This year, Black entertainers owned fashion like never before. From futuristic silhouettes to daring innovations, these stars graced red carpets and events with looks that instantly set trends. What once appeared on the biggest stages has now trickled down to influence street style and vice versa, proving that 2024 was a year of style evolution and boundary-pushing. Let’s dive into ten of the hottest fashion moments from Black entertainers and decide whether we’ll be taking these iconic styles into 2025.
Zendaya
The queen of the red carpet, Zendaya, delivered yet another jaw-dropping moment at this year’s Met Gala. Partnering with her longtime stylist, Law Roach, the duo once again proved they are an unstoppable force in fashion. For the event, Zendaya stunned in a look that combined vintage couture and avant-garde artistry: a long black gown from Givenchy’s Spring 1996 haute couture collection featuring a corseted bodice and an extravagant, floor-sweeping train. She completed the ensemble with an iconic headpiece from Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2007 collection, perfectly merging the themes of past and present.
As a co-chair for this year’s Met Gala, themed “The Garden of Time,” Zendaya flawless look complemented the exhibition’s theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” highlighting her reputation as a fashion icon and a trailblazer who never misses an opportunity to make a statement. Is this a trend we’re taking with us in the New Year? For sure! We adore a nod to vintage couture, especially when it’s reimagined with such innovation and creativity. This look reminds us how timeless fashion can be when paired with a modern vision. Vintage-inspired pieces will undoubtedly remain a staple in 2025.
Pharrell Williams
The Year of the Cowboy (Thanks to Beyoncé) Pharrell Williams turned heads at Balmain’s Paris Fashion Week presentation with an ivory cowboy-inspired ensemble from Louis Vuitton. This look offered an exclusive glimpse into LV’s 2025 menswear collection. He styled flared pants with a matching button-up jacket, accessorizing with tan cowboy boots, tinted sunglasses, and a pristine white cowboy hat, perfectly blending Western charm with high-fashion flair.
Are we taking this trend to 2025? Absolutely! Cowboy-inspired fashion isn’t going anywhere. Pharrell’s modern take on Western wear has shown how versatile and stylish this trend can be. Expect to see flared pants, structured jackets, and statement cowboy hats making their way into both high-end collections and streetwear. Whether it’s through bold accessories or head-to-toe ensembles, this trend is ready to gallop into 2025.
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu’s Thom Browne menswear suit at the 2024 CFDA Awards was a testament to avant-garde brilliance. The ensemble was a masterclass in structured elegance, showcasing Browne’s signature tailoring infused with Badu’s iconic, eclectic flair. With exaggerated proportions and meticulous craftsmanship, the look offered a futuristic twist on classic menswear. Fittingly, Badu was honored with the Fashion Icon Award for her enduring impact on fashion and culture, and this outfit perfectly encapsulated her trailblazing spirit.
Are we loving this for 2025? Yes and yes! Thom Browne’s structured suiting is the definition of timeless style. Bold, tailored pieces like this are set to dominate in 2025, proving that classic menswear-inspired fashion will always have a place in the modern wardrobe. This is a trend we’re embracing and elevating all year long.
SAINt JHN
Saint Jhn made a striking appearance at Balmain’s menswear show, effortlessly blending vintage-inspired silhouettes with a modern edge. He donned flared white pants paired with a coordinating turtleneck, a combination that exuded understated elegance. However, the true showstopper was his shin-length coat, complete with peaked lapels and bold fringe details cascading along the sleeves and across the chest. The fringe added a touch of movement and flair, elevating the classic design into a statement of individuality.
The question is, are we taking this with us into 2025? Without a doubt. Flared pants and statement outerwear are poised to remain at the forefront of menswear trends in 2025. This look proves that experimenting with proportions and unique embellishments will continue to dominate the fashion conversation next year.
Cynthia Ervio
Press tours and premiere red carpets are where fashion truly comes alive, offering a visual symphony that sets the tone for the movie being celebrated. When styled to perfection, these moments become show-stopping spectacles that captivate audiences. Ervio at the Los Angeles Wicked premiere accomplished just that. Her electrifying green gown radiated energy and commanding attention.
Are we taking Cynthia Erivo’s green vinyl Louis Vuitton dress to 2025? Absolutely, yes. This dress is the perfect blend of bold futurism and high fashion, setting a standard for what modern red carpet moments should look like. The high-shine vinyl finish feels like a nod to the future, while the structured silhouette exudes timeless sophistication. It’s a daring yet wearable piece that pushes boundaries, making it a style worth carrying into 2025 for those who want to stay ahead of the fashion curve.
Tyler James Williams
Tyler James Williams turned heads at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in February with his fresh take on monochromatic dressing. Draped in baby blue, he paired a sleek, tailored suit with a matching mesh t-shirt, designed by LA-based fashion label Amiri this look effortlessly blended sophistication with a touch of modern edge. The soft pastel hue added a refreshing pop to the evening’s red carpet, while the unexpected texture of the mesh underscored his expertise for fashion-forward risks.
