The Grammys have arrived. A key thing to know during award season is that music award shows play by different rules. Where the Oscars lean more formal, the Grammys are about wearing something that will be talked about for the next week.
While movie stars often separate themselves from the characters they play, the artists at the Grammys are still in character. For them, the red carpet is just another kind of stage. Whatever narrative they’re selling has to be visible in the sartorial choices they make.
For me, that means music awards are a lot more fun.
The Red Carpet
Like I said, music awards are a different ball game. In addition to the high-risk, high-reward attitude toward red-carpet attire, many of the attendees will be serving us two (or more) looks during the night.
In addition to taking the stage to accept the most coveted awards in music, several of these stars are slated to perform. For that, of course, they need costumes.
With the dual-look situation we have going on, it only makes sense to divide this post so that we can focus on the fashion of both the red carpet and the stage.
We’ll start with the Red Carpet.
Kelsea Ballerini in Etro
I think this is my favorite look of the night. Ballerini, whose album Patterns was nominated for Best Contemporary County Album, was radiant in this sequined halter dress. The embellishments on this dress are exquisite (take a closer look on stylist Rob Zangardi’s Instagram), and I’m obsessed with the way they transition into fringe elements closer to the floor. It’s almost as if Ballerini is a statue emerging from molten gold.
Sabrina Carpenter in Valentino
Carpenter, whose album Man’s Best Friend earned her six nominations, was classically beautiful as always. She reliably brings old Hollywood to the red carpet in a way that’s interesting and doesn’t feel overdone, and this custom Valentino gown is no exception. I find it slightly reminiscent of Daisy’s costumes from The Great Gatsby (2013). It did look like the train was ripped at some point on the red carpet, but it happens to the best of us.
Doechii in Roberto Cavalli
Doechii, who received five nominations and won Best Music Video for her song “Anxiety,” wowed me with this phenomenal gown. Just look at that train. Designer Roberto Cavalli posted a video of the gown’s creation, which really highlights the beautiful details that you might not notice in the red-carpet photos. This is also a unique color palette that I would love to see more of on the red carpet. It’s giving high-fashion tavern wench, and I promise I mean that as a compliment.
Doechii in Givenchy
Why wear one dress to the Grammys when you could wear two? I definitely prefer Doechii’s Roberto Cavalli outfit over this one, but it’s still fun, and I love a costume change. Jenna Ortega wore a similar look to the Emmys, and I have to say I think Jenna did it better. Still, I love the bodice, and this red color looks great on her.
Ejae in Christian Dior
Ejae, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, was stunning in this navy blue gown by Dior. My only criticism is that, as beautiful as it was, the details of this gown can’t really be seen in the red-carpet photos because there’s not enough contrast between the blue and the black. What you can’t see very well in most photos are the beautiful black flowers and lace trailing down the slit in the dress. I had to really hunt for a photo that was well enough lit for me to get a good look.
Lady Gaga in Matières Fécales
The queen has arrived. With seven nominations and two wins, Gaga had a hell of a night. This dress is exquisitely crafted from god knows how many black feathers, and it gives the appearance that Gaga is midway through being magically transformed into a raven. Designer Matières Fécales posted some BTS content for this look on their Instagram, and I highly recommend you check it out.
Zara Larsson in Germanier
Larsson, whose song “Midnight Sun” was nominated for Best Dance Pop Recording, is on a mission to make being a Millennial cool again, and dare I say she’s succeeding. She served 2010s nostalgia (hey, I did a post about that!) in this custom two-piece set by Germanier. The golden-yellow color, asymmetric neckline and bare midriff all scream summer music festival to me, and that’s exactly the vibe Larsson brings to the music scene. Branding, people, branding. The matching jewelry and nails also really help to sell this look. She is welcome to be part of my symphony.
