Sure, the lockdown loungewear hangover lingered well into 2021, but sweet style relief was granted in the form of the red carpet renaissance. While that’s familiar territory for the mega-watt A-list, it was the newcomers – those whose star power and followings catapulted in lockdown – who staked their claim on the best dressed lists with their fearless approach to fashion. Rules? Pah! They know when it comes to clothes, there’s no such thing - and that a boring outfit is a wasted opportunity. These are the new names to know who made celebrity style worth watching in 2021.
Emma Corrin
Emma Corrin could have done her debut awards season circuit in a nice, play-it-safe succession of Diana-lite dresses. What she actually did was much, much better. Working with super-stylist Harry Lambert, her theatrical, playful looks – from a Miu Miu Pierrot-clown to a cut-out Schiaparelli dress festooned with giant teeth – crowned her as this year’s most interesting red-carpet presence.
Amanda Gorman
Did anyone capture the optimism and new-beginnings spirit of the presidential inauguration better than Amanda Gorman? When the National Youth Poet Laureate took to the stage to recite ‘The Hill We Climb’ spirits soared, tears were shed, and many added her joyful Prada look to their wishlists immediately.
Michaela Coel
Not so much a breath of fresh air as a gale force presence, Michaela’s mega looks include highlighter yellow Christopher John Rogers (the Emmy’s), cutout Maximillian (BAFTA) and – befitting her superhero status – a sequinned Balenciaga catsuit for the Met. Sublime.
Tommy Dorfman
Insert fire emoji. Whether in a glamorous Richard Quinn look (for the Fashion Awards), red hot Givenchy tailoring or a grungy Coach slip, Tommy Dorfman always serves major capital F-Fashion looks. No wonder the industry loves her.
Bimini Bon Boulash
Not a joke, just a fact: Bimini Bon-Boulash’s turn on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK was the only thing that made that winter lockdown tolerable. Since then, east London’s self-proclaimed ‘bendiest bitch’, a passionate advocate for inclusivity, has become a firm fashion favourite, dressed by everyone from Christopher Kane and Miu Miu, Valentino to Richard Quinn. In a word? Iconic.
Ella Emhoff
One suspects Ella Emhoff was just born cool. The ‘first daughter of Bushwick’ had everyone asking ‘who’s that girl?’ when she pitched up to see her ‘Momala’ sworn in as the US’s first female Vice President in an excellent embellished Miu Miu coat. A catwalk debut for Proenza Schouler, collaboration with Batsheva and a Met Gala appearance followed.
Iris Law
At least someone had that Hot Girl Summer we were all promised. Buzzed and bleached, Iris Law’s wardrobe is equal parts racy and rebellious. Making her acting debut in Danny Boyle’s Sex Pistols drama next year, we can’t wait to see what Primrose Hill’s punk princess pulls out of the bag for the press tour.
Anya Taylor-Joy
What Joy! She's been making waves on screen for a few years, but thanks to The Queen's Gambit and One Night in Soho - and their consequent red carpets - Anya Taylor-Joy has proved she's just as irresistible viewing off as well. One part old Hollywood glamour, one part psychedelic trip, 2021 has been an all-round knockout.
Olivia Rodrigo
On behalf of anyone who suffered heartbreak this year: Olivia Rodrigo, we thank you for your service. On behalf of everyone else: where can we get a vintage Chanel suit like that?
Emma Raducanu
After her victory at the US Open, Emma Raducanu was also crowned a fashion darling. First came her appearance at the Met Gala; then she wowed on the red carpet at theNo Time To Diepremiere. Unsurprisingly brands - including Dior and Tiffany & Co. - are queuing up to work with her; her star is set to rise and rise.
Nabhaan Rizwan
A Loewe super fan, actor Nabhaan Rizwan also loves Bode and Gucci. We might have only got him for one episode of Industry, but he was wasted in grey suits anyway.