In 2025, the red carpet wasn’t just a place for glamorous gowns—it became a canvas for storytelling. From avant-garde tailoring at the Met Gala to timeless silhouettes at the Oscars, the year’s most talked-about women didn’t just wear outfits—they made statements.
Every stitch, train, and tailored lapel spoke volumes about personal identity, cultural pride, and sheer creative daring.
So who really stole the spotlight? We looked at the big three—Oscars, Golden Globes, and especially the Met Gala—and gathered insights from fashion heavyweights like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New York Times.
The result? A list of 10 women who didn’t just walk red carpets—they owned them.
Let’s get into it.
1. Rihanna
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There’s always buzz around Rihanna, but 2025? She reminded everyone why she’s still the reigning queen of red carpet reinvention.
She arrived at the Met Gala glowing—literally and figuratively—in a deconstructed Marc Jacobs suit. The twist? One jacket was cropped, worn as a top with a polka-dot tie collar, and another jacket became her skirt.
With her partner ASAP Rocky by her side, the couple turned heads, effortlessly complementing each other’s style.
She paired it with sky-high heels and, proudly, her baby bump. It was all very Rihanna—bold, impeccably styled, and full of quiet power.
Why It Mattered
Rihanna leaned into the “Tailored for You” theme while keeping it personal. Her outfit nodded to classic tailoring but bent the rules in a way only she can.
Trend Impact
Expect to see more pregnancy-forward red carpet looks and high fashion maternity styles hitting runways and Instagram feeds alike.
2. Doja Cat
- Event: Met Gala 2025
- Designer: Unknown (custom jeweled bodysuit)
Doja Cat doesn’t play it safe. Ever. Her Met Gala look was straight out of a fashion fever dream: a jeweled pinstripe bodysuit with sharp shoulders, a cone bust, animal print details, and jet-black tights. Platform heels sealed the look with pure drama.
Why It Mattered
Her outfit hit every mark: tailoring, theatricality, and pure showmanship. It was risk-taking that worked, and worked hard.
Trend Impact
Doja Cat continues to redefine what red carpet fashion can be. Her Met Gala moment will likely inspire more bodysuit-forward looks, sharp tailoring in performance wear, and louder-than-life accents on evening wear.
3. Kylie Jenner
Kylie has come a long way from early red carpet experiments. Her 2025 Met Gala look—a sultry black and gray gown with an exposed corset and thigh-high slit—balanced glamour with edge.
Why It Mattered
The dress played with structure and draping in a way that nodded to tailoring while staying true to her brand of sexy-chic.
Trend Impact
Expect a corset revival (again), but this time paired with tailored cuts and high slits instead of tulle or lace.
4. Sabrina Carpenter
@voguemagazine And that’s why #SabrinaCarpenter didn’t wear pants to the 2025 #Metgala! ♬ original sound – Vogue
Carpenter showed up in a chocolate double-breasted bodysuit with an extended tailcoat that moved like a dream. The outfit was sharp but playful—exactly the kind of risk an up-and-comer needs to make when competing with A-list veterans.
Why It Mattered
She didn’t play dress-up. She came dressed like she belonged—and she did. The tailored silhouette, espresso tone, and youthful confidence made it one of the night’s sleeper hits.
Trend Impact
Tailored bodysuits are about to have a moment, especially when paired with dramatic coat-like trains.
5. Dua Lipa
If anyone knows how to channel old-school elegance without looking dated, it’s Dua. Her Chanel gown—black, structured, and accented by a sheer cape—felt both regal and refreshingly current.
Why It Mattered
She let the tailoring speak for itself. The absence of overt drama made the look feel effortless, in that “I woke up like this—at a Paris couture house” kind of way.
Trend Impact
Simplicity and refinement are circling back in red carpet fashion, and Dua’s look might help nudge the pendulum toward restraint in an age of visual overload.
6. Nicole Kidman
- Event: Met Gala 2025
- Designer: Balenciaga
Kidman’s Balenciaga dress didn’t scream for attention—and that’s what made it scream. Black, strapless, and beautifully cut, it was an ode to timeless red carpet dressing with a whisper of avant-garde minimalism.
Why It Mattered
Nicole doesn’t chase trends—she anchors them. The absence of embellishments allowed the silhouette and construction to do the talking.
