Awards season is the time of year when our celebrity style icons get all dressed up and have plenty of places to go. From the red carpets at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and Grammys to VIP events and Hollywood soirees, here are our top 12 fashion and beauty looks from Janelle Monae, Cynthia Erivo, Issa Rae, Kerry Washington, Lizzo, Lupita Nyong’o and more. And the winners are …
1 and 2. Most Dramatic Looks
Harriet costar Janelle Monae channeled Grace Jones at the 92nd Academy Awards in a hand-embroidered, silver Ralph Lauren gown with a hood, dripping with thousands of Swarovski crystals. The outspoken style icon also kicked off the show with a dynamic performance that celebrated female-driven and African American-led films that weren’t nominated, including Us and Queen & Slim. Monae also wished the audience a “Happy Black History Month” and exclaimed, “I’m so proud to be standing here as a Black queer artist telling stories.”
On the strength of her triumphant leading role in Kasi Lemmons’ Harriet Tubman biopic, Harriet, Cynthia Erivo was the only woman of color nominated for an Oscar this year in the best actress and best song categories. Although the Tony, Grammy and Emmy award winner for The Color Purpledidn’t achieve EGOT status this year, the Brit thespian shined like an Oscar statue in a custom, gold Vera Wang gown with a halo–like collar, during her moving performance of “Stand Up” from Harriet.
3. Pretty in Pink
Regina King continues to slay on the red carpet. Last year’s best supporting actress winner for If Beale Street Could Talkwas a vision of loveliness in a peachy blush Atelier Versace gown with a grand train that fit the regal King like a glove.
4. Lady in Red
Danai Gurira was without a doubt one of the best-dressed sisters this awards season. The Black Panther and The Walking Dead star stunned on the red carpet at the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in a form-fitting orangey-red gown that accentuated her radiant cocoa skin and toned arms that give us #fitnessgoals.
5. Best Hair
We love the long box braids Kerry Washington rocked at the Television Academy’s 25th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood. Since her popular ABC series Scandal ended in 2018, Washington has been showing an edgier and more Afrocentric side on the red carpet.
6. Best High Fashion Look
Gugu Mbatha-Raw looked like she jumped off the pages of Vogue in a yellow-gold sequined gown by Gucci at the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. To highlight her golden complexion and curly updo, the Beyond the Lights actress also wore the perfect shade of orange-red lipstick. “Our inspiration was a little bit Dorothy Dandridge, a little bit Diana Ross,” her makeup artist told New York magazine’s website, the Cut.
7. Classiest Act
Ava DuVernay is always a class act on the red carpet. And her elegant style didn’t disappoint at the 25th annual Critics’ Choice Awards, where the When They See Us and Queen Sugar creator glowed in a long-sleeved lavender dress, featuring white embellishments.
8. Best Curves
Lizzo looked like she was “feeling good as hell” as she arrived at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in a figure-flattering strapless gown by Versace. The elegant white gown with silver beading was paired with a white stole, white crystal-adorned strappy heels plus $2 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz diamonds. Talk about a little bling, bling! The plus-sized-and-proud entertainer’s night only got better after she performed and picked up three Grammys.
9. Best Makeup
Actress and producer Issa Rae was glowing and anything but low-key at the Sundance Film Festival’s “A Lowkey Conversation With Issa Rae and Prentice Penny,” moderated by Bevy Smith. Her fresh-faced, minimalist makeup accentuated her flawless skin, and her brows and lashes were poppin’.
10. Best Smile
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but lovely Lupita Nyong’o’s smile was her best accessory at the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. We love the Us star’s floral Louis Vuitton frock and her natural hair, too.
11. Fashion Plate
Fun and flirty Zendaya is a fashion risk-taker, and her sartorial gamble paid off in a metallic fuchsia breastplate top and matching jersey maxi skirt by Tom Ford at the 25th annual Critics’ Choice Awards. The best actress nominee for the HBO drama Euphoria was styled by Law Roach, who described the look as “warrior woman.”
12. Fashion-Forward Mother-Daughter Duo
Bohemian beauties Lisa Bonet and Zoë Kravitz were twinning at the 21st annual InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globe After Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Looking more like Zoë’s older sister than her mom, the 52-year-old Bonet wore a flowy, embroidered Fendi gown while 31-year-old Zoë opted for a structured polka-dot dress by Saint Laurent that perfectly matched her cool pixie haircut and ’60s Hollywood vibe.
