LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Issa Rae attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Gold shoes, orange dress, super jewelry, and makeup that isn't intense but also doesn't let her features wash away... this is A+ stuff by Issa.
Danielle Pinnock
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Danielle Pinnock attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is lush. I LOVE it on her. I hope she gets to keep it.
Emayatzy Corinealdi
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Emayatzy Corinealdi attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is interesting, but it looks too much like the hip parts detach from the rest. Maybe they DO. But they shouldn't look so much like saddlebags.
Yvette Nicole Brown
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Yvette Nicole Brown attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
We're off to a strong start.
Shanola Hampton
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Shanola Hampton attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
She's losing me a bit with the huge leg of mutton sleeves. I know Anne Shirley would love them, but that one on our right is almost collapsing in on itself. However, with the poofs and the high neck, it IS good that this is a shorter dress; that's smart.
Kyla Pratt
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Kyla Pratt attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
We're in the Hot Pink stretch. I capitalized it because... it IS on the extremely warm side.
Nathalie Emmanuel
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Nathalie Emmanuel attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This works very well -- the more fitted top balances the looser pants.
Tika Sumpter
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Tika Sumpter attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is too small and too low. Too bad.
Nika King
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Nika King attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is so screamingly loud, but it's also a total kick.
Achieng Agutu
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Achieng Agutu attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This fits like she tied a cardboard cutout to herself and it's wobbling.
Brandee Evans
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Brandee Evans attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Someone suggested she get a peel for the party, and she misinterpreted.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Cynthia Addai-Robinson attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This color combo and bonkers graphic are throwing me off a little, and the white shoes kill it even harder.
Wendy Raquel Robinson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Wendy Raquel Robinson attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
That pattern is COOL. It has so much dimension to it.
Lela Rochon
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Lela Rochon attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Fuchsia, yes; gold bag, DOUBLE YES.
David Oyelowo
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: David Oyelowo attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
He looks comfy. But still chic.
DaVinchi
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: DaVinchi attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Handsome.
Nana Mensah
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Nana Mensah, purse detail, attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
This may not be BRIGHT, per se, but it sure as hell isn't neutral. What a scrolldown YIKES.
Kordell Beckham and Serena Page
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Kordell Beckham and Serena Page attend the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
My Love Island winners! Keep loving, you two.
George Wallace
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: George Wallace attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
So what you're saying is, he likes basketball? Cool. Now do one for the WNBA!
Jessica Betts, Niecy Nash
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Jessica Betts and Niecy Nash attend the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Jessica Betts is STILL THE BEST. Wow. Niecy looks great too; those iridescent shoes are dreamy.
Krys Marshall
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Krys Marshall attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
I've only seen her in For All Mankind and now Paradise, and this is SO different, which is fun. But that dress is a bit of a pot-pourri sachet for me.
Bianca Lawson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Bianca Lawson attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Get thee a bracelet.
Tyla
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Tyla attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Just a SKOSH higher on top and lower on the bottom and this would be just as sexy, but less perilous.
Anthony Anderson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Anthony Anderson attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Dapper!
Marianne Jean-Baptiste
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Marianne Jean-Baptiste attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
ALSO dapper!
Muni Long
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Muni Long attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is striking, but I don't love the patchiness of the design.
Sarah Niles
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Sarah Niles attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
This is great, and I can't wait to see her in something again.
Storm Reid in Cong Tri
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Storm Reid attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
She is so lovely, and is SO CLOSE to selling this, but what a mish-mash.
Kat Graham
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Kat Graham attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
She's the new CEO of the rodeo.
Taraji P. Henson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Taraji P. Henson attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is... supposed to have shorts, right? This is a formal shorts suit and she just spilled Diet Coke on the bottoms and decided to leave them out???
Carla Hall
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Carla Hall attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
She is so bright as a PERSON, how could I not include her here?
