The Best Red Carpet Looks from 2021

originally January 4, 2022

Plenty of stars are excited to be back to the glamour of red carpets this year and it showed in the amount that turned out some incredibly memorable looks at fabulous events including the Grammies, Oscars, MET Gala, Venice Film Festival and more! Here are some of my all time favorite red carpet looks from celebrities in 2021!

and if you prefer, you can also see most of the looks with some detail in my top 30 video here:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the MET Gala

US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, otherwise known as AOC, wears one of the most notable looks of 2021 at the MET gala 2021 and possibly the most excellent example of using fashion as a platform for a political statement. This is AOC’s first attendance of the MET Gala and she could not have embodied the theme, In America: a Lexicon of Fashion than by wearing this white gown by Brother Vellies embellished with her democratic socialist political agenda, “Tax the Rich.”

Rihanna at the MET Gala

Fenty Beauty founder and popstar, Rihanna, wears a black, enrobing, Balenciaga Fall 2021 Haute Couture gown to the Met Gala. The look is paired with 267 carats of diamonds from Bulgari and a black beanie to make this one of the most glamorous looks of the evening while still fully encompassing Rihanna’s usual cool girl vibe.

Cardi B at Paris Fashion Week

Artist and style icon Cardi B wears a dramatic and shiny red gown by Thierry Mugler to Paris Fashion Week. The look is vintage from the brands 1995 Haute Couture Collection and is complete with matching gloves and a gigantic feathered cape. This is first public appearance since having her second son and this vibrant figure fitting gown shows us all that she has nothing to hide.

Billie Eilish at the MET Gala

Billie Eilish dramatically switches up her usual tom boy aesthetic in this extravagant gown by American designer Oscar de la Renta to the MET gala. She channels Old Hollywood in her interpretation of the American theme. More than looking incredible, the dress made a long term positive impact on the brand as well. Alex Bolen, the brand’s CEO, says he made the decision to stop selling fur after his conversation with Eilish who refuses to work with designers who use fur. Eilish says, “The entire team heard me on this issue, and have now made a change that makes an impact for the greater good, not only for animals but also for our planet and environment too.”

Carey Mulligan at the MET Gala

For the MET Gala, Carey Mulligan wears a hot pink strapless ballgown with matching cape. The look is dubbed “Revenge Barbie” and, as Barbie is such a a prominent figure of pop culture, is fitting for the “In America” theme. The look is Valentino Haute Couture from their Spring of 2021 Collection.

Regina King at the Oscar’s

Filmmaker Regina King wears a blue and silver gown custom made by Louis Vuitton to the Oscars.

Cynthia Erivo at the Venice Film Festival

Cynthia Erivo attends the premiere of her movie The Last Duel at the Venice Film Festival wearing this flamboyant black, white, and teal gown. The dress is custom made by Gucci for the event.

For more stunning red carpet looks this year from Cynthia Erivo, check out my post The 3 Best Dressed Celebrities of 2021.

Noah Cyrus at the Grammies

Miley’s younger sister and fellow American singer Noah Cyrus wears an ivory Schiaparelli gown to the Grammies. The dress is Haute Couture from the brand’s spring of 2021 collection and looks incredible with the artist’s fair complexion and dark hair. She pairs the dress with plenty of multicolored jewels to add extra drama for the occasion.

Zendaya at the Venice Film Festival

Fashion icon Zendaya attends the Venice Film Festival premiere of her film Dune in a beautiful high slit camel form fitting draped leather gown by Balmain. She pairs this gown with Bvgari necklace and Christian Louboutin pumps.

For more of Zendaya’s epic red carpet looks this year, check out my post The 3 Best Dressed Celebrities of 2021.

Kendall Jenner at the MET Gala

Reality star and model Kendal Jenner is one of the last to show up at the MET Gala in a beaded naked dress with a statement diamond collar necklace and beige leather sandals. The dress is by Givenchy and is custom-made by designer Matthew M. Williams for the brand and is designed in reference to Givenchy’s long time muse Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.

