Top 10 Avant-Garde Red Carpet Looks of All Time

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]Uh, I look like a worm.

[00:00:03]>> [cheering] >> That's dope. Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the wildest, campiest, and most creative looks to ever hit the red carpet. So, 2024 was Swarovski, 2023 was Prabal Gurung.

[00:00:21]2022 was Oscar de la Renta.

[00:00:25]Number 10, Rihanna and ASAP Rocky, Met Gala. We have all been waiting for this moment, and she is making it official with ASAP Rocky. Rihanna!

[00:00:35]Rihanna!

[00:00:37]ASAP!

[00:00:39]With several Met Galas under their belts, it's hard to choose a favorite avant-garde look from Rihanna and ASAP Rocky. At 2017's Rei Kawakubo Comme des Garçons Art of the In-Between theme, RiRi went solo and wowed in a punk-rock floral creation. In 2023, she wore an all-white Valentino gown with large roses, and did a mid-carpet wardrobe change while her partner rocked a Gucci ensemble with a red kilt over embellished denim. But, we have to highlight the stylish power couple's first Met Gala together in 2021. So, you guys are making it red carpet official.

[00:01:18]We got ready together, so we just uh Rihanna wore a custom Balenciaga sculptural comforter-like gown, and ASAP Rocky looked just as cozy in a multi-color quilted cape by ERD. These bold trendsetters love to experiment with fashion, and they never miss. Did you love Rihanna under YOUR UMBRELLA TONIGHT?

[00:01:38]>> [laughter] >> I'VE BEEN WORKING ON I KNOW. I'm here all night, guys.

[00:01:45]>> You worked on that all week? All week, Ray. Number nine, Cynthia Erivo, Mexico City premiere of Wicked. You join us at the Oz [music] Dust. I'm inviting you.

[00:01:57]Why? Well, well, because everyone [music] will be there. And don't tell me you have nothing to wear.

[00:02:03]>> If Cynthia Erivo wasn't already considered a style icon, her Wicked press tour surely would have earned her the title. I knew that I wanted to wear many looks, and also it was kind of expected.

[00:02:16]And though I don't necessarily like to do what's expected, I'm never going to say no to changing my clothes constantly and wearing loads of wonderful pieces.

[00:02:23]>> At the 2024 Mexico City premiere, she stepped out in a custom Thom Browne dress with a corset bodice and floor-length structured skirt. Erivo is known for her avant-garde nail art that elevates every look, and she also got a mani for the sculpted witch hands on the shoulders. Months later, [music] the best actress nominee dominated the Oscars red carpet in a custom Louis Vuitton deep emerald velvet ball gown with a high collar and dramatic off-the-shoulder sleeves shaped like a giant bow. Erivo is always like a walking piece of art, and both looks are excellent examples of her unique approach to fashion. Yes, indeed. Um, and I'm really proud of it. I love it so much. I wanted to have like real old-school, old Hollywood, that sort of real glamour, volume. Number eight, Celine Dion, 71st Academy Awards. You're here again a nominee. What's what's this been like for you? It's been fantastic.

[00:03:18]It's always a thrill to be here. My fourth time at the Academy Awards. These days we're used to seeing women rock menswear both on and off the red carpet, but at the 71st annual Academy Awards in 1999, Celine Dion's pantsuit caused a stir. Who's Who I have to say, tell me, I think you are the chicest You are one of the chicest women in the business.

[00:03:40]You know that.

[00:03:41]>> The Best Original Song nominee hit the Oscars red carpet in an all-white tuxedo from John Galliano's spring 1999 couture collection for Christian Dior. She turned heads not only for going against [music] societal norms by wearing pants when women were expected to wear gowns, but also for the back-to-front tuxedo jacket and daring low-back design. Dion topped it off with a matching white fedora cocked to the side and black diamond-studded Ray-Bans. It's a look that confused some and delighted others and is now considered a trailblazing fashion moment. Years passed and now it became like something that people still talk [music] about because I trusted my stylist and I love John Galliano and here I am owning that big time. Number seven, Cher, 58th Academy Awards. The people, the members of the Academy, and I'm a member of the Academy, but I think that that they they put restrictions on you that if you are a serious actress, and I'm really serious about my acting, but I'm not going to give up who I am so that they can feel comfortable with me, you know? It's just When people hear the term revenge dress, they think it's likely the result of a breakup. But at the 58th Academy Awards, Cher served her own vengeance-inspired look after she was snubbed for her work in Mask. The Academy didn't really like me, so I thought they hated the way I dressed and I had young boyfriends and they just thought I wasn't serious, so I came out and said, "As you can see, I got my handbook on how to dress like a serious actress." The Bob Mackie designed two-piece ensemble featured a jewel-encrusted bra halter top and a long skirt with two side slits that hung low on the waist. Cher wanted to make a statement and the midriff-baring outfit certainly did, along with the showgirl-esque feathered headpiece.

