Have y’all picked out your outfits for “Wakanda Forever” yet?
If not, there was plenty of inspiration afoot at the world premiere of the “Black Panther” sequel on Wednesday night. A star-studded cast, crew and guests converged on the purple carpet of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, many dressed in their Afrofuturist finest. No wonder the stars of the franchise are known as the “best-dressed cast in the [Marvel Cinematic Universe]!”
(L to R) Kevin Feige, Nate Moore, Victoria Alonso, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dominique Thorne, Ryan Coogler, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Mabel Cadena, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Lupita Nyong’o and Louis D’Esposito attend the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” premiere on Oct. 26, 2022 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
That includes the sequel’s soundtrack star, Rihanna, who stepped out in a Rick Owens sequined strapless gown, accessorizing the look with leather opera-length gloves. A$AP Rocky matched her in oversized denim. It was an elegant return to the step-and-repeat by the new parents, who presented a unified and color-coordinated front in khaki.
Rihanna (left) and A$AP Rocky attend the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” world premiere on Oct. 26, 2022 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. (Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Of course, if there was a signature color of the evening, it was Vibranium violet, which was a unique vibe unto itself. Franchise stars Angela Bassett and Danai Gurira both stunned in metallic pleated versions of the shade, which Moschino and Robert Wun designed, respectively.
Shades of yellow and gold also proved popular choices, most notably on Michael B. Jordan, who donned the vibrant hue in a Louis Vuitton overcoat and trousers. Overwhelmingly, though, the color of the night was white, one associated with purity and peace in many African cultures, which also read as a powerful homage to T’Challa himself, the late Chadwick Boseman.
Boseman’s widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, was regal in white, as were “Black Panther” Wakanda Forever” director Ryan Coogler and wife Zinzi Evans, Lupita Nyong’o (in Balmain), plus the history-making, Oscar-winning costume designer and production designer of “Black Panther,” Ruth E. Carter, and Hannah Beachler. Tessa Thompson, Dominique Fishback and Nina Parker were also resplendent in white silhouettes.
Another poignant tribute to Boseman was by his onscreen little sister, Leticia Wright, whose black Alexander McQueen pantsuit with beaded shoulders instantly evoked the tuxedo that Boseman wore to the 2019 Academy Awards.
At the Oct. 26, 2022 “Black Panther” Wakanda Forever” premiere, Leticia Wright (left) wore a black Alexander McQueen pantsuit with beaded shoulders, evoking the tux that “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman (right) wore to the 2019 Academy Awards. (Photos: Getty Images)
“Black Panther” cast member Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, who played a member of the Dora Milaje, took a more direct approach in honoring Boseman. The Emmy-nominated stuntwoman wore body paint and little else on Wednesday night’s carpet, completing a colorful, African-inspired pattern with a portrait of Boseman’s face on her back.
“Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever” cast member Janeshia Adams-Ginyard pays tribute to the film and late star Chadwick Boseman at its Oct. 26, 2022 premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. (Photos: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic and Amy Sussman/WireImage)
As was to be expected, Afrofuturism was the biggest trend of the night — and, no doubt, the season — nearing the release of the highly anticipated second “Black Panther” installment hitting movie theaters on Nov. 11. So, get your outfits ready and check out our gallery of the film’s stylish purple carpet below for inspiration.
Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Disney)
Letitia Wright
Letitia Wright attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Winston Duke
Winston Duke attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Daniel Kaluuya
Daniel Kaluuya attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Michaela Coel
Michaela Coel attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Simone Ledward-Boseman
Simone Ledward-Boseman attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Ruth E. Carter
Ruth E. Carter attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Halle Bailey and Chloe Bailey
Halle Bailey (left) and Chloe Bailey attend the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Regé-Jean Page
Regé-Jean Page attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Zinzi Evans and Ryan Coogler
Zinzi Evans and Ryan Coogler attend the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Tyler Perry, Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Evans
(L-R) Tyler Perry, Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Evans attend the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Quinta Brunson
Quinta Brunson attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Dominique Fishback
Dominique Fishback attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Zuri Hall
Zuri Hall attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Auli'i Cravalho
Auli’i Cravalho attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Karrueche Tran
Karrueche Tran attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Xochitl Gomez and Hannah Beachler
Xochitl Gomez and Hannah Beachler attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Disney)
Danny Sapani
Danny Sapani attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Dominique Thorne
Dominique Thorne attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Frederick Joseph, left, and Nikkolas Smith
(L-R) Frederick Joseph and Nikkolas Smith attend the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Jemini Powell
Jemini Powell attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Daveed Diggs
Daveed Diggs attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
April Reign
April Reign attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Nina Parker
Nina Parker attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Maya Macatumpag
Maya Macatumpag attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Berkeley Gross (left) and Rebecca Gross
(L-R) Berkeley Gross and Rebecca Gross attend the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Caroline Wanga
Caroline Wanga attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Sope Aluko
Sope Aluko attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Grace Africa
Grace Africa attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Og
Og attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Ivy Haralson
Ivy Haralson attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Marija Abney
Marija Abney attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Isaach de Bankolé
Isaach de Bankolé attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Princess Love
Princess Love attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Jasmine Cephas Jones
Jasmine Cephas Jones attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Jo Koy
Jo Koy attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Connie Chiume
Connie Chiume attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Jameela Jamil
Jameela Jamil attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Simu Liu
Simu Liu attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Kumail Nanjiani
Kumail Nanjiani attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Divine Love Konadu-Sun
Divine Love Konadu-Sun attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira attends the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Maiysha Kai is theGrio’s lifestyle editor, covering all things Black and beautiful. Her work is informed by two decades’ experience in fashion and entertainment, great books and aesthetics, and the brilliance of Black culture. She is also the editor-author of Body (Words of Change series).
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