The 25 Best Red Carpet Moments of 2023: A Year of Fashion Inspiration

From the Met Gala to Cannes Film Festival, the red carpets of 2023 showcased stunning fashion moments that left a lasting impression.

In a year marked by the SAG-AFTRA strike, which temporarily halted the glitz and glamour of red carpet events, 2023 still managed to deliver a plethora of inspiring fashion moments. While we missed out on the anticipated press tours and award shows, the red carpets that did take place were nothing short of extraordinary. From the iconic Met Gala to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, celebrities brought their A-game, showcasing breathtaking looks that captivated audiences worldwide. Let’s take a closer look at the 25 best red carpet moments that defined the year in fashion.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky at the Met Gala:

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky stole the show at the Met Gala with their fashionably late arrival. Rihanna donned a custom Valentino look, embodying the essence of the Chanel camellia, while A$AP Rocky paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld by recreating one of his iconic ensembles from 2005.

Jennie in Chanel at the Cannes Film Festival:

The Blackpink singer, affectionately known as “Human Chanel,” graced the Cannes Film Festival premiere of her show, The Idol, in a romantic white lace Chanel couture dress, adorned with black tulle off-the-shoulder details.

Zendaya in Valentino at the SAG Awards:

Zendaya may have had fewer red carpet moments this year, but she made them count. At the SAG Awards, she wowed in a custom Valentino number, featuring 190 rosettes on the skirt, leaving a lasting impression on fashion enthusiasts everywhere.

Nicole Kidman’s Chanel Throwback at the Met Gala:

Nicole Kidman turned heads at the Met Gala when she wore the same custom Chanel dress designed by Lagerfeld that she wore in the fragrance ad “Chanel No. 5, the film” back in 2004, showcasing the timeless elegance of Lagerfeld’s creations.

Angela Bassett’s Velvet Drama at the Critics’ Choice Awards:

Angela Bassett brought volume and drama to the Critics’ Choice Awards in a velvet, tiered Christian Siriano dress, proving that fashion can make a statement even without extravagant embellishments.

Dua Lipa’s Iconic White Tweed Gown at the Met Gala:

As one of the evening’s hosts, Dua Lipa attended the Met Gala in a white tweed gown from Chanel’s fall/winter 1992 haute couture collection. The dress, originally worn by Claudia Schiffer, solidified Lipa’s status as a fashion icon.

Ava DuVernay’s Butter-Yellow Prada Dress at Cannes:

Director Ava DuVernay graced the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Origins in a custom butter-yellow Prada dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, radiating elegance and grace on the red carpet.

Bad Bunny’s Bridal-Inspired Suit at the Met Gala:

Bad Bunny subverted tradition at the Met Gala by wearing an all-white, bridal-inspired suit with a shawl covered in rosettes. His daring choice showcased his unique sense of style and fearlessness.

Lily Gladstone’s Floral Valentino Number at Cannes:

Lily Gladstone made her Cannes Film Festival debut in a stunning floral Valentino number at the premiere of Martin Scorsese’s film, Killers of the Flower Moon, capturing the essence of romance and beauty.

Elle Fanning’s Homage to Lagerfeld at the Met Gala:

Elle Fanning paid homage to Lagerfeld at the Met Gala by recreating a moment from 12 years ago when Lagerfeld styled her for his book, Little Black Jacket. Fanning wore a strapless ivory lace dress with a tailored black crepe jacket and a daisy crown, showcasing Lagerfeld’s timeless influence.

Storm Reid’s Sequin-Covered Prada Dress at Cannes:

Storm Reid turned heads at the Chopard Trophy ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival with her sequin-covered, strapless Prada dress, a stunning and attention-grabbing choice that deserved more recognition.

Natalie Portman’s Recreated Junon Dress at Cannes:

Natalie Portman recreated Christian Dior’s famed Junon dress, originally created in 1949/50, for the premiere of her film, May December, at the Cannes Film Festival. Portman’s choice celebrated the timeless beauty of Dior’s designs.

Tracee Ellis Ross’s Dramatic Balmain Look at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party:

Tracee Ellis Ross brought the drama to the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a complete look from Olivier Rousteing’s fall 2023 collection. Her bold choice showcased her fearless approach to fashion.

Cate Blanchett’s Sustainable Louis Vuitton Look at the Oscars:

Cate Blanchett, known for her sustainable fashion choices, paired a black skirt made from fully sustainable silk with an iridescent draped top from an archival Louis Vuitton collection at the Oscars. Her chic and eco-friendly ensemble made a powerful statement.

Cardi B’s Unexpected Dilara Findikoglu Dress at the MTV VMAs:

Cardi B stunned in a dress from Dilara Findikoglu’s fall/winter 2023 collection at the MTV Video Music Awards. The elongated hair clip-covered dress was unexpected and exciting, perfectly showcasing Cardi’s unique style.

Hunter Schafer’s Risqué Ann Demeulemeester Look at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party:

Hunter Schafer turned heads at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a risqué look from Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s collection for Ann Demeulemeester. Her daring choice showcased her fearless approach to fashion.

Kendall Jenner’s Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Moment at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party:

Kendall Jenner brought back a classic from Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring 2008 couture show at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Her black-and-gold rendition of the iconic dress proved that great fashion never goes out of style.

Tems’s Ethereal Oscar Dress:

Tems made a statement on the red carpet with her ethereal Oscar dress. The voluminous silhouette of the dress went viral, capturing the attention of both fashion enthusiasts and the internet at large.

Elle Fanning’s Custom Alexander McQueen Gown at Cannes:

Elle Fanning continued to impress with her Cannes red carpet looks, attending the opening ceremony in a custom Alexander McQueen gown, featuring a tulle skirt and a sculptural corset top. Her one-woman Met Gala reputation remained intact.

Lupita Nyong’o’s Body-Shaped Breastplate at the Tony Awards:

Lupita Nyong’o made a powerful statement at the Tony Awards with a breastplate cast and molded to her body by artist and designer Misha Japanwala. Her choice challenged societal norms and celebrated body positivity.

Margot Robbie’s Barbie-Inspired Schiaparelli Moment:

Margot Robbie’s Barbie press tour was a delight, with each red carpet look paying homage to the iconic doll. Her Schiaparelli moment at the Los Angeles premiere, inspired by the “Solo in the Spotlight” Barbie from 1960, was a standout.

Gigi Hadid’s Chikankari Sari at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Gala:

Gigi Hadid graced the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Gala in a stunning Chikankari sari designed by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. The intricately crafted piece showcased the beauty of Indian craftsmanship.

Hari Nef’s Whimsical Dilara Findikoglu Dress at the Barbie Premiere:

Hari Nef added a touch of whimsy to the red carpet with a cutlery-covered dress from Dilara Findikoglu’s collection at the Europe premiere of Barbie. Her unique choice brought a sense of playfulness to the event.

Grace Elizabeth’s Tonal Pink Ballgown at the Met Gala:

Model Grace Elizabeth brought a splash of color to the Met Gala in a tonal pink ballgown. Her choice stood out amidst the sea of black and white looks, showcasing her vibrant personality.

Conclusion:

Despite the challenges posed by the SAG-AFTRA strike, 2023 still managed to deliver a year of unforgettable fashion moments on the red carpet. From Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s stylish arrival at the Met Gala to Elle Fanning’s stunning homage to Karl Lagerfeld, each celebrity brought their unique flair and creativity to the forefront. These 25 best red carpet moments of 2023 showcased the diversity, elegance, and innovation that define the world of fashion. As we look forward to the upcoming year, we can’t help but anticipate the fashion moments that await us on the red carpet.