Each year that passes can be defined by many factors, whether that be politics, music, tragedy, and even a global pandemic, but what increasingly stood out in 2022 was fashion. On the runway, stage, and red carpet, celebrities and public figures donned marvelous, curiously shaped or beautifully colored getups that won’t leave the minds of admirers anytime soon.

Letitia Wright – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Premiere

Starring in the highly anticipated second installment of Black Panther, Letitia Wright turned heads at the film’s premiere in an Alexander McQueen black suit with a silver pattern on her shoulders, a nod to her late co-star, Chadwick Boseman. Four years prior, at the 2018 Oscars, Boseman, who played the title character of King T’Challa, aka the Black Panther, in the Marvel Universe, wore a similar black suit. Boseman passed away in 2020 after a long battle with colon cancer, and as Wright’s on-screen brother, she wanted to honor him and his legacy.

Blake Lively – The Met Gala

The Met Gala is always an exceptional night for fashion. With iconic looks every year, Blake Lively, one of the co-chairs of the gala, stunned on the carpet with an elegant custom Versace bronze gown. She added an extra flare when, in the middle of the carpet, she transformed her dress into a turquoise gown with bronze highlights and a train, inspired by the ceiling at Grand Central, trailing down the stairs. In addition to Grand Central, the pattern of her first look paid homage to the Empire State Building. The theme of this gala was “Gilded Glamour,” and Lively took her look to the next level. 

Miles and Keleigh Teller – Top Gun: Maverick Premiere

With the long awaited sequel of Tom Cruise’s Top Gun hitting theaters over the summer, the cast had to dress to impress. Miles Teller, who plays Rooster, stepped onto the carpet in a silver suit with his wife Keleigh by his side. Keleigh took over the spotlight with a stunning strapless turquoise gown by Zuhair Murad that flared out at the waist. The couple’s outfits complemented one another as they encapsulated the flare of the movie.

Taylor Swift – MTV’s Video Music Awards

After winning the award for Video of the Year for her All Too Well (Ten Minute Version) Short Film, Taylor Swift announced her new album Midnights to the crowd. On her way to the VMA after party, she changed into a Moschino navy blue romper adorned with sparkly stars, accented with a white fur coat. What better way to announce Midnights than to dress like midnight itself?

Zoë Kravitz – The Batman Premiere

With another Hollywood bachelor taking on the mantle of Batman, Zoë Kravitz stepped into the role of Catwoman. For the premiere, Kravitz strutted on the red carpet in a custom strapless bodycon dress, designed by Oscar de la Renta, with criss crossing string down the middle and cat ears on the top. Embodying her character with not only the ears, but the slick and sly look of her dress and her hair.

Kate Hudson – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

In the Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion, director and producer Rian Johnson brought a star studded cast together. Standing out, specifically in her character’s extravagant personality as well as her fashion, is Kate Hudson. Hudson shines in a reflective rainbow gown that appears to change colors when she moves. As the light hits the gown at different angles, the colors form a rainbow ombre. There’s one scene in the movie where Hudson twirls for everyone, distracting the other characters from something suspicious that might be going on elsewhere in the scene… The dress was custom made by costume designer Jenny Eagan for the movie, meaning the dress Hudson wears is the only one in the world (unlucky for fans who want it, aka me). She dazzles in the exclusive piece, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Timothée Chalamet – Venice Film Festival

Each year, The Venice Film Festival hosts the contributors of the most anticipated films of each year. Styled in bright red and metallic pants with a matching scarf-like top, custom made by Haider Ackermann, Timothée Chalamet stole the spotlight for the premiere of his movie, Bones and All. Chalamet has a distinct style and is known for his modern and often bizarre outfits. Rather than just wearing a suit, he consistently throws a spin on his look, breaking the barrier of what’s “normal” for a man to wear on the red carpet. 

Zendaya – The Oscars

As she’s becoming one of the biggest stars on the planet, Zendaya regularly steals the show on the red carpet. Working with her long-time stylist, Law Roach, Zendaya showed up at The Oscars dressed in a beautiful Valentino two-piece. With a sequined silver skirt trailing behind her and a cropped white collared top, she graced the red carpet and pulled the cameras along behind her.

Florence Pugh – Venice Film Festival

Like Chalamet, Florence Pugh attended the Venice Film Festival for her own film Don’t Worry Darling. With an absurd amount of press covering drama between castmates, the director, and pretty much anyone else involved in the movie, Pugh chose to ignore the theatrics and instead light up the red carpet. In an astounding black gown by Valentino sprinkled with sparkles, Pugh flew down the carpet without a care in the world. She even brought her grandmother with her for a photo op!

Those of us who are fashion enthusiasts were quite pleased by these celebrities’ looks in 2022, but now it’s time to look forward. Admirers can’t wait to see what Margot Robbie wears to the premiere of her anticipated Barbie, or which outfits Taylor Swift sparkles in on stage when her Eras Tour kicks off in March. Here’s to what’s next in the fashion world in 2023!