Sound of Metal’s Olivia Cooke Embraced Old Hollywood for Oscars Night

On Sunday night, Hollywood reconvened for the red carpet of all red carpets, the Oscars. With a dress code of “inspirational and aspirational,” the Academy Awards invited a return to the high glamour awards season fashion that many have so sorely missed. So despite being 5,000 miles away in London, Olivia Cooke—who this weekend was celebrating her film Sound of Metal’s six nominations—not only took this style mandate on board, but elevated it to the next level. 

Wearing a glitzy pink gown by Atelier Versace, Cooke worked with her stylists Kate Foley Osterweis and Alexandra Cronan of Studio & to deliver a look that paid homage to some of cinema’s most legendary figures. “As it was my first Oscars—albeit virtual—I wanted to celebrate Old Hollywood,” Cooke tells Vogue from London, where she’s filming the much-anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series. “After falling in love with that dress, I felt like it was only right to try and pay homage to two Hollywood legends: Veronica Lake and Lauren Bacall.”

Consisting of a meticulously fitted bodice and a sheer skirt featuring dramatic tiers of pink crystals that echoed the ruched fabric of a cinema curtain, it was a perfectly fitting tribute. “As soon as I tried it on at my first fitting it struck me as appropriate for an event as special as the Oscars,” says Cooke. “It’s such a rare, intricate, and elegant piece and I’ve never worn anything like it. It felt so good to wear something like that after a year with very few—any—excuses to dress up.” Meanwhile, working with hairstylist Ali Pirzadeh and makeup artist Celia Burton, her red hair was teased into glossy, cascading waves, along with a glowing beauty look that included a hint of blush to set off the dress’s baby pink hue. “I also opted for vintage diamond earrings,” adds Cooke of the Art Deco jewelry she sourced from Sandra Cronan. “As you do!” (While getting ready, you can also spot Cooke in a custom-embroidered Fleur du Mal robe.) 

Even if the look was perfect for a night of hedonism and decadence, with her busy filming schedule, Cooke had to make the more sensible decision to celebrate Sound of Metal’s wins for Best Sound and Best Film Editing the morning after. “Being as the show started at 1 a.m. here, I celebrated early by having a delicious dinner on the terrace in Claridges, then ordered about 10 coffees from room service but was passed out by 11 p.m.,” she says, laughing. “So I toasted with a cup of tea in the morning—I tried to stay up, I really did!” When the world opens back up again and Cooke can be reunited with her Sound of Metal castmates and crew, you can be sure she’ll have plenty of time to celebrate. 

Below, follow Cooke as she takes us behind the scenes of her opulent Oscars look.

Stylist: Kate Foley Osterweis and Alexandra Cronan of Studio & 
Stylist Assistant: Gal Klein 
Make-Up: Celia Burton
Hair: Ali Pirzadeh
Nails: Robbie Tomkins