On the evening of Thursday, September 12, 2025, Kering, the luxury fashion conglomerate, organized its prestigious annual Caring for Women dinner in New York City. Although the city was simultaneously overflowing with the creative energy of New York Fashion Week, some of the month’s most captivating sartorial statements were not on the official runway. Instead, they were unveiled on the carefully staged red carpet of this philanthropic gala, which united Hollywood celebrities, fashion icons, and industry moguls under one roof. In a setting that perfectly combined charitable purpose with glittering glamour, the event served as both a fundraising initiative and an informal style competition, showcasing dazzling examples of high fashion — and a few missteps as well.
From floor‑length gowns ornamented with jewels to sculptural tailoring infused with avant-garde twists, the spectrum of fashion on display was broad. While several stars dazzled with polished looks that radiated sophistication or audacious creativity, others arrived in ensembles that demonstrated potential yet ultimately fell short due to imperfect tailoring or underwhelming styling. Taken together, the evening reflected both the triumphs and pitfalls of celebrity fashion when the eyes of the world are watching.
One of the prevailing themes, seen prominently in actor Colman Domingo’s attire, was the reinterpretation of familiar seasonal trends. Domingo demonstrated how the forecasted resurgence of trench coat-inspired silhouettes could be translated into eveningwear. He selected an elegant cream blouse that evoked the crisp structure of outerwear, paired it with lustrous black satin trousers, and anchored the ensemble with sleek pointed shoes. The look appeared understated at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it exuded refined charm. What elevated it further was his decision to accessorize with a collection of Boucheron jewelry, which added sparkle and underscored how a relatively minimalist base can be made opulent through well-chosen details.
In contrast, veteran supermodel Linda Evangelista offered a look that underscored how critical precise tailoring can be, even with timeless staples. Her jet-black suit carried the promise of classic elegance, yet small technical shortcomings drew attention in a less flattering way. The blazer’s disproportionate length elongated her frame awkwardly, while narrow sleeves restricted the natural fluidity such a piece should carry. Her barrel-cut trousers offered the inverse problem — excessively voluminous and unbalanced against the slim upper half. Together, these discrepancies prevented the ensemble from celebrating Evangelista’s iconic presence. Ironically, the outfit might have conveyed greater impact if she had dispensed with the jacket altogether, allowing the core garments to stand uncluttered.
Meanwhile, Lauren Sánchez Bezos delivered one of the evening’s most striking moments of sartorial theater. Dressed in an exquisite two-tone Schiaparelli gown valued at €11,100 (approximately $13,000), she embodied unapologetic luxury. The strapless creation combined rich cream satin in the front with deep black velvet at the back, forming a duality of light and shadow symbolic of the house’s penchant for dramatic contrasts. Structured with a corset-style bodice that flowed into a mermaid-like skirt and finished with a subtle train, the gown celebrated every contour of her form. Complemented by Jimmy Choo heels, jewelry by Samer Halimeh, and her unmistakable engagement ring from Jeff Bezos, Sánchez accomplished a look that merged couture artistry with personal symbolism, blending glamour with narrative opulence.
Not all couples coordinated seamlessly, however. François-Henri Pinault, the billionaire chairman and CEO of Kering and a host of the evening’s festivities, adhered to a cautious classicism. His black tuxedo, polished dress shoes, and traditional bow tie reflected taste and propriety but lacked experimentation or flair. An accessory such as a jeweled brooch would have easily elevated the look. Standing beside him, Salma Hayek selected a strapless gown with a suiting-inspired design. The structured garment fit her impeccably, yet the surrounding styling decisions understated the impact. Her half-up hairstyle, coupled with restrained makeup, introduced an informality that diluted the gown’s power. Both provided commendable efforts but missed the opportunity to fully embrace the spirit of red carpet theater.
The evening’s most audacious risk-taker was Dakota Johnson, whose reputation for choosing daring ensembles was reinforced — and perhaps even redefined — by the gown she debuted. Designed by Gucci, the high-neck, long-sleeved creation was entirely sheer, its lace surface alive with glittering floral motifs. Beneath, Johnson wore only lingerie, refusing to temper the gown’s transparency, and paired the look with black heels. Such a choice channeled not only sensuality but also a bold defiance of conventions. Recognizing that the dress itself commanded attention, Johnson kept her hair styled in waves swept into an updo, selected emerald earrings for a burst of color, and accentuated her gaze with smoky makeup. The result was a fashion moment that straddled the line between provocation and refinement, ultimately proving triumphant.
Ariana DeBose, conversely, illustrated how too many commanding elements can overwhelm. Wearing Alexander McQueen, she combined a long mesh gown with a structured velvet hip panel, over which she layered a dramatic coat with oversized shoulders. Each component carried strong visual purpose on its own, but in unison they competed rather than harmonized. Paired with bright metallic accessories, her ensemble veered toward costume territory, making it harder to appreciate the artistry of the pieces taken individually.
The night also included luminous examples of color play, best embodied by Yara Shahidi. She selected a brilliant lime-green Gucci gown that practically glowed against the backdrop of the darker carpet tones. With its sleeveless cut, plunging neckline, sparkling waistband embellishments, and a full-length skirt adorned with ostrich feathers, the design was celebratory yet coherent. It managed to balance extravagance with playful vibrancy, capturing youthful energy while still respecting the formality of the black-tie occasion.
Model Winnie Harlow chose a different route, opting for a jumpsuit with iridescent shimmer. The garment, hued in muted tan and embellished with clear crystals, integrated several daring features: an asymmetrical neckline with one dropped shoulder, a scarf draped across the chest, and a thigh-level cutout. However, its pale color diminished its visual impact, particularly in photographs, and the tailoring failed to decisively commit to either a fitted or relaxed silhouette. Thus, while imaginative in concept, it ended up underwhelming in execution.
In summation, the 2025 iteration of Kering’s Caring for Women dinner was not only a philanthropic milestone but also a rich tableau of contemporary celebrity fashion. The evening offered brilliant successes — most notably Johnson’s boundary-pushing Gucci gown, Shahidi’s radiant pop of color, and Sánchez’s couture statement — alongside instructive reminders that refinement hinges on fit, finish, and synergy of accessories. When analyzing the collective statement, it became clear that the red carpet was less about perfection than about storytelling, a shared theatrical space where clothing became a language through which stars communicated individuality, daring, and alignment with the gala’s noble cause.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/kering-caring-for-women-dinner-best-worst-celebrity-outfits-2025-9
