Did Tuxedoed Oscar Bros Really Snub “Mad Max” Winner Jenny Beavan?

In case you didn’t know, Australia did pretty well at yesterday’s Academy Awards, claiming six prizes for Mad Max: Fury Road.

One of those victories went to (admittedly English) costume designer Jenny Beavan, who attended the ceremony in a leather jacket, defying the black-tie dress code of the evening.

(In fairness, literally every costume design nominee in history has done this in their own inimitable way. A previous Aussie winner – Lizzy Gardiner – wore a dress made out of American Express cards back when she was nominated for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and there’s a whole freaking Wikipedia page devoted to it.)

However, a video has gone viral of Beavan walking to the stage while besuited gentlemen decline to applaud her, Spotlight helmer Tom McCarthy and Best Director victor Alejandro González Iñárritu among them.

It’s the second time Beavan’s outfits have caused controversy this awards season, with BAFTA host Stephen Fry describing her as a "bag lady" following her win at that ceremony.

Understandably, many have taken to Twitter to voice their outrage over the Oscar snub, just as they did after the BAFTAs.

All those famous guys didn't clap for Jenny Beavan because they were consumed with jealousy over her badass jacket. pic.twitter.com/uJfUMO9B5c

— Suzan Eraslan (@SuzanEraslan) February 29, 2016

Yet, some are suggesting that the lack of clapping is simply the result of Beavan – like much of the Mad Max: Fury Road crew – having to walk from the seeming back of the theatre to collect her prize. (A theory this extended clip seems to support.)

@philmology @hayley_sass All the MM crew were walking down from about 3 suburbs away. Conceivable that they clapped, rested, clapped again.

— Paul Anthony Nelson (@cinemaviscera) February 29, 2016

Still, how does that explain Iñárritu's particularly sour expression and folded arms? Was he just peeved The Revenant was being shut out of the technical categories? And can we really deny the smirking expression of some of those looking on?

Whether or not the assembled Oscar attendees were silently judging Beavan, this marks the second time in almost as many weeks that a woman being celebrated for her immense talent has faced criticism for her choice of outfits (which, actually, is just regular human clothing).

That she works in the field of costume design suggests she knows the power of specially-selected attire. Is she trying to expose the prejudices of those in her industry? Or, is she simply wearing what she feels comfortable and confident in? If it's the latter, why has this apparently become a running joke among her so-called peers?

Share your thoughts on the backlash to Jenny Beavan below - and, since the world isn't doing it enough, feel free to compliment her Mad Max: Fury Road concoctions too.

Photo: Vine.