Sartorial Onscreen

The 26th BET Awards were held on Saturday, and this year’s ceremony marked the debut of the Fashion Vanguard Award. Presented to Teyana Taylor, the award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to fashion as a form of storytelling.

The BET Awards are presented annually by Black Entertainment Television to recognize contributions to Black culture. While most categories are music-related, awards are also given for achievements in film, sports and more.

Introducing an award dedicated to fashion speaks to the growing relevance of fashion as a distinct pillar of popular culture. More and more, celebrities are expected to expand their media presence by telling a visual story through their sartorial choices from the street to the red carpet.

While only one winner could take home the inaugural Fashion Vanguard award, Taylor was in good company with her fellow nominees. A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Doechii, Colman Domingo, Rihanna and Zendaya were all also in contention for the award.

What all of these stars have in common is that they’ve proven time and time again that fashion is an integral part of the art they create. From Beyoncé’s iconic tour wardrobe to Zendaya’s legendary press tours, these are creative people who collaborate with designers to share their visions with the world.

Ultimately, Taylor’s status as a red-carpet icon made her the top contender. She consistently takes risks and delivers showstopping looks, displaying a commitment to using her body as a canvas to tell her story.