The late Ananda Lewis was a cultural icon, and her quietly powerful fashion moments deserve just as much recognition.&nbsp;

L'HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today&rsquo;s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
Ananda Lewis wasn&rsquo;t just a television personality&mdash;she was a voice of her generation. The two-time NAACP Image Award winner, human rights activist, and journalist was also an underrated fashion icon. Lewis rose to fame during the late '90s and early <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/2000s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2000s</a>, shaping her reputation through her work on BET&rsquo;s Teen Summit and later as a beloved MTV VJ. Known for her innate intellect and authenticity, she offered more than just commentary on <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/tv">TV</a>. 
News of her <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/entertainment/ananda-lewis-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passing</a> on June 11, 2025, after an ongoing breast cancer journey has reignited public reflection on her impact&mdash;not just in media&mdash;but in the way she embodied and championed Black excellence. Among her many unforgettable moments, one fashion choice still resonates 25 years later: the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/mcqueen">Alexander McQueen</a> suit she wore to the 2000 <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/destinys-child-floral-bustier-bra-low-rise-jeans-outfit-mtv-icon-tribute-2001" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTV</a> Movie Awards.

Getty Images.

On a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/redcarpet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">red carpet</a> where most opted for glitter, denim, or exposed midriffs, Lewis delivered something far more timeless&mdash;a tailored, gender-defying gray <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/alexandermcqueen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McQueen</a> suit with a plunging, sultry neckline and sharply cut split-hem trousers. The suit, accented with jet-black lapels and architectural pleating, was both sensual and structured, elegant yet subversive. It was <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/alexander-mcqueen-iconic-runway-shows-designer-lee-mcqueen-fashion-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McQueen</a> at his most clever and Lewis at her most iconic. No shirt, no problem. She even accented each side of her chest with rhinestone gems, adding a fun, bold twist. 
In retrospect, the look wasn&rsquo;t just fashion-forward&mdash;it was a declaration of something more. In an industry that often tried to box women into narrow stereotypes, Lewis chose something smarter, sharper, and unapologetically hers. It&rsquo;s no surprise her style has lived on in mood boards and retrospectives ever since. As we honor her life and legacy, the 2000 <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/alexandermcqueen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McQueen</a> suit remains a lasting symbol of her unapologetic style and confidence.

L'HISTOIRE: When Ananda Lewis Wore a McQueen Suit with Split Hem Pants in 2000

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