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Kai-Isaiah Jamal at the 2022 Gay Times Honors.
Around the world at awards shows, product launches, movie premieres and on the campaign trail, the looks that made us stop scrolling this week shared one thing: an embrace of boldness.
It might have been an unexpected print, an unlikely pairing, a bright makeup choice, or a strong political stance, but by incorporating a touch of boldness into their outfits, six celebrities made an impact.
Enjoy our favorite ensembles from the past seven days below.
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Dear Roman Goddess
I can’t stop looking at this surreal textured Fendi Couture dress on Gabrielle Union. It hurts my brain. I love the slightly sporty look of it, with its sleeveless turtleneck and bruised black velvet. And then the print on the front is so unexpected, so unusual. And as your eyes wander down her body, what at first glance looks like belts and embellishments on her dress suddenly become the body of the statue. Or do they? It’s like the Magic Eye book on couture fashion. What I wouldn’t give to see this in real life. —Rebecca Wadey
Best jeans and a nice top
Taylor Russell has shown very fashionable looks during her promo tour for her latest movie Bones and all, but this has to be my favourite. So cool, so sexy, so simple. The fluffy bolero is by Gucci from the Tom Ford era (2004 to be exact), paired with a simple pair of jeans and strappy stilettos – to me, this is the epitome of 1990s style revamped for now. – Zoe Walker Ahwa
Dear all American
At first glance, you can tell America Ferrera’s classic blazer, jeans, and chunky loafer outfit is a winner, but it’s the wider context that really sold me on this look. First, there’s the Fran Lebowitz reference which would have been enough to make me love it on its own, but her wearing it to garner votes for Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock alongside Tessa Thompson really sealed the deal. Being politically aligned is always in fashion. – Tyson Beckett
Dear Greek Goddess
I took a second look realizing that this dreamy, draped Grecian gown worn by Adwoa Aboah at the Willow premiere belonged to Victoria Beckham, whom I always associate with strong, structural forms. Adwoa makes this look completely their own, with the edgy addition of bright blue eye shadow. No Disney princesses here! – RW
Best top
London-based, New Zealand-born creative Anita Chhiba (the founder of Diet Paratha, a platform that celebrates South Asian people) has always a bold and effortlessly cool style, who prefers interesting and kind of structural silhouettes – as seen in this wonky top and wrap skirt combo at the launch of a Ralph Lauren fragrance this week. But honestly, my main focus is on her fabulous make-up, eyebrows, and nails. – TO TAKE
Best illuminated look
A few weeks ago Rebecca emphasized the impact poor lighting can have to red carpet photography, referencing the now infamous Evan Ross Katz joke that the 2022 CFDA Fashion Awards had’really homophobic lighting‘. At the other end of the lighting spectrum, we have the stunning photos of the Gay Times Awardsan awards ceremony organized by British publication Gay Times to celebrate people and organizations that have made strides in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Admittedly, it’s hard for the gorgeous Kai-Isaiah Jamal (a performance poet and trans visibility campaigner who was once called “the voice of a generation” by Virgil Abloh) to look anything but sublime, especially when he Jean Paul Gaultier and Miu Miu wears, but my jaw dropped when I saw this photo. Give the lighting tech a raise. – TB