Selma Blair made her first red carpet appearance since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty. The actor, best known for her performances in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde and Hellboy, wore an ethereal, multi-coloured strapless dress by luxury fashion house Ralph and Russo. She accessorised with a matching sheer cape attached to a choker necklace, and held a black cane as she posed for photographers. Blair revealed in October 2018 that she'd been diagnosed with MS, explaining on Instagram that she'd experienced symptoms for years. The condition can affect the brain and spinal cord, leading to problems with vision, muscle spasms and fatigue. The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Show all 23 1 /23 The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Selma Blair For her first red carpet appearance since revealing her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, 'Cruel Intentions' actor Selma Blair wore an ethereal, multi-coloured Ralph and Russo strapless gown with a matching cape. The star also carried a cane, which was personalised to feature her monogram on the handle next to a pink diamond. REUTERS The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez certainly turned heads at the Vanity Fair afterparty, wearing a multi-coloured strapless gown with a thigh split by Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad. AFP/Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth Miley Cyrus stunned at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty with her husband, actor Liam Hemsworth. The singer wore a plunging black sequinned Saint Laurent gown, which she accessorised with Bulgari jewellery. Hemsworth wore a dapper black suit with a bow tie and velvet lapels, appearing in better health since his recent bout of illness. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Kerry Washington 'Scandal' star Kerry Washington wore a strapless, sheer, tiered Schiaparelli haute couture gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty, paired with simple, silver pumps and a pixie hair do. AFP/Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Freida Pinto 'Slumdog Millionaire' actor Freida Pinto looked every a star at the Vanity Fair afterparty, wearing an oxblood sequinned plunging Julien Macdonald gown. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Sophie Turner's look at the Vanity Fair afterparty appeared to take inspiration from the famous Oscar statue, with the 'Game of Thrones' actor dressed in a dazzling Louis Vuitton gold sequinned dress. Her fiancé, Joe Jonas, looked equally as smart in a white suit. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Karl Glusman and Zoe Kravitz Zoe Kravitz attended the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty alongside her partner, actor Karl Glusman. The 'Big Little Lies' actor wore an 18 karat gold top made by Tiffany and Co., pairing it with a long black Saint Laurent skirt, while Glusman wore a black Valentino suit. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Natalie Portman Natalie Portman looked ever-so chic at the Vanity Fair afterparty, wearing a strapless black Dior jumpsuit and diamond necklace. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Melissa McCarthy Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy decided to swap her Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit for something more casual for the Vanity Fair afterparty, donning an Adidas jumpsuit also worn by her husband, actor Ben Falcone. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Chrissy Teigen and John Legend made quite an impression at the Vanity Fair afterparty as they posed with photographers. Teigen wore a feathered, nude Marchesa gown, while Legend donned a stylish black suit by Gucci. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Amy Adams Oscar-nominee Amy Adams changed out of her white, strapless custom Versace gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty, swapping it for a plunging navy blue floor-length gown. REUTERS The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Sarah Paulson 'American Horror Story' star Sarah Paulson opted for a silk fuchsia Brandon Maxwell gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty, complete with pockets. She accessorised with a diamond choker necklace. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Tina Fey Tina Fey, who was on of a trio who opened this year's host-less Oscars, stunned in a strapless maroon J. Mendel gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty. She sneakily wore a pair of converse underneath, ideal for partying into the early hours. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston Always one to make a statement on the red carpet, actor Jeff Goldblum stood out at the Vanity Fair afterparty in a wet-look dark grey suit with a light grey high-neck top underneath. His wife, Emilie Livingston, wore a high-neck white gown for the occasion. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley sparkled as she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing a silver, off-shoulder Versace dress with a thigh split. REUTERS The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Ciara Singer Ciara looked effortlessly cool as she arrived at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing a silver and blush pink Versace gown for the star-studded event. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis-Ross Mother and daughter duo Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis-Ross ruled the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty. Tracee wore a red, one-shoulder Versace gown for the event, while her mother wore a contrasting black, off-shoulder dress. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Gabrielle Union Actor and activist Gabrielle Union was glowing as she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, donning a blood orange strapless Valentino gown. