NAACP Image Awards 2023 Fashion Recap
Last night, the 54th NAACP Image Awards honored Black accomplishments in the arts, entertainment, politics and culture. The ceremony was live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. Streamed across all BET channels, the Image Awards are truly a dynamic culmination to Black History Month.
This year, the NAACP added categories for Outstanding Accomplishments in Costume Design, Hair and Makeup.
Nominees for Outstanding Costume Design included Francine Jamison-Tanchuck, Gersha Phillips (twice), Ruth E. Carter and Trayce Gigi Field. Ultimately, Ruth Carter took home the award for Wakanda Forever. Congratulations to Ruth! Way to represent for Costumes.
Ruth wore an asymetrical purple gown embellished with multicolored sparkles for Saturday's ceremony. Her look was completed with bold, dangling earrings and gloves. The look gave a nod to Hollywood glamour and the light bounced off the purple fabric perfectly. We’re taking notes, Ruth!
Host with the Most
This year’s ceremony was hosted by media mogul Queen Latifah who had four wardrobe changes, each was an incredibly ravishing looks. Stylist and 2023 CDGA nominee Jason Rembert dressed Latifah for the event. Her first look was a glamorous strapless Black and off white gown. Rembert accessorized the look with black opera gloves and diamonds.
Giving a nod to Spring, her second look was a blue and yellow floral gown draped in sequin. For her third look, Latifah wore a voluminous burgundy ruffle gown with an embroidered bodice. She was accessorized with a diamond ring, statement earrings and what looks like a bold orange lip (shout out to Makeup for that!) Lastly, Latifah wore a black textured turtleneck sweatsuit with a floor-length black leather duster. Trendsetting and transitional as she could easily go comfortably to the after party. Ladies and gentlemen, the Queen!
More Red Carpet
The momentum built from the great looks we’ve seen in menswear at the Globes and the Grammys carpets was slightly interrupted by ill-fitting and often times poorly-selected suits. There were also a few costuming faux pas, but we won’t focus on the bad. Overall the Image Awards gold carpet was full of bold and beautiful colors, gorgeous gowns and even some risky takes on modern Red Carpet glamour. Here are the highlights we’re talking about today.
Alternate Accessories
There were some subtle and some bold accessories to hit the carpet. Tabitha Brown’s avocado earrings were on brand. While KJ Smith’s perfectly accessorized in mismatch Opera gloves. Nicco Annan’s white and black snakeskin boots were a nice touch and Gia Peppers gave us a Hanifa boot moment with a modern twist on Hollywood glamour.
Best Dressed
In a serendipitous way, the colors of the rainbow came together which was absolutely stunning. From Zendaya’s (Law Roach) jawdropping return to the carpet this season to Marsai Martin (Jason Rembert) giving us a moment of sheer elegance, here are our favorites from the night.
Hottest Couple
By far, Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union-Wade were best dressed. Both draped in Versace, stylist Jason Bolden dressed Dwayne and stylist Thomas Christos dressed Gabrielle in an archival look from 1989 Versace Haute Couture as pointed out by fashion historian and author Eric Darnell Pritchard.
Another impeccably dressed couple, comedian Kevin Fredricks and his wife Melissa Fredricks.
Overall, Black History Month was closed out with a fashionable bang. A special salute to all the Costume Designer, Stylists and their teams who brought us the looks. Awards season continues this week with the SAG awards up next.
