As awards season gains momentum,
there's a noticeable trend: Celebrities are broadening their fashion horizons
on the red carpet, incorporating global designers alongside established
Parisian and Italian luxury fashion houses.
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| From left: Abby Elliott at the 2024 Golden Globes and Nicole Scherzinger in Cannes in Khya Studios; Lily Gladstone and Jayme Lawson in Maison Sara Chraibi; Alexa Chung and Cailee Spaeny wearing Nensi Dojaka; Shay Mitchell in Shushu/Tong; and Janelle Monáe, Taylor Swift (on tour) and Jennifer Lopez (at the Golden Globes) wearing Nicole + Felicia. “It’s a little Barbie, yes it is,” said Lopez on the red carpet of her pink floral gown. AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN/FILMMAGIC (2); ANDREAS RENTZ/GETTY IMAGES; CINDY ORD/GETTY IMAGES; KARWAI TANG/WIREIMAGE; STEVE GRANITZ/FILMMAGIC; MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; BOB LEVY/TAS23/GETTY IMAGES; AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY IMAGES; ROBYN BECK/AFP/GETTY IMAGES |
The Morfeli Reporter highlights five international designers to keep an eye on, known for crafting everything from stunning gowns that enhance awards triumphs to fashion pieces loved by Gen Z that are sure to go viral.
Nensi Dojaka
London
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| Nensi Dojaka COURTESY OF SUBJECT |
Since launching her brand in 2017,
Albania-born, London-based designer Nensi Dojaka has garnered a prominent fan
base, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Emma Corrin, and Zendaya, with her innovative
approach to bodywear and luxurious lingerie.
In December, Cailee Spaeny, star of
Priscilla, showcased classic glamour in a custom gown by the label featuring
intricate strap detailing. "The use
of delicate silk georgette intertwined with gold lurex thread has helped to
elevate one of our most iconic gathered bras framed by spaghetti straps,"
explains Dojaka of the design.
Last fall, fashion icon Alexa Chung turned heads in London wearing a black sequin jumpsuit from the Fall 2023 collection, which featured Dojaka's signature sculptural linework and bold cutouts. "Thanks to the choice of materials, we have been able to translate our aesthetic and language to create two-pieces and more playful sets [for the red carpet] that still hold all our key design elements," says the Central Saint Martins alum.
Shushu/Tong
Shanghai
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| Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang COURTESY OF SUBJECT |
Trendsetting Gen Z icons like
Olivia Rodrigo, Sydney Sweeney, and Maddie Ziegler are drawn to the playful,
pop culture-influenced label Shushu/Tong, founded by London College of Fashion
graduates Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang.
Lei describes the Shanghai-based
brand's signature designs as "super
tiny short skirts," embodying a subversive approach to traditionally
girlish flourishes like dainty bows, exuberant ruffles, and flouncy skirts. In
the past year, Shay Mitchell struck a Barbie pose in a black-and-white
basque-waist minidress from the label's Pretty Woman-themed Fall 2023
collection, Zooey Deschanel radiated joy in a saucy blue sequin skirt and
halter top adorned with a whimsical ruffle bib, and Alison Oliver from Saltburn
exuded confidence in a floor-length gown playfully enhanced by a
sweetheart-shaped sheer panel.
"I never expect celebrities to wear my collection for such an important event [as a red carpet]," says Lei. "It's really exciting and unexpected."
Kyha Studios
Melbourne, Australia
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| Kyha Scott COURTESY OF SUBJECT |
Renowned for its effortlessly chic
and sophisticated beach bride aesthetic, Australian label Kyha Studios is
bringing the glamour and romance of the wedding aisle to the red carpet.
At the 2024 Golden Globes, The
Bear’s Abby Elliott radiated Grecian goddess glamour in an asymmetrical black
gown inspired by Frank Gehry’s architecture, while singer Tinashe stunned in a
striking beaded corset gown. Nicole Scherzinger and Dixie D’Amelio also shone
in glimmering blue creations from the same collection, and The Marvelous Mrs.
Maisel’s Marin Hinkle graced the carpet in a sleek red halter gown.
“Cityscapes and nature are a wealth of inspiration for me,” says the brand’s founder and creative director, Kyha Scott. “We’re hoping we have the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind piece this year.”
Maison Sara Chraibi
Rabat, Morocco
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| Sara Chraibi GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES |
Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone
started her awards season triumph with two wins in January: a best actress
honor from the New York Film Critics Circle and a stunning red carpet
appearance in an elaborately pleated and corseted golden gown by Maison Sara
Chraibi.
Rabat-based Sara Chraibi, known for
dressing the region’s elite for nearly a decade, collaborated with stylist
Jason Rembert on this project, driven by their admiration for Lily’s artistic
endeavors. Influenced by her studies in architecture and her career in Paris,
Chraibi creates draped and sculpted pieces with exquisite tailoring, geometric
patterns, and intricate embroidery.
"I reinterpret traditional Moroccan techniques, such as Sabra silk and sfifa weaving, with a contemporary twist," says Chraibi of her aesthetic. "This fusion of heritage and modernity pays homage to Moroccan culture and craftsmanship, showcasing their timeless beauty on a global scale."
Nicole + Felicia
Taipei, Taiwan
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| Nicole Chang COURTESY OF SUBJECT |
Jennifer Lopez, writer and star of
"This Is Me … Now: A Love Story,"
stunned at the Golden Globes in a cherry blossom pink caped gown by Nicole +
Felicia, a label that initially launched in the U.S. as a bridal brand. The
Taipei-based wedding and eveningwear label has been dressing VIPs throughout
Asia for years and is now setting its sights on Hollywood.
In December, Taraji P. Henson introduced a screening of "The Color Purple" in a floral-embellished Nicole + Felicia velvet minidress, while Taylor Swift enchanted her fans in a radiant blush-pink ball gown from the brand during her fashion-filled The Eras Tour.
"We're known for our intricate beadwork and immaculate craftsmanship,
and that definitely shines through our creations for both stage and red carpet,"
say sisters and founders Nicole and Felicia Chang via email, with their sights
set on the 2024 Met Gala as the next goalpost. "We love creating grand, sculptural silhouettes, as that always
generates a buzzworthy moment and translates beautifully on digital media."
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