Angelina Jolie Designed Suleika Jaouad Batiste's 2024 Oscars Dress
"It should never be about the dress, but how anything worn feels like an extension of the person," Jolie said
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Angelina Jolie, Jon Batiste and Suleika JaouadAngelina Jolie is showcasing a new side to her creative talents!
While attending the 2024 Academy Awards on Sunday, Suleika Jaouad revealed that Jolie, 48, designed her dress after being a fan of the journalist and a motivational speaker.
Speaking on the red carpet about her look, Jaouad, 35, told Canadian outlet CTV Etalk in a video posted on TikTok, “This dress was designed by the one and only Angelina Jolie.”
“Her first time designing a dress for the red carpet and she invited the amazing artist Chaz Guest to paint a symphony on the back of it,” she said of Jolie — who bowed out of attending the Oscars on Sunday.
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Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad at the 2024 Academy AwardsRelated: Angelina Jolie Debuts Brighter Blonde Hair as She Visits Atelier Jolie Store in N.Y.C.
Jaouad, who stars in the documentary film American Symphony alongside husband Jon Batiste which was nominated on the night, wore a silver gown made from upcycled silk with an illustration of Batiste, 37, conducting a group of musicians on the back.
“And so we have Mr. Batiste right her,” Jaouad pointed out, turning around to give a full view of her dress. "It’s something else!” Batiste added in reaction.
Jolie’s design debut at this year’s Oscars comes after she launched her sustainability-focused fashion venture Atelier Jolie last year, providing a space for tailoring and upcycling services for local designers to showcase their work.
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Jon Batiste kissed Suleika Jaouad on the cheek at the 2024 OscarsJolie explained her decision to design Jaouad’s dress to Vogue, “I have such deep admiration for Suleika and the way she lives her life — how she meets difficulty with strength and grace. [She’s a] brilliant creative force who inspires everyone who knows her. I would have dressed her for anything she needed; It should never be about the dress, but how anything worn feels like an extension of the person.”
She shared that the theme of creative healing influenced the design which is a major theme included in American Symphony along with resilience as Jaouad’s health journey are documented following the return of her leukemia. The actress then contacted artist Guest to join in on the project.
“I wanted a look inspired by Suleika’s creativity and her love,” Jolie told Vogue. “She is a painter, and so it felt right to have her gown used as a canvas. Chaz and I have known each other for years, and I knew he would approach this with the dedication and intention needed to feel right.”
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Jolie — who is seen in photos posted by Guest on Instagram draping fabrics for the dress during the designing process — continued, “It was an exercise in what could be found and used, and for us to be creative. We laid out the panels and discussed where they would fall on her body.”
“Like all projects within the atelier, the goal is to make clothing personal and to be bold and creative together.”
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