There was a sea of black on the blue carpet at this year’s Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Monica. From sleek silhouettes boasting cut-outs to full-on embellished princess gowns, the darker hue definitely achieved peak popularity at the awards. Apparently, not everyone got the black is back memo as a handful of celebs embraced color ranging from vibrant orange to playful florals and blushing pink. Plunging necklines and sheer paneling were also trending, while several attendees turned heads rocking truly graphic patterned pieces. The fellas mainly favored classic suiting, both with and without ties, but a few brave fashion-forward souls jazzed things up with decorated and velvet blazers. For all the top-notch fashion from last night’s ceremony, check out the star-packed slideshow above.
Critics’ Choice Awards 2016
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Emma Stone
Emma Stone brought the glitz in a black Roland Mouret dress with a bedazzled bodice. The actress accessorized with Cartier jewels and Jimmy Choo heels.
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Nicole Kidman
It was a black Brandon Maxwell off-the-shoulder gown with front-and-center keyhole cut-out for Nicole Kidman at the awards. Fred Leighton jewelry and Gianvito Rossi ankle-strap sandals wrapped things up.
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Kerry Washington
Elie Saab was the source of Kerry Washington’s starry LBD. H.Stern earrings, an embellished clutch by Jimmy Choo and strappy SJP Collection sandals punctuated the look.
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Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman covered up her baby bump in a layered patterned Alexander McQueen dress. Cartier jewels and black ankle-strap sandals further defined the look.
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Michelle Williams
We weren’t exactly surprised to see Michelle Williams decked out in a patterned Louis Vuitton creation. A crisp clutch and black ankle-strap sandals balanced out the piece.
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Amy Adams
This time she’s not wearing Tom Ford. Instead, Amy Adams opted for an ivory Atelier Versace off-the-shoulder gown accented by Nirav Modi gems and Jimmy Choo heels.
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Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale looked like a Victorian princess in a black Reem Acra embellished semi-sheer gown with puffy sleeves. Black crisscross peep-toes capped things off.
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Emmy Rossum
Emmy Rossum took the plunge in a black velvet Giorgio Armani dress. She polished it off with Arzano earrings and flashy black pumps.
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Lily Collins
Lily Collins was projecting some serious goth bride vibes in this off-white Elie Saab embroidered dress with bell sleeves punctuated by a deep plum lip. Nude patent Giuseppe Zanotti Betty platform sandals rounded out the look.
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Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling skipped a tie, allowing his classic Gucci tuxedo to relish the spotlight.
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Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel went with a plunging blue-green and black Elie Saab belted dress for the occasion. H.Stern jewels and black satin Stuart Weitzman sandals finished off her ensemble.
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Naomie Harris
Naomie Harris’ strapless LBD included a completely sheer skirt. She wrapped up the look with a polka dot clutch and black ankle-strap sandals.
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Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake got decked out for the event in a Tom Ford tux accented by Cartier cuff links and Christian Louboutin shoes.
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Allison Williams
Allison Williams got pretty graphic in an eye-catching colorfully embellished Balmain long-sleeve dress. Jennifer Meyer rings and earrings polished off the look.
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Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe's black and white Nicci Hou dress with full skirt had a decidedly houndstooth feel to it. The nominee styled the statement piece with a Liv Bambina choker, Jennifer Fisher earrings, a black and gold Emm Kuo clutch plus Charlotte Olympia footwear.
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Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson hit the blue carpet in a crisp ivory Vera Wang beaded top and the corresponding structured skirt. NIWAKA jewelry, a mini white Tyler Ellis clutch and black Casadei pumps further defined the outfit.
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Amanda Peet
Amanda Peet's pale pink sleeveless tea-length dress was enhanced by black feathered accents. A silver box clutch and black pumps rounded out the ensemble.
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Hailee Steinfeld
Jason Wu’s colorful floral strapless semi-sheer dress helped Hailee Steinfeld stand out at the awards. Forevermark gems and black Christian Louboutin sandals finished things off.
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Viola Davis
Viola Davis accepted her best supporting actress honor and the #SeeHer Award in a sky blue embellished dress. She added in drop earrings and a stark white skinny clutch to complete the ensemble.
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Rami Malek
Rami Malek teamed a green velvet Burberry jacket with a striped maroon tie, an off-white dress shirt, black slacks and brown Christian Louboutin shoes.
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Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds looked pretty dapper outfitted in Brunello Cucinelli.
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Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood opted for a sleek black Altuzarra suit wrapped up by skinny belt. She accessorized with a nearly invisible metallic open choker and black pumps.
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Michelle Monaghan
Michelle Monaghan rocked Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2017 noir guipure lace jacket with silk white charmeuse tie and noir chiffon palazzo pants last night in Santa Monica. A sleek Tyler Ellis black clutch and matching Brian Atwood platform peep-toes punctuated the outfit.
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Milo Ventimiglia
While there was no denying that Milo Ventimiglia suited up rather nicely in his charcoal gray Hugo Boss blazer, pants and blue dress shirt, that red dot on his black tie was quite distracting.
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Christian Slater
Christian Slater’s tux was all about that flashy Salvatore Ferragamo jacket.
