Whether it is award show season or a premiere event, celebrities from around the globe are sure to stomp the red carpet in ensembles exuding extravagance unique to these occasions. Across the world, there seems to be a common agreement regarding the specialness of these stunning red carpet sensations. On the red carpet, fashion and beauty work hand in hand to construct an overall elegance befitting the special events they serve. Red carpet moments are the pinnacle of glamour, and many find inspiration in the stylish decisions made by stars each year. These trending choices regularly trickle down from the stars’ level to inspire fashion and beauty lovers the world over in their everyday style and makeup choices. Fashion is deeply personal and has an enormous impact on the psyche of an individual, and what a person wears on a day-to-day basis is reflective of the beauty trends they are drawn to that complement their closets. The aspiration is brighter, fuller, lightly tinted with a little more makeup and a touch of something a bit more standout. Comfort, personality, and a sense of companionship are also objectives individuals keep in mind as they explore the fashion and beauty trends they draw inspiration from. The entire purpose of this essay is to allow you, the readers, a peek at the glamorous side—the inspiring side—of the red carpet by cultivating a deeper understanding of fashion and beauty. Gather your luxurious looks, because a world of trend-focused stardust awaits us.
Red carpets have been in existence since the 1920s, though they were made most famous with their association with Hollywood during the lush 1930s. The tradition of walking a red carpet before a premiere is a widely accepted custom in Hollywood and has proven to be among its most enduring. Red carpets symbolize the glamour that is Hollywood, and the lifestyle that the stars leave behind the curtain. Presently, multiple red carpet events take place almost weekly in towns and cities across the United States, ranging from the towering ones, such as premieres for the newest film, to more humble occasions, like local film festivals. Most people are captivated by stars and how they live and look, as made evident by the number of printed magazines and developed television shows focusing on celebrity styles. In the context of media, beauty is important, and print and visual media play a significant role in how beauty is produced and celebrated. Red carpets have a direct relationship with exciting the public’s curiosity about stars and fostering an important consumer activity. These influences are very pronounced in the context of beauty and fashion. Celebrity style, as translated from their red carpet performances, has a broad appeal, opening a window onto inclusive beauty and fashion trends each time an event is broadcast. This essay seeks to uncover those details of the famous red carpet trends that make them, when broadcasting, a little longer, a little quieter in self-reflection, a little better because there is beauty and style to be shared and enjoyed.
The History and Significance of Red Carpet Fashion
The red carpet is more than just a universally recognized platform; it is a storied fashion destination, featuring the enormous talents of some of the world’s most influential fashion designers over the years. The cultural significance of this space lies in its ability to celebrate individuality through the chosen styles of women and men in the spotlight. Though it did not originate as a fashion showcase, today that beautiful albeit chaotic procession of stars holds a singular place in the collective imagination and global psyche. Looks and trends seen on today’s red carpets still capture the hearts of millions and undoubtedly influence the fashion industry and the style sense of the general public. To understand the future of celebrity fashion and beauty trends, one must look to the illustrious history responsible for shaping and defining the industry as it is recognized today.
The early screens of Hollywood showcased the overwhelming allure of the red-carpet premiere. These glamorous events brought together the biggest blockbuster stars of the silver screen, reinforcing the development of the United States’ first truly influential and unifying culture. With time and a rapidly expanding print media, audiences became desperate for more shared moments of viewing and uncovering. Consequently, Hollywood glamour shifts from primarily a split world of silver-screen exclusives to become the nation’s evening highlight as it remains feverishly photographed and reported. By the twenties and thirties, stars are made or broken by the portrayal of their social lives. Slightly older and subsequently influential to the fashion industry, screen muses like Greta Garbo, Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Joan Crawford were subject to intense speculation and fantasy concerning their love lives, a fixation with their beauty and style, as well as having their bodies often peer scrutinized and analyzed in gossip columns.
Origins of Red Carpet Events
Milestones in the Evolution of the Red Carpet Event
Our exposure to cultures across the globe has familiarized most with the concept of a red carpet. However, the idea that the victory stage might necessitate a carpet decoration has distant roots in human history. Earlier this millennium, ancient Greeks would unfurl crimson lengths upon the path of favored, victorious war heroes, while Czarist Russia was known for laying scarlet runway carpets in the path of coronation processions and various royal appearances. When modern cultures were considering the introduction of red carpet ceremonies, attendance exponentially grew while the event became immortalized in a Broadway play.
