by While the last few years have been marred by various Covid-related restrictions, 2022 has seen a triumphant return to the red carpet.
All of the major events are back in person, which means a whole new batch of celeb looks.
These are some of the most memorable of the year.
1. Adele at the Brit Awards
Adele kicked off awards season with a sleek all-black look for February’s Brit Awards.
Her flowing Armani velvet gown had a delicate tulle overlay and a plunging V-neckline, and was accessorized with Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings and a large sparkle on her ring finger, leading to speculation that she was engaged to partner by sports agent Rich Paul.
2. Zoe Kravitz at the premiere of The Batman
As the latest actress to play Catwoman, Zoe Kravitz was inspired by her character during The Batman press tour.
For the film’s New York premiere, she wore an elegant black Oscar de la Renta gown with a built-in corset and cat-ear silhouette across the bust.
It might have looked kitschy, but Kravitz made it ultra-stylish with a slicked-back hairdo with bangs, along with simple makeup and a French manicure.
3. Lady Gaga at the Baftas
Never shut out from red carpet drama, Lady Gaga channeled old Hollywood glamor in a dark green Ralph Lauren gown, with a long train and glittering diamond and emerald jewels.
While it was a classic look, it still had some quirky Gaga touches, including platform boots and a miniature feathered bag.
4. Daniel Kaluuya at the Baftas
Showing that men don’t just have to wear a simple black tux to award shows, Daniel Kaluuya went all out for his Baftas look.
She called Prada for the occasion, wearing a mohair-trimmed blue coat, with a simple white turtleneck underneath.
5. Zendaya at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Zendaya continued her streak of red carpet looks at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, swapping the feminine Valentino gown she wore to the ceremony for a much edgier vibe.
She was wearing a black Sportmax suit, with broad shoulders, a cinched waist, and an unusual purple shirt underneath.
6. Julia Fox at the Vanity Fair Oscar party
Julia Fox has established herself as an “it girl” this year, making headlines for her dramatic red carpet style.
While not everyone loved her looks, they regularly got people talking, just like her dress for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
She wore a black leather dress by Han Kjobenhavn with her left hand around her neck and carried a black fur pouch, later revealed to be made of real human hair.
7. Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala
Fox may have turned heads with her hair bag, but few 2022 dresses would be as controversial as the one Kim Kardashian wore to the Met Gala.
Kardashian wore the sequined nude dress worn by Marilyn Monroe during her famous 1962 performance of Happy Birthday to US President John F Kennedy, on loan from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum.
The reality star and businesswoman said she was “so honored” to wear the gown, with some praising the vintage piece, while others suggested such a historic gown shouldn’t be worn.
Kardashian also garnered criticism for saying she lost 16 pounds (7 kg) in three weeks to fit in the dress.
8. Blake Lively at the Met Gala
Blake Lively was in charge of hosting this year’s Met Gala, and she did it in style, courtesy of an opulent Versace gown.
The dress code was “golden glamour,” with Lively arriving in a rose gold gown with a beaded bodice, inspired by New York’s art deco architecture.
Bringing a sense of theater to the red carpet, a bow down the side of the dress was undone to reveal a turquoise skirt, in homage to the Statue of Liberty.
9. Nicola Coughlan at the BAFTAs
Valentino’s grip on red carpet fashion has shown no signs of abating in 2022, with celebrities continuing to wear the brand’s voluminous gowns.
One of the year’s standouts was Nicola Coughlan at the Bafta TV Awards, with the Derry Girls star going for a maximalist look in a pink pageant dress with bows along the neckline.
10. Gemma Chan at the Venice Film Festival
Though the premiere of Don’t Worry Darling at the Venice Film Festival was dominated by headlines about Harry Styles, Florence Pugh and director Olivia Wilde, Gemma Chan still managed to steal the show on the red carpet.
She wore a custom Louis Vuitton, an armor-like silver column gown that was given a feminine twist with 3D flower appliques.
11. Florence Pugh at the BFI London Film Festival
Florence Pugh spent the year honing her voice on the red carpet, and became known for dramatic gowns with full skirts and bright colors.
Her dress for the BFI London Film Festival was a prime example of this.
She often chooses Valentino, and this salmon number brought the boudoir to the red carpet with spaghetti straps, a voluminous skirt and feather trim.
12. Cate Blanchett at the Governors Awards
Not only was Cate Blanchett’s layered white Alexander McQueen dress with a black blazer a strong look for the Governors Awards, but there was also a meaningful message behind it.
If the one-of-a-kind gown looks familiar, that’s because Blanchett wore it to the Venice Film Festival in 2020.
Blanchett’s stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, posted on Instagram: “We understand that most people wear their clothes all the time and how great it is for the environment (keep clothes out of landfills, etc.) However, on the red carpet, fashion is about being exciting, making a splash and pushing our industry forward, so the bar is set high.
13. Jodie Turner-Smith at the Fashion Awards
Jodie Turner-Smith hosted the Fashion Awards in a series of extravagant outfits, starting with a bang in a lime green Gucci gown with long sleeves, emerald jewels and a blonde cut.
14. Simone Ashley at the Fashion Awards
The Fashion Awards weren’t short of spectacular gowns, with Simone Ashley making all the best dressed lists in a lavender embellished gown by fabulous disco brand 16Arlington, complete with hood.
