This past weekend, the 2024 Oscars were more than memorable thanks to Ryan Gosling bringing the Kenergy to the awards with his explosive live performance of ‘I’m Just Ken.’ Although Barbie didn’t win best picture or director, Ryan truly made a lasting impression by flooding our screens and the stage with pink. He was accompanied by a large ensemble of Kens supporting him as background dancers. The look of the performance was inspired by the iconic scene featuring Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ from the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Of course in this case, Ryan is the iconic blonde and the ensemble wear costumes inspired by the men in the ensemble from the film. Choosing this classic film as inspiration is also fitting as Greta Gerwig took a lot of inspiration from large sweeping sound-stage musicals from that time. The I’m Just Ken scene in Barbie is actually inspired by Singin’ in the Rain, from the dream ballet sequence with Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly.

To dress like a backup dancer from this performance, wear a black tailcoat blazer, white pocket square, white vest, white shirt, white bow tie, black pants, pink socks, and black dress shoes. Pair this with a black cowboy hat and don’t forget to create the pink sash. This can be made by wearing a hot pink 3.5 inch wide sash and either gluing or sewing a 2 inch light pink ribbon down the center. The sash is worn over the white button down tux shirt, but under and tucked into the white vest. This would make for a great duo or group costume with your favorite Kens, and one of them being Ryan’s Ken in the all-pink suit.

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