2024 has certainly been a dazzling year for red carpet fashion, with stars once again making unforgettable statements on the industry’s biggest stages. Each appearance represented more than just clothing; they redefined what it means to spark conversation and showcase individuality. From the Met Gala to the Venice Film Festival, this year’s events saw celebrities donning daring designs and couture creations, pushing boundaries like never before.
At the 2024 Met Gala, Zendaya made headlines as she returned after a five-year hiatus. One of the evening's five co-chairs, she wowed attendees with two stunning ensembles by John Galliano. Her first look, inspired by Galliano’s Spring 1999 couture collection for Dior, was nothing short of breathtaking. For her second act, she adorned a vintage ball gown from Givenchy’s Spring 1996 collection, accentuated by a dramatic headpiece shaped like blooming roses—a vintage treasure from Philip Treacy’s collection.
Meanwhile, Chappell Roan brought her fierce energy to the VMAS, channeling her inner warrior with a sheer Y/Project maxi dress, complete with a small chainmail purse and even wielding a sword. And who can forget her fearless interaction with photographers, reminding everyone on the red carpet: “Not me, b*tch!”
At the Venice Film Festival, Taylor Russell dazzled the crowd with multiple looks, but it was her breathtaking ensemble for the opening night—a vintage Chanel Haute Couture piece from Spring/Summer 1993—that truly stole the show. Russell is fast becoming known for her unique sense of style as much as her acting prowess.
South African singer Tyla also made waves at the Met Gala, donning a sculpted gown by Olivier Rousteing for Balmain, clearly inspired by the evening's theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” The gown seemed to capture the essence of time itself, resembling sand clinging to her silhouette.
Miley Cyrus turned heads at the Grammys with her audacious see-through mini dress crafted from 14,000 gold safety pins. The piece featured geometric designs and bird-like shapes and accompanied her victory as she took home the golden gramophone for Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit, “Flowers.”
Another highlight was Cynthia Erivo's appearance at the premiere of 'Wicked: Part One' in Mexico. She radiated elegance wearing a glittery black Thom Browne gown, characterized by its structured silhouette and unique claw-like embellishments.
On the Oscars red carpet, Carey Mulligan epitomized classic elegance with her custom couture gown from Cristóbal Balenciaga, originally crafted in 1951. It featured masterful tailoring and ivory tulle accents, making it both timeless and spectacular.
Lady Gaga’s promotional appearances for 'Joker: Folie à Deux' were equally notable. For one premiere, she donned a dramatic Christian Dior couture dress, punctuated by Tiffany & Co. jewelry and Philip Treacy’s theatrical lace face accessory, bringing unparalleled drama to the red carpet.
Then there was Lana Del Rey, who made her third appearance at the Met Gala wearing an archival design from Alexander McQueen’s fall collection of 2006. The garment, embellished with hand-embroidered climbing branches, highlighted the blend of nostalgia and creativity inherent within Del Rey’s artistry.
Zendaya also shined at the 'Dune: Part 2' premiere, showcasing her knack for method dressing with her archival Mugler “Maschinenmensch” robot suit from 1995, creating yet another memorable moment of fashion history.
Angelina Jolie made her stunning return to the Venice Film Festival, after two long decades, captivating onlookers with her custom Tamara Ralph dress paired with a faux-fur stole at the premiere of “Maria,” where she portrayed the opera legend Maria Callas.
Of course, the fashion scene wasn’t solely dominated by established stars. Rising talents also made their mark. Mikey Madison emerged as one of this year's breakout stars, honing her elegant yet modern aesthetic on the red carpet thanks to stylist Jamie Mizrahi.
Similarly, Chappell Roan dominated the charts and red carpets alike after the release of her album 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess', embraced over-the-top looks with hints of camp. Indigenous actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai added meaningful messaging to his red carpet looks, wearing red face paint to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Then there’s Tyla, who also captured attention at the CFD Awards, effortlessly transitioning her style to emblems of strong silhouettes and vibrant colors. Her Balmain gown at the Met Gala encapsulated this same bold flair.
Drew Starkey and Angel Reese emerged as fresh representatives for their respective industries, with Starkey embracing modern suiting inspired by his rising film career and Reese showcasing both athleticism and style, effortlessly transitioning from the court to the front row at fashion weeks.
Finally, Josh O’Connor and Anna Sawai pushed fashion boundaries with risk-taking styles, proving style isn’t confined to celebrity status—everyone is vying for individuality on the red carpet!
With the unique fashion statements made this year, it’s evident the intersection of music and runway is more vibrant than ever, showcasing fresh voices and styles as part of the cultural fabric of 2024.
