Gen Z stars are rewriting red carpet rules at the 68th Grammy Awards, trading safe choices for bold fashion statements that blur the line between costume and contemporary style.
British rising stars Lola Young and PinkPantheress kicked off music’s biggest night with drastically different Vivienne Westwood looks that showcase their individual artistic identities.
After last year’s subdued affair—where celebrities respectfully toned down their attire following the devastating Los Angeles wildfires—the 2025 Grammys red carpet has returned to its tradition of risk-taking and rule-breaking fashion.
From sheer gowns to matching dress disasters, this year’s arrivals prove that Grammy fashion remains unpredictable, unapologetic, and utterly unforgettable.
British Stars Lead With Contrasting Westwood Looks
Best new artist nominee Lola Young made waves wearing an army green sweatsuit printed with children’s toys—a playful departure from traditional red carpet glamour. Young, who recently returned after taking a brief hiatus last year, embraced comfort without sacrificing statement-making style.
PinkPantheress took an entirely different approach with her signature corseted off-the-shoulder gown draped with Union Jack symbols. Both artists are shaking up the music industry with their individual sounds, and their fashion choices reflected that fearless creativity.
FKA Twigs Brings Album Concept to Life
FKA Twigs transformed her red carpet appearance into performance art, wearing a beige sheer flowy Paolo Carzana dress accessorized with a book and an orchid.
The book is part of the lore of her “Eusexua” album.
The artist explained this to Variety after winning best dance/electronic album early in the evening. Her conceptual approach demonstrated how Grammy fashion has evolved beyond simple designer dresses into wearable storytelling.
Fashion Face-Off Creates Awkward Moment
Singer Ledisi and TV host Jasmine Simpkins experienced every celebrity’s nightmare: arriving in identical outfits. Both women flaunted the same off-the-shoulder pink peach dress with sparkly tinsel, creating an unintentional twinning moment at the start of the night.
With any major red carpet event, some drama is inevitable—though this particular fashion collision was purely coincidental.
How Jennifer Lopez Changed Internet History
Grammy red carpet fashion hasn’t always been this daring. When the awards began in 1959, honorees like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin kept things relatively conservative.
Everything changed at the 2000 Grammy Awards when Jennifer Lopez wore that green Versace dress. The jungle-print creation with its striking décolletage became so legendary that Google credits it as inspiration behind Google Images, according to the company itself.
The dress generated such a high volume of search queries that Google recognized the need for a dedicated image search function. Lopez’s fashion choice literally changed how we use the internet.
Last year, model Bianca Censori pushed boundaries even further when she posed with rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) wearing a transparent dress with nothing underneath—taking “barely there” to new heights.
Men Break Free From Traditional Tuxedos
Unlike other award shows where men default to standard black tuxedos, Grammy nominees frequently shake things up with unconventional choices.
Singer-songwriter Darren Criss arrived early Sunday in a shimmering lace suit from Tanner Fletcher, complete with an off-white silk cravat shaped into a bow. Criss, who hosted the Grammys premiere ceremony, paired his ensemble with his signature painted nails.
His look exemplified how male artists use Grammy fashion to express personality and challenge gender norms in red carpet dressing.
Best New Artist Nominees Bring Fresh Fashion Energy
This year’s best new artist category features a particularly fashionable bunch of nominees. Rising star Addison Rae—who aptly has a song titled “High Fashion”—brought anticipation about whether she’d sport an archival fashion look.
Last year’s best new artist winner, Chappell Roan, set a high bar by wearing a yellow tulle archival Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown printed with Degas’ famous ballerinas. She later debuted several additional looks throughout the ceremony, proving that Grammy fashion extends well beyond the red carpet.
Performance Looks Add Extra Fashion Moments
Showstopping getups don’t stop once the carpet closes. Many celebrities debut entirely new looks inside the venue, particularly for performances.
Miley Cyrus stunned in a shimmery silver Bob Mackie number while performing her hit song “Flowers” onstage in 2024. This year’s stylish performer lineup includes:
- Lady Gaga – known for theatrical, boundary-pushing ensembles
- Sabrina Carpenter – rising pop star with vintage-inspired style
- Justin Bieber – fashion risk-taker with streetwear influence
- Pharrell Williams – style icon and fashion designer
Each performer brings their unique aesthetic, ensuring fashion moments continue throughout the entire broadcast.
Where to Watch All the Fashion Action
Fashion enthusiasts can catch every red carpet moment through multiple viewing options. The Associated Press is streaming a four-hour red carpet show with interviews and fashion footage on YouTube and APNews.com.
The main show airs live from LA’s Crypto.com Arena on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern. Paramount+ premium plan subscribers can stream the telecast live, while essential subscribers gain on-demand access the next day.
Live TV streaming services including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV also offer access for cord-cutters wanting to witness every fashion triumph and potential disaster as it unfolds.