Trend Impact
High fashion minimalism is seeing a resurgence, especially among veteran stars who want their presence—not sequins—to command the room.
7. Shakira
Shakira at the met gala 2025
📸 : Getty images pic.twitter.com/7WCnp8qBNx— Met Gala 2025 (@the_metgala) May 6, 2025
While much of the Met Gala leaned into darker tailoring, Shakira went the opposite way—soft, romantic, and unapologetically pink.
Her voluminous train floated behind her like a dream, creating a rose-hued contrast to the harder lines worn by others.
Why It Mattered
She proved that femininity and tailoring can co-exist. The structure was in the bodice and construction; the drama came from color and movement.
Trend Impact
Think tailored romance—structured busts, flowing trains, and unexpected softness in formalwear.
8. Cardi B
Cardi didn’t just dip into menswear—she drenched herself in it. Wearing a green velvet suit with a ruffled white shirt, she looked like a glam-rock dandy from a 1970s daydream. And it worked.
Why It Mattered
She leaned into the theme but didn’t lose her voice. In a room full of couture gowns, she chose tailored eccentricity.
Her look could be further accentuated with Lab grown black diamonds, adding a modern twist to classic tailoring.
Trend Impact
Suits for women are back in a big way—but think maximalist. Velvet, ruffles, high collars, bold color. It’s not about fitting in—it’s about standing out.
9. Miley Cyrus
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While we didn’t get every detail of her outfit, we know Alaïa, and we know Miley—and that combo means body-conscious with a rebellious streak. Think sculpted fits, high slits, and edgy finishes.
Why It Mattered
Miley has been morphing from pop wild child to a fashion wildcard—and her 2025 appearance reflected that shift. She’s not chasing headlines anymore. She’s owning her aesthetic.
Trend Impact
Look for more figure-hugging silhouettes with rock ’n’ roll influences—especially among younger stars carving out bold new lanes.
10. Kendall Jenner
She wore a structured white dress with sculptural elements, possibly a nod to classic couture with a futuristic edge. The look was stark, elegant, and borderline architectural.
Why It Mattered
It showed how Kendall is transitioning from influencer-model to full-on fashion muse. Her red carpet choices are more considered now—and it shows.
Trend Impact
Minimalist gowns with maximalist structure are gaining traction, blending elegance with edge.
Other 2025 Red Carpet Highlights
While the Met Gala was the year’s big fashion moment, other events added to the narrative:
Golden Globes 2025
@itsbennyblancoi got to take home the best award of the night♬ original sound – benny blanco
- Selena Gomez stunned in a sleek custom Prada gown—modern, understated, but rich in detail.
- Ariana Grande shimmered in a silver metallic dress with an ultra-glamorous silhouette, bringing a touch of sci-fi elegance.
Oscars 2025
- Demi Moore made headlines with an ethereal Armani Privé gown—simple, but powerful.
- Ariana Grande, again, leaned into old-Hollywood, giving us Rita Hayworth vibes with a curve-hugging number that proved she’s a red carpet pro.
What 2025’s Fashion Told Us
A few patterns started to emerge:
Tailoring Took Center Stage
From Rihanna’s deconstructed suit to Cardi B’s velvet tux and Sabrina Carpenter’s double-breasted bodysuit, tailoring dominated the Met Gala. But it wasn’t just about suits—it was about sculpting silhouettes with a sharp, modern edge.
Personal Expression Mattered More Than Ever
Rihanna showcasing her pregnancy. Shakira bringing softness to an otherwise structured theme. Doja Cat dressing like a sci-fi supervillain. No one phoned it in. The best looks didn’t just follow a theme—they added a personal twist.
Luxury Labels Steered the Conversation
High-fashion houses like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, and Alaïa were everywhere. But it wasn’t about logos—it was about craftsmanship and partnership. Celebrities and designers worked together to create moments.
Final Thoughts
2025 was a standout year for red carpet fashion—less about shock value, more about sharp choices and authentic self-expression.
From Rihanna’s trendsetting maternity look to Doja Cat’s glittering suit of armor, the women on this list reminded us that fashion is most powerful when it feels like a natural extension of the person wearing it.
As the Cannes Film Festival, Emmys, and fashion weeks continue to roll out, more moments will surely follow. But for now, these ten women left the kind of mark that designers dream about and fans never forget.
