It took Chappell Roan with a sheer dress suspended from nipple rings to remind watchers of Grammy Award red carpets that this wasn’t the more aesthetically uptight Oscars.
Musicians spend a lot of time talking about pushing boundaries with their singles, but this year Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish and, in fact, most attendees at the Grammys were all about playing it safe with their outfits.
Perhaps they were reacting to the nearly nude appearance of Ye’s wife, Melbourne model Bianca Censori, last year, but stylists stuck with classic black and white and covered up, in most cases. Here are the high notes.
Chappell Roan
You can stop wincing. Those were prosthetic nipples holding Chappell Roan’s flimsy burgundy dress from Mugler in place.
The Pink Pony Club singer arrived on the red carpet looking relatively demure in a cape, like Kate Bush with a henna rinse, before revealing the stripped back approach of the dress design.
The backless and frontless design, was a reference to the black gown Thierry Mugler sent down the runway attached to model Erica Vanbriel’s piercings for his 1998 spring couture show in Paris.
Lady Gaga
Red carpet veteran Lady Gaga is well known for her outrageous fashion and chameleonic looks – from the infamous meat dress to her old-Hollywood gowns when promoting A Star is Born.
This custom gown from Parisian brand Matieres Fecales, crafted from the feathers of what we imagine is a murder of crows – is severe and sophisticated. Fecales (do not Google Translate this word) also created some of Gaga’s looks for her Mayhem Ball tour, making it the perfect look to embody the album for which she was nominated this year.
Justin and Hailey Bieber
Singer Justin Bieber and his beauty entrepreneur wife, Hailey, matched outfits and politics on the red carpet.
While Justin went black and boxy in an oversized suit with matching T-shirt from Balenciaga and Hailey chose a fitted black Alaia strapless gown, it was the Ice Out badges that brought their outfits together.
The politically charged accessories added some edge to classic ensembles that leant more towards Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in Hollywood, than the Sex Pistols’ Sid and Nancy.
Addison Rae
Diet Pepsi singer Addison Rae was a breath of fresh air amid a sea of tired sequinned gowns and naked dresses.
Her custom Alaia white mini with a sculptural, navel-grazing neckline and “reverse-mullet” skirt (long in the front, short in the back) was a contemporary but playful choice for the fresh-faced pop star.
A diamanté constellation around her belly-button and along the heel added a sprinkling of 2000s Britney glamour.
Olivia Dean
Grammy winner Olivia Dean was a stylish summation of the evening’s top trends. Black and white. Check. Feathers. Check. Sequins. Check. Piercings. Unknown.
Two-tone heels added to the matchy-matchy look while Cartier jewellery was a winning touch before the trophy arrived.
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