Yesterday evening (June 26), the annual BET Awards 2016 took place in sunny Los Angeles, California. Celebrating achievements in black entertainment that honors not only music, film & television but also sports from the past 12 months, the awards were hosted by the always entertaining Anthony Anderson & Tracee Ellis Ross. Blessed with scorching heat on the day, there was quite the fashionable red (well, white) carpet turn out too though many looks fell short of the mark for me, but let’s take a look at this year’s Killer Fashion Best Dressed List.

The Best Dressed

Letoya Luckett looked fabulous on the red carpet as she glided down in a raspberry cross halterneck dress at the awards. Attending in Mac Duggal, the look featured a cut out on the bust with a thigh-high cut and a slight train too, that she styled with barely there sandals, an embellished clutch and gemstone drop earrings. Kohl-rimmed eyes, exaggerated lashes and a soft pink-brown eyeshadow finish with a pixie haircut completed the singer’s look. Just gorgeous!

Singer Mya was also attending, wearing a bright sunshine yellow look on the red carpet. Her sleeveless look featured a caped crop bodice with high-waisted tapered trousers that the brunette beauty had a lot of fun with. She added ankle strap peeptoe sandals to her outfit, with a selection of sparkling rings & a double-layered necklace, gold glitter eyeshadow with deep eyeliner and a slicked back hairstyle.

Black Beauties

She may have been in a terrible car crash collision a few weeks ago, but Miss Swimsuit USA International 2016 Savannah Lynx looked top form at the BET Awards. The blonde beauty attended in a v-cut slip dress, that she wore with minimal accessories and a tousled curly hairstyle.

Houston native Katlynn Simone attended in a classy black off-the-shoulder sweetheart gown that featured a fishtail skirt finish. She added a silver embellished box clutch with a sparkling diamond bracelets & earrings to her look, with a white manicure, Old Hollywood glamorous waves and a nude lipstick to finish.

Going for a black dress, Naturi Naughton worked the evening in this look by Nina Ricci. The halter dress featured lace panels with some more sheer than others, with fall-away peplum tiers on the bust, waist and waterfall skirt trim too. The sleeveless look was teamed with T-bar sandals by Loriblu made with Swarovski Elements Crystals, that added glitz to the glamour, completed with a full-fringe top knot, smokey eyes and nude lipstick. Click here to buy the Loriblue sandals!

Karrueche Tran wore an LBD to the awards as she stepped out in a leather midi. The square neckline and straight straps complimented the below-the-knee length dress, that featured gold buttons and was styled with a gold torque necklace, stacks of bangle bracelets and gold chain-trimmed sandals. The socialite also styled her hair into a top knot with baby hair edges on show, dark smokey eyes and nude lips to finish.

Working the midi look, Renée Bargh attended in this sleeveless dress by Misha Collection. The look featured a high neckline with lace up eyelet rivet details down both sides of the dress and a thigh-high cut on the skirt, as well as an open scoop back. The Australian beauty repped her country very well by not only wearing an Australian-designer dress but also Tony Bianco platform sandals and Trunfio Universe jewellery, as designed by Oz model Nicole Trunfio. A low ponytail with kohl-rimmed eyes and a soft pink lip completed her look.

A Splash of Colour

Tasha Smith looked fierce in her yellow jumpsuit as she attended wearing RAHYMA. The African beauty teamed the wide-to-tapered legged look with Giuseppe Zanotti peeptoe platforms and jewellery by Charles Albert. Her long braided hairstyle, bronze lip colour and smokey eyes & exaggerated lashes were perfect to round up this look.

Sibley Scoles attended in this colourblock mini dress, that featured a black leather body and navy & yellow striped panels from the shoulders down the dress in a Y-shape. With cut outs on the straps and complimentary yellow fringed ankle strap sandals, a berry red lipstick and a funky pixie haircut, I’m loving the style of this E! News reporter.

Also opting for the sunshine hue, Rhonda Wills looked beautiful donning Michael Costello for the evening. Her cross strap halter gown featured a plunging neckline and waterfall-cut skirt at the front with a tied-waistline. Her gold barely there sandals with a flash of a neon mani-pedi were perfect for the occasion, alongside curled hair flawless makeup, this is one gorgeous awards attire.

Meagan Good was in attendance for the BET Awards as she glided down the red carpet donning this green cut out number by Lorena Sarbu. The brunette beauty added curled braids to her look with gorgeous sparkling Le Vian Jewelry, heels by Jimmy Choo and a dazzling clutch from Helmer, that complimented the wide-v neckline dress. The thigh-high let cut and train added extra oomph to the awards attire that were matched by cut outs on the waist and shoulder straps too.

