On Thursday, Nov. 19, Kerry Washington presented British costume designer Lyn Paolo with the Variety and WWD “StyleMakers” award for her style game on ABC’s hit drama, “Scandal.” In fact, Washington credited Paolo for being the first to conceptualize the character Olivia Pope saying, “She made me figure out who this character is … Lyn and I agreed that this was going to be a woman that was not afraid to run in heels and that was it. We knew that we wanted to redefine the power suit.”
In her speech, Washington continued by calling the designer “extraordinarily gracious” and “humble” and a “composed human being.” And she was just getting started.
“I had never worked this hard in my life and Lyn was equally as exhausted, and we walked into a room and we cried together for about 10 minutes and at that point I knew that I would be friends with her forever because she takes clothes seriously,” she shared. “This is a woman who is willing to cry until we get it right, and we have been crying and laughing ever since,” said Washington referring to how much thought went into the show’s wardrobe.
The mother of one also revealed that Paolo’s skills have rubbed off on her (in more way than one) when it comes to her mini-me. “I love her so much and I’ve learned so much from her,” the actress said. “I trust her with my life, I trust her to dress my child, which she does, she’s taught me to be a better mom, she’s taught me to be a better actor, she’s taught me to be a better leader, a better human being and a better dresser.”
Later on, Washington gushed some more via social media, writing, “This morning I had the extraordinary opportunity to present an award to @lynelizabethdesigns for costume design from @wwd & @variety and I couldn’t have been more honored. She is the best! I LOVE YOU LYN. #scandalfashion.”
