By: Laviniah Karanja, Fashion blogger and Face of Kenya UK 2014
It was fun galore on February 6 at the NAACP Image Awards, an accolade presented by the American National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People to honour outstanding people of colour in film, television, music and literature. And what would an awards ceremony be without the display of beautifully designed gowns gracing the red carpet! Indeed the stars pulled out all stops for the perfect red carpet showdown of style.
The NAACP Image Awards featured a variety of gowns possessing a mix of sassy and sexy, and a stepping away from the conventional black tie event style as they set the pace and tone for the evening. Kerry Washington, star of Scandal, who seldom puts a foot wrong in the fashion and style stakes, didn’t disappoint in a scarlet demure rosette Zuhair Murad gown. Kerry stole the spotlight in standout sexy spaghetti strapped dress with soft sheer lace flower pattern. The feminine floral lace gown from Zuhair Murad’s spring 2015 collection was eye catching in the fine delicate neckline and empire waist detail, a testament of Murad’s work that strikes a definitive balance between refined and risqué.
Maintaining the tone for style at the awards in subtle sexiness, Gabrielle Union was captivating in a sophisticated Gauri & Nainika blush gown with cross over high neck, cut outs and backless detail. Taking an unusual spin from the classic gown, Gabrielle revealed some skin but kept it sophisticated in a complimentary blush colour. A refreshing look on the red carpet, a risky choice but one that certainly paid off and was a style winner.
Not one to shy away from challenging the realms and paradigms of fashion, actress and daughter of Diana Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross completely embodied the theme on the red carpet in a long sleeved plunging neckline embellished gown. The Actress looked sexy in a white beaded gown made to fit her enviable figure.
Not to be outdone in the stakes, Angela Bassett wowed in a stunning black and gold gown by extreme, featuring a sheer skirt with a thigh high slit. Taking a leaf out of Tracee Ellis Ross’s book, the actress wore a plunging neckline, fully accentuating her curves and her ever radiant beauty.
Also favouring red, Taraji P Henson kept it simplistic in a daring red dress by George Chakra
The evening was full of surprises; this was evident in the form of some gown choices that didn’t quite achieve the same appeal. In a striking eggplant shape and hue Gustavo Cadile gown, Laverne Fox choice was unsuitable as the eggplant style skirt enveloped and overpowered her frame
Similarly Demetria McKinney’s Carry Santiago gown played with mixed fabrics, however the deep colour of the fabric along with the over layering proved too heavy for this red carpet affair. It appears less is certainly more when it comes to choosing an elegant gown fit for the awards.
A man on the moment David Oyelowo won in many ways on the night, opting to wear a grey three piece suit complete with a checked tie looked every inch dapper. A winner at the NAACP award, David took home the gong for outstanding actor in a motion picture for his incredibly great performance in Selma, a poignant biopic of Martin Luther King.
With latest offering from the awards season, the excitement will continue to build as to what themes and styles will be favoured at the red carpet for the upcoming Bafta, Grammy’s and Oscars! Who will lead in this year’s style edition?
What was your favourite look from the NAACP Image Awards show?
