Billy Porter Wore a Dress to the Oscars and People Have Strong Opinions
Billy Porter is a stage performer, singer, and actor. He is a 49-year-old, black gay man who also considers himself an activist for gay rights. He is very out and proud when it comes to his sexuality. He wore a pink cape to the Golden Globes back in January. However, nothing prepared the internet for his iconic, beautiful, elegant, and gender-defying tuxedo dress that he showed up in to the 2019 Oscars red carpet.
Porter wanted to push the boundaries of masculinity. He wanted to bring up the question of what even is masculinity in the first place. Porter was bored with the idea that guys had to wear boring tuxedos, and the women could wear beautifully elegant gowns. When talking about what he and the dress designer Christian Siriano's wanted for the dress he said “we wanted to play between the masculine and the feminine. This look was interesting because it’s not drag. I’m not a drag queen, I’m a man in a dress.” Porter thinks that there is absolutely no reason that a woman should be able to wear a suit, but a man shouldn’t be able to wear a dress.
His tuxedo dress had a tuxedo top and a velvet ball gown bottom. Siriano is originally from Maryland, and he has been designing clothes since he was thirteen. He was the youngest ever winner of Project Runway, and he's been known for designing for everybody. Porter says that “he was the first person who understood that everybody wears clothes—not just size zeros.” Porter wore six-inch chunky boots from Rick Owens. Owens is known for defying gender norms and creating more rock and roll/edgy fashion. He also wore beautiful Oscar Heyman jewelry to compliment the velvet gown. He wore the gown as he walked the red carpet, but eventually, he changed into a more simple tuxedo top, and palazzo pants bottom for his interviews. He did this because he thought it was a lot more practical.
Billy Porter has always been interested in fashion and loves how fashion is a way to express himself and his sexuality. He has always wanted to wear a ball gown, but he has never known when or how to do so. He found inspiration from New York fashion week. He thought that there was more of a conversation happening of what is feminine and what is masculine in fashion, or if there should even be a difference. Then recently, Porter was in Paloma Spain and after that experience, he said “genderless boys floated down the runway in gorgeous chiffon dresses and capes. It was lovely. Fashion has the ability to touch people in a different way.” When talking about fashion he said “It really is astonishing how much of an affect clothes have on your spirit.”
Reactions to Porter’s fashion selection were incredibly mixed, ranging from long hate messages and rude comments to strong praise:
“A man wearing a dress that's what society has come to today how gross.” Said one commenter.
“Man WTF you got on? You look ridiculous!” Said another
However, many people felt differently. Some people felt like this one of the best things to ever happen to mens fashion.
“KWEEN breaking all gender barriers!! Slay!!!” Said a commenter
“This is a masterpiece my eyes have been BLESSED”
“FABULOUS. The actual definition!”
“This is one of the most beautiful looks I have ever seen, such a beautiful balance of masculinity and femininity. Perfect execution!”
Needless to say, a lot of people have a lot of opinions, and some people felt better about it than others. No matter what your opinion is on Billy Porter, or his queer expression you cannot deny this gown was groundbreaking, gender-defying, and pushed many stereotypes.