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Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuoco combined Noon By Noor’s ruffled strapless pink waterfall top with the matching cuffed pants. Neutral Giuseppe Zanotti sandals capped things off.
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Greta Gerwig
It was a red and black dress with pleated skirt for Greta Gerwig out in Santa Monica. Jennifer Meyer earrings helped jazz up the look.
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Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard’s goldenrod Topshop dress reportedly only cost $250. We’re guessing her Irene Neuwirth jewels and Miu Miu heels cost a pretty penny, though.
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Tracee Ellis Ross
Zuhair Murad’s candy striped embroidered dress was Tracee Ellis Ross’ fresh pick for the awards. Hueb earrings, rings by Le Vian, a complementary clutch and embellished nude Christian Louboutin pumps completed the look.
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Leslie Mann
While black was clearly trending, Leslie Mann went the opposite route in a vivid orange Greta Constantine sleeveless dress. The actress worked in a mix of Effy and EF Collection rings, Broken English earrings along with Jimmy Choo heels to polish off her outfit.
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Bella Thorne
And the award for showing the most skin goes to Bella Thorne. Her half sheer black and silver Steven Khalil long-sleeve gown was styled with black goose bump Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals.
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Busy Philipps
Busy Philipps attended the awards in Martha Medeiros’ red embroidered Carmin long-sleeve gown. The actress rounded out the look with Irene Neuwirth gems and a golden clutch.
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Gillian Jacobs
Another star shunning the black theme of the evening was Gillian Jacobs, who opted to make a colorful statement in this decadent Delpozo dress. Irene Neuwirth jewelry and metallic Sophia Webster double ankle-strap sandals balanced out the outfit.
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Tatiana Maslany
Tatiana Maslany slipped on a multicolored Boss gown with strategic sheer sections and asymmetric neckline. Basic black sandals finished off the look.
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Cynthia Nixon
The former Sex and the City actress wore a red and pink wrap gown on the blue carpet. Cynthia Nixon also carted a metallic clutch.
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Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield’s Dior Homme tux featured a deep blue jacket and black pants styled with Christian Louboutin black shoes.
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Shiri Appleby
Shiri Appleby went a little old school in Monique Lhuillier’s Fall 2015 sapphire blue tea-length dress boasting a feathered skirt and a semi-sheer embroidered bodice. Geranium suede Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals added extra kick.
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Constance Zimmer
If it wasn’t for that striking keyhole accent and upturned collar, Constance Zimmer’s sleeveless John Paul Ataker black dress would have come across as rather basic. She also carried Monique Lhuillier’s silver Swarovski crystal covered box clutch with tassel.
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Felicity Huffman
Felicity Huffman’s two-tone dress with embellished waistband accent included a dramatic draped back. She accessorized with an elaborate clutch, drop earrings and black platform peep-toes.
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Anna Chlumsky
Anna Chlumsky’s slinky red Halston Heritage wrap gown was slightly upstaged by her crimson clutch.
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Ariel Winter
Ariel Winter’s heavily embellished black gown featured a set of side cut-outs.
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James Marsden
James Marsden was yet another fella who favored a nontraditional tux by wearing a gray plaid Salvatore Ferragamo suit.
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Rachel Bloom
Rachel Bloom sported an off-the-shoulder LBD with ruffled neckline and plenty of sequins. Black sandals completed the look.
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Portia Doubleday
Portia Doubleday’s glitzy Jenny Packham long-sleeve dress boasted a scene-stealing zigzag pattern.
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Julie Bowen
Julie Bowen’s silk white seersucker organza high neck gown with dark indigo cascading floral embroidery comes from Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2017 collection. Black Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals balanced out the look.
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Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore‘s navy Solace London dress included a plunging neckline and side cut-outs. Forevermark jewels and sky-high black Brian Atwood heels polished things off.
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Sarah Hyland
Sarah Hyland struck a pose on the blue carpet in a low-cut black sleeveless Vera Wang dress with structured skirt and exposed zipper. A choker, a pendant necklace and crisscross Giuseppe Zanotti black satin sandals further defined the look.
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Linda Cardellini
The black ribbon waistband accent on Linda Cardellini’s Paolo Sebastian dress provided a nice contrast to all that floral embroidery. The actress finished things off with a purple Marchesa clutch and black Sophia Webster pumps.
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Justin Hartley
Justin Hartley kept things simple and smooth in a tailored tux, a tie by Alexander McQueen and Bruno Magli shoes.
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Katheryn Winnick
Katheryn Winnick’s black off-the-shoulder dress was layered over a sheer dotted long-sleeve bodice. She carried a black obsidian sand Edie Parker Jean magnetic clutch and her dress’ side slit provided the perfect opportunity to display those black patent Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals.
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John Travolta
John Travolta layered a velvet smoking jacket over a black vest and pants for a debonair effect.
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Carly Chaikin
Carly Chaikin teamed a custom ivory Thakoon long-sleeve top featuring a split skirt with black pants. TASAKI earrings, a metallic clutch and triple-strap black sandals completed the ensemble.
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Constance Wu
Constance Wu was in full bloom last night in an ivory gown artfully decorated with colorful floral accents.
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RuPaul
RuPaul topped off his dynamic blue suit with a structured black hat.
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