Addison Rae, Olivia Dean and other rising stars take up space on red carpet

Rising music stars ushered in a fresh new era of red carpet dressing at the Grammys on Sunday as they embodied their music personas and let their style take center stage. Addison Rae, Olivia Dean, Doechii and Chappell Roan shined on the carpet with each artist bringing their own flair to the 68th Grammy Awards. Unlike other red carpets filled with demure evening wear looks and old Hollywood glamour, the Grammys are a night of rule-breaking looks and memorable fashion statements. With some major industry names like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift absent from the night, newcomers had the chance to take up space.

Roan is not one to waste the opportunity to make a red carpet fashion statement. In a departure from last year’s canary yellow Jean Paul Gaultier tulle ballgown, Roan embraced naked dressing, removing her sheer red garnet Mugler cape to show a georgette négligée dress that was attached to her breasts. The low-cut dress revealed a design on her back.

Among the glitz and glamour, simple pins stood out across the carpet. Some of the biggest names in music, including Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber along with Kehlani, used their platform to speak out against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement by wearing “ICE OUT” pins following the Trump administration’s deportation campaign in cities across the country.

Lainey Wilson.

Red carpet attendees took playful approaches to their looks Sunday. The British rising stars Lola Young and PinkPantheress who are shaking up the music industry with their individual sounds both opted for vastly different Vivienne Westwood looks Sunday. Best new artist nominee Young, who is back after taking a brief hiatus last year, sported an army green sweatsuit printed with children’s toys on the carpet. PinkPantheress opted for a signature corseted off-the-shoulder gown draped with the Union Jack symbol.

Zara Larsson glowed on the carpet in her sunny yellow bra top and skirt sequined set referencing her “Midnight Sun” hit song. In keeping with her theme, the Swedish singer wore a circular ray around her skirt while performing at the Grammy’s Premiere Ceremony before removing the rays for her walk down the carpet.

Doechii shed her suited Thom Browne apparel from last year for a dramatic Roberto Cavalli royal purple bustled dress with a strappy sheer bodice. Like Doechii’s bombshell updo, one trend of the night was 90s supermodel hair, Valenti said.

Kesha.

British girl group Flo, a first-time nominee, paid homage to Destiny’s Child with their matching sets. Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma and Renée Downer each wore coordinated beaded black and royal blue ensembles from Luar. Destiny’s Child famously wore matching green lace cut-out looks at the 2001 Grammys where the group won two awards.

Flo brought back that synergy with their unified aesthetic. Former Destiny Child member Michelle Williams arrived on the carpet in a black sheer gown embellished with gold leaves and a black satin train from Jean-Louis Sabaji.

This year, a fashionable bunch of artists vied for the hotly contested best new artist category. Rising star Rae, who aptly has a song titled “High Fashion,” wore a playfully structured white custom Alaia dress with a neckline that plunged down to her navel and a cheeky skirt that was longer in the front and shorter in the back.

Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber.

Sabrina Carpenter. Photos: Agencies

Kelsea Ballerini. Photos: Agencies

Sabrina Carpenter once again brought Old Hollywood glamour to the carpet with a delicate custom Valentino white-jeweled coruscating mermaid gown adorned with flowers. The beloved Italian designer Valentino Garavani died last month, leaving a legacy of exquisite red carpet gowns.

Best new artist winner Dean wore a two-toned white and black feathered Chanel look from newly appointed creative director Matthieu Blazy. Dean pairing with Blazy speaks volumes to how the fashion industry views her, said LeSavage. Kesha and Lady Gaga went for full feathered looks. Kesha looked angelic in a white feathered off-the-shoulder gown from Atelier Biser, and Lady Gaga wore a glamorous high-neck and cinched waist black feathered dress by Matières Fécales. Male artists put a twist on their tuxedos. Singer-songwriter Darren Criss, who hosted the Grammys Premiere Ceremony, donned a shimmering lace suit from Tanner Fletcher with an off-white silk cravat shaped into a bow. He paired it with his signature painted nails.

Associated Press