This Week, Stars Went for Bold Gestures and Bright Colors

There will always be a time for tasteful, understated fashion, but for the world’s most stylish, this was not that week. Bold gestures and a willingness to experiment dominated red carpets, here and abroad. For example, to promote her first horror role in Jordan Peele’s Us, Lupita Nyong’o (who has already pulled out eerie accessories like red contacts) chose a daring transparent, spike-covered Balmain blazer for the film’s Manhattan premiere. Lady Gaga opted for a similarly provocative look at the Daily Front Row’s Fashion Los Angeles Awards, where she traded the classic fare she wore during her Oscars campaign for a leather Rodarte dress from the Fall 2019 runway. The vintage-prom-queen shoulder ruffles and massive bow were a departure—even for a star who has worn everything—and had fans speculating about her sixth album and its corresponding style message.

The style shifts didn’t have to be dramatic in order to resonate. Kate Middleton celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with an emerald Alexander McQueen suit and a four leaf clover brooch that added playfulness to the royal wardrobe. At Dumbo’s London premiere, Eva Green ditched her usual black for an Alexandre Vauthier frock in dark jade, a fabulous color for the first week of spring. Demure florals also felt right for the season: cue SNL’s Aidy Bryant, who hit up The Tonight Show in vibrant Batsheva.