The Critics Choice Awards are where Hollywood loves to remind the general public that good taste is often subjective and extinct. Sheer fashion is back—and it’s not just tired nudes anymore! Designers are leaning into playful textures and avant–garde layering, giving us sheer moments that feel fresh rather than desperate. Menswear is finally clawing its way out of the navy and black abyss. Brioni and Dolce are leading the charge with tailoring so sharp it could slice through an ego, and I swear I caught a whisper of Tom Ford–era Gucci energy in the mix.
Let’s unpack the hits.
As a diehard Schiaparelli girl, Daniel Roseberry could send a model down the runway wrapped in tinfoil, and I’d still be foaming at the mouth about “surrealist deconstruction.” Demi Moore in Schiaparelli was a masterclass in surrealist couture—no more boring minimalism, Schiaparelli’s surrealism is so back. It feels like a piece of wearable art, sculpted to both conceal and reveal, drawing the eye along its dramatic lattice–like slashes that give the impression of unravelling and reassembling all at once. The corseted, beaded bodice evokes Schiaparelli’s signature surrealist ethos—a deliberate blur between the celestial and the subversive. The gown’s corseted bodice, shimmering with celestial black beading, feels like it’s carved from the night sky itself, while the bold lattice cutouts running down the leg create an almost anatomical tension. It’s a look that simultaneously cages and frees the body, a balance of restraint and release that’s pure Daniel Roseberry genius.
— Kate Cho, Style Editor
How does she strut the walkway so elegantly just one month after losing her home to the Palisades Fire? That’s a secret Leighton Meester may never tell. The former Gossip Girl co–star entered the red carpet modeling a Dior ballgown and Forever Fine accessories. Only a 19th century Paris salon can match this champagne–glitter dress’s grandeur and delicate essence: one look at its golden tint, and I’ve suddenly traversed into the Société Nationale des Beaux–Arts. Dior’s sequin arrangement cleverly complements the outfit’s fabric with these shiny ornaments icing the cake ever so sparkly. While her ethereal dress is certainly a show–stopper, Meester concurrently sports a more simplistic jewelry combination: rhinestone studs paired with a diamond torque–like necklace. Cue Kate Earl’s “All that Glitters.”
— Jack Lamey, Style Beat
Queen B strikes again in a dress only fit for Upper East Side royalty. In a cascading gold flowing Dior gown, Leighton Meester exudes effortless glamor on the Critics Choice Awards red carpet. The elegant silhouette and shimmering fabric felt like a direct nod to Blair Waldorf’s Upper East Side royalty, a dress that could have easily graced one of Blair’s exclusive soirées. The sheer material added a delicate, ethereal touch—like a grown–up, refined version of a prom dress—blending sophistication with a modern edge. Meester kept the look polished with subtle yet striking accessories, letting the gown’s regal design take center stage.
— Erin Li, Style Beat
Does an outfit make the image, or does the image make the outfit? Seeing Lykke Li—of moody 2010s electronic fame—in floor–length Gabriela Hearst, I’m leaning towards the latter. The look itself isn’t very inspiring: stand in line at any Charli XCX concert last summer and you would have found a dozen variations to her oversized fur and wrap–around shades, and one critic online groused that she was blending into the carpet. So why does it feel different when Lykke Li pulls it off? I say her artistic persona takes all the credit: She exudes the same mysterious, snarky allure that made “Little Bit” and “I Follow Rivers” house classics, and that transforms her look—the big silhouette juxtaposed by slim kitten heels, the lack of accessories—into something effortless and inherent instead of brat summer’s last dying breath.
— Kate Ahn, Style Beat
After months of flaunting Glinda’s signature pink, Ariana Grande opted for a change, choosing a more understated, muted tone inspired by the “yellow brick road.” Yet, while the color is softer, her look remains anything but subtle—she still exudes the elegance of a princess. Indeed, the craftsmanship is fit for royalty, taking a staggering 3,800 hours to perfect. The dress, from Christian Dior’s spring 2025 couture collection, boasts a mesh form–fitting bodice and sculpted cage skirt adorned with woven raffia, organza flowers, and straw trimmings—each detail a testament to the artistry behind it. Undoubtedly, the ensemble is a masterclass in couture, showcasing both regalness and bold innovation. And Grande owns the look, proving that even in the quietest of hues, she still captures the spotlight effortlessly.
— Priyanka Agarwal, Style Beat
