During this brief period in the final days before the Oscars ceremony, you’d be hard-pressed to find any A-list stars willing to hit a red carpet. Right now, they’re all fasting and buffing themselves to polished perfection. None of them want to go to the trouble of getting gussied up for anything not related to the Academy Awards. Why are we telling you this? Because during this fallow period of red carpetry, Essence opted to hold its annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards and they clearly had no problem getting a whole truckload of stars to put on their sparkle and head out the door.
Aldis Hodge
Love the suit, but we think the shirt and shoes should provide more contrast. Dark browns would’ve been nice.
Cynthia Erivo in Maison Margiela
She’s still got some witchy looks left in her bag, it would seem. This one is pretty fun.
Danielle Brooks
It may surprise you to hear that the only part we have a problem with are all the dangly bits. The jacket is pretty fabulous, and those pants are fun. The styling choices all elevate it.
Dominique Fishback
The proportions are awkward and the print is muddy and unphotogenic.
Issa Rae
We think this must be her favorite color because it seems like she’s always wearing it. Can’t blame her; it looks great on her.
Jessica Williams
It’s giving Dorothy Dandridge and we love that bag, but those awful high-vamp shoes need to go.
Jodie Turner-Smith
Hunh. Apparently there is such a thing as a bad Jodie Turner-Smith look. This is unflattering and the pieces look randomly chosen. That wig is not her friend.
Jurnee Smollett
Hate the shape and snugness of the bodice and we think that is one of the worst colors she could pick for herself.
Karen Pittman
Honestly? This is a lot of fun. We might not have rec’d wearing both pieces at the same time, but we don’t mind the extra-ness.
Karrueche Tran
There’s a point at which asymettry just starts looking like sloppiness. She looks like she put the dress on wrong. Also: she’s sliding out of those sandals.
Lori Harvey in Burberry
Chic and fabulous. We hate what’s going on around the hems of those pants, but that’s the only issue we have.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste
It’s a beautiful color, but we’re not sure it’s the best choice for her. On the other hand, we love the design and the low-key styling with it.
Marsai Martin
It looks like something you pull out of a drain, but we can’t deny she looks hot in it.
Meagan Good in Eman AlAjlan
Goofy frock.
Natasha Rothwell
It’s a little too preciously retro for our tastes, but if she wants to get her Audrey fantasies on, who are we to complain? She looks great.
Nathalie Emmanuel
This is fantastic. We’re so tired of pinks generally, but we’re completely over the pale, insipid pinks that have been dominating lately. Let’s get shocking! Love the bangles but she only needed one.
Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts
It’s rare to see Niecy in a short skirt. This one’s a little on the stiff side, but the dress is pretty cute. We don’t think matchy shoes was the way to go. Jessica looks hot, but the jacket’s a little short.
Ryan Destiny
If the pants were properly hemmed, this would be flawless.
Skai Jackson
It’s giving her too much of a bell shape. The style is cute, but she needs some shoulders.
Taraji P. Henson
Fun, bright and sexy, but the fit isn’t great. It shouldn’t be pulling that much when you put your hand on your hip.
Taye Diggs
Pop Pop wandered onto the red carpet.
Teyana Taylor
Gorgeous dress, meh color.
Tia Mowry in Anine Bing
It’s not bad, but she’d have been better off ditching the top completely and making more aggressive jewelry choices.
Tika Sumpter
Never has a dress been in such dire need of a massive hoik.
Tyla
Super hot and very simple. Those sandals are always more trouble than they’re worth, but she’s mostly making them work.
Tyra Banks
It feels like she’s doing Beyonce drag.
Yvette Nicole Brown
Gorgeous. She’s been wearing a string of unfortunate prints lately, so it’s nice to see her getting one right.
Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent
This is kind of an interesting change of pace for her. She’s usually all slinky and black. Unforch, the dress just looks flimsy and style-less. We’ve gotten used to seeing sheer tights with sandals, but at the risk of being dogmatic about it, we think that combo calls for a pedicure.
[Photo Credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE, Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE, Monica Schipper/Getty Images, Amy Sussman/Getty Images]
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