Speaking from the stage of the 75th Emmy Awards as he prepared to announce the winner for best supporting actor in a drama series, Pedro Pascal clarified for anyone wondering that a shoulder injury, not an arm injury, was which required him to wear a sling. . He also offered something by way of explanation for the injury.
“Kieran Culkin beat him up,” Pascal said, using a word that resonated with television audiences.
For Pascal, who was nominated for three awards on Monday, including best actor in a drama series for “The Last of Us,” the injury probably could have come at a better time: Just in the last two weeks, he found himself looking into a sea of cameras on three red carpets. But in each appearance, Pascal has incorporated the sling into his overall appearance, turning the medical equipment into a distinctive accessory.
Her sling fashion made its first red carpet appearance on Jan. 7 at the Golden Globes, accompanying a black Bottega Veneta turtleneck with white embroidery and manicured nails that spelled “ouchy.” As Valentino did at the Emmys on Monday, his right arm was supported by a sling adorned with a black fabric rose matching an identical one on the cuff of his left sleeve.
But it was his Critics Choice Awards ensemble, a monochromatic ensemble custom-made by luxury men's clothing brand Zegna, that may have represented the most ambitious integration of suits and slings yet.
Alessandro Sartori, Zegna's artistic director, had no interest in trying to hide the injury.
“It's much better to create something around the sling than to try to hide it,” Sartori said of the ensemble, whose layered, bandage-like straps can evoke a freshly wrapped mummy.
Sartori and his team at Zegna worked with Pascal and his personal stylist, Julie Ragolia, to create a look that was not only modern but also functional for the actor. When they began designing a sling prototype, comfort was a primary consideration.
“Once we decided to do it in leather, we were just trying to have the best posture to avoid any pain in his arm and shoulder,” the designer said. “We actually did some testing in the right positions and angles with Pedro.”
The sling provided additional support with a band that wrapped around Mr. Pascal's waist, keeping his arm elegantly bent. He wore a long-sleeved, collarless shirt and matching baggy pants, all in a shade the brand called “monochrome pearl gray.”
When designing the sling, Sartori consulted with Ragolia and conducted his own research to ensure the sling would provide the actor with full support on the red carpet and during the awards show. He opted for leather instead of fabric in part because of its durability.
“The key component is the material,” Sartori said, “because leather is very soft, but at the same time it is very durable and very strong.”
The final product was completed in two weeks, including design, production and a series of online adaptations with Mr. Pascal via Zoom.
“We like a custom look for each talent,” Sartori said, “and that's why we wanted to do this with Pedro. This was not just a look, but something comfortable and above all safe.”
While Mr. Pascal's elevated sling has made an impression during the 2024 awards season, he is not the first to be photographed on the red carpet while recovering. Matt LeBlanc wore a black leather sling from Los Angeles luxury brand Chrome Hearts to the 1996 Emmy Awards after dislocating his shoulder while filming a scene for “Friends.” He paired his sling with a black suit and custom Chrome Hearts sunglasses.
It's unclear whether Pascal's sling will appear at next month's Screen Actors Guild Awards, where he is nominated for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series. Sling or not, he's sure to keep his red carpet fashion sense in full swing.
