Queen Latifah’s long red dress, Cynthia Erivo’s over-the-shoulder green flower dress, and more.
By Larry Stansbury
Essence
https://www.essence.com/
At this year’s 16th Governors Awards, Black women proved once again that style and grace go hand-in-hand for us. The night was a masterclass of fearless color, and couture storytelling. In other words, the fashion was big, the energy was vibrant, and the glamour was undeniable.
For starters, Queen Latifah wore a floor-length red Lanvin gown. Meanwhile, we all know Cynthia Erivo always channels elegance. But this time it was especially thanks to a Sarah Burton-designed, over-the-shoulder green gown capped with a floral detail. Teyana Taylor showed up in a strapless Miss Sohee snake-pattern dress that was pure sculptural art on the move.
Nia DaCosta made a strong case for the white suit: tailored, powerful, clean. Then, Tessa Thompson proved that a flowing strapless red Valentino gown can stop the crowd and make us immediately want to add more reds to our closets.
And on the note of poppin’ colors, Effie Brown glowed in neon, Jayme Lawson stunned in strapless orange with a fringed skirt and pearls. For a mix of prints, Octavia Spencer embraced a soft floral dress with a bright smile, and Regina Hall felt a fitted sequin top with a satin skirt and a mid-thigh slit would be sleek and sexy. She was right. As for our girl Andra Day? She posed in a striking Marmar Halim design that balanced structure and elegance.
Let’s not forget about the handsome men who understood the assignment, too. Creed actor Michael B. Jordan kept things classic and untouchable in a sharp black tuxedo. Dwayne Johnson took a refreshing twist on formalwear, stepping out in an all-blue suit that added personality without overpowering the moment. And Damson Idris—ever the man of mystery—showed up in a rich brown suit. This was the perfect nod to Pantone’s color of the year. Leave it to Damson to make a neutral shade look impossibly cool.
Below are our favorite fashion looks from the 2025 Governors Awards.
01
Cynthia Erivo
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Cynthia Erivo attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
02
Chase Infiniti
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Chase Infiniti attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
03
Michael B. Jordan
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Michael B. Jordan attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
04
Damson Idris
Damson Idris at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/WWD via Getty Images)
05
Jayme Lawson
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Jayme Lawson attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
06
Dwayne Johnson
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Dwayne Johnson attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
07
Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler attend the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
08
Regina Hall
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Regina Hall attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
09
Wynn Thomas
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Wynn Thomas attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
10
Tessa Thompson
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Tessa Thompson attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
11
Andra Day
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Andra Day attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
12
Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
13
Teyana Taylor
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Teyana Taylor attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
14
Jurnee Smollett
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Jurnee Smollett attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
15
Queen Latifah
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Queen Latifah arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
16
Nia DaCosta
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: Nia DaCosta attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
17
Effie Brown
Effie Brown at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/WWD via Getty Images)
