The best red carpet fashion moments of 2024
This year’s red carpets served us some of fashion’s most memorable moments – from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s viral Wicked looks to Kim Kardashian channelling Princess Diana.
Method-dressing (when an actor pays homage to the film they’re promoting through their fashion) took the year’s red carpets by storm. However, some celebrities’ classically timeless looks also made just as big an impact.
Here are the most memorable fashion moments from 2024’s red carpets…
1. Zendaya
Zendaya had a plethora of eye catching red carpet looks this year – from her method-dressing for the tennis blockbuster Challengers to her ethereal drama on the Met Gala red carpet.
The one piece featured structured chrome panels pulled from the Mugler’s 1995 Couture collection and was styled with patent pointed heels and wet look hair.
2. Ariana Grande
The film adaptation of the world’s favourite musical, Wicked, not only took the box office by storm this year – but the fashion world too.
Leading the way were film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande who served up an array of incredible red carpet looks, embodying their characters: the wicked witch and good witch.
The 31-year-old actor and singer wore a custom Glinda gown by Vivienne Westwood with a corseted bodice adorned with intricate and sparkling embellishments.
The dress featured puffed shimmering sleeves and a dramatic tulle skirt, cascading in layers of blush pink. To accentuate the princess persona even further, Grande accessorised with a diamond butterfly choker by Lorraine Schwartz and minimal pink make-up.
3. Cynthia Erivo
Trading in her usual green colour palette – as a nod to her role as Elphaba – Erivo, 37, opted for a striking black velvet bodice and a capacious, flared tulle skirt that revealed a glittering copper mosaic underneath.
The shimmer extended to Erivo’s tights and she completed the look with black opera gloves, platform heels and De Beers jewellery, topped with a black fascinator.
4. Nicola Coughlan
Nicola Coughlan kept it ‘very demure, very mindful’ at the Fashion Awards in December this year.
The round gown silhouette – inspired by 19th century Regency dress styles – was perfect for the 37-year-old Bridgeton star. The dress was by Indian designer, Gaurav Gupta, who has also dressed the likes of by Beyonce and Cardi B.
5. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky
Rihanna’s public appearances are now few and far between – but when she does appear on the red carpet – she makes it worth everyone’s while.
Rihanna wore an-eye catching furry turquoise dress and matching hat with a plunging black corset. The star dipped into the archives for her look, wearing an outfit from Christian Lacroix’s autumn/winter 2002 couture collection.
Never one to be outshone, this year Rihanna paired her vibrant look with pointed-toe heels, sheer tights and lots of diamonds – after all, the event was presented by the jeweller Pandora.
6. Colman Domingo
One of the best dressed male actors of 2024 has undoubtedly been Colman Domingo.
At the Critics’ Choice Awards in January, Domingo wore a Valentino Haute Couture mustard suit with a gilt ruffled overcoat and baby blue shirt.
The actor finished the dazzling look with a pair of pointed golden Christian Louboutin boots, Bulgari jewellery and an Omega watch.7. Cardi B
The 32-year-old WAP singer chose an avant-garde creation by Windowsen – an emerging label founded by Chinese designer Sensen Lii.
The 26-year-old Good Luck, Babe! singer wore a silk dress by independent designer Efrain Nava, a custom headpiece by Manny Robertson, who has also designed for looks featured at Ru Paul’s DragCon.Roan finished her look with a pair of vintage Christian Dior knee high buckle boots.9. Kim Kardashian
The reality star wore Princess Diana’s gold, silver, amethyst and diamond Attallah Cross necklace with a plunging white Gucci gown and pearl choker.
The 44-year-old SKIMS founder bought the pendant at a Sotheby’s auction for £163,800 in January 2023.
10. Bad Bunny
The 30-year-old musician wore a navy suit with white and red exposed thread and a red ribbon lampasse.
The artist finished the look with a wool flower bouquet, bouffant beret and custom made ‘Tabi’ boots – a shoe that Maison Margiela’s then creative director, John Galliano, made viral this year.
11. Carey Mulligan
A timeless red carpet look that stuck in people’s minds this year was Carey Mulligan’s Oscars dress.
Mulligan, 31, was dubbed as the award ceremony’s best dressed celebrity of the evening. The gown’s gentle form-fitting silhouette and delicate sweetheart neckline encompassed the soft elegance and femininity of 2024’s biggest fashion trend ‘quiet luxury’.
The dress featured a dramatic mermaid skirt, which flared out at the knees under the scalloped hem, with a white tulle petticoat peeped out at the base. Mulligan kept her jewellery simple with a pair of classic diamond drop earrings.
“I think it’s my favourite dress I’ve ever worn,” the actor told Vogue.
12. Lady Gaga
The 38-year-old actor and singer channelled Harley Quinn in a blood red Celine gown, featuring voluminous shoulder pads and a sharp plunging neckline, which mirrored her onscreen character’s distinctive style.
The floor-length gown was finished with a Eighties-style cropped jacket which complemented Gaga’s sleek bob and smoky blue eye make-up. The star completed the look with black nail polish and minimal accessories, allowing the gown to do the talking.