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@NightOpenings’ guide to the wildest ’90s movie premieres
WRITING: Night Openings
@nightopenings
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES
@gettyimages
Hey everybody, it’s Julio from @nightopenings (formerly @nightopening on Twitter). As most of you know by now I’ve been suspended and put in Twitter jail. I’m planning an escape soon, but in the meantime I’ve been focusing on ridiculous Promotional Movie Merch on my new Twitter @NightPromoting. Even if my circumstances change the desire to know more about Hollywood does not, I’m still investigating everything from ridiculous fashion at ’90s movie premieres to insane merchandise that for whatever reason exists. After spending many months being a highly regarded internet trash historian digging through wormholes of Getty Images, I have incidentally become something of a fashion expert with my Twitter account that documented the best, worst and the downright perplexing going viral, and subsequently being suspended for violating the copyrights owned by the photographers of each photo. It’s pretty crazy how both Baby Yoda and I have been targeted by Twitter Mods for doing nothing but bringing joy, but Dottie I’m an outlaw, a rebel and it comes with the territory. I will continue to fight the decision and see if I can reemerge on Twitter much like Baby Yoda. However “no one is ever truly gone” – Luke Skywalker (also Julio From @NightOpenings on Instagram).
Regardless, the task of scouring through movie premiere photos is a lot like opening a time capsule. You’re often left asking; “What were they thinking?” Yet sometimes it’s better to swing for the fences than play it safe. Therefore, I’ve compiled a top 10 looks by those who dared to be bold on the ’90s movie premieres red carpets (and two from the 2000s that are most definitely worth including).
10. Quentin Tarantino at Beavis & Butthead Do America Premiere, 1996
I don’t know if Quentin Tarantino came straight from the gym, or disagrees with the formality of movie premieres and this is some sort of statement. Either way, David Spade attended this same premiere and somehow was dressed more formal in a Rockies hat, blue jeans and tucked in polo than Tarantino is. If you know the brand of shirt he is wearing, please reach out to me. It’s not quite Billabong, it’s not quite Big Dogs, it’s not quite And 1, but it is sick nonetheless.
9. Carmen Electra at the Good Burger premiere, 1997
I think Carmen Electra was still in character as a Mondo Burger operative for the premiere of Good Burger and that kind of dedication to a role has to be admired. She was the ‘90s movie red carpet queen and deserves a spot in the Mount Rushmore of Movie Premieres along with Sinbad and Jason Alexander.
8. John Travolta at the Wild Hogs premiere in Munich, 2007
John Travolta showed up in his full Wild Hogs character to the film’s premiere in German, much to the delight of his many adoring fans who pulled out flip phones to snag a photo of him. Wild Hogs had roughly seven premieres, and as tiring as it may have been, Travolta showed up in full attire each time. When he plays a character, he does it til’ the DVD is released.
7. Gary and Jake Busey at the Edward Scissorhands premiere, 1990
Point Break and Shasta McNasty a.k.a. Gary and Jake Busey weren’t about to miss the premiere of Edward Scissorhands. I’m letting the quintessential father son duo share the honours here, because their outfits are inverses of each other. Hat/no hat. Blue jeans/black jeans. Sports coat/Leather jacket. Jake is going down the red carpet and letting the world know he is his own man.
6. Arsenio Hall at the On Deadly Ground premiere, 1994
Arsenio Hall came layered to catch the Steven Seagal film, On Deadly Ground. (Amazingly enough, though Steven Seagal is a man who went to so many premieres in the ‘90s he didn’t show up to the one that actually featured him). Anyways, Hall is one of the founding fathers of drip and while many might be embarrassed by their fashion choices in the past, he can still rock most of his outfits today.
5. Aaron Carter at the Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius premiere, 2001
Inspired by late night comedy host, Jay Leno, Aaron Carter decided to take denim to the next level. At some point, a designer asked, “Why stop at denim jeans?” and then continued further down a path that was… fascinating!
4. Claire Danes at the Romeo + Juliet premiere, 1996
It’s a shame Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t go all out like Claire Danes did on this red carpet and add to the fanfare that was the Romeo + Juliet premiere. Danes’s hair was one of the most emulated looks in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, yet few were able to perfect it.
3. Jon Lovitz at the Con-Air premiere, 1997
The Con-Air premiere was in Las Vegas during the day, so this gave Jon Lovitz an excuse to go as casual as possible. Lovitz saw the invitation and immediately decided to bust out one of his best Hawaiian shirts and pair it with his favourite pair of Levi’s jeans to truly enjoy in sheer comfort.
2. Rosie O’Donnell at the Honeymoon in Vegas Premiere, 1992
Rosie O’Donnell showing up in Chuck Taylors, starter jacket, and comfort shorts may have simultaneously gotten all these brands to trend instantly. I don’t think it’s possible to look as chill as she does and it’s a bummer she didn’t rock more looks like this and claim her spot fashion’s earliest Hypebeast.
1. Wesley Snipes at the To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar Premiere, 1995
I have nothing to say. Wesley Snipes simply looks amazing. There are people who treat movie premieres like they’re going to the DMV and then there are those who take advantage of the opportunity. Snipes always maximized that opportunity and always looked dope as hell.