On Sunday June 28th the annual BET Awards took place at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, marking its 15th year to celebrate all things in the black entertainment industry, and were hosted by Anthony Anderson & Tracee Ellis Ross. There was a lot of va va voom and wow moments; from the colourful menswear to the sexy ladies on the red carpet, this was one pre-awards show not to forget. So let’s take a look at who made the Killer Fashion Best Dressed list this year.
Metallic Mania
Zendaya attended in a bedazzled shirt dress that shone from every angle. Matching more sparkle to the Nicolas Jebran look, she wore crystal-covered peeptoe platform heels by Roberto Cavalli, and opted for a baby pink manicure to compliment the soft pink lipstick. One big change is Zendaya’s androgenic haircut, which personally I quite like, though it does have a lot of people talking. Yes, she looked sexy with the long, long hair, but it’s only hair people!
Christina Milian walked the red carpet in a mirror-embellished jumpsuit that showed off a lot of skin, whilst covering up.
One of my favourite ladies, Ciara, looked fabulous as always, rocking a metallic plunging gown with a mid split by Wes Gordon. The beaded dress was teamed with pewter-coloured barely there sandals and slicked back straight hair.
White Hot
Former Destiny’s Child member Letoya Luckett attended in a white dress that featured a v-neckline with matching thigh-high split and half-sleeves, by Zhivago. The textured dress was worn with pointed pumps from Jimmy Choo and a straight hairstyle.
Giving the red carpet some sexy va va voom, Nicole Ari Parker looked divine in her white lace paneled dress. The mermaid fit was all sorts of complimentary, and styled perfectly with drop earrings, a soft pink lip and that fabulous braided updo. I just have to say, Nicole’s eyes are my favourite feature of hers; they really draw you in. Love her!
Singer Monica attended in a sweeping white poncho-gown by Stéphane Rolland Couture, that featured a v-cut neckline and embroidery on the silk crepe. A matching ivory mani-pedi, metallic sandals and her fiery pixie cut were the perfect additions for this look.
Black Beauties
Natalie LaRose attended in a black high leg split dress that oozed sexiness. The red-headed beauty’s asymmetrical dress featured an oversized buckle feature on the shoulder, which she wore with black sandals, a funky clutch and an assortment of rings.
Oping for an LBD, Tori Kelly chose leather for the occasion, donning this zip-detailed mini dress. The singer added funky black & white heels and her signature ‘fro to her look, with metallic eyeshadow and cat liner to finish.
Janelle Monáe is always a Killer Fashion favourite, however I’m slightly getting bored with the cape looks she brings out, especially an all black one. Although she does look beautiful, this could have been so much more. Her SAFiYAA cape dress does create the most beautiful hourglass shape on the singer, complete with gold & black sandals and a funky braided hairstyle, Janelle added a variety of jewels and a gold torc necklace to her red lipstick finish.
Giving it some sass, actress Gabrielle Union worked the red carpet in an embellished black dress by Halston Heritage. Her halterneck dress featured cutouts on the waist, which she teamed with a black shimmer Edie Parker clutch and jewellery by David Webb.
Nicki Minaj brought her vampy side out in this Givenchy dress that featured an oversized zipper on the front, lace body and a ruffle skirt finish. The rapper teamed the look with a soft pink lip, straight black hair and T-bar sandals. Nicki Minaj also won the awards for Best Female Hip Hop Artist and the Coca Cola Viewer’s Choice Award for ‘Only’ with Lil Wayne, Drake & Chris Brown. Click here to buy Nicki’s BET Awards dress!
Bringing a bit of drama to the red carpet, Kelly Rowland showed up in this feathery number by Lever Couture. Her long-sleeved mini dress may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I quite like it. I do wish she had opted for contrasting or colourful heels and a pop of colourful lipstick instead of the black leather ankle strap heels and nude lip colour.
A Splash of Colour
Opting for a mix of colours, La La Anthony attended in this cross-strap mini dress by Peter Pilotto. Her multi print dress was teamed with neon yellow strappy heels and gold tassel earrings.
Naturi Naughton donned a bright & bold mermaid-fit dress by Mind of Kye, which featured tribal prints on the body and skirt, with an exaggerated fishtail skirt finish. A gold clutch and gold disc earrings completed the look, along with a braided bun, exaggerated lashes and a subtle pink lip.
Sevyn Streeter looked ever so pretty in pink in her fuchsia strapless column dress, which featured a sweetheart bandeau top and cut outs, though it did seem a bit small on the busty babe. A white & silver beaded clutch, soft waves and pink hues in her makeup were the perfect finishing touches.
Joining her Destiny’s Child sister on the red carpet, Michelle Williams attended in a Hervé Léger by Max Azria olive-green bandage dress, which featured a keyhole cut out on the midriff. Though it seemed a bit too big on the tall singer’s frame, her studded box clutch and radiant makeup made up for the slightly ill-fitting dress.
Going for bright & beautiful, Margaret Avery stunned in her sun-yellow choice by Lola Wusu. The summer-forward look was flowy and featured a squared neckline with a cape finish. Sandals and simple jewels with a red lipstick to round-up her BETs look.
The Femme Suit
Donning a black suit on the red carpet, Lil Mama showed off some cleavage attending sans shirt. The lapels of the jacket featured embellished wings motifs, which complimented the mirror embellishments on the trousers. I quite like this look, especially with the black pointed pumps, and I like that she toyed about with her look with a coral lipstick and smokey eyes. Gorgeous!
Laverne Cox attended the BETs donning a navy plunging jumpsuit by Dmitry Sholokhov, that featured lapels and a black & gold waistbelt. Adding some sparkling oomph, the actress added jewellery by Laurel DeWitt, Jacquie Aiche, Amrit Jewelry, Ron Hami Jewelry and Onirikka Fine Jewelry. Her black studded pumps and black & gold patterned box clutch with deep blonde waves made for the perfect red carpet finish.
Singer Tinashe opted for a sexy two-piece look, wearing a v-cut top and slightly flared trouser by Atelier Versace, both of which featured snakeskin print cut outs on a sheer body. A straight hairstyle, lined eyes and sun-kissed dewy makeup, the singer added minimal accessories to her look.
Best friends & models Blac Chyna & Amber Rose attended in matching silk suits with open jackets and bustier tops. Adding minimal necklaces, sunglasses and white sandals to their looks, the besties made quite the statement on the red carpet; supporting gay marriage that’s now legal in all 50 U.S. states. “[We] went to the BET awards as each other’s date to celebrate Marriage Equality,” said Amber Rose on her Instagram. I support that 100%, and of course I support marriage equality 100%, as you may have seen on my Instagram post.
Though Rihanna skipped the red carpet, Riri did show off her long legs in a short suit by Giorgio Armani. The gold-bronze lapel tuxedo jacket was worn with silk shorts and black barely there sandals, an array of sparkling jewellery and a slicked back ponytail to finish. During the show, Rihanna premiered her teaser for the upcoming music video for ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’, which you can watch here.
Notable Mentions
Menswear
The menswear red carpet was pretty fabulous. My favourite looks came from Flo Rida and Morris Chestnut, both who opted for a powder-coloured suit; Ben McLemore and Bryshere Y. Gray, whose vibrant blazer jackets were brilliant statement pieces; and Jidenna looking all sorts of swag in his three-piece suit and cane.
Click to see all the winners of the BET Awards 2015
Images courtesy of Zimbio
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