Award Show 2022 Red Carpet Recap

Design: David Jackson

Who doesn’t wait impatiently for the night of all nights, the Vanity Fair that is the awards? It’s hard not to be swept up in the glamour shrouding the stars on those red carpets, it’s hard not to be enthralled by the blinding lights of the paparazzi cameras, and even more difficult not to lust over the silks, the satins, the sequins of the gowns swishing down the walkway.

We’re only a few months into 2022 and already the glitter-ball enchantment of the awards has already taken hold. With the Oscars, the Grammys, and countless other ceremonies have already taken place, the fashion lining that carpet has certainly brightened, no, dazzled those moody winter months and certainly set the vein for the impending awards later this year.

As is natural for us, we have collated the best fashion to have waltzed the award stage which varies from embellished suits, and slick and suave tuxedos to cute cocktails and sweeping gowns, all of which left their own trademark in our memories.


The Oscars

The Oscars are the stage for fashion’s own theatrical performance, the laboratory for it to experiment, and the ultimate space for its celebrity wearer to play up their own persona. This year, the guests were bedecked in modern movie sophistication that winked back to the timeless elegance of the golden age of Hollywood glamour.

Even with the glowing celebration of 2022’s momentous movies, all those trophies won, and how could we forget the bust-up between Will Smith and Chris Rock, are not the only topics of conversation. As always, what the stars wore as they waltzed and sparkled their way down the iconic red carpet caught our focus as well as the lenses of the blazing paparazzi cameras. Check out the glitz and glam that graced the red carpet from our selected favourites below. At the Oscars this year we visited styles from the understated elegance of the classic tux to the eye-catching bold pop of pastel suits and we shamelessly simper over those sculpture-like silhouettes, and the effortlessly sweeping, gilded gowns that adorn the carper year after year. This year at the Oscars, endurance was the fashion - as Vogue stated: “elegant yet individualistic, the looks that won the night should inspire fashion lovers for years to come.”


The Grammys

At the 64th annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, the red carpet was as star-studded as ever as generations of musical legends stalked its length. The Grammys are the epitome of success in the music industry, the gilded gramophone is the coveted trophy for any artist whether you’re a budding, up-and-coming artist, or music royalty. The Grammys had their origin in the Hollywood Walk of Fame project in the 1950s. As the iconic pink stars were paved it was realised that many notable figures would not garner the attention they deserved and thus an awards ceremony as opulent and as broad in scope as the Oscars and the Emmys was born.

Even emerging from the global pandemic, the Grammys returned this year with all the golden beauty and opulence it evokes. Winners of this year’s awards go to the likes of Olivia Rodrigo who won best new artist, Silk Sonic who took home record and song of the year, and Jon Batiste won album of the year. But as always, not just the music fills the air at the Grammys. The many prestigious figures were in attendance and their styles of choice were just as thrilling, as adventurous, and as luxurious as we ever dare to dream. One garment that stood out in particular - corsets. It seems the Oscars wasn’t the only ceremony where the unspoken dress code was the timeless elegance of the bygone Golden Age of Hollywood.


The BRIT Awards

As a Brit, I of course had to include in our thread the Brit Awards - the British Phonographic Industry's annual popular music awards. The awards were first held in 1977 and became an annual event in 1982, with the event itself being considered the most prolific music award ceremony in the UK as some of the most notable moments in British popular culture to have taken place here. Some include the final public appearance of Freddie Mercury, the height of the high-profile feud between Oasis and Blur as well as the presentation of the iconic Union Jack dress worn by Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell in the Spice Girls. Considered in the past as “a little shambolic, unpredictable and, at times, anarchic”, the BRITS has since lost that shabby epithet and “evolved into a more polished, sanitised affair.”

This year marks the 42nd year of the BRIT awards and included some lasting notable wins, with ADELE winning Mastercard album of the year and Artist of the year, Billie Eilish winning International Artist of the year, and Little Simz for Best New Artist. Along with this were, of course, some distinguished and phenomenal looks.


The Baftas

Beginning in 1949, the BAFTAs or the British Academy Film Awards is the ceremony hosted by British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) congratulating the prestige and excellence of the best British and International Contributions to Film, with those gilded Greek masks serving as the glittery reminder of the beauty and the sheer theatricality offered by Movies.

On March 13 we ushered in the 75th ceremony hosted by Australian comedian and actress Rebel Wilson. As ever, it was a remarkable event which saw worthy winner Power of the Dog grasp the award for Best Film, Belfast claimed the prize for Outstanding British Film and The Harder They Fall bagged the award for outstanding debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director. Big names including Will Smith bagged the title of Best Actor and Ariana Debose for Supporting Actress, and after many other notable wins, Cruella claimed the prize for Best Costume.

As well as those big wins, the BAFTAs saw some truly beautiful artistry in the gowns and looks displayed on the carpet including House of Gucci nominee Lady Gaga and Rising Star award winner Lashana Lynch.


Our top look highlights.

Oscars - Lily James

Lily James was the definition of pretty in pink in this tulle-meets-lace Versace gown. Sexy yet cute, timeless yet innovative, forceful yet delicate, this gown in its understated yet striking simplicity makes juxtaposition its very statement.

As Carolyn Hammond stated: “Vogue said her look was very ‘modern/princess chic, which is exactly her sweet spot’ and I completely agree!”.


BRITS - Joy Crookes

Crookes leans into her Bangladeshi roots with this stunning gold, embellished two-piece. Complete with a hooded cloak, vine-like heels, and gilded, netted hand chains, Crookes absolutely stole the show as she celebrated her rich heritage.


Oscars - Kodi Smit-McPhee

“I love when the classic awards tux gets a rebrand. The blue is such an elegant color and the subtle sparkle of the necklace is spectacular.” - Bennett Hill.

As Hill beautifully summarises, Kodi Smit-McPhee dazzled in this razor-sharp, powder-blue suit and brought high art to the mainstream with that trending pop of colour.


BRITS - AJ Odudu

Odudu arrived at the BRITS in a style all her own in this couture piece. All eyes were on Odudu - literally with those beady-eye-like embellishments adorning the bodice. The beautifully hung shimmer tassels complement her look and complexion beautifully - Odudu is certainly one-of-a-kind on the carpet.


BAFTAs - Milly Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown opted for a dark, sultry, and moody in this black velvet, lace, and sequined Louis Vuitton gown. She was the epitome of elegance as she accessorised her look with matching velvet elbow gloves, and a shot of glitter with an understated necklace and ring from the brand's jewelry collection.


BAFTAs - Simone Bailey & Jonathan Bailey

The season’s to-die-for couple. The Bridgerton duo were the vision of envy as Bailey opted for a strikingly sheer, hot-pink Valentino number and her counterpart certainly looked the gentleman in a slick and suave all-black suit.


Grammys - Doja Cat

Doja was the definition of ice princess in her one-shoulder, all-over shimmer gown in dreamy blue. She accessorised her look with delicate silver jewelry and leaned into both the Y2k aesthetic with the spikey bun and the sculptural artistry of ice itself. Doja certainly Let It Go as she was the symbol of effortless elegance.


Oscars - Zendaya in Valentino

Make workaday an event. Zendaya paired glamorous nights with professional days in her look with a cropped, clean, and classic satin blouse with an opulent silver-sequin skirt. Zendaya was the epitome of cutting-edge, relatable fashion as she brought Hollywood to the office and the office to Hollywood.


Oscars - Jessica Chastain

Chastain was the glitterball at the Oscars in her sweeping, floor-length gown. The ombre dress melts from precious bronze into shimmery lavender ushering us into the pastel colours that define springtime.



Edited by Kieryn Alexander

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