The question of what celebrities will wear to an awards show always looms large before any ceremony. But it took on new significance ahead of the 30th Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on Friday: After postponing the event twice because of the Los Angeles wildfires, organizers announced that a red-carpet preshow would not be part of the televised broadcast.
How might that decision influence the fashion choices of the television and movie stars in attendance? Would they be riskier? More relaxed?
As people started arriving, it soon became clear that absence of TV cameras on the carpet hadn’t stopped most from taking big style swings. For myriad reasons — most of them good — these 14 looks were among the most memorable from the Critics Choice Awards.
Nicole Kidman: Most Humphrey Bogart!
Instead of a gown, the “Lioness” and “Babygirl” actress went with a broad-shouldered Saint Laurent suit jacket, high-waist pants and a polka-dot tie, an ensemble that evoked the men’s wear of Old Hollywood.
Ariana Grande: Most Jellyfish!
The “Wicked” star wafted down the carpet in a Dior couture dress with a tentacle-like fringe hanging from its hoop skirt.
Colman Domingo: Most Layered!
The “Sing Sing” actor, a noted clotheshorse, did not settle for a classic three-piece suit: His sleek monochromatic look consisted of at least five items, including a sumptuous coat draped suavely over his shoulders.
Moeka Hoshi: Most Tubular!
The “Shogun” actress made a strong case for tube tops as formal wear in a breezy red Louis Vuitton ensemble that also included a pleated capelet and a flowy skirt.
Demi Moore: Most Insectoid!
In a navy Schiaparelli couture gown with strips of fabric coming apart toward the bottom, the actress, a star of “The Substance,” resembled a glamorous beetle shedding its exoskeleton.
Lupita Nyong’o: Most Tulle!
There was something both sinister and sweet about the actress’s Chanel couture look of floral-print bustier dress shrouded in yards and yards of black tulle.
Leighton Meester and Adam Brody: Most Prom Court!
The married actors, in a Dior ball gown and a Dior tuxedo, looked as if they were about to be crowned the queen and the king of a certain high school dance. That wasn’t the only reason Ms. Meester and Mr. Brody, a star of “Nobody Wants This,” were a sentimental sight on the carpet: The married actors were among those whose homes were destroyed by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Angelina Jolie: Most Grandma’s Lace!
Did the “Maria” actress’s lace Elie Saab gown look a little like an antique tablecloth? Yes. Did she pull it off? Yes?
Hannah Einbinder: Most Geometric!
As alluring as the construction of the “Hacks” actress’s Louis Vuitton gown was the grace and poise with which she wore it.
Ruffles, a bow and crystals were just some of the components of the actress’s Miu Miu dress, which had a girlish D.I.Y. charm.
Marissa Bode: Most Quicksilver!
Soft curves and a diaphanous silvery fabric were elements of the “Wicked” actress’s gown that made it look like liquid metal.
Issa López: Most Gallery Owner!
In an artsy combination of sculptural statement necklace, woven shawl and pleated skirt, the director and writer could have gone straight from the awards ceremony to an exhibition opening.
Bridget Everett: Most Runs on Dunkin!
The comedian and actress paired her fiery minidress with a clutch bearing what seemed to be two Ds in the pink and orange colors associated with a certain doughnut chain — the same chain that just released tracksuits to promote its new campaign for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.
Misty White Sidell and Anthony Rotunno contributed reporting.