14 Times Lupita Nyong’o Owned the Red Carpet

Lupita Nyong’o has long been a fashion darling, thanks to her regal elegance and fashion choices. In her long legacy of looks, the actor has some times where she shined especially brightly and owned the red carpet.

Since winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 12 Years a Slave in 2014, Nyong’o’s sartorial choices have only gotten better with time. Her flowing mint green Prada gown from that night remains one of the best red carpet moments of the decade, and she masterfully echoed the moment ten years later in a reminiscent Armani Privé look at the Oscars.

Throughout her career, the Kenyan-Mexican actor has consistently showcased her ability to infuse meaning into her wardrobe. Nowhere was this more evident than on the press tours for both Black Panther films, where she leaned into her Kenyan heritage through vibrant prints, bold silhouettes, and powerful accessories. Each ensemble felt like a love letter to the cultures represented on screen, highlighting the way fashion can be both a statement and a celebration.

Nyong’o’s Met Gala appearances are equally unforgettable. In 2019, she turned heads with a sculptural updo and a striking Versace gown, perfectly nailing the theme of Camp: Notes on Fashion. She followed it up in 2021 with another Versace masterpiece, this time delivering a refreshing take on denim couture. As fabulous and intentional as her dresses are, the star usually completes the look with equally artful hair, whether by wearing a cowrie shell headband, headwraps, sculptured braids, and more.

Click through the gallery below to look back at Lupita Nyong’o’s most ethereal red carpet looks thus far, from the Met Gala to the Oscars and more.