Red carpet recap: Old Hollywood glam takes center stage at the 75th Emmy Awards

In an Emmys full of legendary Black wins, Ayo Edebiri, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Quinta Brunson revisited the timeless allure of Old Hollywood.

Haniyah Philogene
Jan 16, 2024
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(Left to right) Niecy Nash-Betts, Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri win at the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. (Photos: Getty Images)

This year, the Primetime Emmy Awards unfolded as a journey through television’s illustrious past. A veritable time capsule, the ceremony celebrated the legacy of iconic TV shows and legendary stars who’ve etched their names into the annals of entertainment history. From the irreverent humor of the reunited cast of “Martin” to the timeless grace of Marla Gibbs and the charismatic presence of Arsenio Hall, the Emmys proved to be a nostalgic affair, embracing the magic of television through the years. While shining a light on the past, the night’s biggest spotlight was on the triumphant moments of the contemporary small screen.

In addition to the legendary Black excellence on the Emmys stage, on the red carpet, many of the ceremony’s attendees wore looks inspired by old Hollywood glamour. Revisiting the timeless allure of vintage silhouettes and details, both Niecy Nash-Betts and Quinta Brunson explained how the past inspired their looks.

“I wanted to evoke romance and old Hollywood,” said Nash-Betts, who won her first Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress for “Dahmer: Monster,” as she described the thought process behind her custom Greta Constantine gown. 

Similarly, Brunson shared that she likes “ to go old-school glam sometimes.” The “Abbott Elementary” creator was pretty in a pink, tea-length Dior couture gown as she became the first Black woman in over 40 years to win in the Best Actress in a Comedy category. The fit-and-flare silhouette of Brunson’s gown mirrored that of fellow winner Edebiri, who traded her all-white look at the Critics Choice Awards for a custom 3D-molded, black leather-look Louis Vuitton dress. 

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The once “Awkward Black Girl” Issa Rae exuded the extravagance of Hollywood glamour in a flowy and feathery Pamella Roland gown. Meanwhile, Taraji P. Henson looked like a silver screen goddess in her Atelier Versace dress — in the color purple, of course. Making a statement in a sea of gowns, new Lancôme ambassador Joy Sunday stood out wearing an all-white pant look designed by Safiyaa.

The Emmys’ nostalgia was also seen in many of the men’s fashion choices. Colman Domingo’s longline Louis Vuitton suit was a dark contrast to his glimmering Critics Choice Awards look and evoked the elegance of classic menswear. Tyler James Williams told E! News he was channeling Eddie Murphy in the ‘90s while wearing a custom leather Dolce and Gabbana suit on the red carpet. 

On an evening where the echoes of the past mingled with the victories of the present, explore the Emmys’ sartorial nostalgia in our red carpet gallery below: 

Jessica Williams in Rodarte

Jessica Williams attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and Lifestyle reporter covering all things culture. With a passion for digital media, she goes above and beyond to find new ways to tell and share stories.

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