By: Laviniah Karanja, Fashion blogger and Face of Kenya UK 2014
The awards season is very much in full swing. It started with the NAACP Awards, then BAFTA Awards and now the 57thGrammy Awards! It is coveted as the biggest night in music, where the who’s who in the industry congregate under one roof with a line-up of spectacular collaborations and performances. In case you missed the red carpet action to find out what your favourite celebrities wore, look no further. Here’s some signature looks from the evening, some unforgettable and rather surprising choices! Of course we can expect nothing less for the red carpet.
Rihanna was the belle of the ball in a flamboyant, oversized pink Giambattista Valli gown for her arrival on the red carpet before her performance on stage. In a two tiered gown that resembled a beautiful Barbie cake, Rihanna looked serene and a spectacle of beauty. Her bare makeup and casually pulled back hair complemented the gown to create a look of ease. Rihanna wowed in this couture silk and tulle gown from the spring couture collection featuring embroideries paired with Chopard jewellery.
Beyonce led the harem of stars who opted for plunging neckline detail, as did Lady Gaga in a silver Brandon Maxwell gown, Ashanti in a cross neck Michael Costello number, Toni Braxton in a Marc Bouwer number with an awkward centrepiece and Kim Kardashian in a revealing Jean Paul Gautier piece. The Proenza Schouler choice for Beyonce also set the tone for the most apparent preferred hue on the red carpet, in a black beaded gown with a wide v neckline, minimal makeup and hair worn down loosely, the dress although suitably fitting failed to bring a much needed sparkle to one of the most anticipated events on the entertainment calendar. A statement piece was a miss, a varying hairstyle and a lighter coloured gownperhaps would have transformed this ensemble.
Other stars who favoured black pieces included Nicki Minaj, Jessie J, and Ciara
Kim Kardashian’s theatrical gown of shimmer fabric and heavy embellishment with a plunging neckline and a high slit almost looked uncomfortable for the reality TV star as she made her way on the red carpet. The delicate fabric coupled with the open neckline and slit with what appeared to be very little that held the dress together was practically impossible for her to manoeuvre in to avoid any sudden wardrobe malfunctions.
Cut out dresses have made quite a splash across magazine spreads and a style pick for Awards show, but Miles Cyrus in Alexandre Vaulthier dress showed too much skin in a highly cut out detailed dress that proved to be more risqué than elegant for the red carpet.
Similarly, Iggy Azalea showcases another cut out gown by Giorgio Armani, in a more flattering choice and magnetic cobalt blue. Putting her own spin on her look, the artiste’s mane instead took her centre stage in a braided crown. An interesting hair style but an odd pairing with the floor length gown.
Katy Perry wore a beaded crystal embellished sheer and a leave little to the imagination Zuhair Murad dress. By her own admission she wanted “to shine bright like a diamond” in purple hair and blue eye mascara. She certainly stood out.
Taylor Swift was beguiling in a turquoise Elie Saab gown. The halter dress boasted a draped A line skirt and exaggerated slit that showcased the singer’s famous legs. A style turner, Taylor Swift looked impeccable in the floor gown that was equally balanced flirtatious element in the short length of the skirt as it was demure in the elongated draped skirt. The only sore point were the fuchsia heels pairing, an otherwise great colour block contrast but for this elaborate gown a neutral hue would have sufficed.
Madonna’s outfit caused a stir on the red carpet. Wearing Spanish matador themed ensemble complete with leather thigh high boots and matching gloves, and then displaying her derriere for onlookers, she certainly made her entrance to the awards ceremony unforgettable. Whether her outfit gleaned attention as a style turner is entirely a different matter but rather one of the least aesthetically pleasing looks of the night.
Who is your pick as the best dressed and the worst dressed?
