Lupita Nyong'o's Red Carpet Style

By Kelsey Glein
Updated Jan 05, 2017 @ 10:00 am
Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

There's no question that Lupita Nyong'o is the breakout style star of this awards season. The young actress nabbed an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her part in 12 Years A Slave, which has kicked her career into high gear. "There's no way that I could have dreamt any of this stuff up. It's just been an incredible journey, and it continues to be that," Nyong'o tells InStyle. It's an adventure and a very exciting one, a very rewarding one and a very revealing one as well."

Usually wears: Bright, solid colors like scarlet red, emerald green, and robin's egg blue in sleek and modern cuts. "I’m dark-skinned so primary colors pop the best," Nyong'o says.

Favorite designers:Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Cushnie et Ochs, and Lanvin.

Wildcard factor: The rising icon has kicked off awards season in style, opting for fresh and striking silhouettes in bold hues like the chic Ralph Lauren cape dress that left us speechless at the 2014 Golden Globes. "This is a woman that can wear every single color of the rainbow and then some," states InStyle's editor Ariel Foxman in our #OscarsDressDebate.

What we'd like to see: Color, color, color! "I'm still in love with her in solid colors. I think it's really brilliant that she's come out and created this very distinctive visual impression by matching her dress with her shoes and her makeup," says InStyle's Fashion News Director Eric Wilson. "I'd like to see another bright color." We agree, and are craving more eye-popping color from Nyong'o, but hope she mixes it up and chooses a new hue. "I'm really interested in seeing new saturations of color on her, like a beautiful salmon," states designer Rachel Roy. "She looks absolutely incredible in these bold, solid colors. I'd never want to see her in a black dress," says Beth Buccini of New York City boutique Kirna Zabete. "She can really carry a strong look. I'm thrilled with the solid colors still."

Want more Lupita Nyong'o? Look through our gallery to see her best red carpet looks from this awards season!

MORE:We've Decided the Red Carpet Fashions for the Oscars!Why We're Obsessed: Lupita's Golden Globes DressListen Up: Here's How to Say Lupita Nyong'o's Name

Start Slideshow

1 of 19

In Elie Saab, 2016

Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

The actress looked elegant in a lavender Elie Saab gown with a matching headwrap and Graziela Gems earrings for the L.A. premiere of Disney's Queen of Katwe. She paired the hue with even more bold color—pink on her lips and mauve on her lids.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 19

In Rosie Assoulin, 2016

Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Nyong'o looked like a queen IRL in a Rosie Assoulin printed bustier and high-waist blue pants. She paired the ensemble with a matching headwrap and Rebecca de Ravenel ombré drop earrings.

3 of 19

In Jason Wu, 2016

Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Nyong'o accessorized with a Hugo Boss bag and with Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the Tony Awards.

Advertisement

4 of 19

In Calvin Klein Collection, 2016

Credit: Jamie McCarthy

The actress sparkled in a Calvin Klein Collection gown with Jimmy Choo shoes at the Met Gala.

5 of 19

In House of Herrera, 2016

Credit: Dominik Magdziak Photography/Getty

Nyong'o chose a strapless yellow gown, adorned with a royal blue floral pattern for the Queen of Katwe premiere at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival.

6 of 19

In J. Crew, 2016

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Lupita wore a custom neon green J.Crew tee with a deep-V design and a gold sequined skirt with slit pleats to the L.A. Jungle Book premiere in 2016.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 19

In Balmain, 2016

Credit: Walter McBride/WireImage

Nyong'o wore a gorgeous emerald Balmain dress at the opening night party for her Broadway debut in Eclipsed.

8 of 19

In Zac Posen, 2015

Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Lupita wore a Zac Posen dress in collaboration with Google at the Star Wars “Force 4 Fashion” event at Skylight Modern in New York City.

9 of 19

In Gucci, 2015

Credit: FilmMagic

At Cannes, the actress opted for a custom pleated chiffon gown with hand-painted floral crystals along the waist and plunging neckline.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 19

In Calvin Klein Collection, 2015

Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images

Nyong’o wore a strapless beaded Calvin Klein Collection gown to the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar party.

11 of 19

In Gucci, 2015

Credit: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/FilmMagic

The actress wore a belted chiffon dress to the 15th anniversary of the Tropheé Chopard during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival.

12 of 19

In Elie Saab, 2015

Credit: Ari Perilstein/Getty Images

She attended the Weinstein Company and Netflix 2015 SAG after-party in a short version of the printed Elie Saab dress she had worn earlier that day on the red carpet.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 19

In Giambattista Valli Couture, 2015

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Nyong’o wore a floral strapless Giambattista Valli Couture gown to the 2015 Golden Globes. 

14 of 19

In Christian Dior, 2015

Credit: Dominique Charriau/WireImage

To attend Christian Dior's fall 2015 couture show during Paris Fashion Week, Nygong’o chose a short pleated red dress by the designer.

15 of 19

In Calvin Klein Collection, 2015

Credit: WireImage

At the Academy Awards in a custom-made gown by Calvin Klein Collection that was made up of over 6,000 pearls—famously stolen from her hotel room and then returned two days later. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 19

In Elie Saab, 2015

Credit: WireImage

In a printed Elie Saab gown at the Screen Actor Guild Awards.

17 of 19

In Gucci, 2014

Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage

Nyong'o chose a vibrant Gucci gown with an embellished neckline for the 2014 SAG Awards, which she paired with Fred Leighton jewelry.

18 of 19

In Christian Dior Couture, 2014

Credit: AP

At the 2014 BAFTAs in a Christian Dior Couture emerald green gown and Ana Khouri jewelry.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 19

In Ralph Lauren, 2014

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

At the 2014 Golden Globes, Nyong'o chose a caped Ralph Lauren dress, Fred Leighton jewelry, and a Monica Rich Kosann clutch.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Kelsey Glein