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Sofia Vergara 'Modern Family' star Sofia Vergara stunned on the red carpet alongside her husband, actor Joe Manganiello. Vergara wore a sheer, feathered and embellished Dolce and Gabbana dress for the Vanity Fair Oscar party, while Manganiello looked dapper in an Isaia suit. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Elizabeth Banks 'Pitch Perfect' star Elizabeth Banks went for a bold look at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, wearing a red crop top and matching billowing skirt by Moniquqe Huillier for the festivities. EPA The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Isla Fisher Actor Isla Fisher shone brightly at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty in a silver, off-shoulder sparkling creation by Jonathan Simkhai. She accessorised with Louboutin heels and Norman Silverman jewellery. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Charlize Theron Charlize Theron opted for periwinkle blue for the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing an open-back Dior gown for the occasion with her natural blonde locks dyed dark brunette. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Emma Roberts Actor Emma Roberts looked every inch a Hollywood star at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing a sheer, sparkling off-shoulder gown with gold, strappy heels. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP "I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it," Blair wrote on Instagram in October. The actor appeared visibly emotional on Sunday evening as she made her way across the red carpet at the annual Vanity Fair bash. "It took a lot to come out here," she said, as the room of photographers cheered her on. Selma Blair at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty (REUTERS) Blair's cane was customised by celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik, who adorned the handle with the actor's monogram and a pink diamond. "How did I get so lucky? I wanted a special cane for [the] #VanityFair dinner," Blair wrote on Instagram. "Hours of love put in," she added. "And then #tombachick made it especially magical. I burst into tears. These gifts to get me through."<doc-sep>A cane is no hindrance to a fabulous red carpet look, and actress Selma Blair is here to make that clear. The Cruel Intentions star made her first red carpet appearance since sharing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in October 2018, when she attended the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars party. SEE ALSO: Chrissy Teigen tweets hilarious Oscars jab at her husband Blair rocked the red carpet in a gorgeous flowing dress and a custom-made cane. The NHS describes multiple sclerosis as "a condition that can affect the brain and/or spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance." Image: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Image: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic On her own Instagram, where Blair has been very open about living with MS, she shared a photo taken at the Vanity Fair party with the caption "When my life flashes before my eyes, I want this portrait by @markseliger to be front and center." The day before the event, Blair shared a photo on Instagram of the cane being monogrammed with a "B" and a pink diamond, saying how thankful she is to have the support of her friends. Elsewhere on social media, people praised Blair for proudly walking with a cane, and in doing so shedding light on people living with MS and other disabilities. The moment we will all be talking about tomorrow is the courageous #SelmaBlair, making her first appearance since announcing her MS diagnosis, at the VF Oscar party. She needs a cane to help walk, but she came to prove that no matter how tough this disease, she is a fighter. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bCTo0hA59d — Jessica Radloff (@JRadloff) February 25, 2019 Absolute QUEEN. I have so much respect for this woman, walking proudly with her cane and looking sensational doing it. THANK YOU @SelmaBlair for supporting all of us who have MS and raising awareness across the globe 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️ #ms #multiplesclerosis #selmablair pic.twitter.com/GYOIHYlTDB — Rhian (@rhiangibson_) February 25, 2019 #SelmaBlair thanks for normalizing the struggles and triumphs of #MS Millions of eyes on you as an example of #resilience So much hope for #multiplesclerosis patients @NMSSOhioBuckeye https://t.co/u8q1AweJjP — Mary Rensel MD FAAN ABIHM (@MRensel1) February 25, 2019 When Blair first announced that she had been diagnosed with MS in 2018, she wrote an emotional Instagram caption saying that despite her disability, she would continue to do her best in the hope of inspiring others. "I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps," Blair wrote. "I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others."<doc-sep>HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (CBSNewYork) – There was an inspiring sight at this year’s Academy Awards, as a longtime Hollywood star walked the red carpet to open up about her ongoing struggle against a debilitating neurological disease. She’s the actress known for her breakthrough roles in movies like “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “The Sweetest Thing.” Now, Selma Blair is talking publicly for the first time about a much more important breakthrough in her life. “I was a little scared of talking,” the actress said. The medical diagnosis that left her in tears, but not the kind of tears you might think. “They weren’t tears of panic they were tears of knowing I now had to give into a body that lost control. And there was some relief in that,” Blair, who diagnosed with multiple sclerosis said. MS is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. In Blair’s case, one of the first things the public can hear is how it’s affecting her voice. “My speech you’ll notice, I have spasmodic dysphonia right now.” The condition is a disorder that affects the muscles in the voice box. There were symptoms of illness long before the 46-year-old found out what she was fighting last year. Signs that her seven-year-old son Arthur had been seeing first hand. “He had already seen that I was falling and doing things… I did have to tell him after the MRI. I said I have something called multiple sclerosis and he almost cried and said ‘will it kill you?’ And I said ‘no, we never know what kills us Arthur, but this is not the doctor telling me I’m dying.’” It turns out the actress was in a full MS flare up since her son was born, but didn’t know. “I was giving it everything to seem normal, and I was self-medicating when he wasn’t with me. Drinking, in pain… Not always drinking, but there were times when I couldn’t take it and I was really struggling,” Blair confessed. Feeling helpless when her doctors didn’t take her seriously. “Single mother, you’re exhausted… I’d even drop my son off at school a mile away and before I got home I’d have to pull over and take a nap. I was ashamed and I was doing the best I could but it was killing me.” Selma found comfort asking for help from fellow actor Michael J. Fox, who has lived with Parkinson’s disease for three decades. “Really, he gives me hope.” Stepping out on the red carpet in a gorgeous gown and custom cane at Vanity Fair’s Oscar party Sunday night, she’s now spreading that hope to everyone else.<doc-sep>
Selma Blair made her first red carpet appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party after revealing her MS diagnosis in October 2018. Blair took to the red carpet in a Ralph & Russo gown and a cane customized to match her outfit. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Blair discusses her life-changing diagnosis and her dream of creating an accessible fashion line in the future. After revealing her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis back in October 2018, Selma Blair was thrusted into the spotlight thanks to her unbridled honesty about the condition. She explained via Instagram, "I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy." So stepping out on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Blair sent an important message to chronically ill and disabled people all over the world. And, no, it didn't include the word "inspiring." Too often, disabled people are used as able-bodied inspiration, but in a new interview with Vanity Fair, Blair—who is known for her iconic roles in movies like Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde—debunks that idea. Instead, Blair sees "a need for honesty about being disabled from someone recognizable," which is why she walked the red carpet with a cane. A chic cane, no less, designed to coordinate with her truly stunning Ralph & Russo caped gown. But when she's not preparing for the red carpet, Blair admits to Vanity Fair that "dressing is a shit show"—something that people with lifelong conditions know only too well. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis myself back in 2013, so Blair's statement that accessible fashion should "fit right and look cool" is my own brand of Holy Communion that I'm ready to eat right up. Selma Blair attends the Vanity Fair Oscars Party on February 24, 2019. Gregg DeGuire Getty Images Despite having the wild opportunity to write about fashion occasionally, I also—all too often—find myself wearing baggy t-shirts and leggings for ease. Any disabled person will tell you that when energy is a commodity as precious as Kardashian loyalty, fashion is sadly one of the things that gets sacrificed in day-to-day life. But Blair wants to change that. As Vanity Fair reports, Blair's main complaint about being diagnosed with MS is "the lack of stylish clothing available to disabled people. It might sound frivolous, but to Blair, who has always used clothes as a form of self-expression, it is a matter of identity." And a form of self-expression for which chronically ill and disabled people are regularly an afterthought. But Blair might have a solution that the world is most definitely ready for. "I would like to partner with someone like Christian Siriano on a line for everyone—not just people who necessarily need adaptive clothing, but for those who want comfort, too. It can still be chic. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style. Like, let’s get elastic waistbands to look a little bit better." And who better to make Blair's idea a reality than Christian Siriano, a designer who continually strives for inclusivity and body positivity? Blair is currently starring in the Netflix series Another Life, and she's determined to use her platform to normalize disability and chronic illness. She's already doing that by using a cane as a mobility device, and she has ideas for improvement. As Blair hilariously reveals to Vanity Fair, "I bought an acrylic cane that was very Miami 1980—kind of fabulous and horrible. But the problem with an acrylic cane with MS is that you drop the fucker. If it’s acrylic, I’m like, 'Oh my God. My cane just shattered and it’s everywhere.'" Importantly, Blair wants to end the unease anyone feels using mobility aids, or the prejudice that might result when interacting with a person using one. "You want to still be part of the living, not a shuffling person people get out of the way for because they're queasy," she explains, "A cane, I think, can be a great fashion accessory." George Pimentel Getty Images The Hellboy actress also understands that demystifying disability is a difficult process that's going to take time: "I really feel like people with disabilities are invisible to a lot of people. Because they’re uncomfortable, or don’t have the energy to dress up, don’t want to be seen." But Blair is absolutely up for helping to change the way the world views disability, as she tells VF, "I’m happy, and if I can help anyone be more comfortable in their skin, it’s more than I’ve ever done before."