It was during the early decades of the twentieth century that red carpet customs began to take on a shape familiar to modern observers. Formally, a similar shade was adopted by fashionable public venues for services, such as the Waldorf-Astoria of New York City and the Carlton of London during the 1920s, as they easily and attractively concealed runoff. As exact copies, the Japanese and Korean hosts emulated the practice of Western hotels. The Venetian, however, was unique in its originality; it adopted the red floor as a symbol of serenity. Red became a more standard hue and fast-paced underfoot as the activity and avant-garde luxury of the transatlantic ship became popular. Venues in both England and the USA typically utilized drop cloths to paint crimson walkways over ship gangplanks for their blue-blooded guests. Tourists were able to walk the often dirty gangplanks without valuing the cultural transition. From a mere convenience, the pure custom associated with splendor and dignity in public dates to 1961 when Hollywood’s most glamorous figures cashed in on the spontaneous glamour trod a specially laid red carpet. Since then, this literal benchmark of human glory became the metaphorical figurative one.
Evolution of Red Carpet Fashion
The presentation and culture of contemporary “red carpet” fashion have evolved dramatically over the centuries. From the very first award ceremonies during the mid-19th century, when men and women donned their best designs, back when the best attire mostly consisted of overcoats and full-length gowns, to the glitz and glamour of the 21st century, red carpet looks embraced avant-garde design and attention-grabbing fabrics. This shift was due in part to the rapidly evolving tastes of society, the ever-increasing desire for some old-fashioned escapism so typical of American culture, and also reflected a changing social structure. Fashion choices made by celebrities and those with access to attend these events serve as a visual sort of oral history. As our lives evolved, as women went from corset-wearing homemakers to working women at the studio, or working women in general, what they wore and how they showcased themselves evolved as well. The trends seen on the red carpets almost invariably mirror popular trends of the time. Much of this transformation has been fueled by discussions about the changing roles of women, ranging from wife and mother status, being seen as the property and dominated by the opposite sex, anti-war protests, and a general “what’s next?” attitude pervasive in the U.S. The creators and designs of pieces presented on the red carpet reveal a closer look at societal days, showcasing that rebellious streak customary of the so-called millennial generation. The people wearing these desirables often use these hairstyles, clothing, and surfeit of makeup to make other statements and storytelling, magnifying the message that social change is echoing throughout the world. Personality and innovation can finally show through.
Trends in Red Carpet Fashion
When it comes to their fashion, big names in Hollywood set the stage for our style inspiration, just as they used to set the stage for the next generation of red carpet fashion trends as designers sent down the runway. Celebrities have individuals who customize designs just for them, choosing colors and fabrics and taking record-breaking amounts of time to finish hand-beading a piece. While colorful creations and shimmering fabrics often dot the carpet, deeper, bolder colors are big right now with a few stars, from actor Halle Berry in a fierce plum to rising country star Mickey Guyton in a stunning deep purple tulle high-low gown featuring a sweetheart neckline and thigh-high slit, proving the shade accessible for any budget. In addition, white and silver were running red carpet favorites during the evening’s biggest night, as getting glammed up has been more sparse amidst the pandemic, especially compared to other major red carpet events. The evening’s selection of fashions underscored the analysis that current moods and trends can shape the nature of award fashions.
The influence of social media is unparalleled on celebrity style and fashion and our attachment to it. Stars have taken to platforms to showcase their unique and statement fashion, and with that, followers have made it part of their own style as well. Although dresses and attire worn by the celebrities at any red carpet event often embrace a key moment in time, they also tend to set the stage for trends to come in fashion and adornment in upcoming months. Vintage and custom designs are having their time to shine, as trendy ensembles worn by celebs inspire mere mortals to incorporate those looks into their own wardrobes. With climate change and global environmental impacts continuing to increase, more and more celebrities are making a statement with sustainable fashions, detailing their clothing’s materials and where they were made on red carpets all around the world. At the Academy Awards, one actor wore a jacket constructed from refurbished electronics, while others took responsible jewelry one step further by wearing outfits made entirely by hand.
Fashion Trends
Silhouette, fabric, color, material, pattern – these are the elements or details that dictate how a garment is intended or designed to look. Fashion content will focus on dominant trends seen on the red carpet. Not as predictable as you may think, but apparently a lot of marketing and research completed concludes that fewer beads, intricate pattern work, and traditional or floor-length gowns do the best.