[00:05:27][music] Two years later, the icon brought her wild, rule-breaking style to the Oscars red carpet in another sheer Bob Mackie gown, and this time she took home the gold. Bob and I thought about it for a while and there was a black leather jacket. I mean, we went through so many changes. And then, oh, it was really weird. I mean, Coca-Cola wanted to see it before they would allow me to come tonight. It was unbelievable. You know, I mean, people were like so weirded out about this dress and I feel it's quite appropriate for the evening.

[00:05:56]>> [laughter] >> Number six, Janelle Monáe, Met Gala.

[00:06:00]Hello.

[00:06:04]Ooh.

[00:06:06]The time traveling dandy has arrived. Multi-talented Janelle Monáe is known for their eccentric style and the Met Gala is definitely where their fashion thrives. At the 2025 Met Gala, the artist nailed the year's theme, super fine tailoring black style, wearing a custom half black and half pinstripe tailored suit by Thom Browne and Broadway costume designer Paul Tazewell. I mean, you see the stitching alongside here and then even the stitching in my Like all of it when I'm walking around, I'm carrying so much with me and I'm carrying so many people whose shoulders I stand on and hopefully more people will be re-educated about us, our people, where we come from, where we're going. A boxy red and white striped design along with the gold detailing made the suit pop even more. Monáe was a walking optical illusion and beneath was a deconstructed part suit, part gown design in the same black, white, and red palette. Monáe topped off the surreal look with a black and white bowler hat with a ticking monocle clock attached. They wanted to serve time traveling dandy and more than delivered. The kid in me is so thankful and excited um to be with the best dandies. This is just a huge privilege for me to have a part in dressing the amazing American dandy. My clock is rewinding.

[00:07:30]>> [laughter] >> But I'm definitely ready to time travel.

[00:07:33]Number five, Lizzy Gardiner, 67th Academy Awards. So, you actually make money by dressing up like a woman.

[00:07:41]Oh, sure.

[00:07:42]You can make a fine living in a pair of heels. Award-winning costume designer Lizzy Gardiner turned heads at the 1995 Academy Awards wearing a dress made of 254 expired American Express gold cards with a matching shawl and platform heels. The eye-catching look almost made an appearance in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the cult classic for which she was nominated and won. Since Amex wouldn't approve it for the film, she decided to wear it herself. I remember getting phone calls from people back in Australia going, "No, don't do it. Don't do it." I was like, "It's too late. I haven't got anything else to wear. Don't say that to me now."

[00:08:18]>> If anyone was unfamiliar with Gardiner or her work, they surely knew who she was after seeing the campy creation. At the time, some critics considered it a top pick for one of the worst Oscar gowns [music] ever. Decades later, the look is so iconic that it has its own Wikipedia page. I'm just I'm just completely overwhelmed and honored. I mean, it's just an I it feels crazy. Number four, Zendaya, London premiere of Dune Part Two.

[00:08:45]>> [music] >> For years, Zendaya has been slaying red carpets in looks ranging from classic and chic to sexy and daring. I love the creativity.

[00:08:55]You know what I mean? I love I love a strong reference.

[00:08:58]We love that.

[00:08:59]>> Maybe you'll get some inspiration.

[00:09:00]>> Right, right. I'm inspired. Law?

[00:09:03]Are we taking notes? Uh-oh. Her boldest looks have typically appeared at the Met Gala, like the Joan of Arc-inspired Atelier Versace chainmail gown she wore for 2018's Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. [music] We also must mention her custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano emerald and navy dress with flora and fauna motifs in 2024. [music] 5:42 p.m., a last-minute hair fix away, then she strikes a pose giving full-on [music] fairytale villain. The gown featured clusters of grapes and a high-fashion hummingbird. But at the 2024 Dune Part Two premiere in London, the actress went full avant-garde in vintage Thierry Mugler. The futuristic metropolis-esque articulated metal catsuit comes from the designer's fall/winter 1995 couture collection and is hands-down one of Zendaya's most audacious looks to date.

