Viola Davis’s Red Carpet Style Exudes Hollywood Glam

Date:

Share post:


Since her early days on the red carpet, Viola Davis has remained steadfast in her approach to fashion—she understands which cuts flatter and accentuate her body shape, embraces bold hues (but isn’t one to shy away from an LBD or bright whites), and looks to old Hollywood glamour for inspiration. She’s responsible for some of the best award show looks of all time, like the crimson off-the-shoulder Armani Privé she wore to collect her Oscar statuette for Best Supporting Actress in Fences in 2017 (which also made her the first Black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy, and a Tony Award, by the way). Her many prestigious roles make her an award season staple, but even when she isn’t promoting a new project, one can expect to see Davis at the Met Gala and the Cannes Film Festival in eye-catching looks. Now, in honor of her 59th birthday, let’s take a look back at her best red carpet moments from throughout the course of her illustrious career.

2024: Cannes Film Festival; Closing Ceremony

Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis Entertainment/Getty Images

Davis ditched her normal bold colors for a chic black and white Ami Paris creation, featuring a sequined column dress topped with a crisp white poncho.

2023: The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Premiere

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

hollywood california november 13

The actress may have played a bad guy in The Hunger Games prequel, but she was very much the hero of the premiere’s red carpet in a green caped mini dress from Oscar de la Renta.

2023: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” Met Gala

Christopher Polk/WWD/Getty Images

viola davis at the

The queen of color, Davis, did not disappoint at the 2023 Met Gala, attending the event in a shocking pink Valentino dress with a bodice bursting with feathers.

Unique Nicole/WireImage/Getty Images

los angeles california march

Davis paired her green, sequined Roland Mouret dress with a thematic Judith Leiber basketball purse.

2023: Screen Actors Guild Awards

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

los angeles california february

While the cut of Davis’s Valentino dress was fairly simple, it was all about the eye-catching color and unique neckline.

Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

pasadena california february 25

The actress wore what seems to be her favorite color, purple, at the NAACP Awards in 2023 in the form of a pleated Dior Haute Couture gown with a braided halter neck detail.

Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images

london england february 19

She brought the color out again at the BAFTAs, hitting the red carpet in a Stella McCartney creation that sparkled with every step.

2023: Critics Choice Awards

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

2c32fc39 f431 4b89 97af 92723685c17c getty 1456717798

Davis looked as glamorous as ever in a brown, sequin-covered Valentino dress, with an attached cape.

2023: Golden Globe Awards

Amy Sussman/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

e4ca47dd 6f7d 4da5 8808 17dac1ba435e getty 1455624623

Though the hem of her dress got drenched by the rain, Davis still looked gorgeous in a cobalt blue Jason Wu dress at the 80th annual Golden Globes.

2023: Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

f0ace7f6 5be0 4a1e 941e 5f07c24670d1 getty 1454539943

The custom Tory Burch dress Davis wore to the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards was a work of art.

Emma McIntyre/WireImage/Getty Images

7a66318d eea2 4b0b bee1 624cac8c3e95 getty 1442878446

Davis was hard to miss in a custom Christopher John Rogers look at the Governors Awards.

2022: The Woman King UK Premiere

Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images

b5cfd252 15f6 4314 99a9 2e9b3bdae748 getty 1430155189

Wearing a black and white striped Greta Constantine dress with 3D floral appliqués, Davis attended the UK premiere of her film, The Woman King.

2022: The Woman King TIFF Premiere

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

06b6f320 29d3 4354 a933 ff5183c8d071 getty 1422315979

Clearly, Davis was on a Greta Constantine kick during her tour for The Woman King, because she wore another custom look by the designer to the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

2022: Cannes Film Festival

Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis Entertainment/Getty Images

78ad9270 3726 40c2 b708 cb4cb3575f58 getty 1397979555

Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than this marigold, custom Alexander McQueen gown on Davis?

2022: The First Lady Premiere

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

cb8077cf f65f 4fce a291 af8b1253c7a7 getty 1391554303

Davis loves a bold color, so this orange Stella McCartney was the perfect choice for the actress.

Handout/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

99ba0746 9da6 444b b4ef 838914a9027b getty 1314438932

The actress returned to the red carpet after a year of virtual award shows in a white, ethereal Alexander McQueen gown.

2021: Screen Actors Guild Awards

e5a7aa57 a0a5 4da7 93c5 0eb31778823c f15bdc41 c79d 4f3f aa6e f5aceb763c0a 168265146 3822848011166358 4758011739213932703 n

There may not have been a true red carpet for the 2021 SAG Awards, but Davis still made our best dressed list in this lime green Louis Vuitton gown.

2021: Golden Globe Awards

212261f6 7011 4769 8f66 b53f28ecd7ca 4deeccad 4801 4d33 83f8 0dedc1b086bd 154802151 333987764702802 6622724756223186811 n 1

Another at-home serve from Davis. The actress celebrated her Golden Globe nomination in a gown from Lavie by CK, made by Cameroon-born, LA-based designer Claude Kameni.

