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Kai-Isaiah Jamal at the Gay Times Honours 2022.
Across the globe at awards shows, product launches, film 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 dash of daring into their outfits, six celebrities made a mark.
Below, enjoy our favourite ensembles from the past seven days.
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Best Roman goddess
I can’t stop looking at this surreal, textural Fendi Couture gown on Gabrielle Union. It’s hurting my brain. I adore the slightly sporty-esque vibe of it, with its sleeveless turtleneck and crushed black velvet. And then the print on the front is so unexpected, so unusual. And as your eyes make their way down her body, what at first glance appear as belts and adornments on her frock suddenly become the body of the statue. Or do they? It’s like the Magic Eye book of couture fashion. What I wouldn’t give to see this in the flesh. – Rebecca Wadey
Best jeans and a nice top
Taylor Russell has been serving very fashion-forward looks throughout her promo tour for her latest film Bones and All, but this has to be my favourite. So cool, so sexy, so simple. The fluffy bolero is from Tom Ford era Gucci (2004 to be exact), paired with simple jeans and strappy stilettos – to me, this is the epitome of noughties style revamped for now. – Zoe Walker Ahwa
Best all American
From first glance you can tell that America Ferrera’s classic blazer, blue jeans and chunky loafer outfit is a winner, but it’s the wider context that really sold me on this look. Firstly, there’s the Fran Lebowitz reference which would have been enough to make me love it in and of itself, but that she wore it to canvas votes for Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock in Georgia alongside Tessa Thompson really sealed the deal. Being politically tuned in is always in fashion. – Tyson Beckett
Best Greek goddess
I did a second take on realising this dreamy, draped Grecian frock, worn by Adwoa Aboah at the Willow premiere, was from Victoria Beckham, who I always associate with strong, structural shapes. Adwoa makes this look completely her own, with the edgy addition of bright blue eyeshadow. 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) always has a bold and effortlessly cool style, favouring interesting and sort of structural silhouettes – as seen in this wonky top and wrap skirt combo at a Ralph Lauren fragrance launch this week. But to be honest, my attention is mostly drawn to her fantastic makeup, brows and nails. – ZWA
Best lit look
A couple of weeks ago Rebecca highlighted the impact poor lighting can make to red carpet photography, referencing Evan Ross Katz’s now infamous joke that the 2022 CFDA Fashion Awards had ‘truly homophobic lighting’. At the other end of the illumination spectrum we have the stunning photos from the Gay Times Honours, an awards show put on by UK publication Gay Times to celebrate people and organisations who 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 once called “the voice of a generation” by Virgil Abloh) to look anything other than sublime, especially when wearing Jean Paul Gaultier and Miu Miu, but my jaw hit the floor when I saw this picture. Give the lighting tech a raise. – TB