Audrey Nuna in Thom Browne
In news that shocks absolutely nobody, Audrey Nuna (nominated for Best Pop Group/Duo Performance for “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters) has once again made her way onto my best-dressed list. I absolutely adore this deconstructed suit situation, and the tiered skirt really makes the look for me. I also love the earrings, which I think are by Messika. I love the creativity Nuna brings to the red carpet, and she does a masterful job of balancing maintaining her visual brand while keeping things interesting.
For anyone wondering why Ejae won a Grammy for “Golden” while Audrey Nuna was only nominated (I was certainly confused by this), my understanding is that Best Song Written for Visual Media is only presented to the songwriters. In the case of “Golden,” Ejae has a writing credit, but Nuna is only credited as a performer.
Chappell Roan in Mugler
When I first saw this look without the cape, I audibly gasped. You’ll all be relieved to know that this look was created using prosthetic nipples. But you’ll be horrified to know that the original look on the Mugler runway was, in fact, anchored by the model Erica Vanbriel’s real nipple piercings. Do I think it looks good? Not really. But it got a reaction, and that counts for something. Roan, who was nominated twice for her song “The Subway,” is known for her over-the-top style, and she seems to really focus on creating looks that spark a conversation. Love it or hate it, this look has certainly been on people’s minds.
Chappell Roan in Rodarte
Okay, so technically this is not the red carpet. But she’s also not performing, so you see my dilemma. My assumption is that Roan changed out of her red-carpet dress because a) she’s addicted to serving and b) it was ever-so-slightly impractical. This dress is a great pull from ye olden days (2007), and it makes her look like the goddess she is. The delicate fabric and draping are just beautiful, and I only wish we had gotten to see more of this dress. I also love the armband she’s wearing, which really helps tie the look together for me.
Teyana Taylor in Tom Ford
Teyana Taylor found on best-dressed list, fork found in kitchen. Taylor, whose album Escape Room was nominated for Best R&B Album, looked divine in this sleek Tom Ford gown. I don’t know how anyone can pull off this color on the red carpet, but she’s done it. I really like the way this dress wraps around her body, and the length is absolutely perfect.
Lola Young in Vivienne Westwood
Now hear me out: Lola Young has a very distinctive look. She’s mastered the art of visual branding, and that’s huge in the music industry. This look is super unconventional, but it feels right for her. And if Lola Young wants to wear pajamas to the Grammys, they might as well be by Vivienne Westwood.
María Zardoya in Alexander McQueen
If there’s anything I love to see on a red carpet, it’s a pair of evening gloves. And when those gloves are McQueen? Even better. Zardoya, lead singer of Best New Artist nominated band The Marías, served vampire chic in this fabulous black gown, accented by a beautiful glass flower by Pia Glassworks.
The Stage
Stage costumes, in my opinion, are a highly underrated section of the fashion world. These looks aren’t just made to be photographed; they have to look good in motion and translate well to both the live audience and those watching at home. They also have to be functional. A skirt you can barely walk in might look nice on the red carpet, but it won’t do for a high-energy performance on one of music’s biggest stages.
Let’s take a look at a couple of the beautiful stage costumes delivered to us by this year’s performers.
Sabrina Carpenter in Ludovic de Saint Sernin
Everybody loves a woman in uniform. Carpenter took the stage to perform her song Manchild in this stunning white pilot costume, and I loved every second of it. She has so much charisma as a performer, and it’s great to see her in a costume that lives up to her stage presence.
Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen
I mean, come on. This is awesome. It’s Lady Gaga. It’s McQueen. What more is there to say? I love that she stuck with the feather motif, which to me harkens back to her appearance in Netflix’s Wendesday last year. I am nothing if not a lover of McQueen, and this pull from their Fall/Winter 2009 Ready-To-Wear collection is a huge win for me. It’s very reminiscent of Effie from The Hunger Games for me, with a 1980s office attire silhouette obscured by edgy black leather, blood-red feathers and whatever is going on with that headpiece.
Sartorial Onscreen 
Leave a comment