Best Lupita Nyong’o Red Carpet Fashion Moments: Photos

Whenever you hear that Lupita Nyong’o is going to arrive at an event, you know we’re in for a stunning, radiant, and rather daring red carpet moment. Ever since Nyong’o hit the A-list scene, her red-carpet fashion has continuously taken our breaths away. Truly, she’s a modern-day style icon, and every single look she wears proves that fact even more.

Now, when asked by Vogue how she would describe her personal style, she responded with “playful, adventurous,” and a touch of “elegance.” However, we’d like to add another word to that mix: “sensational.” Seriously, there’s a reason why she’s always at the top of every best-dressed list!

In a previous interview with Elle, she talked about how she truly loves having fun with her style. “I’ve always had fun with style. You know, I’ve always cared about what I wear. I’ve tried to express myself with what I wear and what I do with my outward appearance, to kind of somehow reflect part of my inner appearance,” she said.”And yeah, it’s always been a part of me. I’ve always had fun with it. I think now I’ve gone through like a crash course on the fashion industry and the art of fashion, which has been fun.”

Let’s take a look back at her best red carpet looks ever, below:

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Best of SheKnows

CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards (2024)

CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards (2024)
CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards (2024)

When Lupita Nyong’o received her Star of the Year award at the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards, she donned this mesmerizing, flowing old gown from Celine.

Berlinale International Film Festival (2024)

Berlinale International Film Festival (2024)
Berlinale International Film Festival (2024)

Nyong’o looked angelic in this statuesque white Gucci gown.

Tony Awards (2023)

Tony Awards (2023)
Tony Awards (2023)

Nyong’o made headlines everywhere when she rocked this custom breastplate cast and molded on her body by Misha Japanwala.

LACMA Art+Film Gala (2023)

LACMA Art+Film Gala (2023)
LACMA Art+Film Gala (2023)

Nyong’o turned every single head in this form-fitting, sheer red Gucci gown at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in 2023.

Academy Awards (2022)

Academy Awards (2022)
Academy Awards (2022)

We’re still not over the glittering custom gold Prada gown Nyong’o wore to the 2022 Oscars.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Euro Premiere (2022)

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Euro Premiere (2022)
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Euro Premiere (2022)

We’re still obsessed with Nyong’o’s wiggly, ruffled Alexander McQueen gown from their 2019 resort collection.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda’ NY Screening (2022)

‘Black Panther: Wakanda’ NY Screening (2022)
‘Black Panther: Wakanda’ NY Screening (2022)

We’re still so obsessed with this emerald ensemble, that was a custom Dolce & Gabbana look.

Governors Awards (2019)

Governors Awards (2019)
Governors Awards (2019)

Nyong’o was truly an ethereal goddess when she stepped out in this floral, colorful Givenchy gown back in 2019.

NAACP Image Awards (2019)

NAACP Image Awards (2019)
NAACP Image Awards (2019)

Back at the 2019 NAACP Image Awards, Nyong’o turned heads in this flowing mauve gown from Giambattista Valli.

Golden Globe Awards (2019)

Golden Globe Awards (2019)
Golden Globe Awards (2019)

Back in 2019, Nyong’o absolutely wowed in this blue, fringed Calvin Klein dress.

‘Us’ Screening (2019)

‘Us’ Screening (2019)
‘Us’ Screening (2019)

Nyong’o let out her gothic glam side in this sparkling red Attico Blouson robe dress.

Met Gala (2019)

Met Gala (2019)
Met Gala (2019)

Nyong’o absolutely nailed the “Camp” assignment at the 2019 Met Gala when she stepped out in this netted, rainbow puff-clad Versace gown.

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2019)

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2019)
Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2019)

For the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Nyong’o took everyone’s breath away in this fluffy white Oscar de la Renta gown.

‘Little Monsters’ Premiere (2019)

‘Little Monsters’ Premiere (2019)
‘Little Monsters’ Premiere (2019)

Nyong’o stunned at the premiere of Little Monsters in this velvet black dress from Alex Perry.

Academy Awards (2018)

Academy Awards (2018)
Academy Awards (2018)

Ntong’o looked like a goddess in this sparkling, gold and black custom Atelier Versace gown.

