Taraji P. Henson
There is not a lot of overlap between Ms. Henson’s minimalist style and the flamboyance of the character she plays on “Empire,” Cookie Lyon, yet they both influenced fashion in 2015. Ms. Henson chooses sleek, usually black or white looks, like the custom Alexander Wang gown with chain detail she wore to the Emmys. Cookie opts for color, animal prints and fur — lots of it. Shayne Oliver of Hood by Air designed a collection inspired by the show, including a dress with a print that prominently displayed an image of Cookie. “She loves to take over a room,” Ms. Henson told The New York Times earlier this year, though “in fashion, she’s still finding her way.”
Caitlyn Jenner
Cailtyn Jenner’s debut on Vanity’s Fair cover was one of the most powerful images of the year, and since then, her fashion choices have been scrutinized as steps in her style evolution. She made a statement in a glamorous white Atelier Versace dress when she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, and later in a plunging blue Moschino dress at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, where she was honored.
Zendaya Coleman
In February, she spoke out on Instagram after Giuliana Rancic said that her hair in locs at the Oscars must have smelled of “patchouli” and “weed,” writing: “To me locs are a symbol of strength and beauty, almost like a lion’s mane. I suggest some people should listen to India Arie’s ‘I Am Not My Hair’ and contemplate a little before opening your mouth to judge.” Since then, Ms. Coleman has continued to exhibit confidence in her choices, wearing a Thakoon dress and Brother Vellies shoes at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund event in November and a pink lace Emanuel Ungaro at the American Music Awards.
Selena Gomez
She has really stepped up her game this year, wearing a sexy backless Givenchy dress at the American Music Awards, and then a buttoned-up Valentino at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. “We’ve had a clear vision of what we wanted to do together from the beginning,” her stylist Kate Young told Vogue in October. “There’s an overall mood that we’re going for, which is young, modern, clean and sexy without ever being fussy.”
Harry Styles
While the rest of One Direction were in conservative monochromatic tuxes at the American Music Awards, Mr. Styles was in a floral-print Gucci suit. Online commenters compared the print to that of a grandmother’s couch; stepping out in one of Alessandro Michele’s gender-bending creations is not the usual boy-band move.
Lady Gaga
If the fashion squad were a baseball team, she would get the most-improved award. Lady Gaga may be known for outré looks like the infamous meat dress she wore at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010, but this year she has opted for sleek styles with a dash of old Hollywood, like the Brandon Maxwell gown she wore to the Emmys. And she was there to support Mr. Maxwell at his New York Fashion Week debut in September, wearing a plunging tuxedo jacket and pants.
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