The Red Carpet Moments of 2025 No One Saw Coming

If previous red-carpet seasons thrived on predictability, 2025 broke from it decisively. This was the year celebrities approached dressing with intent. From Met Gala appearances anchored in cultural references to awards-season looks that questioned inherited ideas of glamour, the red carpet shifted into a space defined by risk and clarity of vision.

Whether through sculptural shapes, confrontational styling, or unexpected material choices, stars like Teyana Taylor, LISA, Bad Bunny, and Jenna Ortega rewrote the rules, often in ways no one anticipated.

LISA- Getty images

LISA — Lever Couture

The BLACKPINK star and ‘The White Lotus’ actress arrived at the Emmys in a pink optic-illusion tulle gown by Lever Couture. The design had a structured peplum waist and an asymmetrical thigh-high slit that extended into a trailing arrangement of ribbon loops.

ROSALIA- Pauseonline

Rosalía — Balenciaga

At the Los40 Music Awards in Valencia, Spain, Rosalía delivered one of the year’s most arresting appearances. She wore a black crop top richly embroidered with organza feathers, paired with voluminous taffeta buttoned trousers. The look’s defining piece was an alien-inspired mask encrusted with strass crystals, making the outfit look surreal.

Alexander Skarsgard- Instagram

Alexander Skarsgard— Ludovic de Saint Sernin

At the London Film Festival, Skarsgård embraced  confrontational approach to red-carpet dressing in Ludovic de Saint Sernin. He wore a halter-style white button-down, styled with a black leather tie and fitted lace-up leather trousers. The look mirrored the S&M theme of his film ‘Pillion.’

Doechii- Getty images

Doechii — Thom Browne

For the 2025 Grammy Awards, Doechii arrived in Thom Browne, continuing her exploration of unconventional form. She wore an off-the-shoulder corset dress with exaggerated hips in dark grey, detailed with the brand’s red, white, and blue lacing. Layered over a white Oxford shirt and finished with a matching tie.

Arianna Grande- Getty images

Ariana Grande — Schiaparelli

Ariana Grande appeared at the Oscars in a custom Schiaparelli pink satin gown that centred craftsmanship. The design featured a wave-shaped peplum waist and a skirt heavily adorned with more than 190,000 crystals, sequins, rhinestones, and beads an exacting display of couture.

Bad Bunny- Getty images

Bad Bunny — Prada

At the 2025 Met Gala, Bad Bunny leaned into controlled tailoring. He wore a brown Prada mohair suit paired with a tobacco-toned poplin shirt.The restraint of the shape allowed his accessories to do the talking, adding contrast and personality.

Jenna Ortega- Getty images

Jenna Ortega — Givenchy

At the Emmys, Jenna Ortega appeared in Givenchy by Sarah Burton. She wore a chandelier-style top constructed entirely from jewels and pearls, paired with a black skirt cut with a thigh-high slit.

Teyana Taylor- Getty images

Teyana Taylor — Ruth E. Carter

One of the Met Gala’s most culturally rooted moments came from Teyana Taylor, dressed by Ruth E. Carter. She wore a three-piece pinstripe outfit completed with a feathered top hat and a sweeping cape. The words “Harlem Rose.”

Anna Sawai- Instagram

Anna Sawai — Giorgio Armani Privé

Anna Sawai’s SAG Awards appearance stood out for its composure and detail. Dressed in custom Giorgio Armani Privé, she wore a strapless gown embroidered from neckline to hem with ruby-red crystals. A black silk velvet back panel added contrast and depth.

Halle Berry- Getty images

Halle Berry — Christian Siriano

For the Oscars, Halle Berry wore a fitted silver Christian Siriano gown featuring over 7,000 mirrored crystals. The corseted bodice extended into a mermaid-style skirt, combining structure with fluid movement.