Hollywood’s finest gathered to celebrate Black excellence at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo receiving a well-deserved honour. But, as always, the red carpet had its own narratives to tell. Some stars brought the drama, some played it safe, and a few left us wondering, “What exactly was the vision here?”
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Jessica Williams kept things refined and elegant in an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera knit dress. It was the kind of effortless chic that doesn’t scream for attention. No bells, no whistles—just pure class.
Girl, I will defend you to the ends of the Earth, but I cannot defend this
Jodie Turner-Smith, I love you. I do. But this green leather H&M Studio look? No ma’am. The styling, the overall energy—it’s just not giving what it needed to give. You’re usually a risk-taker in the best way, but this one didn’t pay off. Disappointed doesn’t even begin to cover it.
A white suit done right… almost
Kandi Burruss was on the right track with this crisp white Sergio Hudson suit, looking sharp and tailored to perfection. And then… the headband happened. Why? Just why? It feels like an unnecessary afterthought, distracting from an otherwise flawless moment.
Schoolgirl aesthetic, but make it dominatrix
Laverne Cox switched things up from her usual Mugler moment, stepping into the world of Thom Browne. The pleated skirt suit had all the makings of a preppy disaster, but the leather harness was a genius move, giving it an edge that kept it from veering into cosplay territory.
Fashion feast or fashion famine?
Lori Harvey probably thought she was serving in this Burberry Spring 2025 cropped trench and cargo trousers. Instead, the look is serving her. The signature Burberry check is overwhelming her frame rather than complementing it. Props for stepping out of her usual aesthetic, but this one isn’t hitting the way it should.
Leather luxe done right
A leather coat as the centerpiece of a look? Risky, but Marianne Jean-Baptiste made it work. This Altuzarra Spring 2025 piece felt bold, confident, and commanding. When the coat is the statement, you let it do the talking.
Kaftan-free and fabulous
Natasha Rothwell’s been loving her kaftan silhouettes lately, so seeing her in this off-the-shoulder navy dress was a breath of fresh air. It cinched at the waist beautifully, giving her a refined silhouette. The navy accessories? Perfect in terms of coordination.
The queen of colour strikes again
Nathalie Emmanuel knows her way around a bold colour moment, and this hot pink suit did not disappoint. Bright, playful, and packed with personality—this is how you do a power suit with flair.
Oversized, over-the-top, over-perfection
Ryan Destiny took the oversized suiting trend and absolutely ran with it in Saint Laurent. The contrasting shades of brown melted together like the perfect latte, making this a rich, luxurious take on the trend.
Double belt, double the drama
While Lori’s trench situation fell flat, Tasha Smith’s Ganni Spring 2025 coat stepped in to show how it’s done. The double-belted feature added an extra layer of edginess, making this outerwear moment feel like the main event.
Nice, but underwhelming
Teyana Taylor is our go-to girl for daring, directional fashion, so this custom AMIRI jersey dress felt surprisingly tame. It’s fine, but for someone with such an undeniable presence, this felt underwhelming.
The tiniest dress with the biggest impact
Tyla was covered in 16Arlington’s signature sequins. This look was all about sparkle, legs, and maximum impact.
A rare non black moment
Zoe Kravitz stepping outside her usual black wardrobe is a plot twist we didn’t see coming. This ivory Saint Laurent Resort 2025 dress was a softer, daytime-friendly choice, but let’s be real—the shade might be different, but the energy is still peak Zoe.
Some wins, some losses at this year’s ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards. Who was your favourite? Who left you confused?
Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE / Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE / Vogue.com
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