Emerald Fennell leads the British glamour at the virtual Independent Spirit Awards

Emerald Fennell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Carey Mulligan were among the British stars leading the glamour at the virtual 36th Independent Spirit Awards on Thursday evening.

Promising Young Woman director and actress Emerald, 35, pulled out all the stops for the occasion, as she wowed in an asymmetric black gown which was covered in dramatic black feathered detailing.

Emerald – who scooped the award for Best Screenplay – added pops of colour to her Gothic look with a pair of purple satin heels and a slick of bright red lipstick. 

The best in independent film and television were recognised during the annual event, including British star Carey, 35, who was awarded the gong for Best Female Lead for her role as Cassandra in Promising Young Woman.

Carey attended the awards virtually, but still managed to bring the glamour, as she opted for androgynous chic in a crisp white blouse and black blazer, which she style with a deep purple lip.   

Fleabag star Phoebe, 35, who was also among the British attendees, looked stunning in a red and white printed dress with bow detailing as she appeared on screen from her garden.

Phoebe opted for a natural and fresh-faced look with soft touches of make-up and wore her brunette locks swept back off her face into a chic up do.

The James Bond writer, who wasn’t nominated this year, was only in attendance as a presenter and awarded the I May Destroy You cast with the Ensemble honour.

Receiving the award was Michaela Coel, 33, who also won in the Best New Scripted Series for I May Destroy you, which she both wrote and starred in.

The producer and actress looked utterly stunning in a blazer black, which she glammed up with a pair of drop earrings and a gold necklace – while sporting sleek locks and a full face of make-up. 

Although this year’s ceremony was a virtual one, that did not stop the evening’s honorees and presenters from getting gussied up for the occasion. 

Elle Fanning, who snagged an acting nomination, made jaws drop in a custom Vivienne Westwood gown inspired ‘by Catherine the Great’s love of pearls!’

The stunning creation was made of lilac silk fabric and featured a signature Westwood corset and glamorous off-the-shoulder pearl straps.

In the caption of her Instagram post, Fanning revealed that Vivienne and her husband/creative director Andreas Kronthaler had been the ones to reach out to her about designing the dress.

‘And we all know no one does a corset like Westwood!! Love you both,’ wrote the 23-year-old actress in her caption.

For the series of stunning snaps, Elle posed in front of a pitch black backdrop, which allowed the star to properly display her gown’s dramatic silhouette for her followers.

Her lengthy blonde hair was parted down the middle and styled in soft, voluminous waves.

As for her makeup, Fanning sported a graphic winged eyeliner look, as well as a generous amount of blush on the apples of her cheeks.

Elle earned a Best Female Performance In A New Scripted Series nomination for her portrayal of Catherine The Great in Hulu’s ‘anti-historical’ comedy-drama The Great. 

Shira Haas, who ended up beating out Elle fanning in the acting category, also put on a glamorous display by means of Instagram on Thursday night.

The Unorthodox star, 25, slipped her slender physique into a white strapless Miu Miu gown covered in yellow floral decals.

Her brunette hair was styled into a sleek bun and her already gorgeous features were further emphasized with a few complexion products and brown eyeshadow. 

‘Ready for the Independent Spirit Awards. Thank you for the great honor of being nominated and to the best team involved. Let’s go!’ captioned Haas, who boasts 482,000 followers. 

Nicole Beharie brought a bit of 60s flair to the ceremony by rocking a mod shift dress by Louis Vuitton.

The stylish shift featured orange, marigold, and brown tones, as well as the brand’s iconic monicker.

Beharie showcased her natural curls and decked out her lids in golden eyeshadow to match her ensemble. 

‘It’s Indie Spirit time!!! Cycling through all the emotions of this crazy year!!!! So grateful. #louisvuitton @louisvuitton @filmindependent,’ wrote the 36-year-old Miss Juneteenth star, who shared her self-portraits to Instagram.

Shira Haas’ handsome Unorthodox costar Amit Rahav got ‘all dressed up’ for the award ceremony in head-to-toe Dior.

The 25-year-old actor had on a gaudy patterned shirt that he layered beneath a black fitted suit jacket.

Rahav’s ensemble was completed with a pair of off white trousers, bright purple Dior socks, and a pair of quirky high top sneakers.

Going the comfortable route, Never Have I Ever actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan rocked a ‘hoodie and leggings’ as she patiently waited to learn the fate of her acting nomination.

‘I am so honoured to be nominated for an film independent spirit award shoutout to @lesley_hampton for creating an amazing custom hoodie/earrings and @urbannativeera for the laces,’ captioned the 19-year-old Canada native on Instagram.

Carey Mulligan, who walked away with the award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Promising Young Woman, accepted her honor in a crisp white dress shirt layered beneath a fitted blazer.

The 35-year-old actress styled her blonde tresses in voluminous curls that framed her face, while accentuating her pout with a bold application of mulberry toned lipstick.

Cate Blanchett took notes from Mulligan’s look, but gave it a sexy twist by leaving out the dress shirt all together. 

The Academy Award-winning actress, 51, wore her golden strands parted to one side as she presented the award for Best Feature during the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Presenting the award for Best Male Lead was none other than Renée Zellweger, who bared her enviably toned arms in a strapless velvet dress with a stunning silver rose decal.

Regina King, whose film One Night In Miami was a contender for several awards, gave fans two looks to ogle over.

The 50-year-old actress/director first wowed in a grey and black pinstripe suit layered over a sheer white blouse with matching tie.

King traded in her business-ready ensemble for a striking emerald green gown when she reappeared halfway through the ceremony to accept the Robert Altman Award.

Laura Dern, filming her cameo from the comfort of her stunning Los Angeles mansion, looked radiant in a bright yellow printed zip-up as she spoke during the ceremony.

Other speakers included Schitt’s Creek star Annie Murphy, actress Maria Bakalova, and Flea Bag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who each found ways to showcase their individual fashion sense from the waist up.

Michaela Coel, who was recognized for her performance in the HBO Max series I May Destroy You, flaunted her enviably glowy complexion as she accepted the honor.

The 33-year-old English actress showcased her smooth décolletage in a plunging black leather blazer, which she paired with a single gold pendant chain.

Her costar Weruche Opia took things in a more colorful direction by appearing on screen in a patterned jumpsuit with rolled up sleeves and the collar slightly unbuttoned.

Announcing the winner for Best New Scripted Series was Ozark actress Julia Garner, who channeled old Hollywood with a Marilyn Monroe-inspired hairdo and a mauve toned gown covered in rhinestones and feathers.

Promising Young Woman director Emerald Fennel accepted the award for Best Screenplay in a colorful knit sweater and wore her blonde tresses in a half up half down style.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards, which usually take place the day before the Oscar’s during an in-person ceremony in Santa Monica, CA, were forced to go virtual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The only in-person attendee was the night’s host Melissa Villaseñor, as well as the countless crew members who made the remote award show possible.

The 33-year-old comedian – and all star impressionist – appeared in several stylish get-ups through out the ceremony, including a fitted off white pantsuit and a leopard print mini dress.

Aside from showcasing her glamorous side in two dueling ensembles, the audience also got to see Melissa transform into likes of Billie Eilish and Promising Young Woman’s Carey Mulligan.

Paying homage to prior hosts of the annual award show, Melissa transformed into fellow comedians Sarah Silverman, John Mulaney, and her SNL costar Kate McKinnon.

Continuing to bring the laughs, Villaseñor also delivered her famous Owen Wilson impression, before taking on SNL alum Kristin Wiig.