Mondadori Portfolio/Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images

7efdd604 83bf 4b1e afe3 e6f7bf46d273 getty 1183971518

While Davis is known for bringing bold colors to the red carpet, she also loves an angelic white gown, like this Michael Kors number from the Rome Film Fest in 2019.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

1de4a81c 13e7 454f 9306 2e70b8602e55 getty 1176467312

Davis wore a gorgeous, black and white Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition dress to the Emmys in 2019.

2019: British Academy Film Awards

Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

b11635b0 25a4 4390 a9f9 60cade0db5cb getty 1129026992

The actress attended the BAFTAs in 2019 wearing another black and white gown. This velvet and satin creation was from the Armani Privé fall 2018 collection.

2019: Critics Choice Awards

Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

c8c581f7 a0aa 4873 953c bb336c6334e3 getty 1082160472

The actress looked like an award herself when she attended the Critics Choice Awards in Michael Kors.

2018: Widows European Premiere

Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images

b0cfc80a 6e5f 4e30 bc5d 71f0b12433a7 getty 1051847724

Davis matched her bright red, one-shoulder Akris dress with a Tyler Ellis clutch at the European premiere of her film, Widows.

2018: Widows TIFF Premiere

Tara Ziemba/WireImage/Getty Images

3b153e81 48be 4ff1 881c 54891cd35630 getty 1029753380

While Davis’ Elizabeth Kennedy dress may have been simple, it created the perfect back drop to show off her gorgeous House of Yimama tribal choker.

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

ee2f287d fc74 4a8b 9792 4bd118b3e899 gettyimages 927246476

2018: Golden Globe Awards

Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

d301300c 943d 42f3 a0d5 e024c31e1fa8 getty 902353102

The actress wore a luxe, velvet Brandon Maxwell gown with a Harry Winston necklace to the Globes in 2018.

Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

58c4eb81 52f4 48c7 a369 6d283008015c getty 849346006

Orange you glad Davis wore this Zac Posen dress to the Emmys in 2017?

Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

4fa84a40 9842 4d1a 8a0e 3649e3b94b56 getty 645992894

Davis took home her first and only Oscar in a bright red Armani gown with a halter neck and draped, off-the-shoulder details.

2017: British Academy Film Awards

Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

0359c152 0adc 4efe b79d c2566c7b839c getty 635133254

It’s fitting that Davis tapped British designer Jenny Packham to dress her for the British Academy Film Awards.

2017: Screen Actors Guild Awards

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images

6e8011d6 4d2a 4a6d 8316 427ab2fac0c6 getty 633100984

Davis looked like a classic Hollywood star in this white, strapless Vivienne Westwood couture dress at the 2017 SAG awards.

2017: Golden Globe Awards

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

796535fc ea69 4977 9b43 a80ff74c0836 getty 631324406

When in doubt, Davis always goes for the brightly colored, sequin-covered Michael Kors Collection gown.

2016: Critics Choice Awards

Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

ef50a882 cf9f 44f4 9800 a379e0efc93d getty 629373968

What did we say about the brightly colored, sequin-covered Michael Kors Collection dresses?

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

dca960b8 7bb1 4e3e a2ec c3722a088f59 getty 610467398

Davis wore a hot pink Marchesa gown with an embroidered bodice to the Emmys in 2016.

2016: Suicide Squad Premiere

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

8f4a51b6 c626 4bee a047 5b0ef0b05d46 getty 585130304

The actress wore a sparkly Vivienne Westwood dress to the premiere of Suicide Squad.

2016: Golden Globe Awards

Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

de263e45 38c2 436c 9714 b78a7fd07f32 getty 504389860

Davis looked like the night sky in Marchesa at the 2016 Gloden Globes.

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images

bd4483cc 3289 4ca1 8ac7 2aa47aa08b85 getty 490066702

Sometimes Davis loves to pull out a white dress for a red carpet. At the Emmys in 2015, she wore this Carmen Marc Valvo gown with a leaf motif decorating the torso and skirt.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

1d965efa 05b7 4e3f 8919 2ba5e8b5f09f getty 464171470

The actress attended the 87th annual Oscars in a Zac Posen resort 2015 off-the-shoulder gown.

2015: Screen Actors Guild Awards

MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images/MediaNews Group/Getty Images

9dde6157 19e1 4ba5 9639 22c2d4cfdfc8 getty 1240090384

Davis wore a MaxMara halter neck column dress with a keyhole cutout to the SAG awards in 2015.

2015: Golden Globe Awards

George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images

d68c1cfb 9a8f 4f2c bd61 5c4418fbe769 getty 461420414

Wearing Donna Karan Atelier, Davis attended the Golden Globes in 2015.

FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

bef0c7f3 aebb 456e 9b74 51e2cfe7b1d6 getty 454175950

Davis wore a gorgeous Escada resort 2015 gown with a paillette-embellished neckline to the Emmys in 2014.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

77f52d30 3c24 4a13 817c 6ada55eb6305 getty 479600187

Wearing an strapless, emerald Escada dress, Davis attended the Academy Awards in 2014.

