The 2020 Emmys will be less haute couture and more hazmat.
The all-virtual Emmy Awards will include presenters wearing full hazmat suits to hand out awards. Producers said the presenters wearing specially branded Emmy gear might be “visiting some of the winners live during Sunday night’s telecast.”
While this “Contagion”-like lab gear is on theme for this pandemic-panicked year, producers said the purpose is simply a precaution to keep actors safe.
“Not only is this a fun and irreverent visual, but it also ensures the health and safety of all of our winners and the presenter by following all of the health and safety protocols — with a twist,” producers said.
Around the time lockdowns began this year, Erykah Badu wore a Louis Vuitton hazmat suit to accept an award at the Texas Film Awards in March.
The Emmy version is also designer duds. The garbage-bag-black suit, which looks like a “formal” tuxedo, was created and designed by costume designer Katja Cahill, who typically dresses presenters at the Academy Awards, and executive producer Guy Carrington, who worked alongside a hazmat manufacturer to custom make them for the show.
Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the show is set to be unlike any other. Normally black tie, producers informed guests and nominees to “come as you are,” allowing them to dress in anything from formalwear to pajamas as long as they “make an effort.”
In fact, Meryl Streep might don her PJs for the telecast. Her stylist, Micaela Erlanger, told Women’s Wear Daily that “virtual comfort” is on everyone’s mind, hinting the 71-year-old nominee for Best Supporting Actress in a drama series for “Big Little Lies” might follow suit.
“I think we’ll see lots of fancy pajamas,” she said.