In a weird way, this is always the block of entries that’s easiest to compile. Placement in the Top Ten must be seriously considered and those who wind up in the bottom of the Best list must also have their looks meticulously assessed for minor variations in quality. But this chunk of folks are easy to assess because they all did a great job and looked fantastic, with no real criticisms of note. What most of these looks had in common, aside from their gorgeousness, was their sense of drama – except for one notable look, which was dramatic by being so un-dramatic at just the right time and place. No, really. That totally makes sense in our heads.
15: Constance Wu in Ralph & Russo Couture at the “Crazy Rich Asians” Los Angeles Premiere.
A look that stuns by being drop-dead glamorous in the way a movie star would want while also being subtly unique and referential. The fringe is gorgeous while also evoking their use in Chinese design and the bodice has a stiff formality that gives it a regal undertone. Just a gorgeous look on the right woman at the exact right time.
14: Elle Fanning in Valentino Couture at the Berlinale International Film Festival.
Did we forget to mention that things were going to start getting a mite controversial going forward? As we said, many of these looks are on this list because of the high level of drama they brought to the red carpet; a venue that has become increasingly conservative and corporate-sponsored in tone over the last half-decade. Jaded old fashion bloggers such as we are primed to love any look that steps out and demands to be considered. This appeals partly because Elle is usually pretty demure in her style. Breaking out the diva look at such an unexpected time really paid off for her.
13: Amber Heard in Valentino Couture at the “Aquaman” U.K. Premiere.
We’re going to get a lot of pushback on this one, we’d bet. We can’t do anything but bow down to it. The drama is off the scale and the appropriateness to the time and place couldn’t be more correct. It’s literally unforgettable. That alone makes it worth its placement on the list.
12: Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé at the “A Star Is Born” Premiere.
And then there’s Good Lady Cate, doing things her own way, as is her way. This look isn’t dramatic and attention-seeking in the ways of so many others on this list. It’s not pushing the envelope or showing you something in a new light. It’s simply a gorgeously perfect look for the red carpet, both glamorous and chic at the same time. And it couldn’t be more perfectly suited to her or more on point for this particular premiere.
11: Zendaya in Atelier Versace at the Met Gala 2018.
The Met Gala made for an interesting set of questions in compiling the list this year. Since the theme inspired so much costume-based red carpetry, we found ourselves leaving a great deal of the entries off our lists. Once the crowns and the angel wings start showing up on the list, you’re getting away from fashion. But we couldn’t let this look go by without bestowing a little more praise on it. Not only is this dramatic as hell, perfectly suited to her and the very best of the multiple Joans of Arc that showed up that night, it’s also, to our way of thinking, a flawlessly rendered example of how to combine chic fashion design with stunning costume design.
[Photo Credit: INSTARImages]
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The 20 WORST Red Carpet Looks of 2018, Part Two: The Painfully Bad
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Jennifer Lopez in Patou at the UNSTOPPABLE Beverly Hills Event
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Elle Fanning in Bottega Veneta at the A COMPLETE UKNOWN London Special Screening
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Sarah Jessica Parker at the 2024 Torino Film Festival Opening Ceremony
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