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    Wednesday, January 29
    Fashion

    Lupita Nyon’o took home her first Oscar in a dress that’s easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she’s proven that that first red carpet look wasn’t a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

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    Her stylist calls her fashion sense "fearless."

    Lupita Nyong’o has many talents, among them making a good first impression. She made a name for herself with her first feature film, 12 Years a Slave, and took home an Oscar for it in a gown that’s easy to recall over a decade later. The striking blue Cinderella dress illuminated her glowing skin and swayed with her every step, leaving an impression on all who saw it. In the years since, Nyong’o has proven that the success of her first big red carpet look was no fluke.

    Though she's made headlines with simple and timeless looks, Nyong'o doesn't shy away from playfulness either. At premieres, her outfits often channel the given movies themes. At a Star Wars premiere, she wore futuristic metallics, while the Black Panther premiere called for a more regal color palette and silhouette. Nyong'o's hair tends to make a statement as well, whether with accessories that match her outfit's materials or sculpture-like styles that compliment the shape.

    Look of the day

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Must see fits from all your favorite celebs. See the looks

    Her stylist, Micaela Erlanger, described Nyong’o’s style to People, saying, “She is fearless when it comes to fashion and trusts me to try new things.”

    There are countless examples of Nyong'o's iconic red carpet style. Ahead, find 20 of our favorites.

    Nairobi Blue

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Nyong'o's first Oscars proved to be one of her most iconic. She stunned on the red carpet in a baby blue Prada gown, and took home the Oscar for best supporting actress in her debut feature film. Though the silhouette seems simple, its movement lent serious star power. It pooled around her feet on the red carpet and trailed gracefully behind her as she headed on stage to accept the award, holding her skirt on either side like a seasoned starlet. She completed the look with a diamond headband from Fred Leighton that matches the sequin seams near the hem of the dress.

    In a red carpet interview with Ryan Seacrest, the Kenyan actress described her inspiration, saying, “It’s a blue that reminds me of Nairobi, and so I wanted to have a little bit of home.”

    Ice Blue

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    10 years later, at the 2024 Oscars, Nyong’o referenced her first Oscars look with an icy blue Armani Privé gown. It featured a similar deep v-neck plus a feather peplum and hem. She explained the choice on Instagram, saying “I wore blue to this year’s Oscars to pay homage to my introduction to Hollywood 10 years ago. What was fresh then may be familiar now, but I believe in the power of harnessing childlike wonder at every stage of life.”

    A Vision in Pearls

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the 2015 Academy Awards, Nyong'o donned a pearl covered dress by Calvin Klein. The halter neck featured larger strands of pearls that mimick a necklace, while smaller pearls adorn the body of the dress.

    Diamonds and Denim

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the 2021 Met Gala, which celebrated American design, Nyong’o wore a strapless denim Versace dress. Her sculpted hair look mimicked the structured silhouette of the dress. She topped off the high-low look with a diamond necklace by De Beers, whom she later became an ambassador for.

    Armored Up

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Nyong’o took a more avant-garde approach to the 2023 Tony’s red carpet, pairing a classic black tuxedo with metallic breastplate cast and molded to her body by artist Misha Japanwala. Nyong’o’s sylist, Micaela Erlanger, explained in an Instagram post that Japanwala “creates a realistic and true record of a person’s body as an act of resistance and celebration, and an insistence on being allowed to exist freely in our bodies.” Never one to overlook the beauty part of the equation, Nyong’o tied together the look with an intricate black henna design on her scalp.

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    Look of the day

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Must see fits from all your favorite celebs. See the looks

    Boat Neck Beauty

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Nyong'o took a timeless approach for the 2024 Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin, wearing a simple white boatneck gown with jewel-encrusted straps and an open back designed by Gucci's Creative Director, Sabato de Sarno.

    Standing on Business

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the 2023 premiere of A Color Purple, Nyong'o took the naked dress trend for a spin with a sheer black skirt suit worn over black undergarments.

    Pastel Purple

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Nyong’o reminded us just how great she looks in pastels when she wore a lavender Ellie Saab gown and matching hair wrap to the Queen of Katwe premiere.

    Ready to Party

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the 2024 Oscars afterparty, Nyong'o went day to night, changing out of her icy blue gown into a black and jewel-tone sequin gown—which was also designed by Armani. She switched up her hair as well creating a halo effect out of concentric semicircles of hair.

    Red Hot

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    A fire engine red gown with an attached cape from Ralph Lauren made for a dramatic entrance to a 2014 Golden Globes afterparty. Once again, it begged the question: Does any color look bad on Nyong'o? The simple silhouette and solid color balanced out the bold hue.

    All Sequins Everything

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the premiere of A Quiet Place: Day One, she wore a custom Prada number that featured a black skirt with draped train worn over an off-the-shoulder sequined bodysuit. Even her hair featured sequin accessories.

    Naked Dress

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Nyong’o proved her ability to ace the naked dress look once again at the 2023 LACMA Art+Film Gala in a sheer burgundy Gucci gown with matching high waisted underwear.

    Royal Purple

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Nyong'o looked regal as ever at the Black Panther premiere in a stunning Atelier Versace royal purple gown with a billowing skirt and jewel-encrusted harness fit for a queen.

    Channeling Frida Kahlo

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the Mexico City premier of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Nyong'o wore a form fitting black leather dress and a custom red silk cape by Jonathan Cohen. The two piece ensemble was inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, in celebration of both Nyong'o and Cohen's Mexican heritage. The dress included a harness inspired by those Kahlo wore.

    Future Forward

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Always one to dress on theme, Nyong'o wore a futuristic skirt suit from Proenza Schouler and an electric blue lip to the European Premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Her metallic beaded fishnet skirt and matching belt feel appropriately otherworldly.

    Warm and Sunny

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    An orange Givenchy dress made a splash on the red carpet of the 2014 NAACP Image Awards. Nyong'o's gold jewelry and matching orange clutch tied the warm, sunny look together.

    Denim on Denim

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Nyong'o kept things casual for the Los Angeles premiere of "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" in a denim Prada set, sunglasses, hoop earrings, and loafers, proving that she can pull off an effortlessly cool look just as easily as a glam one.

    Green Goddess

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    Channeling lady liberty, Nyong'o wore a a strapless emerald gown by Christian Dior to the 2014 EE British Academy Film Awards, where she won both best supporting actress and the rising star award. A metallic belt and matching bracelets completed the simple yet vibrant look.

    Majestic Metallics

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Nyong'o wore a strapless silver gown with an sheer black overlay and feathered hem by Ralph & Russo Couture. The classic silhouette and eye-catching fabrics struck just the right balance of timeless and modern.

    White Party

    Lupita Nyon'o took home her first Oscar in a dress that's easy to recall over a decade later. Since then, she's proven that that first red carpet look wasn't a fluke. Here, 20 of her most iconic looks.

    For the 2022 premiere of the Black Panther sequel, Nyong'o wore a white knotted Balmain two-piece. She embellished her hair with a row of pukka shells,

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