Are we taking this look into 2025? Yes and no. Monochromatic looks are always a fun and easy way to create a polished outfit, but what makes them truly fascinating is the addition of texture. Tyler’s baby blue suit paired with a mesh t-shirt shows how texture can elevate the simplicity of a single-color ensemble. So yes, we’ll take monochromatic dressing into 2025—but with caution. Without unique textures or bold elements, the look risks feeling too predictable.
Blue Ivy Carter
The rising star took the concept of eveningwear up a notch, wearing a brushed gold gown with a draped heart neckline, twisted bodice, snatched waist, and a princess-worthy train custom-made by Christian Siriano to the Mufasa: The Lion King premiere in Hollywood’s iconic Dolby Theatre.
Are We Taking This into 2025? With all the commotion surrounding Blue Ivy’s dress on the internet, deemed by some as “too grown” for her to wear, it was truly a breath of fresh air to see a tween wear an appropriate yet dazzling dress. This look strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and age-appropriate elegance. We want to continue celebrating this level of beauty and refinement for our young girls, offering them stylish yet modest options that empower rather than reveal. With that being said, yes, we’re taking this into 2025 and beyond!
Beyonce
Beyoncé put on an unforgettable show on Christmas Day in Houston, performing hits from her 2024 album Cowboy Carter during halftime at the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game. For this standout moment, she fully embraced the “cowboy core” aesthetic, donning a custom ensemble designed by Lindsey James Show Clothing, paired with a show-stopping custom Roberto Cavalli feathered coat. The combination of bold, Western-inspired elements with high-fashion flair made for a performance that was as visually stunning as it was musically electrifying.
Is this look something we’d like to see in 2025? We’re bias… Yes we know it’s the Queen and can do no wrong but here’s our reason. Yes, this look is likely to influence 2025 fashion, as the cowboy core aesthetic continues to gain traction. The fusion of luxe, custom pieces like the feathered Roberto Cavalli coat with Western influences signals a growing trend of eclectic, genre-blending styles that will resonate with those looking to make bold, individualized fashion statements. However, no, the more extreme versions of this trend, such as the elaborate feathered coat, may not be widely adopted for everyday wear. While Western-inspired elements will remain relevant, the look might evolve toward more wearable, refined interpretations in 2025, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
Da’vine Joy Radolph
Da’Vine Joy Randolph showcased her fashionista side at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards, stepping onto the red carpet in a stunning brown corseted Wiederhoeft dress with a voluminous tulle skirt. The gown was a perfect combination of chic and dramatic, featuring a structured corset that highlighted her curves and a billowing skirt that added an element of whimsy. As a plus-size woman, Da’Vine’s look was both bold and flattering, perfectly tailored to her body type. The corset accentuated her waistline, while the tulle skirt provided the right amount of volume to balance her proportions, creating an elegant silhouette. The brown hue was rich and warm, complementing her complexion, while the overall design embraced both sophistication and playfulness.
Are we seeing this in 2025? Yes, we are taking this into 2025. The corset trend is expected to stay relevant, with a focus on structured, body-positive designs that enhance curves. Da’Vine’s look represents a stylish example of how corsetry can be reimagined for plus-size fashion, proving that fashion can be both trendy and flattering for every body type. The inclusion of tulle adds a sense of lightness and whimsy that will continue to be on-trend, making this silhouette something that can be adapted and embraced throughout 2025.
Rihanna
Rihanna made a bold statement with her striking blue hat, which was the centerpiece of her maximalist look. The vibrant color, paired with her chic and edgy ensemble, added an unexpected pop of glamour. The hat exuded confidence, drawing attention with its bold, eye-catching hue, while serving as a standout accessory that elevated her entire outfit. This turquoise shade has become a favorite in 2024, also seen on fashion icons like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa, further solidifying its place as a must-have color for the season.
Are we seeing these hats in 2025? Yes, we might see bold hats like Rihanna’s Christian Lacroix Fall 2002 couture piece in 2025. Statement accessories are making a comeback, with fashion embracing more dramatic and artistic pieces to elevate outfits. While the exact couture hat may remain exclusive, the overall trend of oversized, sculptural, and uniquely designed hats is likely to continue into 2025, with designers drawing inspiration from past collections to create fresh, wearable versions. Turquoise and bold, vibrant colors will also remain popular, making this type of standout accessory relevant for fashion-forward individuals looking to make a statement.
These ten Black entertainers didn’t just wear fashion in 2024; they lived it, setting trends that will undoubtedly continue to shape the industry. Whether it was Zendaya’s futuristic glow or Rihanna’s bold stage presence, these moments celebrated individuality, innovation, and the power of style. Here’s to carrying their fashion-forward energy into 2025
