The week unfolded with a sense of theatrical beauty, as though the world collectively agreed to treat every entrance like an act of self-expression. From London’s pulsating fashion scene to New York’s cinematic chaos, the red carpets and streets shimmered with intention. These weren’t mere fashion moments. They were fully realized narratives, instances where identity, mood, and creativity collided. And at the center of it all were women who transformed their surroundings into stages, whether beneath film-award spotlights, inside the grandeur of London’s Royal Albert Hall, or in the surreal confines of a subway-tunnel fashion show.
Fashion works best when it bends its own rules, and last week proved that glamour thrives wherever confidence exists. Each appearance carried its own rhythm. Each look felt lived-in rather than performed. And each woman delivered a lesson in how modern style doesn’t rely on opulence; it relies on intention.
The Looks
Teyana Taylor stepped into Chanel’s latest Métiers d’Art presentation and immediately reframed the New York subway venue as something mythic. Wearing a feathered patterend sweater with a stripped midi skirt from Chanel’s Fall 2026 show, she struck a perfect balance between grit and luxury. Here, we saw her signature edge meeting the house’s meticulous craftsmanship. The juxtaposition of her polished ensemble against tiled walls and metallic rails created a dialogue between softness and steel. Ultimately, the moment wasn’t about the spectacle of the location; it was about how Teyana herself commanded it.
Across the Atlantic, the British Fashion Awards in London became a study in poise and power the moment Anok Yai arrived. Dressed in a custom Dilara Findikoglu masterpiece, she delivered a sweeping interpretation of gothic romanticism rendered through modern couture. The cream-and-ivory gown moved from a structured, corseted bodice into a deconstructed, asymmetrical skirt. The low, dramatic neckline carved a statuesque frame around her shoulders, while careful hand-tucked details at the waist added subtle movement. The trailing skirt introduced an antique bridal softness, perfectly balancing the architectural precision above.
Meanwhile in New York City, Rihanna’s arrival at the 35th Annual Gotham Film Awards reaffirmed precisely why she remains an era-defining style force. She chose a sweeping, soft-lilac/pink gown with an exaggerated sculptural silhouette that unfurled into a grand, cascading train. The off-shoulder neckline, gently ruched, lent the look a cloud-like softness, while the dramatic volume of the skirt supplied a theatrical punch. To sharpen the ensemble, she paired it with long black gloves—an intentional contrast that cut cleanly through the pastel and added just the right amount of edge.
Check out the best fashion moments from the British Fashion Awards in London and other events…
Rihanna
Shop editor’s finds
Queen Latifah
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Iman
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Teyana Taylor
Shop editor’s selection
Zoe Saldana
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Tems
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Anok Yai
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Halle Bailey
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Sabrina Elba
Shop editor’s edit
Leah Sava Jeffries
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