[00:09:54]We tried it on and I was like, "Guys, I think it's fitting." It fit like a glove and I was like, "This is so crazy." And everybody was like, "Woah." Like, you know, it just felt very like it was meant to be, whatever. Number three, Grace Jones, 25th Grammy Awards. When it comes to unconventional fashion, the legendary Grace Jones was a pioneer in androgynous style and fearless self-expression. It [laughter] does. It looks spiritual, doesn't it? It has a spiritual thing to it, doesn't it? Kind of a halo, a glow in between the lines.

[00:10:26]Come on, guys. One of her most memorable looks was at the 25th Grammy Awards where she graced the red carpet in a sculptural leather ensemble featuring a rattan and bamboo top with a matching ultra-wide brim umbrella-shaped hat from Issey Miyake's spring/summer 1982 collection. You see, when it gets when it gets wet, fellas, this is a nice place to go under. The multi-hyphenate artist was one of Miyake's muses, a match made in haute couture heaven.

[00:10:54]Jones is often called the embodiment of avant-garde, especially when she wears pieces from this designer, and we wholeheartedly agree. Well, you always come up with different things and new things and Yeah, yeah. I think it's it's it's beautiful. Thank you. With the glasses? Put on the glasses. You want to see it with the glasses on? Now I really look like a space Number two, Lady Gaga, 27th MTV Video Music Awards. How beautiful in my way, cuz God makes no mistakes. Known for her extravagant [music] style, Lady Gaga owns every red carpet she's graced. At the 2010 Grammy Awards, she was a literal star, turning heads in a custom Armani Prive galaxy gown and carrying a silver starburst. In 2019, she unsurprisingly nailed the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme at the Met Gala and dominated the carpet, serving not one but four different black and hot pink [music] looks designed by Brandon Maxwell. But who could forget Mother Monster's infamous meat dress at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards? I never thought I'd be asking Cher to hold my meat purse. Designer Franc Fernandez draped Gaga in head-to-toe raw flank steak crafted into an asymmetrical silhouette. While reactions were divisive, the look will go down in pop culture history as one of the wildest fashion moments. It has many interpretations, but for me this evening, it's as if we don't stand up for what we believe in, if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones.

[00:12:26]>> [cheering] >> All right. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

[00:12:33][music] Barbra Streisand, 41st Academy Awards. The actress singer nabbed an Oscar wearing an Arnold Scaasi sheer pantsuit. Sarah Jessica Parker, Met Gala. The style icon donned a deconstructed tartan and tulle [music] Alexander McQueen creation.

[00:12:50]Billy Porter, 91st Academy Awards. The Pose star collaborated with Christian Siriano on this black velvet tuxedo gown. Tyla, Met Gala. [music] The singer-songwriter wore a sands of time inspired Balmain gown to the Met Gala. Jared Leto, Met Gala. The actor-musician wore a red Gucci gown with his own head as an accessory.

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[00:13:30]>> [music] [music] >> Number one, Björk, 73rd Academy Awards.

[00:13:45]>> [music] >> In 2001, Björk attended the Academy Awards as a Best Original Song nominee.

[00:13:51]Not only did you co-write the song, sing the song, you also acted in the film. It was your first time acting? Yeah. While the Icelandic singer-songwriter [music] didn't take home the statue, she made a big splash on the red carpet wearing her now iconic swan dress [music] designed by Marjan Pejoski. With all the unconventional outfits we see today, Björk's swan dress and pretend egg laying on the red carpet aren't that shocking. [music] But at the time, people were far from ready to appreciate the artistry. Oh my god, it's happening.

[00:14:22]It's not mine. It was parodied to death, but has since been honored, even displayed [music] in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Camp: Notes on Fashion exhibit. And there's no doubt we'll still be talking about it decades from now. But this is not your swan song tonight. This is a rather unusual creation.

[00:14:39]Yeah.

[00:14:40]My friend made it. It's rather beautiful. Good luck tonight.

[00:14:44]>> Oh, thank you. Thank you. What avant-garde look do you think is the most iconic? Let us know in the comments.

[00:14:52]>> [music]