The best part about dressing the host of the Tony Awards? You have plenty of opportunities to bring your dream mood board to life. For the big night, Ariana DeBose stepped into the hosting spotlight, and stylists Zadrian Smith and Sarah Edmiston (professionally known as Zadrian + Sarah) outfitted the Oscar winner in a series of head-turning ensembles.
“It’s not one look – for us, it was seven,” Smith tells POPSUGAR. “The running theme for this, because it’s Broadway, was drama. It really allowed us to lean into the theatricality of the moment.”
The duo collaborated with Boss on this endeavour, working closely with the brand and its new creative director, Marco Falcioni, to craft a “very cohesive narrative” through DeBose’s various outfits. Edmiston reveals that the Boss team hand carried the garments from Germany because of worries they wouldn’t make it otherwise.
“We also had five different tailoring teams working around the clock to finish all the pieces to perfection,” Edmiston shares. “And everything is custom.”
They explored the themes of joy and theatricality through interesting cutouts, angular lines, and vibrant hues like grape and electric pink.
“Always on this team, we are hoping to send a message of inclusivity,” Smith says. Edmiston adds: “And optimism – it’s so important to us that everyone feels celebrated and like they can be a part of the story we’re telling.”
Ahead, Smith and Edmiston walk through their creative process, how to get red carpet ready, and the items they always have on hand in case a fashion emergency strikes.
