The red carpet is a tricky space to navigate. While both men and women are obliged to pose for hundreds of photographers, waiting to see which headlines are subsequently ascribed to their pictures, it's still women who bear the brunt of public judgement. Scrutinised for their appearance to an extent that men are not, women are still constantly compared to one another, with the tabloid press persisting in compiling Worst Dressed lists. Since #MeToo and #TimesUp, many have battled to take a stance on the red carpet and transform it into a political space. Last year, many stars decided to wear all-black to the Golden Globes to show their solidarity for the #TimesUp movement, and since then, we've seen all manner of pins, badges and symbols worn at various events. But it remains difficult to truly make a statement of worth while you're wearing expensive clothing and posing for photographers. Unless, that is, you're Daisy May Cooper, who just showed everyone how it's done.
Nominated for This Country, which she co-wrote and starred in with her brother, Cooper wore a bin bag to the event. It had been fashioned into a gown – complete with train – that was decorated with various pieces of rubbish, including McDonald's boxes and crisp packets. She wore a bin lid, decorated with a pigeon (naturally) as a hat and she looked – in a word – fantastic. While Cooper has a history of wearing unconventional dresses to the BAFTAs – last year, she worn a Swindon Town football dress – this year's had a significant message.
Speaking to the BBC about her choice of outfit, Cooper said: "It cost about five quid and then a load of rubbish. My mother made this dress with my two friends and it took them three days. The reason I'm wearing this is if I wore a normal dress, that would cost a lot of money. I thought I'd donate that money to a local food bank and wear bin bags instead."
Given that a record 1.6 million food bank parcels were given to people in the past year, Cooper's choice of dress is incredibly important. In January last year, the National Children's Bureau also reported that more than half of children are now living in poverty in some areas of the UK – a statistic as sobering as it is heartbreaking. Cooper is proof that fashion – in all its forms – actually can be a vehicle for change, which ultimately starts by raising awareness.
To find your local food bank and find out how to donate – whether that's food or money – visit the Trussell Trust now.