Lupita Nyong&rsquo;o knows how to shut down a red carpet. See the Academy Award winner's most memorable and stylish moments over the years.

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/leopard-print-dresses-summer-2024-lupita-nyongo-street-style-cheetah-print">Lupita Nyong&rsquo;o</a> has long been a fashion darling, thanks to her regal elegance and fashion choices. In her long legacy of looks, the actor has some times where she shined especially brightly and owned the red carpet.
Since winning the Best Supporting Actress <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/actors-who-have-never-won-an-oscar-surprising-nomination-snubs-wins-celebrities-films">Oscar</a> for her role in 12 Years a Slave in 2014, Nyong&rsquo;o&rsquo;s sartorial choices have only gotten better with time. Her flowing mint green <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/prada-fall-winter-2025-collection">Prada</a> gown from that night remains one of the best red carpet moments of the decade, and she masterfully echoed the moment ten years later in a reminiscent <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/giorgio-armani-prive-haute-couture-spring-summer-2025">Armani Priv&eacute;</a> look at the Oscars.
Throughout her career, the Kenyan-Mexican actor has consistently showcased her ability to infuse meaning into her wardrobe. Nowhere was this more evident than on the press tours for both Black Panther films, where she leaned into her Kenyan heritage through vibrant prints, bold silhouettes, and powerful accessories. Each ensemble felt like a love letter to the cultures represented on screen, highlighting the way fashion can be both a statement and a celebration.
Nyong&rsquo;o&rsquo;s <a href="metgala">Met Gala</a> appearances are equally unforgettable. In 2019, she turned heads with a sculptural updo and a striking <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/versace-fashion-show-spring-summer-2025-collection-photo-look">Versace</a> gown, perfectly nailing the theme of Camp: Notes on Fashion. She followed it up in 2021 with another Versace masterpiece, this time delivering a refreshing take on denim couture. As fabulous and intentional as her dresses are, the star usually completes the look with equally artful hair, whether by wearing a cowrie shell headband, headwraps, sculptured braids, and more.
Click through the gallery below to look back at Lupita Nyong&rsquo;o&rsquo;s most ethereal red carpet looks thus far, from the Met Gala to the Oscars and more.

Lupita Nyong’o in Prada at the 86th Annual Academy Awards in 2014. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Gucci at the 68th Annual Cannes Film Festival in 2015. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Elie Saab at the ‘Queen of Katwe’ premiere in 2016. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace at the ‘Black Panther’ Los Angeles premiere in 2018. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Balmain at the ‘Black Panther’ European premiere in 2018. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace at the CFDA Fashion Awards in 2018. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Oscar de la Renta at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2019. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace at the Met Gala in 2019. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Balmain at the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Hollywood premiere in 2022. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Alexander McQueen at the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ European premiere in 2022. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Vivienne Westwood at the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Africa premiere in 2022. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Misha Japanwala at the 76th Annual Tony Awards in 2023. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Gucci at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in 2023. Getty Images.

Lupita Nyong’o in Armani Privé at the 96th Annual Academy Awards in 2024. Getty Images.

14 Times Lupita Nyong’o Owned the Red Carpet

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14 Times Lupita Nyong’o Owned the Red Carpet

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