Recent fashion trends point toward the rise of minimalism. Global concerns about war, natural disasters, and political unease have people shouting for something stable in their lives. Patterns and prints take a back seat when it comes to evening gowns. Additionally, as a backlash to starring in sitcoms wearing sweatpants and pajamas, super creamy silks and supple satins are in. Simple slip dresses with a straight silhouette graced many a famous form at the annual Oscar celebration. The monotone layer is a prominent look on the red carpet. Fabrics and textiles give you the ability to pick and choose if you want one layer or a hundred. The industry buzzed about layering for Spring. Textile houses are two that were well respected for this trend that didn’t quite get off the ground until it hit the red carpet with European flavor. As one of the top ten stars according to both stylists and designers, Charlize Theron combined a very Mediterranean cropped velvet jacket with a vintage-vibe two-tiered leg-baring gown. Both in red. It is not an unusual look to see anymore. Presents to press preview avant-garde garments from the creative team. Used to adore until she became too blunt. Now she believes that there is no such thing as a wrong way to wear a garment. One or more layers, the collar, leggings, sleeves, everything has totally stripped down.
Beauty Trends on the Red Carpet
In the world of celebrity fashion, there’s more than just a good dress and accessories to complete a look. Another fundamental component of every ensemble is hair and makeup. The scope of red carpet appearances is just as vast as fashion trends. Every year, there are signature beauty moments that house archive-worthy looks. Whether it’s just wearing classic ‘no-makeup makeup’ or a bold eyeshadow, beauty trends contend directly with trendsetting fashion. It accentuates and perfects our overall aesthetic ideal.
One of the most iconic makeup looks comes from the ‘Hollywood Glam’ era. Think of a fitted waist, finger wave curls, and cherry red lips. This glamorous and sultry look arose in the early 1930s with personalities such as screen siren Jean Harlow. Other timeless makeup trends are the ‘Bold and Beautiful’ brow during the 1950s with Audrey Hepburn, and the ‘make love, not war’ free-spirited ideology that spiced up the 1970s. Also, the ‘Out of Bed’ messy and undone updos that flourished in the 2000s. And the more recent ‘natural glow’ trend, where the skin is lightly covered and dewy. Additionally, being our most intimate fashion, skincare can also be a beauty trend. From iconic beauty curves to the infamous behind-the-waist applications of old Hollywood sirens. Although linked to the latest trends, directly starring them, the best skincare stars are from vanity royalty with poolside skincare routines and porcelain masks. Most recently, a predominantly Hollywood trend for makeup and skincare lines has seen several luxury skincare brands owned by some celebrities launching at high-profile events. The highly prized celebrity beauty brands, some of which are worth billions, yet to buy in style were given the fastest red carpet promotional successes. In need of a glam team, the look of celebrity hair and makeup is essential. Glam teams are an indispensable element of the red carpet. Makeup and hair professionals are under pressure to create a magnificent ready-to-go look for their celebrity customers that not only captures flash photography but maintains tradition throughout the length of an event. The team is responsible for maintaining the look, keeping it fresh and perfect, making necessary touch-ups between photo shoots and television interviews. They have expert tools to use, overexposure to camera lights, and last all night without a meltdown. Glam team members pay close attention to details, from flawless foundation application to the most complicated beehive. Beside them are the image consultants who advise on hair color, cut, and style. Glam teams will get a man for VMA season who also applies makeup and styles hair for award-winning stars attending the MTV Video Music Awards. A glamour team artist is often booked, needing to achieve a variety of fashion styles, including a casual elegant updo, casual down, cheeky side look, and a smooth sleek style for a big Hollywood party or a romantic stroll on the red carpet.
How to Incorporate Red Carpet Trends into Your Personal Style
Regardless of the red carpet’s pageantry and exclusivity, its fashion and beauty trends are accessible to anyone with Wi-Fi and a Pinterest account. Celebrities and their stylists work round the clock to share glam, sleek, and flirty can’t-miss looks with the world, but it’s up to us enthusiasts to bring them to life in our own closets and personal styles. Thinking critically about celebrity trends can give inspiration a personal edge. These looks were created to represent the wearer – whose perspectives are being reflected back through your device screen – so imagine the same look tailored to your body, lifestyle, and experiences. Which elements of the look resonate most deeply with you? If it’s an animal print, grab a small statement piece to weave into your work wardrobe. If it’s a silhouette, don a bold new dress for your next date night. Trending color, print, texture, silhouette, or accessory can be taken from severity to accessibility with layering and a solid dose of personal flair. Whether you will wear these trends to work, socialize, or take a walk in the park, there’s nothing fashionable about feeling uncomfortable in your clothing. If a full-flair dress, shiny metallic shirt, or hot pink two-piece aren’t “you,” and just aren’t your style, keep your accessories clean, sleek, and modern. Opt for a chic new bag or pair of sunglasses to provide a glimpse of your inner diva. A single statement can be just as powerful as a full-on ensemble, ensuring that your personal style doesn’t get overshadowed. Circle back to those celebrity styles and ask yourself what pieces evoke similar sensations? What would make a more comfortable, transportation-friendly substitute to what’s proposed to me?
