Red Carpet Reviews: 64th Annual Grammy Awards
Lots of glitz and glam at the 2022 Grammys
Written by Jessica Katz, Online Editor, Zack Zens, Fashion Staff Writer and Clara Padgham, Contributing Writer
Photo compiled by Jessica Katz
Best dressed
Doja Cat stepped straight out of “Frozen” and onto the red carpet in a mint-hued custom Versace dress and matching platforms, dripping in crystals from head-to-toe (Murden, 2022). The details of this look were dreamy—the silky bodice, dazzling jewelry and glass Coperni handbag complemented by her spiky platinum blonde hair and frosty makeup. We absolutely adore Doja and this icy princess look!
SZA, dripping with ethereal juvenescence, ruled the red carpet in a floor-length Jean Paul Gaultier gown (Vaughns Jr., 2022). The gown, bejeweled with wildflowers of crimson, goldenrod and blush was nothing short of stunning. Sheets of chiffon taper in, expressing a powerful hourglass silhouette, eventually meeting the floor in a perfect train (Vaughns Jr., 2022). The hair, kept long and gently curled, along with minimal jewelry, truly lets SZA and her gown shine, almost like a garden from imagination.
St. Vincent, winner of the Best Alternative Music Album, made a statement on the red carpet in a pink sequined Gucci gown exploding with ruffles at the sleeves and hem (Fishman, 2022). With its textures, shine and volume, this show-stopping dress took the idea of old Hollywood glamor to the next level. It’s bold and obnoxious but in the best way possible.
Lady Gaga continued to exude her newly adapted old-Hollywood glamor with a form-fitting black and white Armani Privé gown (Okwodu, 2022). In line with her previous collaborations with Tiffany, Gaga once more adorned the house's jewelry, this time featuring a jaw-dropping morganite and diamond necklace with purple spinel and diamond earrings to match (Okwodu, 2022). Gaga’s hair, brought up in an elegantly styled bun, tops the whole ensemble off with class and sophistication.
We’re going to have to put our not-so-savory opinions of Chrissy Teigen aside and give credit where it’s due. Teigan’s Barbie-esque Nicole + Felecia Couture gown was truly a vision (Rushford, 2022). The contrast of geometric pleats and organic ruffles was a beautiful and unexpected way to create as much volume as possible. Her simple updo complemented the dress perfectly while her cascading diamond earrings added the perfect amount of drama.
Though this was not a breakout awards night for Lil Nas X, his custom Balmain suit and shoes made sure he went home a winner (Okwodu, 2022). With painstaking attention to detail, thousands of individual pearls, crystals and beads adorn the polar white ensemble, featuring a chest plate nestled by a butterfly in full spread (Okwodu, 2022). Even Lil Nas’ shoes, platform sneakers, are encrusted in rows of iridescent pearls. The whole moment, brought together by a dollop of pearl blue at the corner of Lil Nas’ eye, cannot help but beam with effervescent joy.
Donned in Chanel, Giveon gave the Grammys an incredible menswear moment (Royce, 2022). The bomber-style jacket was a nice play on a traditional suit while still keeping a classic colorway. The sequined tweed is another example of womenswear and menswear merging and creating beautiful looks. Giveon is cool, classy and timeless yet modern, which is a remarkable feat to pull off on the red carpet.
Biggest flops
Hailey and Justin Bieber made us scratch our heads at their red carpet looks—Hailey in a white strapless Saint Laurent gown and Justin in a Balenciaga oversized suit and a pink beanie (Minton, 2022). The two must have been running late, as Justin opted for whatever he could grab from his closet at the last minute while Hailey simply took their bedsheet and wrapped it around her body. Set an alarm next time!
Dua Lipa looked almost unrecognizable in a strappy leather Versace gown with chunky gold embellishments (Abrams, 2022). Don’t get us wrong, Dua is perfection, but this look just wasn’t it. This gown has been seen on many celebrities from Cindy Crawford to Kim Kardashian. On Dua, however, the combination of the bondage-like gown and heavy makeup aged her. Nonetheless, we still have the biggest crush on Dua and she is killing it right now!
