Top 10 Red Carpet Looks of 2021

Dakota Johnson has generated plenty of buzz for her supporting performance in “The Lost Daughter,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Johnson looked anything but lost on the red carpet, however. After initially showing up in a black blazer and trousers, the actress bedazzled herself in rosaline crystals and teardrop jewels for the film’s debut. This sheer Gucci ensemble beams with confidence, from the powerful shoulder pads to the dramatic v-neck. The diamonds running down the dress’ lower half accentuate Johnson’s legs, contributing to the boldness. Johnson shimmered like the star she is, but she also balanced out the look with shadowy eye makeup and dark lipstick. It’s fifty shades of silver with gold sandals thrown in for good measure.

Even before being voted Model of the Year in 2016, Bella Hadid has always been one to watch on the red carpet. She unveiled one of her most daring looks to date at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Hadid donned a Maison Schiaparelli haute couture gown, showcasing her hourglass figure. She draped herself almost entirely in black, from her elegant long sleeves, to her nails, to the dress’ hem. The most prominent exception was Hadid’s chained gold necklace over her low-cut neckline. Although the necklace could be mistaken for a tree’s roots, it actually depicts the passages of the human lungs. According to Hadid, the rhinestone-adorned necklace is “heavy as one would expect.” However, the results took our breath away.

Zendaya is a regular red carpet MVP, but 2021 was an especially iconic year for her. She saved her most ravishing look for the Academy Awards, donning a strapless cutout Valentino dress and matching Jimmy Choo heels. The neon yellow gown not only complemented the golden aesthetic associated with the Oscars, but also the sunny springtime season. Zendaya kept her hair free and easy, comfortably wearing it down. Yet, she went all out in the diamond department with Bulgari jewels worth more than $6 million. It strikes just the right balance between breezy and glamorous, which perfectly sums up Zendaya.

We couldn’t get enough of Anya Taylor-Joy’s wardrobe as Beth Harmon in “The Queen’s Gambit.” Her Emmy-nominated performance naturally translated to an unforgettable red carpet look. Taylor-Joy glowed like a life-sized Emmy in a backless yellow Christian Dior gown with a vibrant cape. Her blonde updo stole the show, however. Hairstylist Gregory Russell devised this dazzling look with a bun almost reminiscent of the Emmy statuette’s atom. Consider it the queen’s crown. While her hair and dress blended flawlessly, Taylor-Joy added a hint of red with her lipstick. The look’s calming color coordination practically overshadowed Taylor-Joy’s jewelry, which accumulated to an estimated worth of about $800,000. If the red carpet was a chessboard, Taylor-Joy would be the irrefutable queen.

No, it isn’t 2003. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck officially rekindled their romance in 2021, once again claiming their status as the power couple. About two months after Lopez verified the relationship, she accompanied Affleck to “The Last Duel” debut in Venice. Affleck looked sharp in a traditional black tux and bowtie. Lopez continued her long string of classic fashion moments in a white Georges Hobeika gown. She distinguished the look with a deep-cut neckline surrounded by Cartier jewelry. These crystals couldn’t have gone better with Lopez’s heels, which we got a glimpse of through her slit skirt. The couple sent a clear message: Bennifer 2.0 is in full swing and their red carpet revival is just getting started.

More than twenty-five years after “Clueless,” Cher Horowitz continues to inspire. Her influence has extended beyond female fashion, as Harry Styles channeled Cher at the Grammys. Championing gender-fluid fashion, Styles wore a yellow plaid Gucci jacket reminiscent of Cher’s iconic look. Styles even coordinated the blazer with a matching face mask. He rounded out the ensemble with brown pants, a deep v-neck sweater, and a purple boa. Cher herself, Alicia Silverstone, praised Styles’ outfit on social media, posting, “I am loving the Clueless vibes.” Silverstone added that “Cher would be so honored (and totally approve!!) of this chic look.” Styles won a Grammy that night for “Watermelon Sugar,” but receiving Cher’s seal of approval is the greatest award of all.

“Eternals” gave us quite a few red carpet highlights. For the MCU film’s screening at the Rome Film Festival, Angelia Jolie wrapped herself in a silver Atelier Versace gown and earrings. Just as Gemma Chan proved to be the movie’s breakout star, though, the red carpet belonged to her at the “Eternals” U.K. premiere. You wouldn’t expect a cropped hoodie to appear glamorous, but Chan illuminated the night with this ambitious ensemble decked out in diamonds. Beyond her bare midriff, Chan matched her top with a sheer black skirt, high boots, shorts, and a blinged-out belt. Much like Chan’s character, Sersi, the outfit is powerful, otherworldly, and won’t be showing its age anytime soon. We could spend an eternity admiring it.

So many Lil Nas X looks to choose from, but sadly only ten spots to fill. Perhaps we should single out his three-layered Met Gala transformation? Or maybe the purple Atelier Versace ensemble that he wore to the MTV VMAs? No, we have to reserve this spot for the ​​rapper’s appearance at the BET Awards. Giving us two looks for the price of one, Lil Nas X kicked things off in an Andrea Grossi gown. With an extravagant blazer, corset, and skirt engulfed in hand-drawn imagery, this toile outfit turned Lil Nas X into a living canvas. He then made one of his famous quick changes into a Richard Quinn suit that masterfully balanced 70s vibes, pink floral designs, and crystals. A true fashion chameleon.

Like Cinderella at the ball, we initially didn’t recognize Billie Eilish in this Oscar de la Renta ball gown with a wavy blonde bob. In addition to the Disney princess, Eilish’s transformative look possesses echoes of Marilyn Monroe and Holiday Barbie. While not what we’ve come to anticipate from the music sensation, traces of Eilish’s signature look can still be found in Rob Rumsey’s makeup, particularly the dark eyeliner. Although we couldn’t get enough of this ensemble, Eilish admitted that she was “scared and didn’t feel comfortable in [her] skin.” Nevertheless, Eilish said yes to the dress on the condition that the fashion label went fur-free. Eilish was ultimately “honored” to wear the gown, calling it “beautiful” and noting that it signified her growing confidence.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Megan Fox, “30th MTV Movie & TV Awards”
This See-Through Mugler Dress Blew Up Social Media

Camila Cabello, “38th MTV Video Music Awards”
Be Our Valentine

Olivia Rodrigo, “38th MTV Video Music Awards”
Pretty In Pink

Iman, 2021 Met Gala
Radiant Like the Sun

Tommy Dorfman, The Daily Front Row’s Fashion Media Awards 2021
Giving us Goosebumps in Givenchy

Few celebrity friendships lit up social media in 2021 like Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya’s. While we were excited to see their onscreen chemistry in “Dune,” we were just as eager to see them together on the red carpet. The besties had a variety of fashion moments, but the standout came at the film’s Venice International Film Festival premiere. Looking like leather had just been poured onto her, Zendaya stunned in custom Balmain. Her hair was similarly given a wet look, which showed off just how stunning she is - as well as the Bulgari emerald necklace she wore. Chalamet looked dashing as usual in sparkling Haider Ackermann. Together, the two made for an out-of-this-world red carpet experience.