
This year’s BAFTA nominations also celebrate emerging talent, with several first-time nominees making their mark in the performance and directing categories.
First-Time Performance Nominees:
- Robert Aramayo
- Odessa A’Zion
- Rose Byrne
- Chase Infiniti
- Michael B. Jordan
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
- Stellan Skarsgård
- Teyana Taylor
In the Best Director category, two of the six nominees are first-time contenders: Ryan Coogler for Sinners and Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme. Coogler’s success with Sinners at the BAFTAs follows a record-breaking 16 Academy Award nominations for the film, further cementing its status as a major cinematic achievement.
International Appeal and BAFTA vs. Oscars
The BAFTA nominations offer a unique perspective on the global film industry, with some notable differences from the Academy Award nods. While Wicked: For Good was overlooked at the Oscars, it has secured two BAFTA nominations for costume design and make-up and hair. Conversely, the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent received fewer BAFTA nominations than its Oscar count, missing out on key categories.
K-pop Demon Hunters was notably absent from the BAFTA nominations, reportedly due to Netflix’s decision to stream the film in the UK before its cinema release, a move that contravenes BAFTA rules.
The EE Rising Star Award: Honouring Future Talent
The nominees for the prestigious EE BAFTA Rising Star Award, the only BAFTA award voted for by the public, were also announced. This award celebrates emerging talent poised for significant future success.
2026 EE Rising Star Award Nominees:
- Archie Madekwe for Lurker
- Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another
- Miles Caton for Sinners
- Posy Sterling for Lollipop
- Robert Aramayo for I Swear
The nominees were selected by a distinguished panel of industry experts, including actors Joe Alwyn, Sheila Atim, and Benedict Wong. Previous recipients of this coveted award include David Jonsson, Mia, Emma Mackey, Kristen Stewart, Eva Green, Lashana Lynch, Letitia Wright, James McAvoy, Daniel Kaluuya, John Boyega, and Tom Hardy, highlighting the award’s track record in identifying future stars.
BAFTA’s Commitment to Storytelling and Craft
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, expressed her congratulations to all the nominated films, stating, “Huge congratulations to the teams behind the 46 superb films nominated today. They showcase the very best of storytelling and its ability to engage, entertain and provoke debate.” She further emphasised the “bold storytelling and exquisite craft” present in this year’s selections, noting the “spellbinding” breadth of narratives, genres, and styles.
Millichip also extended a warm welcome to both newcomers and veterans, expressing excitement for the “much deserved spotlight” for first-time nominees and looking forward to honouring all nominees at the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards. The ceremony, a highlight of the film calendar, will be broadcast on BBC, BBC iPlayer, and globally on February 22.
The EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, promises to be a night of celebration, recognising outstanding cinematic achievements and the vibrant talent that continues to shape the world of film.
