Mike Colter wanted to bring a bit of mystery to the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday. In a pinstripe Dolce & Gabbana suit, Colter, who was nominated for best actor in the Paramount Plus drama, Evil, found the feeling personified.
“I gravitated towards this particular look because you can’t tell if it’s blue or black and I feel like the unknown gives more appeal,” he told Vanity Fair via email.
Colter, who is best known for his role as the titular character in Marvel’s Luke Cage, worked with stylist Ashley North to create an enigmatic look surrounding the double-breasted pinstripe suit—a silhouette he prefers for its shoulder-to-hip ratio.
“My suit jacket has side pleats instead of the traditional back pleat. It’s a very small detail but I thought that was really unique. It also gives me the option to comfortably put my hands in pockets, though I probably will never do that but nice to know it’s there,” he says.
To complete the ensemble, Colter paired the suit with Lanvin shoes, and a pink gold and dark blue alligator Vacheron Constantin watch that retails for $39,000.
Naming Donald Glover as an inspiration, Colter opts for classic style that evokes fun on the red carpet. But the actor notes that truly feeling his best before he steps out has nothing to do with fashion at all. “I always eat before a red carpet,” he says. “The day is usually long and the food isn’t the best at award shows, so I make it a point to eat before leaving and can enjoy myself without getting hangry.”