What a week for fashion! Our heads are still spinning from last week’s Met Gala; deciphering the symbolism behind Kim’s head-to-toe Balenciaga ensemble, stretching our imaginations to find this year’s theme of American Independence in the, let’s say, less obvious get-ups, and bowing down to the undisputable messages of “peg the patriarchy” , inequality in pay, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. The AOC tax dress, Zoë Kravitz slaying in sheer Saint Laurent, the list goes on.
Sunday night’s 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, however, served up some of the year’s best fashion moments on a gold platter. From elegant Old Hollywood inspo to striking cut-outs and corsets, here are our picks of the best fits from icons who graced both famed carpets.
Yara Shahidi
OUR PICK: Gala Look
Collaborating with Dior for both her Met Gala and Emmys looks, the Grown-ish actress paid tribute to American fashion icon Josephine Baker for this year’s theme. Drawing influence from Baker’s wardrobe, the result was an embroidered spectacle with gold veil, gloves, and yellow diamonds.
Emmys Look
Again she channels Old Hollywood with this kelly green Dior dress. Its simplicity is 1950s glamour and the brown leather pointed toe pumps are to die for. It’s safe to say Yara knows how to show up as a Dior Global Ambassador!
Dan Levy
OUR PICK: Emmys Look
Image credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images
Choosing between Dan’s two looks? Nearly impossible, but we'll go with this blue bombshell suit. After Schitt's Creek’s epic sweep of the Emmys last year, co-creator and star Dan Levy had to make a statement — and of course he delivered. That now signature smirk paired well with this deep gabardine jacket, shirt, and wool pant; all pieces from the Valentino Haute Couture "Des Ateliers" Fall/Winter 2021 collection.
Gala Look
Image credit: John Shearer/Getty images
For his first Met Gala ensemble, Dan Levy collaborated with Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson and Cartier for a poignant and eye-catching look that celebrates “queer love and queer visibility.” This year’s Gala celebrates the opening of the Costume Institute’s new exhibit “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, and Dan’s puffed-sleeved, portrait-bearing fit celebrates “the resilience and the love and the joy of the LGBTQ+ community” while sending the message that there is still much more work to be done.
Michaela Coel
Gala Look
Image Credit: Getty / Theo Wargo
Creator, writer, co-director, and star of I May Destroy You Michaela Coel appeared at this year’s Met Gala in a stunning blue sequined Balenciaga fit. The daring wide V neck line is a showstopper and the one-piece includes the shoe. What more could you want?
OUR PICK: Emmys Look
Image credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images
It is Coel’s look at this year’s primetime TV roundup in a Christopher John Rogers neon gown that takes the cake. One part strapless bandeau and one part skirt, sash, and trailing tails; the white drop Alighieri earrings pulled the ensemble together without taking away from the yellow main event. The most beautiful moment however was not the multi-hyphenate’s outfit, but her incredibly well-deserved win for limited-series writing, and being the first Black woman to win for that category. The visibly humbled Coel, who has full creative control over the series’ fictionalized story of her own experience, accepted the award by encouraging future writers and dedicating the achievement to “every single survivor of sexual assault.”
Gillian Anderson
Gala Look
Image Credit: Getty / Mike Coppola
Making a perfect example of the cut-out dress trend is The Crown’s Gillian Anderson (who won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the Emmys). We love this western Americana inspiration complete with statement chest piece and killer black floor length satin.
OUR PICK: Emmys Look
Image credit: Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
The cut-out dress reigned supreme on this year’s carpets. One of our favourites was another Chloé piece. Designed by the House’s Creative Director Gabriela Hearst, the cropped top look and this A-line skirt is a laid back, more casual approach when measured against the often thunderous gowns of most red carpets. This year has taught us that casual can be more than stylish, and this perfect mix of scaled back and formal has us running to incorporate more boho and cut-outs into our everyday attire.
If you love the cut-out dress look, check out our newest fave: the Gaia dress.
Mindy Kaling
Emmys Look
Image Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images
It's Mindy Kaling's first appearance on the Emmys red carpet in six years, and we absolutely adore this black bow gown by Carolina Herrera. She tops it off with long waves and dripping diamond accessories: a vision of days of Hollywood’s past.
OUR PICK: Gala Look
Image credit: Mike Coppola
Partnering with American Fashion Designer Tory Burch, Kaling dons a beautiful Tory Navy blue gown with cinched waist inspired by 1940s American Designer Claire McCardell. In a Vogue India interview between the Fashion Designer and the Producer, Director, and Writer, Mindy emphasizes that Tory was one of the first designers to make beautiful clothes for women of all sizes, and “that’s the real mark of inclusivity.”
Michaela Jaé (Mj) Rodriguez
Emmys Look
Image credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images
Jaé slayed on this year’s carpet in a light blue Atelier Versace gown. Although the look took our breath away, the real standout moment was seeing the actress and singer at the Emmys as the first transgender woman to recieve a nomination in a lead actor category for her role in Pose.
OUR PICK: Gala Look
Tight corset? Balloon sleeves? Count us in. This Thom Browne suit and Ana Khouri jewelry is simultaneously old regal beauty and mod chic style. That pop of red nail and button down is precisely why we follow these events, people!
Honourable Mentions...
It’s worth a mention that some of the best looks from the Met Gala and Emmys are served by many who didn’t attend both — and their outfits are just too iconic to not talk about:
Billie Eilish
You can’t honour iconic American style without mentioning Marilyn Monroe. Co-chair of the Gala, music industry titan Billie was a vision in Oscar de la Renta blush surrounded by what seems like acres of tulle — a look reminiscent of Marilyn’s momentous fashion moments.
Nicole Byer
Image Credit: Rich Fury / Getty Images
Nicole Byer floating along the Emmys red carpet in a purple waterfall is a level of luxury we will daily strive for.
Quannah Chasinghorse
Image credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The 19-year old Indigenous model capped off NYFW with her first Met Gala appearance. Dressed by Peter Dundas in a gold lamé dress and cape, Quannah—who is Hän Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota— says that “it was amazing to be able to be there and represent Indigenous people. Before I got to the Met, I was listening to Native music and artists to help me feel more empowered, and I was extremely excited to show the world the beauty of native indigenity.” (Read the full interview with Quannah).
Kaia Gerber
Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
How do you make an entrance for your first ever Met Gala? Take a page from the book of Kaia Gerber. This Oscar de la Renta re-creation of an original Dior look from the 1981 Gala worn by Biana Jagger is simply heart-stopping.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Image credit: Rich Furry / Getty Images
The Queen of chess continued her reign of fashion with this peaches and cream Dior dress and halter. Her fairy-length hair woven into intricate braids seals the deal on this unforgettable look.
Billy Porter
Image credit: Rich Fury / Getty Images
You may recall Billy’s entrance to the 2019 Met Gala channeling Ancient Egypt in a custom “Sun God” outfit, being carried in by six shirtless men. That ensemble carried 10-foot wings so it’s no surprise that for the Emmys Billy once again set the bar. An ode to his recent fairy godmother character in Amazon Prime’s Cinderella, he once again nearly took flight in a black Ashi Studio piece.
Cover photo credit: Los Angeles Confidential
