Billy Porter wows Oscars red carpet in Christian Siriano tuxedo gown

'Shutting the carpet down In a Siriano velvet tuxedo gown!'

Actor Billy Porter has defied fashion norms on the red carpet sporting velvet tuxedo jacket that extends into a voluminous gown.

The Pose star chose to wear a dress designed by Christian Siriano for the 91st Academy Awards, expertly mixing femininity and masculinity in one foul swoop.

The custom creation included a sharply tailored tuxedo jacket worn over a full-skirted strapless velvet gown.

Porter finished the look with a crisp white shirt with ruffled cuffs and a classic bow tie.

“Shutting the carpet down In a Siriano velvet tuxedo gown!” the designer tweeted, later adding: “What an honour it was to create this moment!”

Speaking to Vogue, Porter revealed that the outfit choice was deeply personal and that he wanted to challenge people’s views on Hollywood dress code.

“I’ve always been inspired by fashion,” he said.

“My grandmother, my mom – they were always stylish. I grew up loving fashion, but there was a limit to the ways in which I could express myself. When you’re black and you’re gay, one’s masculinity is in question.

Porter explained how he has dealt with a lot of homophobia because of his style choices and used to dress to meet other people’s expectations.

“I was silent for a long time. I was trying to fit in to what other people felt I should look like,” he said.

“When I landed a role in Kinky Boots, the experience really grounded me in a way that was so unexpected.

“Putting on those heels made me feel the most masculine I’ve ever felt in my life. It was empowering to let that part of myself free.”

Porter’s groundbreaking ensemble has proved a hit on social media with many people praising the statement look.

“Billy Porter just set the bar impossibly high for #Oscars fashion,” one person tweeted.

Another person wrote: “Billy Porter’s look for the #Oscars2019 just gets more iconic the more you look at it.”

(Getty Images) (Getty)

A third added: “I think Billy Porter just won the Oscars and it doesn’t start for hours idk.”

This isn’t the first time that Porter has made headlines with his red carpet choices.

When he attended the Golden Globes, the American Horror Story star sported a custom embroidered fuschia pink suit and cape by Randi Rahm.