There was no shortage of black girl magic during this year’s Black Girls Rock! Awards. Celebrities turned up the glam factor as they sashayed down the red carpet in head-turning outfits. This annual awards ceremony honored the exceptionally gifted black women who have made significant contributions in their communities. The star-studded event was hosted by Taraji P. Henson, and had an impressive guest list that included musician India.Arie, honoree Yara Shahidi and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Here are ten standout red carpet ensembles from the 2017 Black Girls Rock! awards.
1. Taraji P. Henson in David Koma
The evening’s host slayed the red carpet with a new haircut and a sultry Fall 2017 number from David Koma. Taraji struck a pose in a navy long-sleeved dress with cut-out shoulders, a plunging neckline and a flirty thigh-high slit. She pulled out all the stops in this embellished design that showed off her toned legs and decolletage. The “Empire” actress finished off her look with David Yurman jewelry and sky-high platform pumps from Jimmy Choo.
Taraji P. Henson at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
2. Yara Shahidi in Elie Saab
Young Gifted and Black awardee Yara Shahidi shimmered in a blackberry metallic-colored long-sleeved dress from Elie Saab (available at Farfetch). This Pre-Fall 2017 design was cinched at the waist with a metallic belt, and featured a high neck, sheer panels, ruffle trims and pleated details. Yara styled it with natural curls and added more sparkle with metallic pointy-toe ankle-strap pumps.
Yara Shahidi at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
3. Issa Rae in Leilou by Aleksandra Dojcinovic
Star Power awardee Issa Rae stepped out in a sheer white Leilou by Aleksandra Dojcinovic dress. This floor-length Fall 2017 number featured padded shoulders, beaded embellishments, a thigh-high slit and a contrasting black V-shaped neckline. She capped off her look with natural curls, an Edie Parker clutch, John Hardy jewelry and Stuart Weitzman heels.
Issa Rae at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
4. Skai Jackson in Ong Oaj Pairam
Actress Skai Jackson hit the red carpet in a purple Ong Oaj Pairam floor-length dress that was sequined to perfection. This strapless Fall 2017 number featured a contrasting black velvet panel, side pockets, animal motifs and a princess gown silhouette. A curly updo and Joely Rae jewels provided the finishing touches to her look.
Skai Jackson at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
5. Michelle Mitchenor in Carlos Antoine
The 29-year-old actress turned heads in a custom yellow design from Carlos Antoine, which featured a plunging neckline, crunched-up long sleeves and a front slit detail. She styled it with a sleek bob, minimal makeup and open-toed sandals.
Michelle Mitchenor at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
6. SZA in Philipp Plein
The 26-year-old singer struck a pose ala Angelina Jolie in a black silk dress from Philipp Plein’s Fall 2017 collection. It featured sheer panels, a thigh-high slit and a floor-length hem with beaded embellishments. Voluminous curls, nude lips and black platform sandals provided the finishing touches to her look.
SZA at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
7. Dascha Polanco in Tome
Working a red dress on the red carpet is no easy feat, but Dascha Polanco managed just fine in a Tome Pre-Fall 2017 number that featured a plunging neckline, boxy three-quarter sleeves and a belted waist. She added some sparkle with a gold mirrored clutch and glittery pointed-toe pumps from Chtistian Louboutin.
Dascha Polanco at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
8. Anika Noni Rose in Dennis Basso
The 44-year-old Tony Award winner sauntered down the red carpet in a strapless Dennis Basso floral dress that featured a high-low hem, ruffle details and a pretty floral print. She styled it with Alexis Bittar jewels, an Atelier Swarovski clutch and Stuart Weitzman heels.
Anika Noni Rose at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
9. Tiffany Haddish in OTT
Honoree Tiffany Haddish wore the “Safari” dress from OTT, which featured long sleeves and a thigh-high slit. The plunging neckline revealed a hint of a red bra underneath, and the dress was cinched at the waist with a printed tie used as a belt. Her hair was styled in a sleek updo, and she accessorized with a cheeky Ceecode “A-Lister” clutch. Red strappy sandals from Gucci provided the finishing touches to her look.
Tiffany Haddish at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
10. India.Arie in Havenstreet Studio
India.Arie made quite an entrance in a custom look from Havenstreet Studio topped off with a black tight-fitting top with a plunging V-shaped neckline and three-quarter sleeves. The Grammy Award winner also wore an artfully designed floor-length skirt, which featured 3D flowers and a colorful pattern. She completed her ensemble with natural curls, oversized hoop earrings and a yellow flower tucked behind one ear.
India.Arie at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on August 4, 2017.
Whose look was your favorite at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards?
Credit: Derrick Salters/WENN