The NAACP Image Awards is historically, always a night of Black excellence. Many of our favorite celebrities grace the red carpet to celebrate the successes of themselves and their peers from the past year. From the glitz and glamor to the strides our community has made, there is so much to revel in from the night.
Many awards were already handed out before the televised portion. Quinta Brunson took home the Outstanding Breakthrough Creative in Television award for “Abbott Elementary,” and Outstanding Ensemble Cast for a Motion Picture went to “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information Program went to Jennifer Hudson. Some other winners were Viola Davis for “The Woman King” as well as Angela Bassett for Entertainer of the Year.
With all of these accomplishments, of course, we have to go over some of our favorite looks of the night.
Zendaya
Zendaya showed up and showed out at this year’s NAACP Image Awards (as per usual). She made her first red carpet appearance of 2023 with a silk black and green vintage Versace haute couture dress. The dress came from the fashion house’s spring-summer 2002 collection. She and her stylist, Law Roach, consistently put together timeless, regal styles for her to grace us with her presence. The dress featured a sculpted bust and plunging neckline, plus a thigh-high slit up the center. She topped her look off with black heels and jewels.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett did the thing! Not only did she take home awards for her outstanding performance in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” but she slayed her timeless look on the red carpet. Bassett wore a white Greta Constantine jumpsuit coupled with Brian Atwood heels, styled by Jennifer Austin. The look, which featured beautiful voluminous sleeves, was complimented with a silver clutch as well as Gismondi jewels.
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin has been consistently letting us know that she’s a grown woman now with just the simplicity of her styles. Likewise, she did the same for this year’s NAACP Image Awards. She wore a blue and black Christian Siriano gown. The dress featured dramatic sleeve details and a chest cutout. Her stylist, Byron Javar, added jewels by Effy and David Yurman which indeed completed the glamorous look.
Issa Rae
Issa Rae never disappoints! Rae wore a custom lavender AKNVAS gown. Stylist, Law Roach took on the actress’s look in addition to Zendaya’s. He added to the look a pair of sparkly Le Silla heels and dangly earrings. Despite the dress already being perfect, AKNVAS creative director Christian Juul Nielsen customized the dress for Rae with an oversized floral detail at her shoulder and a thigh-high slit.
Quinta Brunson
Although Quinta has not had the best experiences at awards shows this past year, this year’s NAACP Image Awards was not one of them! Furthermore, she even showed up looking like she knew she was going to have the best night ever. Brunson wore a silver Dundas gown. Stylist Bryon Javar took on Brunson in addition took Marsai Martin. The beautiful reflective strapless gown not only showcased her beauty but made her look like the shining star she is. Additionally, she completed her look with Dolce & Gabbana shoes and Jared Lehr jewelry.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Sherly Lee Ralph is having the best year of us all. This year’s NAACP Image Awards further prove that exact point. Not only did Ralph look gorgeous on the red carpet, but she also took it to the motherland as well. The star wore a PISTIS Ghana gown styled by her daughter Ivy Coco Maurice. The Kente gown was accompanied by structured sleeves and a dramatic train. The fashion house wrote on Instagram, “No duty is more urgent than giving thanks. We’re truly grateful to @thesherylleeralph for wearing our gown to the @naacpimageawards and @ivycoco23 for styling it to perfection!”