Just call her the evening’s breast dressed.
Lupita Nyong’o made a major statement on Sunday’s Tony Awards 2023 red carpet, clad in a ultra-realistic silver breastplate molded from her own naked body.
The Oscar winner described wearing the custom Misha Japanwala design as “a shameless out-of-body experience” on Instagram, adding that she was “honored, humbled, strengthened and energized” to wear the one-of-a-kind creation on the Tonys carpet.
“Misha Japanwala is a Pakistani artist and fashion designer, whose work is rooted in the rejection and deconstruction of external shame attached to one’s body. In her artistic process, she creates a realistic and true record of a person’s body as an act of resistance and celebration, and an insistence on being allowed to exist freely in our bodies,” Nyong’o, 40, continued.
Lupita Nyong’o was the talk of the Tony Awards 2023 red carpet, thanks to her Misha Japanwala breastplate.Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
She wore the custom silver creation with a black velvet blazer and flared trousers.Getty Images
She shared behind-the-scenes look at her head-turning Tonys outfit on Instagram.Instagram/lupitanyongo
Japanwala has also made lifelike breastplates for Cardi B, Halsey and Julia Fox.Instagram/lupitanyongo
Japanwala has crafted similar breastplates for Cardi B, Julia Fox and Halsey, and her exhibition “Beghairati Ki Nishaani: Traces of Shamelessness” — which Nyong’o shouted out in her caption — is on view at Hannah Traore Gallery in New York City until July 30.
Styled by Michaela Erlanger, the “Black Panther” beauty wore the nipple-freeing (but not) number with a black velvet blazer, flared trousers, De Beers diamonds and a Bella Rosa Collection clutch; her freshly shaved head was adorned with an eye-catching henna tattoo by artist Sabeen.
Nyong’o was dressed by her longtime stylist, Michaela Erlanger.Instagram/lupitanyongo
The “Black Panther” actress was nominated for a Tony for her performance in “Eclipsed” in 2016.REUTERS
Janelle Monáe — who’s never been afraid to bare it all herself — praised Nyong’o’s look as “phenomenal” in the comments section, while Naomi Campbell deemed it “DIVINE.”
But not everyone was on board with the boob-centric style.
“Not a classy look at all very distasteful,” one critic commented; “No one could wear this in public…so who is going to buy this?” another asked.
While most of Nyong’o’s Instagram followers loved her look, some weren’t sure what to make of the ultra-realistic breastplate.Instagram/lupitanyongo
Japanwala’s exhibition “Beghairati Ki Nishaani: Traces of Shamelessness” is on view at Hannah Traore Gallery in New York City until July 30.Instagram/lupitanyongo
Several astute followers pointed out that art is meant to provoke, with one applauding the “poignant message” of Japanwala’s bespoke breastplate.
“Art isn’t going to please nor be understood by everyone,” they added.
But perhaps another fan put it best, writing, “news flash everyone: women can wear what we want and we don’t care what you think.”
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