Gotham Awards started the way good nights in New York usually do. People showed up looking sharp, moving like they had nothing to prove, just ready to enjoy the room. The red carpet of the Gotham Awards felt easy. The cameras didn’t distract anyone. You could tell the guests came to have a real night at the Gotham Awards, not a rehearsed one. Their clothes backed that up. Every look felt intentional without trying too hard, and the energy settled into something warm, stylish and unbothered.
Rihanna arrived alongside A$AP Rocky, and the pair arguably set the style tone for the night. She wore a custom gown by Balenciaga that hung off one shoulder with a dropped waist and a dramatic train. Her feathered cap and leather opera gloves added edge. The soft pink tone suited the moment — a contrast of elegance and boldness that didn’t beg for approval but commanded it. Rocky stood beside her in a crisp black suit by Chanel, a striped tie, diamond earrings and a quiet confidence that let her outfit shine.
Not far behind, Julia Roberts made a statement in a richly hued purple suit by Tom Ford (under the creative direction of Haider Ackermann). The broad-shouldered blazer and wide-leg trousers nodded to a more powerful, tailored idea of glam. She topped it with layered gemstone necklaces that added warmth to the satin. When she accepted her Visionary Tribute award with the director by her side, she said she hadn’t expected such a night and joked she needed a bathroom break before diving into thanks. She spoke about the wonder of working with creative collaborators and thanked them for holding onto creativity even when the world felt shaky.
Jennifer Lawrence showed up in an all-black look by Dior that reimagined the classic skirt-suit. The cropped jacket and skirt with a hidden long train created movement and mystery. A thigh-high slit revealed stiletto sandals and anklets. She paired the look with bold drop earrings and soft glam makeup, balancing refinement with a hint of danger. Though nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance, she didn’t win. Still, the quiet strength of her look stayed firmly in the room.
There was drama in feathers and texture too. Teyana Taylor turned heads in a vibrant red feathered skirt from Chanel’s spring 2026 collection, paired with a simple cream silk blouse. The high-low hemline revealed black-and-white cap-toe heels. She kept styling minimal to let the skirt speak. The effect was dynamic, raw, alive — almost as if the skirt moved on its own.
Toward the softer end of the palette, Elle Fanning wore a white gown by Ralph Lauren. This was a lovely piece on Elle, revealing her sensual side of her. Elle looked breath-taking in a white Samantha McMillen gown, with a subtle plunging neckline. Elle matched this beautiful sleeveless halter dress with Cartier diamonds and emerald, as proud ambassador to the Cartier collection.
Men on the carpet didn’t fade into the background. Michael B. Jordan looked sharp in a double-breasted grey suit, paired with patent leather lace-ups and diamond bracelets that added just enough shine. Meanwhile Ryan Coogler accepted an Ensemble Tribute in deep green velvet with classic black dress pants and a bow tie — a look that struck quiet sophistication amid a sea of bold styling.
The ceremony wasn’t just about clothes. When Roberts accepted her award, she paused — hilariously — to say she didn’t realize how long the program would run or how much water she’d had. That moment of candidness made the glamour feel human. Her tribute to creative collaborators felt earnest and raw.
Across the room of the Gotham Awards, there was a sense that style at the 2025 Gotham Awards meant more than visibility. It was about identity. Everyone looked elegant and very fashionable in their statement pieces; with pieces featuring beautiful feathers and satin, sharp tailoring and flowing fabric. Guests chose clothes that felt like them rather than what a camera might like.
Ultimately the 2025 Gotham Awards gave us more than just a show. Gotham Awards reminded us that clothes are languages: they speak before words do. They show who we are, what we stand for, where we come from. Through every gown and every suit, every glove and every feathered skirt, we saw people standing in themselves.
