On Hollywood red carpets, we expect A-list stars to be impeccably dressed, looking timeless and glamorous—but how boring would that be? Luckily, this year, a few celebrities got the fun memo. From Alexander Skarsgård to Rihanna, stars embraced wacky whimsy, showing up in avant-garde looks that were wild and entirely unexpected.
Consider this 2025 recap a lesson in embracing individuality. While other stars wore suits and naked gowns, these style savants chose outfits that were decidedly more polarizing. Remember Jaden Smith wearing a full castle on his head? Or when Emma Stone went camp and ate popcorn from her Louis Vuitton pockets? (But no, don’t call her a popcorn actress.)
What else made the wacky cut this year? There were theatrical pregnancy reveals, Chippendale-inspired halter-and-tie combos, and even some throwback couture. In other words, this was the year stars weren’t afraid to turn heads or have a laugh—and thank goodness for that, because we all needed it.
Below, scroll for more of the wildest and most unexpected red carpet moments of 2025.
In October, Alexander Skarsgård promoted his film Pillion in a full look from Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s fall 2025 collection. That kinky little white halter top instantly set the internet abuzz.
At the 2025 Met Gala, which celebrated Black dandyism, Janelle Monáe wore a three-dimensional Thom Browne suit that made you do a double take. The trompe-l’œil design was an unexpected—and super cool—take on the evening’s tailoring theme.
Talk about taking couple style to the next level. This month, Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner hit the premiere of Marty Supreme in matching orange Chrome Hearts leather looks. For a duo that’s typically press-shy, they sure made a bang on the red carpet.
Saturday Night Live is all about laughs, so it was only natural that Emma Stone took a comedic approach to fashion for the show’s 50th anniversary in February. She wore a red Louis Vuitton gown with pockets filled with popcorn—and even carried a box of the snack.
At the 2025 Grammys, Jaden Smith walked the red carpet in a black Louis Vuitton suit, but his theatrical castle headpiece stole the show. It was custom-made by the brand Abodi, which prides itself on designs inspired by Transylvanian history. The Grammys carpet is all about turning heads and making headlines, so such an accessory wasn’t entirely out of place.
At the 2025 VMAs, comedian and actor Meg Stalter defied expectations by showing up dressed as… a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cup? She also carried a bedazzled cup from the chain for extra pizzazz. It made us crave a large mocha and some Munchkins stat.
Chappell Roan never plays it safe with fashion, and her 2025 Grammys look was no different. The singer revived an unexpected piece of fashion history by wearing a striking design from Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring 2003 couture collection.
Couture week is all about extravagance, and Cardi B understood the assignment at the fall 2025 Schiaparelli couture show in Paris. Dripping in pearls, the rapper accessorized her look with a live bird (either a crow or a raven—we need an ornithologist to confirm). Both birds have been recurring visuals for her latest album, Am I the Drama?
André 3000 had one of the most-discussed looks at the 2025 Met Gala when he showed up wearing… a grand piano. What was the story behind it? On his way to The Met, the musician dropped a surprise new EP, 7 Piano Sketches—hence the tie-in. The piano backpack was made by design and fabrication company Pink Sparrow and modeled after a Steinway Model S baby grand. (The 30-pound piece was crafted from foam, lau…Diana Ross stole the show at the 2025 Met Gala in a stunning white gown adorned with crystals and beads. The dress featured an 18-foot train embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren, created through a collaboration between Ross, her son Evan, and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie.
Sarah Paulson lived up to her reputation for bold red carpet choices at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. Her sculptural Marc Jacobs dress was anything but a simple black gown.
As the undisputed Queen of the Met, Rihanna found a way to top her past appearances: she used her fashion to reveal her third pregnancy. At this year’s gala, she wore a tailored Marc Jacobs look that showcased her baby bump, despite a loosely fitted corset.
Kim Kardashian’s fame has reached such heights that she doesn’t even need to show her face to be recognized. At this year’s Academy Museum Gala, she wore a Margiela design featuring a dramatic face mask. (We suspect she still had a full glam squad behind it.)
Jeremy Strong sparked conversation at the 2025 Golden Globes with his playful accessory. The Succession star wore a teal Loro Piana suit paired with a matching bucket hat—a quirky and memorable choice for the typically formal event.
Demi Moore fully embraced the Met Gala’s theme of tailoring and dandyism with an avant-garde Thom Browne look that turned her into a human necktie. Her commitment to performance art fashion made her a standout.
Cole Escola’s victory for Best Leading Actor at the 2025 Tony Awards was matched by their show-stopping corseted Wiederhoeft gown. The outfit paid tribute to Broadway icon Bernadette Peters by recreating a dress she wore to the Tonys in 1999—a perfect fashion homage.
In a surprising twist, Cate Blanchett embraced mermaidcore at London’s Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in a Dilara Findikoglu design. The bold look featured a corset entirely crafted from spiked seashells, creating a high-fashion sea creature effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the most unforgettable and surprising red carpet moments of 2025 written in a natural tone with direct answers
General Beginner Questions
Q What made the 2025 red carpet moments so unforgettable and surprising
A This year was a mix of extreme fashion risks powerful political statements unexpected celebrity pairings and a few hilarious unplanned mishaps that broke the internet
Q Can you give me a quick example of a surprising moment
A Absolutely A major pop star arrived in a gown that literally changed color and pattern in response to camera flashes creating a living light show on the carpet
Q Where can I watch clips of these moments
A Most major entertainment news sites YouTube channels and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have compiled highlight reels
Q Which award show had the most talkedabout red carpet
A The 2025 Met Gala typically sets the tone but the Academy Awards and the Grammys had particularly shocking and conversationdriving moments this year
Specific Moments Trends
Q What was the biggest fashion trend of the 2025 red carpets
A Techcessories and bioluminescent fashion Think dresses with embedded programmable LED lights accessories that displayed digital art and fabrics treated with safe glowinthedark elements
Q Was there a major celebrity wardrobe malfunction
A Yes but it was surprisingly wholesome A beloved actors vintage cufflink broke and a fellow nominee famously fixed it on the spot with a piece of gum and a paperclip creating a viral red carpet repair moment
Q Did anyone make a big political or social statement
A Several A group of Alist actors coordinated to wear pins with a scannable QR code that linked to a fund for climate resilience turning their looks into direct action tools
Q What was the most controversial look
A A musician wore a deconstructed avantgarde suit that critics called unfinished trash but fans hailed as a masterpiece of antifashion commentary on consumerism
Advanced BehindtheScenes Questions