Lady Gaga at the Presidential Inauguration

Lady Gaga wears Schiaparelli Haute Couture to sing the National Anthem at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. The look is bulletproof as a safety precaution, which I feel adds significantly to its appeal and the dove broach it’s fashioned is both elegant and I feel probably is meant to symbolize the peace that Biden campaigned to strive for and our country so needed after the storming of the capital a couple of weeks prior to the event.

Regina King at the Golden Globes

Filmmaker Regina King radiates at the Golden Globes in this long asymmetric cut out black and silver gown. The dress is custom-made by Louis Vuitton and reportedly took 350 hours to make.

Zendaya at the Ballon D’Or

Fashion icon Zendaya attends the Ballon D’Or rewards in France wearing a black form fitting high neckline gown with an intricate gold detailed back. The dress is by Roberto Cavalli and is vintage from the brand’s fall 2000 collection and is paired with bold gold hoop earrings and black pumps.

Kate Hudson at the Venice Film Festival

Kate Hudson looks incredible in this lush red tulle and lace gown for the Venice Film Festival. The dress is by Valentino and from their 2022 resort collection. She wears it in attendance for the premiere of her movie Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon.

Carey Mulligan at the Oscars

Carey Mulligan looks as if she belongs on a trophy at the Oscars. This gorgeous gold 2 piece number is Valentino Haute Couture from Spring/ Summer 2021. She walks in it and matching shoes by Sophia Webster across the stage, taking home the award for best actress for her work in Promising Young Woman.

Gigi Hadid at the MET Gala

Gigi Hadid attends the MET Gala this year wearing a stunning sleek and simple white dress that appears unstained with a white underdress. The gown is custom designed by Miuccia Prada, and is described as an ode to simple by Hadid- making it perfectly appropriate for the theme of in America where fashion is mostly simple in comparison to our glamorous European counterparts.

Amanda Seyfried at the Oscars

Amanda Seyfried wears a stunning scarlet strapless gown with an interesting neckline that’s reminiscent of old Hollywood this year for the Oscars. The talented actress earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her playing Marion Davies in the movie Mank. The dress is custom made by Armani Privé and is vintage glamour to play off the theme of the movie.

Dua Lipa at the Grammies

Popstar Dua Lipa rocks her signature Versace to the grammies in this stunning and sparkly butterfly cut out dress. Lipa has notably worn Versace for numerous red carpet event and she and her younger sister Rina both now model for the brand as well.

For more killer red carpet looks from Dua Lipa this year, check out my post The 3 Best Dressed Celebrities of 2021.

Normani at the MET Gala

American R&B singer Normani steps out for the MET Gala in this gorgeous chartreuse ballgown with a bold sleeve and natural waist. The dress is custom designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino for he occasion. Normani on the dress, “Yellow pops on dark skin. I feel regal. I feel like a queen.” She calls the look an ode to black girl excellence. Another reason to get excited that most women understand, the dress has pockets.

Jhené Aiko at the Grammies

American Singer Jhené Aiko leaves an impression on the Grammies this year with this decadent, strapless, and plush pink gown. She was nominated for album of the year at the event. The gown is by Monsoori and the jewelry is by Sydney Evans.

Lady Gaga at the House of Gucci Premiere

Star of most glamorous movie of 2021, Lady Gaga wears a glamorous sheer purple dress with fishnets and platform boots. This was for the UK premiere where she went for the rocker look complete with a blunt bang and smoky eye.

For more of Lady Gaga’s fabulous looks from 2021, check out my post The 3 Best Dressed Celebrities of 2021.

Anne Hathaway at the Locked Down Premiere

Anne Hathaway gets all dolled up at home to celebrate the premiere of her new movie Locked Down. This dazzling gown is Haute Couture by Versace from Fall of 2020.

Anya Taylor-Joy at the Golden Globes

Anya Taylor-Joy wears this elegant gown with shawl/ cape by Christian Dior to the Golden Globes of 2021. The dress is custom made for Anya- who signed on as an ambassador with the brand this year.

Jhené Aiko at the Shang-Chi Premiere

Jhené Aiko wears Iris Van Herpen to the premiere of her new movie Shang-Chi by Marvel. The dress is straight from the brand’s Spring 2021 Haute Couture Collection.