Ava DuVernay’s Oscar Dress Was a Subtle Political Statement

Ava DuVernay, who was nominated for a 2017 Oscar for the Netflix documentary 13th, made a political statement through her choice of dress at last night’s Academy Awards.

DuVernay’s lacy gray gown was designed by Mohammed Ashi, a designer from Saudi Arabia who launched the Ashi Studio in Beruit, Lebanon, reports ELLE magazine. The director tweeted an image of herself on the red carpet and captioned it: “A small sign of solidarity. I chose to wear a gown by a designer from a majority Muslim country.”

The post has since received more than 11,000 retweets, with many openly appreciating DuVernay’s gesture of solidarity with Muslims who may have been affected by President Donald Trump’s temporary travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries.

The 13th did not win the Oscar for Best Documentary. Instead, it went to OJ: Made in America.

[H/T Elle]