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Home • Fashion

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis

From puppy purses to polished tuxedos, check out how our pint-size cover girl grows up.
By Celia L. Smith · Updated October 28, 2020
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01
Perfect Bow

From puppy purses to polished tuxedos, check out how our pint-size cover girl grows up.

ESSENCE’s December cover girl dons an exclusive ‘Annie’ For Target dress right in time to promote her ‘Hard Knock Life’ character.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Mike Pont/FilmMagic
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Polished Perfection

Tapped as the new face of Armani Junior back in Spring, the pint-size actress steps out in one of his ever-so-polished tuxedos at the premiere of ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,’ where she plays Almitra.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Rippling Ruffle

At Children’s Museum of Manhattan in New York City, Quvenzhane poses with a real live dog in favor of her typical puppy purse to promote her new book ‘My Very, Very Busy Day’ promoting responsible pet ownership .

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
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Popping In Pink

The little actress kicks it on the carpet in a pair of notice-me NIKE’s and jeans, a perfect casual cool option for the ‘My Little Pony Equestria Girls Rainbow Rocks’ premiere in California.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Vincent Sandoval/WireImage
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Classic Kid

This pretty patterned number paired with T-straps is equally playful and pretty, wihch we love.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Angela Weiss/WireImage
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Golden Glow

Quvenzhane was radiant in her gold dress to attend the 12th Annual Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party with Emporio Armani in Beverly Hills, California.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Teen Vogue
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Pop Prints

Quvenzhané Wallis poses backstage at ‘Annie’ in a trendy animal print skirt at The Palace Theater in New York City.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
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Winter White

This sophisticated snow-white dress, metallic tights and ballet flats by Armani Junior is polished without being overly stuffy for the little actress; and pooch purse shows she’s still staying true to her style.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
D Dipasupil/FilmMagic
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Leather Love

Quvenzhan rocked a leather jacket for a fun twist to attend the Broadway opening night of ‘Big Fish’ at Neil Simon Theatre in New York City.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Jemal Countess/Getty Images
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So Pretty in Pink
Quvenzhané Wallis
Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
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Girly Glam

At the 18th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, Wallis was adorable in a pink A-line dress — a fave silhouette for the little fashionista.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
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Laced-Up

The young actress completed this fab fuchsia ensemble with a sparkly matching doggie purse designed by Poochie & Co. at the 24th Annual Producers Guild Awards.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
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Prima Ballerina

At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Quvenzhane Wallis wore this ballet-pink, satin sash style with such grace and poise.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Shining Star

How elegant is she? The royal purple piece she wore to the 85th Academy Awards nominations luncheon came complete with a jeweled bib and shimmering finish.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Star Light, Star Bright

At the Variety Studio Awards, Quvenzhane arrived stylishly prepared in yet another purple jeweled stunner, with metallic silver ballet flats to complement her ballerina tutu-style dress.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Shimmery Chic

Wallis is no wallflower — if it’s shiny and sparkly, she’s sporting it. At the BAMCinemaFest screening of her feature film Beasts of the Southern Wild, the actress donned a purple paillette dress, silver bangles and ballet flats.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Sea of Aqua

This bright young thing broke out of her typical purple and pink palettes for a sea of aqua during a premiere in her Louisiana hometown.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Teal Time

Quvenzhane Wallis matches another fierce frock with her pup purse and a little hair accessory top it off.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Gorgeous Green

At the 2013 National Board of Review Awards Gala the starlet was right on trend, working the season’s hottest hue: emerald, which she adorably accessorized with a black version of her dog satchel, sparkling tights and Mary Jane flats.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
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Little Black Dress

Wallis proves even a 9-year-old can be chic in the right LBD. The satin, drop-waist number she sported to the Governors Awards may land her on our next Best Dressed list!

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Prim & Pretty

Another lovely LBD moment finds the pint-sized diva in a little bolero to polish up the look.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Sequin Splendor

This sparkling style at the 16th Annual Hollywood Film Awards gala had a lot of personality, much like the little diva herself.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Wild Thing

Our favorite look to date was when the starlet wowed us in a leopard dress and identical flats at the 22nd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards. ESSENCE Approved!

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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Stylish Stripes

Even Wallis needs a break from all of the red carpet glamour. At the 2013 Film Independent Filmmaker Grant and Spirit Awards, she kept it casual in a striped sweater dress (also trending!) with tights and matching boots.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
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Plum Perfection

Dabbling on the funkier side of fashion, Quvenzhane Wallis arrives at the 38th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards in a purple velvet dress and cool cowboy boots.

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
Paul A. Hebert/Getty Images
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Casual Cool

Girls just wanna have fun! And what could be more fun than purple ruffles and matching leggings at the London Film Festival?

Red Carpet Evolution: Quvenzhane Wallis
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