This Week, the Best Dressed Stars Were All About Festivals the Front Row

With New York Fashion Week and coinciding film festivals in Venice and Toronto, last week was a busy one for celebrities. The stars who headed out either had a movie to promote or were in the front rows doing a little self-promotion. The dual spectacle meant splashy evening wear on the red carpet and unique interpretations of designer collections on the streets of Manhattan. 

The fun kicked off at the premiere of Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, where Kate Hudson shined in crimson Valentino from Pierpaolo Piccioli’s resort 2022 collection. Hudson’s bold gown was sexy on the top—two stripes of Chantilly lace were the only opaque part of its transparent bodice—but its flowing tulle skirt was refined. An eye-catching creation elevated by Hudson’s exuberant energy, it ranked among the actress’ best looks. 

Zendaya raised the bar for ab reveals in Paris by wearing a standout from Pieter Mulier’s Alaïa debut. Few could pull off the aubergine bolero and perforated mermaid skirt that cascaded to a downy hem of feathers, but Zendaya made it look easy at Dune’s Paris screening. In the film, her character Chani spends much of her screen time in utilitarian survivalist gear. Still, during her press for the project, Zendaya has committed herself to bringing the glamour. 

Similarly, Amandla Stenberg may play a high school student in Dear Evan Hansen, but they were in movie star mode at its world premiere. Stenberg cemented their status as a Gen-Z tastemaker in a layered Alessandro Michele look that combined sparkling chainmail, metallic lace, and a leather crop top. 

New York’s revitalized fashion week didn’t lack for celebrities. There was a famous face in attendance at nearly every show. Those who stood out stayed true to themselves. At Gabriela Hearst, Danai Gurira dazzled in Hearst’s graphic black and white skirt and blouse, plus a coordinating mask for good measure. Ella Emhoff and Collina Strada proved a match made in heaven when the model-artist took Hillary Taymour’s vegetable prints for a spin, leading to a street style moment. 

Dior brought Parisian flair to the week when they took over the Brooklyn Museum to unveil the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibit. Newly minted house ambassador Yara Shahidi captured the mood perfectly. In a prim mohair top and high-waisted flannel skirt from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s fall/winter 2021 collection, she embodied the elegant and impeccably dressed Dior muse while adding a touch of classicism to a week dominated by outré style.