Whenever you hear that Lupita Nyong’o is going to arrive at an event, you know we’re in for a stunning, radiant, and rather daring red carpet moment. Ever since Nyong’o hit the A-list scene, her red-carpet fashion has continuously taken our breath away. Truly, she’s a modern-day style icon, and her red carpet fashion proves it.
In a previous interview with Elle, she said she truly loves having fun with her style. “I’ve always had fun with style. You know, I’ve always cared about what I wear. I’ve tried to express myself with what I wear and what I do with my outward appearance, to kind of somehow reflect part of my inner appearance,” she said.”And yeah, it’s always been a part of me. I’ve always had fun with it. I think now I’ve gone through like a crash course on the fashion industry and the art of fashion, which has been fun.”
In honor of Nyong’o’s 43rd birthday today, let’s take a look back at her best red carpet looks ever:
The Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit (2025)
Image Credit: John Nacion/Variety
Lupita Nyong’o looked so chic in this black Chanel look for The Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit.
Artist’s Table (2025)
Image Credit: Lexie Moreland/PMC
Lupita Nyong’o channeled 1960s mod fashion in this Naeem Khan for her appearance at the Artist’s Table Powered by WOAH event.
Academy Museum Gala (2025)
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At the Fifth Annual Academy Museum Gala, Lupita Nyong’o turned every single head in this sheer, black lace Chanel dress!
Critics Choice Awards (2025)
Image Credit: Gregg DeGuire
At the Critics Choice Awards, Lupita Nyong’o looked like a fairy in this black tulle, floral dress from Chanel.
‘The Wild Robot’ Premiere at San Sebastian Film Festival (2024)
Image Credit: Photo by Juan Naharro Gimenez/WireImage
Lupita Nyong’o turned every single head at The Wild Robot premiere during the 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival when she stepped out in this sheer red stunner from Dolce & Gabbana.
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Premiere (2024)
Image Credit: Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
At the premiere of A Quiet Place: Day One, Lupita Nyong’o turned heads in this custom, sparkling black Prada jumpsuit.
CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards (2024)
Image Credit: Photo by Mindy Small/FilmMagic.
When Lupita Nyong’o received her Star of the Year award at the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards, she donned this mesmerizing, flowing old gown from Celine.
Berlinale International Film Festival (2024)
Image Credit: Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images.
Nyong’o looked angelic in this statuesque white Gucci gown.
Tony Awards (2023)
Image Credit: Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images.
Nyong’o made headlines everywhere when she rocked this custom breastplate cast and molded on her body by Misha Japanwala.
LACMA Art+Film Gala (2023)
Image Credit: Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for LACMA.
Nyong’o turned every single head in this form-fitting, sheer red Gucci gown at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in 2023.
Academy Awards (2022)
Image Credit: Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images.
We’re still not over the glittering custom gold Prada gown Nyong’o wore to the 2022 Oscars.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Euro Premiere (2022)
Image Credit: Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage.
We’re still obsessed with Nyong’o’s wiggly, ruffled Alexander McQueen gown from their 2019 resort collection.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda’ NY Screening (2022)
Image Credit: Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images.
We’re still so obsessed with this emerald ensemble, that was a custom Dolce & Gabbana look.
Governors Awards (2019)
Image Credit: Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Nyong’o was truly an ethereal goddess when she stepped out in this floral, colorful Givenchy gown back in 2019.
NAACP Image Awards (2019)
Image Credit: Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.
Back at the 2019 NAACP Image Awards, Nyong’o turned heads in this flowing mauve gown from Giambattista Valli.
Golden Globe Awards (2019)
Image Credit: Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images.
Back in 2019, Nyong’o absolutely wowed in this blue, fringed Calvin Klein dress.
‘Us’ Screening (2019)
Image Credit: Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage.
Nyong’o let out her gothic glam side in this sparkling red Attico Blouson robe dress.
Met Gala (2019)
Image Credit: Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage.
Nyong’o absolutely nailed the “Camp” assignment at the 2019 Met Gala when she stepped out in this netted, rainbow puff-clad Versace gown.
Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2019)
Image Credit: Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.
For the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Nyong’o took everyone’s breath away in this fluffy white Oscar de la Renta gown.
‘Little Monsters’ Premiere (2019)
Image Credit: Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images.
Nyong’o stunned at the premiere of Little Monsters in this velvet black dress from Alex Perry.
Academy Awards (2018)
Image Credit: Photo by Dan MacMedan/WireImage.
Ntong’o looked like a goddess in this sparkling, gold and black custom Atelier Versace gown.
Cannes Film Festival (2018)
Image Credit: Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images.
Nyong’o channeled Sleeping Beauty in this flowing pink Prada dress.
‘Black Panther’ (2018)
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Nyong’o’s purple Versace gown for the Black Panther premiere was clearly inspired by her warrior character!
Breakthrough Prize Ceremony (2018)
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Nyong’o looked truly out of this world in this sparkling, gold Oscar de la Renta gown for the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in 2018.
CFDA Fashion Awards (2018)
Image Credit: Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
This black and white Versace mini-dress Lupita rocked at the CFDA Fashion Awards in 2018 will remain an all-time favorite.
Met Gala (2017)
Image Credit: Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images For US Weekly.
Nyong’o’s coral-colored Prada gown was one of the best dressed of the night.
Met Gala (2016)
Image Credit: Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
For the Met Gala theme of “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology,” Nyong’o turned every single head in this glittering, light green Calvin Klein Collection dress, which she paired with Tiffany & Co. jewelry, and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Toronto International Film Festival (2016)
Image Credit: Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney.
Nyong’o stunned the crowd in this vibrant yellow and blue gown from Carolina Herrera.
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Premiere (2015)
Image Credit: Photo by Victor Chavez/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios’.
Nyon’go absolutely understood the assignment when she stepped out in this sci-fi inspired Louis Vuitton dress.
Cannes Film Festival (2015)
Image Credit: Photo by Venturelli/WireImage.
Back in 2015, Lyong’o wore one of her most iconic looks to date: a green chiffon Gucci gown.
Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2015)
Image Credit: Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.
Nyong’o kept things simple and chic in this hypnotic gold Calvin Klein gown.
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2015)
Image Credit: Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.
One look of Nyong’o’s that doesn’t get talked about enough is this black-striped, rose gown from Elie Saab.
Golden Globe Awards (2015)
Image Credit: AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images).
Nyong’o channeled her inner fairy princess in this purple and white ballgown from Giambattista Valli.
NAACP Image Awards (2014)
Image Credit: Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.
Forever obsessed with this golden Givenchy dress Nyong’o wowed in!
Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2014)
Image Credit: Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.
Nyong’o was the pinnacle of chic in this white, green-crystal embellished Miu Miu.
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2014)
Image Credit: Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.
One of the most memorable SAG dresses of all time was this turquoise Gucci dress Nyong’o stunned in.
Entertainment Weekly Celebration (2014)
Image Credit: Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly.
This boho-chic, colorful J. Mendel dress that Nyongo’o wowed in was such a serve.
Met Gala (2014)
Image Credit: Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
For the Met Gala theme of “Charles James: Beyond Fashion,” Nyong’o wowed everyone in this green netted ensemble from Prada.
Academy Awards (2014)
Image Credit: AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Nyong’o’s baby blue, custom Prada gown from the 2014 Oscars remains in our minds rent-free.
EE British Academy Film Awards (2014)
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Nyong’o looked positively radiant in this strapless green gown from Christian Dior Haute Couture.
‘Non-Stop’ Premiere (2014)
Image Credit: Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.
Okay, but we’re still obsessed with the metallic, copper Lanvin dress Nyong’o wore back in 2014 for the premiere of Non-Stop.
Golden Globe Awards (2014)
Image Credit: Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.
The red caped gown from Ralph Lauren remains one of Nyong’o’s all-time best looks.
BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards (2013)
Image Credit: Photo by Araya Doheny/WireImage.
For the BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards in 2013, Nyong’o wowed in this two-toned Lanvin gown.