Bella Hadid’s anatomically correct lung necklace caught the world's attention, but there's a long and storied history of off-the-walls fashion from pop culture's fiercest icons. Keep reading for the most radical red carpet looks of the 2000’s.
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Lady Gaga 2010 VMAs
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This list would be incomplete without Lady Gaga’s ground-breaking meat dress. Designed by Franc Fernandez and styled by Nicola Formichetti, Gaga’s dress made from actual raw flank steak was named the top fashion statement of 2010. Although Gaga’s outfit was absolutely outrageous, she paved the way for other celebrities to wear their hearts—or their local butcher shops- on their sleeves.
Rihanna 2018 Met Gala
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Rihanna truly is a queen, and she sure isn’t letting anybody forget it. In alignment with the “Heavenly Bodies” theme, Rihanna’s Maison Margiela dress channeled Catholic iconography with a bejeweled gown layered underneath a jaw-dropping undercoat. This icon’s look is almost blinding, and we are here for it. Sorry Beyonce, Rihanna now runs the world.
Katy Perry 2019 Met Gala
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Katy Perry literally lit up the red carpet by dressing up as a chandelier at the 2019 Met Gala. The renowned pop-singer looked like a chicer version of Lumiere from her sleepaway camp’s production of Beauty and the Beast. I guess we all do really have different definitions of the Camp theme. Regardless, Perry stole the spotlight with her silver bejeweled Moschino dress finished with decadent layers of light-up candles.
Zendaya 2019 Met Gala
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If Rihanna is our queen, Zendaya is the baddest princess around. Leave it to celebrity stylist, Law Roach, to make real magic happen on the red carpet. Zendaya’s customized light-up Tommy Hilfiger gown was truly enchanting. To top it off, Roach dressed up as her fairy godmother and carried a wand to light up this Cinderella-inspired gown.
Lil Nas X 2021 Bet Awards
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This Black Queer male singer continues to push the boundaries. And he’s taking it to the next level with gender-bending fashion at the 2021 Bet Awards. Lil Nas began the night in an Andrea Grossi full-skirted gown with toile print and an open neckline. In the blink of an eye, the rapper reemerged in a baroque-inspired floral Richard Quinn suit with full embroidery from head to toe. This behind the scenes outfit change has us all tripping.
Bella Hadid 2021 Cannes Film Festival
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We’re still alive, but we’re barely breathing. Bella Hadid’s lung-inspired necklace was created by designer Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli’s Fall 2021 collection. This gold statement piece is intended to be an optical illusion to the human eye—as if 2021 wasn’t confusing enough already.
These tastemakers have left a legacy on the red carpet that will stand the test of time.
Photography by: Samir Hussein