While we adored Sophia Carson’s Oscars red carpet attire, this look was quite underwhelming. Her forest green Maison Valentino gown looks like it was pulled from the Macy’s prom section (Semon, 2022). Carson is stunning, but everything from the dress to the earrings to the tight high ponytail does not do her justice.
Carrie Underwood arrived at the Grammys ready to show off in Sherri Hill–oops Dolce and Gabbana (Wenger, 2022). She may be a country icon, but her gold gown looked like she had to wade through muddy water, not walk across the red carpet. The gradient of the skirt should have been done in a way that did not utilize brown; Underwood could have had such an incredible spring moment without it. Plus, the addition of what looks like a sash across the bodice felt a little too reminiscent of a beauty pageant.
Billie Eilish stepped out in her signature style: oversized and black. While the Rick Owens ensemble was unique and interesting, it was confusing and almost costume-y (Rearick, 2022). From the front, Eilish appeared to be wearing a jacket over a gown. From the back, the pieces appeared to be strapped together. We love Billie’s blunt bangs and ‘90s-inspired hairdo as well as her tiny black sunglasses, but this look was puzzling, and to state it simply, not our favorite.
Let’s talk…
We’re stuck when it comes to Olivia Rodrigo’s custom black Vivienne Westwood gown embellished with a pink trompe l’oeil silhouette and matching gloves (Abrams, 2022). Rodrigo’s style has blossomed from Disney kid to international superstar alongside her fame and reputation. With a chic and modern twist on y2k fashion, Rodrigo has redefined the alt-pop princess.
We love the idea of this look, and overall, we wouldn’t say we hate it, but the embellished silhouette feels slightly resemblant to a tacky bikini T-shirt you can buy at a souvenir shop on a family vacation. Nonetheless, the ensemble was well-executed, tied together with “hot-topic” chokers and purple smokey eyeshadow. The dress fit Rodrigo like a glove and felt very on-par with her recent fashion.
Sources:
Murden, K. (2022, April 3). How Doja Cat Got Her “Icy Princess” Makeup Look for the Grammys Red Carpet. Vogue.
Minton, M. (2022, April 3). Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin hit Grammys 2022 red carpet. Page Six.
Fishman, E. (2022, April 3). The 13 best-dressed celebrities of the Grammys 2022 red carpet: Gaga, Dua, more. Page Six.
Abrams, M. (2022, April 3). Dua Lipa rocks iconic Versace bondage dress on Grammys 2022 red carpet. Page Six.
Rushford, A. (2022, April 3). Chrissy Teigen Brings Barbie Energy in Hot Pink Ruffled Ball Gown & Hidden Heels Alongside John Legend at 2022 Grammy Awards. Footwear News.
Wenger, S. (2022, April 3). Carrie Underwood Glitters in Gold in Voluminous Ombré Ballgown at the 2022 Grammys. People.
Royce, A. (2022, April 4). Giveon Gives Chanel the Menswear Treatment in ‘Fantasy’ Tweed Suit and Cardigan at Grammy Awards 2022. Footwear News.
Qunnuell Vaughns Jr., V. (2022, April 3). The Best Red Carpet Looks at the 2022 Grammy Awards. Ebony Magazine.
Okwodu, J. (2022, April 3). The Best Dressed Stars at the 2022 Grammy Awards. Vogue.
Semon, S. J. (2022, April 4). Grammys 2022: Sofia Carson is a vision in flowing green Maison Valentino grown. Daily Mail.
Rearick, L. (2022, April 3). Billie Eilish's Grammys 2022 Look Is The Most Confusing Thing You'll See Today — See Photos. Teen Vogue.
Abrams, M. (2022, April 3). Olivia Rodrigo doubles up on chokers on Grammys 2022 red carpet. Page Six.