A look into Oscar nominee Colman Domingo’s award-worthy style. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Zacapa Rum)
A look into Oscar nominee Colman Domingo’s award-worthy style. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Zacapa Rum)
The countdown to the 96th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, is well underway. Known as the biggest night in Hollywood, the ceremony brings an array of wins, shocking losses, and, most importantly, interesting fashion looks. Though experts can never fully predict what viewers will see on the red carpet, there’s one man fans can count on to fashionably deliver: Colman Domingo.
In addition to serving stellar performances on screen in films like “Rustin” and “The Color Purple,” Domingo has been known to serve looks on every red carpet he steps onto. So much so that the Oscar nominee has unofficially been crowned the “best-dressed” man this award season. However, regardless of the requisite, Domingo takes his personal style very seriously.
“I come from a very working-class family, and in order to make people see us, we had to define ourselves. And it starts with fashion. It starts with style,” Domingo told Esquire. “How do you walk down the street? How do you wear your hair? That’s why I change my style. Not a lot — I wear what looks good on me — but my style is always based on the story that I want to tell right now.”
In addition to his own affinity for fashion, the actor accredits his stylists Wayman and Micah for helping him craft his unique sartorial story. Using classic tailored cuts to accentuate his tall stature, the stylist duo explained how they use accessories to elevate his looks.
“No matter how I was dressing — because I’m always dressing — people are noticing it more now. I usually thought that people went for the noisier, louder [outfits], wearing bells and whistles and everything. I’m a bit more understated — masculine cuts, tailoring. I love classic things that reference, like, Teddy Pendergrass,” Domingo added, per Vanity Fair. “I like to feel sexy and playful. I like to look like a big flirt at all times. I flirt all day long.”
Though the actor may describe his style as “understated,” fashion watchers know he has been making statements on red carpets for years. From wearing unexpected colors to styling his looks around meaningful accessories like a ring previously owned by Bayard Rustin, Domingo’s sartorial catalog is both impressive and intentional. According to the actor, the decision to wear pieces like the hot pink Versace suit he sported at the 2021 Oscars was inspired by a general desire to cultivate joy following the pandemic.
“True to Colman’s Sagittarius nature, he really loves to play and have fun in every facet of his being, so his style and sense of fashion fully thrives,” his stylists told Vogue. “To top it all off, Colman’s energy, confidence, and charisma always take every red carpet moment to the next level.”
“As artists, among fellow artists, I think it’s important to bring a bit more of your personality to this event and not be as austere as you would probably be for another event,” Domingo added, sharing his approach to red-carpet fashion.
In preparation for his appearance at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, theGrio is revisiting some of Domingo’s best fashion moments through the years.
Colman Domingo in custom Off-White
Colman Domingo attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in custom Boss
Colman Domingo attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2024 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in Valentino Haute Couture
Colman Domingo attends the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 14, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Colman Domingo in Amiri
Colman Domingo attends the Vanity Fair and Amazon MGM Studios awards season celebration at Bar Marmont on January 06, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
Colman Domingo in Zegna and Santoni
Colman Domingo, winner of the Spotlight Award, Actor, for “Rustin” poses backstage during the 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards, Sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts, at Palm Springs Convention Center on January 04, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for IHG Hotels & Resorts)
Colman Domingo in Louis Vuitton
Colman Domingo attends the World Premiere of Warner Bros.’ “The Color Purple” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in custom Louis Vuitton
Colman Domingo attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 3rd Annual Gala Presented by Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures )
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo attends the “Origin” New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall on November 30, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
33rd Annual Gotham Awards
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo attends a VIP screening of “The Color Purple” at Vue West End on November 20, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Warner Bros)
Colman Domingo in custom Versace
Colman Domingo attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in Zegna
Colman Domingo attends the HBO Max FYC event for “Euphoria” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in Dolce and Gabbana
Colman Domingo attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in Boss
Colman Domingo attends the GQ Men of the Year Party 2023 VIP dinner at Chateau Marmont on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for GQ)
Colman Domingo in Louis Vuitton
Colman Domingo attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 07, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in Grayscale
Colman Domingo attends the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ 14th Annual Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on January 09, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo in custom Off-White
Colman Domingo attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
