Lupita Nyong’o’s Top 10 Red Carpet Looks
We have an eye for fashion (by we, I mean you the readers and I), because the second we saw Lupita Nyong’o make her red carpet debut in Prada for the Toronto Film Festival premiere for ’12 Years A Slave,’ we instantly fell in love with her style.
That was back in 2013. Cut to 2020, and that love is still going strong.
Why?
Because there is no colour (of dress or makeup), and no hairstyle that she hasn’t tried.
We easily could narrow down a red carpet look for the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Rooney Mara, but the same could never be said for Lupita, as she always keeps things interesting.
We’ve loved her style so much, that we often forget (chose to ignore) the fact that her shoe game is not as strong as her outfits.
Here are a look my top 10 favourites from Lupita.
1. Lupita Nyong’o in Prada – ’12 Years A Slave’ Toronto Film Festival Premiere – 2013
You never forget your first time, and this Prada dress will always hold special place in my heart. I would even rank this in the top two when it comes to her hall of fame.
2. Lupita Nyong’o in Ralph Lauren – 2014 Golden Globe Awards
A newbie on the awards season circuit, the actress didn’t let us down with this bold red Ralph Lauren gown. Many comparisons were made to Gwyenth Paltorw’s Tom Ford cape dress from 2012, but Lupita was very much in a league of her own, and this ranks as one of her most iconic looks to date.
3. Lupita Nyong’o In Calvin Klein Collection – 2014 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards
After reading the comments I realised that I did miss this gorgeous look from Calvin Klein Collection.
We know Lupita for bold colour and bolder silhouettes, but this sleek design is probably the most simplest on this list, yet is very impactful.
4. Lupita Nyong’o in Gucci – 2014 SAG Awards
When it comes to my all-time favourite look from Lupita, this Gucci dress is it.
The colour, the detail, the makeup. I do wish she had saved this for Oscar night, but it was probably more fitted to this occasion due to the more contemporary vibe which we don’t always see on Oscars ‘play it safe’ night.
5. Lupita Nyong’o in Christian Dior Couture – 2014 BAFTAs
I’m on look five, and I’m barely out of February 2014. That’s because 2014 was the year we saw the very best of Lupita.
She may not have won an award on the night, but she was easily our Best Dressed in this stunning green Dior Haute Couture gown.
6. Lupita Nyong’o in Carolina Herrera – ‘ Queen of Katwe’ Toronto Film Festival Premiere – 2016
The Toronto Film Festival continued to prove to be a good stomping ground for the Kenyan actress.
She looked every inch an African queen in her gorgeous custom Carolina Herrera strapless embroidered gown paired a traditional head piece.
This was the living embodiment of the phrase, the “bold and the beautiful.”
7. Lupita Nyong’o in Atelier Versace – ‘Black Panther’ World Premiere
The ‘Black Panther’ tour was another epic display of colour, style and hairstyles for Lupita, but her standout look was this Atelier Versace gown.
Everything was carefully considered from the colour purple, to the traditional hairstyle.
She was giving us so much more than a pretty dress, and we ate it up.
8. Lupita Nyong’o in Armani Privé – 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Lupita has had several Vanity Fair Oscar Party red carpet looks.
The Miu Miu from 2014. The Calvin Klein from 2015. The Oscar de la Renta from 2019, but this Armani Prive from 2018 is by far my favourite.
The level of elegance is unparalleled.
We all love Lupita for her love of colour, but she didn’t fail us when she wore black either.
9. Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein by Appointment – 2019 Golden Globe Awards
The colour and embellishment on this Calvin Klein by Appointment dress were divine, but the makeup really reinforces the brilliance of this look.
This was the last look I slotted into the top 10, as I couldn’t decide between this and Lupita’s Cannes debut in Gucci, but ultimately, I felt we already had a glorious Gucci moment earlier.
9. Lupita Nyong’o in Prabal Gurung & Mansur Gavriel – Good Morning America
The actress had several colourful TV show and street style looks, but this moment in Prabal Gurung and Mansur Gavriel still gives me goosebumps.
It is the perfect embodiment of Lupita’s style.
Colourful, with bold prints while boiling with energy. Even the shoes were on point with this look.
I still covet this from head-to-toe.
10. Lupita Nyong’o in Atelier Versace – 2019 Met Gala
From the explosion of colour, to the gold afro combs, makeup and sticking to the theme?
What was not to love about this Atelier Versace look?
Where is her 2014 Prada Oscars look?
It was one of her most beautiful red carpet outings, but I feel that all these looks are stronger, and are a truer representation of her stand out style.
Update: Yeah, this ended up being 11.
Credit: Getty
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