I’m a big fan of the hue Aja Naomi King opted for at the BET Awards; donning this bright turquoise creation by Nicola Brognano. The frilly number featured a cami top and tiered skirt with a mid slit, showing off her Stuart Weitzman sandals, which were styled with Anne Sisteron jewellery. A hint of turquoise in the eye makeup complimented the look, teamed with a slicked back hairstyle, kohl-rimmed eyes and nude lips to finish.

Classic Black & White

One look that really stood out for me was worn by Nandi Mngoma, as she stepped out in this gown from her new & upcoming clothing line COLOUR, as designed with Inga Madyibi. The dress featured a brown sheer upper with a sleeveless straight cut & scooped neckline, full glitter-embellished peplum panels over the bust with a black & white striped fishtail skirt & train and brown sheer panels around the thighs of the skirt too. Worn with a layered high neckpiece and a silver clutch, the African beauty absolutely worked the red carpet donning this creation, finishing with charcoal smokey eyes and soft pink lipstick.

Donning a black & white mini, Jasmine Sanders looked great in this Balmain by Oliver Rousteig dress at the BET Awards. The diamond-checkered look featured contrasting black panels & trims, styled with black patent sandals by Saint Laurent. A simple chic ponytail, dewy makeup and fuss-free accessories were the perfect finishing touches.

Boss lady Janelle Monáe looked incredible in her black & white striped two-piece at the awards. The singer attended wearing a flare-sleeved jacket and flared trousers with a two-tone monochrome striped pattern, with contrasting stripes on the trousers with the black sections made up of sequins. The look was extremely classy, very flattering and occasion-appropriate, and styled with a curled hairstyle, fedora hat and red lipstick, alongside a lilac & white manicure with statement rings. I adore this look by the Wondaland Records CEO; it’s powerful, feminine and sexy. During the show, Janelle Monáe performed a medley of “Delirious”, “Kiss”, “Pop Life” & “I Would Die 4 U” in tribute to Prince, which you can watch here.

Bold Prints

Yemi Alade attended wearing a floral-printed strapless gown by Zuhair Murad that featured a sheer bodice with floral appliqué and a soft-pleated full skirt. A funky bun hairstyle, pink eyeshadow & lipstick and minimal accessories completed this look.

Young Yari Shahidi looked lovely in a multicoloured sequin midi dress from Tracy Reese. The dress featured a wide-v neckline that shone from all angles and was styled with chunky double ankle strap heels by Tommy Hilfiger, a soft berry metallic eyeshadow and soft nude lip to finish, alongside a naturally curly fro.

Going for a bold statement, Tia Mowry attended wearing Roberto Cavalli. The long-sleeved mini wrap dress featured signature prints with metallic chain fringe detail and was worn with Stuart Weitzman sandals & Sarah Magid Jewelry. A sleek hairstyle, bronze & gold eye makeup and nude lips to finish.

Model Eva Marcille attended in the shortest dress I’ve seen in a while on the red carpet. The brunette beauty stepped out in a mini that featured a white overlay with rose motifs made of sequins and white crochet lattice cuffs & skirt trims. Styled with a black sheer choker, black platform lace up heels, and a metallic-threaded clutch, she finished her look with nude lips, big lashes and a dreadlocks hairstyle.

Rocsi Diaz wore a black & nude jumpsuit by Jovani. The sleeveless look featured intricate designs with geometric & floral motifs, that was worn with minimal accessories, a curly high ponytail, nude lips and strong eye makeup to finish.

Being Mary Jane actress Gabrielle Union looked gorgeous in her asymmetrical dress by Marc Jacobs. The one-sleeved gown featured a dark red body with an all-over floral & seashell-like pattern, and an embellished neckline too. With a thigh-high leg split that showed off her silver barely there sandals, she rounded up her look with Lorraine Schwartz jewellery, a braided hairstyle and smokey eyes to finish.

Sophie Beem looked very fashion-forward in her bold burgundy red & pale pink mini dress. Wearing Nicolas Jebran for the occasion, the blonde beauty’s awards attire featured oversized bell sleeves with a high scooped neckline, and a delicate ornate design made of leather, embroidery & gemstones. Relaxed mermaid waves, leather open-toe sandals and strong eye makeup completed the singer’s look.

The Couples

Menswear

Notable Mentions

Click to see all winners of BET Awards 2016

Nirina xx

Images © respective owners, courtesy of Zimbio