Maya Jama Proves Braless Dressing Can Be the Ultimate Power Move at GQ’s Men of the Year
In the pantheon of British style icons, Maya Jama has carved out a distinctly modern niche—one where daring meets sophistication, and risk-taking becomes refined art. Tuesday evening’s GQ Men of the Year Awards in London provided yet another canvas for the 31-year-old television luminary to showcase why she remains one of fashion’s most compelling forces, delivering a masterclass in contemporary red carpet dressing that balanced edge with elegance.
Jama arrived at the prestigious ceremony in a look that epitomized what we might call “emo-goth-chic for the discerning set”—a sartorial contradiction that, in her capable hands, made perfect sense. The ensemble, plucked from Elisabetta Franchi’s Spring/Summer 2026 ready-to-wear collection (first unveiled during September’s Milan Fashion Week), consisted of a silky black halterneck top with a plunging neckline that required abandoning conventional undergarments—a bold choice that speaks to Jama’s confidence in her own skin.
But the true pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the skirt: a black leather marvel featuring strategically placed cut-outs that revealed tantalizing glimpses of skin through thin vertical slices running from hem to hip. The construction was nothing short of architectural—each cut precisely calibrated to suggest rather than expose, to intrigue rather than overwhelm. It’s the kind of technical wizardry that separates Italian craftsmanship from mere fashion.
The head-to-toe black aesthetic, completed with leather peep-toe heels (also Elisabetta Franchi), created a monochromatic moment that allowed the intricate details to sing. This is styling at its most sophisticated: knowing when restraint amplifies impact, understanding that sometimes the most powerful statement is made in a single, unwavering color story.
Jama’s beauty choices proved equally considered. Her long, brunette tresses were styled in tight ringlets that cascaded with voluminous abandon, while the front sections were artfully pinned back—a strategic decision that ensured her striking facial features remained the focal point. The smoky black eye makeup channeled old Hollywood glamour with a contemporary edge, while chiseled contoured cheekbones and a brown satin lip provided the perfect complement to her daring ensemble.
This appearance exemplifies why Jama has become fashion’s darling: she possesses that rare ability to embrace trends—plunging necklines, sheer accents, cut-out details—without becoming enslaved by them. Each choice feels authentic, deliberate, and refreshingly her own.
The evening saw Jama in exceptional company, with luminaries including Jameela Jamil, Cynthia Erivo, Peggy Gou, and Gavin Casalegno braving London’s November chill for the celebration. Yet it was Jama’s gothic-romantic interpretation of contemporary glamour that will likely dominate tomorrow’s fashion discourse—proof that nine times out of ten (perhaps even ten times out of ten), when Maya Jama steps onto a red carpet, she doesn’t just attend an event; she creates a moment.