Cannes Film Festival (2018)

Cannes Film Festival (2018)
Cannes Film Festival (2018)

Nyong’o channeled Sleeping Beauty in this flowing pink Prada dress.


‘Black Panther’ (2018)

‘Black Panther’ (2018)
‘Black Panther’ (2018)

Nyong’o’s purple Versace gown for the Black Panther premiere was clearly inspired by her warrior character!

Breakthrough Prize Ceremony (2018)

Breakthrough Prize Ceremony (2018)
Breakthrough Prize Ceremony (2018)

Nyong’o looked truly out of this world in this sparkling, gold Oscar de la Renta gown for the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in 2018.

CFDA Fashion Awards (2018)

CFDA Fashion Awards (2018)
CFDA Fashion Awards (2018)

This black and white Versace mini-dress Lupita rocked at the CFDA Fashion Awards in 2018 will remain an all-time favorite.

Met Gala (2017)

Met Gala (2017)
Met Gala (2017)

Nyong’o’s coral-colored Prada gown was one of the best dressed of the night.

Met Gala (2016)

Met Gala (2016)
Met Gala (2016)

For the Met Gala theme of “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology,” Nyong’o turned every single head in this glittering, light green Calvin Klein Collection dress, which she paired with Tiffany & Co. jewelry, and Jimmy Choo shoes.

Toronto International Film Festival (2016)

Toronto International Film Festival (2016)
Toronto International Film Festival (2016)

Nyong’o stunned the crowd in this vibrant yellow and blue gown from Carolina Herrera.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Premiere (2015)

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Premiere (2015)
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Premiere (2015)

Nyon’go absolutely understood the assignment when she stepped out in this sci-fi inspired Louis Vuitton dress.

Cannes Film Festival (2015)

Cannes Film Festival (2015)
Cannes Film Festival (2015)

Back in 2015, Lyong’o wore one of her most iconic looks to date: a green chiffon Gucci gown.

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2015)

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2015)
Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2015)

Nyong’o kept things simple and chic in this hypnotic gold Calvin Klein gown.

Screen Actors Guild Awards (2015)

Screen Actors Guild Awards (2015)
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2015)

One look of Nyong’o’s that doesn’t get talked about enough is this black-striped, rose gown from Elie Saab.

Golden Globe Awards (2015)

Golden Globe Awards (2015)
Golden Globe Awards (2015)

Nyong’o channeled her inner fairy princess in this purple and white ballgown from Giambattista Valli.

NAACP Image Awards (2014)

NAACP Image Awards (2014)
NAACP Image Awards (2014)

Forever obsessed with this golden Givenchy dress Nyong’o wowed in!

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2014)

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2014)
Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2014)

Nyong’o was the pinnacle of chic in this white, green-crystal embellished Miu Miu.

Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)

Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)

One of the most memorable SAG dresses of all time was this turquoise Gucci dress Nyong’o stunned in.

Entertainment Weekly Celebration (2014)

Entertainment Weekly Celebration (2014)
Entertainment Weekly Celebration (2014)

This boho-chic, colorful J. Mendel dress that Nyongo’o wowed in was such a serve.

Met Gala (2014)

Met Gala (2014)
Met Gala (2014)

For the Met Gala theme of “Charles James: Beyond Fashion,” Nyong’o wowed everyone in this green netted ensemble from Prada.

Academy Awards (2014)

Academy Awards (2014)
Academy Awards (2014)

Nyong’o’s baby blue, custom Prada gown from the 2014 Oscars remains in our minds rent-free.

EE British Academy Film Awards (2014)

EE British Academy Film Awards (2014)
EE British Academy Film Awards (2014)

Nyong’o looked positively radiant in this strapless green gown from Christian Dior Haute Couture.

‘Non-Stop’ Premiere (2014)

‘Non-Stop’ Premiere (2014)
‘Non-Stop’ Premiere (2014)

Okay, but we’re still obsessed with the metallic, copper Lanvin dress Nyong’o wore back in 2014 for the premiere of Non-Stop.

Golden Globe Awards (2014)

Golden Globe Awards (2014)
Golden Globe Awards (2014)

The red caped gown from Ralph Lauren remains one of Nyong’o’s all-time best looks.

BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards (2013)

BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards (2013)
BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards (2013)

For the BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards in 2013, Nyong’o wowed in this two-toned Lanvin gown.