2013: Screen Actors Guild Awards

Jennifer Graylock/FilmMagic/Getty Images

44c0fa49 0410 4161 b327 ff2a0ba94bdc getty 160221509

The actress looked gorgeous in a Monique Lhuillier spring 2013 one-shoulder dress at the SAG Awards.

2012: Won’t Back Down Premiere

Rob Kim/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

105599dd 6e4a 4078 bd02 9117a00d0cf7 getty 152660638

Wearing a teal Alberta Ferretti pre-fall 2012 dress, Davis attended the premiere of her film, Won’t Back Down in 2012.

Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

61bccde6 5798 46cd 8382 618459fa8e25 getty 140097528

Davis loves to bring color on the red carpet, and the emerald green of this Vera Wang gown might be our favorite she’s ever worn.

2012: Screen Actors Guild Awards

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images

134196e3 139a 4ba8 a6e1 344c3ac0c27d getty 137969620

At the 2012 SAG Awards, David wore a white, silk chiffon Marchesa gown with gold detailing across the bust.

2012: Golden Globe Awards

George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images

381ab846 efd8 493c b674 1736817e4e6a getty 142535195

The actress wore a Grecian-style one-shoulder chiffon Emilio Pucci gown to the Golden Globes in 2012.

2011: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Premiere

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

1769006c 0b97 44b9 a6bc 77b6bb9e176f getty 135995570

While the original version of this Raoul spring 2012 gown didn’t feature the cinched waist, Davis opted to give it a bit of shape when she wore it to the premiere of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close in 2011.

2011: The Help Los Angeles Premiere

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images

a93c2a7e 8a3f 46ec aea9 07692d4a5698 getty 120770903

Davis wore this red, asymmetric Escada dress to the premiee of The Help in Los Angeles.

Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

27ef7b04 5976 4d67 ae0e e5310fde475a getty 818655156

The actress took home her second Tony Award in a lime green, halterneck dress.

2009: Law Abiding Citizen Premiere

Frank Trapper/Corbis Entertainment/Getty Images

704cb2af 2fa1 49ba b73a d136911ef933 getty 529908344

Davis wore a knee-length, hot pink dress to the premiere of her film, Law Abiding Citizen.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

7703ac9d 6657 412a b22a 0f6b66a085d9 getty 179890593

Though Davis didn’t win the Oscar in 2009, she looked like a statuette in a golden, halterneck Reem Acra dress.

2009: Screen Actors Guild Awards

Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

1b9af6bf 7f9a 4fbf 832b 7bd41eab6bdb getty 84456788

The actress attended the 2009 SAG Awards in a one-shoulder, canary yellow dress.

2009: Golden Globe Awards

Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

8e1b94cd 1ce2 461c 870c 159e85785f70 getty 84248904

David wore a lowcut, geometric Max Azaria gown to the Golden Globes in 2009.

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images

80bcb603 600e 4d2d ab19 473420b71efa getty 77471875

Apparently, Davis has been a fan of bright colors for quite awhile now. Take this eye-catching pink, knee-length midi dress she wore to the premiere of Disturbia in 2007.

2005: Get Rich or Die Tryin’ Premiere

Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

b23a0c2f c79e 40b2 a5cf 70e001dbe261 getty 105923223

Davis went casual for the premiere of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2005, opting to wear a gray, pinstripe suit with a bright red cowlneck top.

2002: Antwone Fisher Premiere

Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage/Getty Images

a1e68faa 4292 48a0 bfca 3fd36926624a getty 109557655

The actress wore a brown suit to the premiere of Antwone Fisher in 2002.



Source link

Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams is a writer and editor. Angeles. She writes about politics, art, and culture for LinkDaddy News.

Recent posts

Related articles

Saoirse Ronan's Strapless Paper Bag Dress Is Pleated to Perfection

After elevating a pair of wardrobe basics in a rather subtle way last week, Saoirse Ronan is...

6 Eyeglasses Trends to Look Out For in 2025, from Aviators to Oversized Frames

In 2024, the Y2K chokehold on fashion proved its enduring strength. Styles from the era continued to...

Iris Law's Plunging Office Siren Vest Doubles as a "Going Out" Top

According to Iris Law, Office Siren dressing isn’t just reserved for business hours. Yesterday in New York,...

In NYC, a Midnight Release Party for Haruki Murakami’s New Novel

Two nights ago, many New Yorkers went to Charli XCX’s surprise performance in Times Square, then crammed...

Marcelo Gutierrez's Book 'Nothing Precious' Captures NYC's Subversive Culture

“Sometimes I feel that books, fashion, and image-making get stuck in a space of over-intellectualism,” says Marcelo...

Kaia Gerber Styles a Cult 2000s It Bag In the Most Gen Z Way Possible

Kaia Gerber likes to keep it classic. So it’s no surprise that her version of channeling Y2K...

Nicole Kidman's Skin-Tight Bombshell Dress Reinvents Corsetry

Forget just a “pop” of red, Nicole Kidman has no problems draping her entire figure in the...

When Will the Celebrity Lookalike Contests End?

On November 17, a row of fair-haired, large-nosed men and women, all who bore a passing resemblance...