Angelina Jolie Crafts Personalized Oscars Dress for Jon Batiste's Wife, Writer Suleika Jaouad

Suleika Jaouads Angelina Jolie Dress

Jon Batiste, Suleika Jaouad and Angelina Jolie Gettu Images

Angelina Jolie’s fashion brand made its first appearance on the red carpet at the 2024 Oscars on March 10th.

On the red carpet at the Dolby Theater, writer Suleika Jaouad, who is married to Grammy winner Jon Batiste, wore a unique Atelier Jolie gown. The floor-length gown in smokey taupe was crafted from silky pleated fabric, tailored to cinch at the waist and elegantly drape over Jaouad’s silhouette. The gown featured an attached cape with wave-like sleeves, and the highlight of the outfit was a portrait of Batiste on the skirt, inspired by their documentary, American Symphony.

The film documents the journey of Batiste, a 37-year-old, as he strives to compose a symphony while dealing with the news of Jaouad's cancer recurrence. Jaouad, aged 35, was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2011, and after a period of remission, she received the devastating news of another diagnosis in 2021. Despite the challenges, the couple, who initially met as teenagers at a music camp, got married in February 2022 at their Brooklyn home, just before Jaouad underwent a bone-marrow transplant. Batiste shared that Jaouad's health has significantly improved post-transplant during a guest appearance on Sherri in September 2023.

Jaouad expressed admiration for the design of Jolie, and she took to Instagram on Monday, March 11, to showcase photos from her fittings. Among the images was one capturing Jolie, who is 48 years old, putting some final touches on the dress.

Jaouad started by saying, "The Oscars night was the most joyful and surreal experience for me. My gown, designed by Angelina Jolie, featured a stunning painting on silk by artist Chaz Guest inspired by the American Symphony. Normally, I dread dressing up for events like this, especially after undergoing treatment for the past two years which has left me with mixed feelings about clothes. However, Angelina made me feel incredibly beautiful and truly understood, to the point where tears welled up in my eyes during our fitting."

Suleika Jaouads Angelina Jolie Dress

Suleika Jaouad shared, "Having the story of American Symphony on my gown feels like a reminder of our journey and progress. It represents the love and creativity that have guided us."

Atelier Jolie expressed their gratitude to Jaouad for trusting them and giving them the opportunity to be creative together. They shared on Instagram, "As with all our projects, our aim is to create personalized clothing and to explore bold and creative ideas."

Jolie shared the exciting news of launching her company, Atelier Jolie, in May 2023 on Instagram. She expressed her enthusiasm by stating, "I'm starting something new today," and described the company as a "collective where everyone can create."

The inspiration behind Atelier Jolie came from Jolie's admiration and deep respect for the tailors and makers she has collaborated with throughout her career. Additionally, the company reflects Jolie's commitment to sustainability, as she mentioned that Atelier Jolie will prioritize using high-quality vintage material and existing fabric stock.

Editor's P/S:

The Oscars red carpet served as a poignant stage for the intersection of fashion and resilience. Suleika Jaouad's Atelier Jolie gown, adorned with a portrait of her husband Jon Batiste, symbolized their shared journey through adversity. The gown's delicate pleats and flowing cape exuded a sense of elegance and strength, echoing the couple's unwavering determination in the face of Jaouad's cancer diagnosis. The presence of Angelina Jolie, who has long championed women's health and empowerment, added further significance to the moment.

Jaouad's heartfelt words about the gown's meaning highlight the transformative power of fashion. By wearing a garment that celebrated their love and resilience, she shattered societal norms that often dictate how cancer survivors should dress. Atelier Jolie's commitment to sustainability and individuality further underscores the company's mission to empower people through personalized and meaningful clothing. The red carpet debut of Atelier Jolie marks not only a new chapter in fashion but also a celebration of the resilience and creativity that can bloom amidst life's challenges.