Lupita Nyong’o Proves Monochrome Mastery in Head-to-Toe Velvet Red at Film Critics Ceremony
Darlings, if there’s one truth universally acknowledged in our glittering world of red carpets and couture, it’s this: Lupita Nyong’o never misses. From that pearl-encrusted Chanel dream at the 2025 Oscars to her liquid gold backless masterpiece at the 2024 Golden Globes, the woman has cemented her status as a best-dressed fixture. And her latest appearance at the 2026 New York Film Critics Circle Awards on January 6? Pure sartorial poetry.
Picture this: a monochromatic marvel that quite literally merged with the red carpet itself. Lupita emerged in a deep crimson shimmering velvet suit—an oversized blazer paired with impeccably tailored wide-leg trousers that kissed the floor with each step. The velvet caught the light like crushed rubies, creating that dimensional richness only the finest fabrics can achieve.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Beneath that commanding blazer, she layered a high-neck sheer lace top in—you guessed it—matching red, tucked seamlessly into her trousers. While the lace itself is undeniably exquisite (the craftsmanship alone deserves applause), I must confess: with the jacket worn open, the styling felt somewhat disjointed. The sheer romantic femininity of the lace clashed rather than conversed with the suit’s powerful tailoring. A styling miss in an otherwise flawless execution.
Red pointed-toe heels completed this crimson symphony, elongating her silhouette and maintaining the evening’s unwavering commitment to monochrome. It’s a color that absolutely sings on her—though truthfully, what color doesn’t?
The occasion itself held particular significance. Nyong’o, who claimed Best Actress honors at this very event in 2019 for her transformative dual performance in Us, presented Brazilian actor Wagner Moura with the Best Actor award for The Secret Agent. “Through quiet resilience and beautiful subtlety, he illuminates what it means to embrace our history,” she remarked onstage—words that carry special weight given her own journey.
Born in Mexico and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Nyong’o has been refreshingly candid about her path to Hollywood. During her time at Yale School of Drama, she deliberately masked her African accent, recognizing the industry’s limited imagination. “I made this pact with myself that I would learn how to sound American in a way that would guarantee me a career in acting,” she revealed on her 2024 podcast “Mind Your Own.” “There was just no market for that.”
Yet while promoting 12 Years a Slave, she reclaimed her authentic voice. “I want to send a message that being an African is enough,” she declared—a statement that resonates far beyond fashion, though her red carpet presence certainly amplifies that message beautifully.
Consider this yet another iconic Lupita moment for the archives.
