Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Responds to That Awkward Lack of Applause
Is it that taxing to clap? When someone wins an Oscar, and you are in the audience, wouldn't you just naturally put your hands together to congratulate them?
It's not like Jenny Beavan is a controversial figure whose politics might lead someone to protest her win. We don't even know what the heck she believes in, other than bedazzling motorcycle jackets.
But when the "Mad Max: Fury Road" costume designer picked up her Oscar, it was noted that several aisle seat dwellers just couldn't force their left and right hands to join forces.
It turned into a Vine viewed more than 38 million times:
Jenny Beavan talked to The Hollywood Reporter about her chosen Oscars outfit and the lack of aisle seat applause. Spoiler alert: She's totally fine with it!
"I am a real jeans person. I have clothes to dress up in, but [the Oscars] was a really conscious thing of not just doing the plain black suit. I am British with a slightly rebellious character; I always have been. But, actually, in truth, you've seen me. I'm short, I'm fat. I really would look ridiculous in a gown. What I was actually wearing at the Oscars was sort of an homage to Mad Max — a kind of biker outfit. I thought, "If I can't beat them, or if I can't sort of join them, then why not try doing something a little bit fun?" And George [Miller] loved it. The [vegan] leather jacket had the Immorten Joe symbol on the back and I was just giving a little wink to Mad Max.
[...] I just think I was quite slow. It is so easy to trip, even though I was wearing a sensible pair of boots. I just wanted to take it slowly. And, honestly, I didn't clap the whole time [during the ceremony] — your hands get tired. We had done a huge amount of clapping by that time. They didn't have to! I don't mind in the least if they didn't clap. I felt really good, I felt the warmth, I was so proud of doing the film for George and it didn't matter what anyone else thought, really.
[...] I really do think things will all calm down, but the only thing I would like is for my outfit to have a positive effect on what women feel about themselves. You don't actually have to look like a supermodel to be successful. If that could be a takeaway, I think that would be a good thing. It is really good to have a positive feeling about yourself, because then you can do anything. People don't have to clap for you; they don't have to like the work."
She seems like a really cool lady, and good for her for being fine with the reaction. Beavan has been nominated for Oscars 10 times and this is her second win, so she can pretty much dress however she wants and be applauded or booed and it won't take away from the fact that she has more nominations and wins than Leo and a lot of other folks. She shall ride eternal -- shiny, and chrome!
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