• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Fashion

Tracee Ellis Ross Did It For The Culture And Wore All Black Designers For The AMAs

She Did It For The Culture: Tracee Ellis Ross Wore All Black Designers For The AMAs
By Avon Dorsey · Updated December 6, 2020

We all know her name, that smile, those curls and her signature refined beauty. Though what we didn’t know was that Tracee Ellis Ross (a.k.a. our BFF in our head) was going to completely shut down the American Music Awards this year. Then again, maybe we shouldn’t be surprised? After doing an amazing job as the host of the AMAs last year, Ross returned to the stage last night and brought all the heat with her timely jokes and killer sense of style.
And the best part? She opted to wear Black fashion designer creations throughout the entire evening — from the red carpet to the stage, and beyond. Fashion designer Sergio Hudson recalled the moment he received news to create something for Ross for this year’s show, “I thought, OMG! I get to dress Joan from Girlfriends, lol. Her outfit was inspired by a look that started off as a dress from my Fall 2018 collection, we made it a bodysuit and pants… then added the beret and gloves to take it over the top,” said Hudson. ESSENCE got the exclusive from Ross about each and every one of her wardrobe changes and we’ve broken down each ensemble. Check it out below! Red Carpet

Black designer: Pyer Moss by Kerby Jean-Raymond (suit). Also wearing Christian Louboutin pumps, Jacob & Co. necklace, Djula Jewelry earring & Mattia Cielo earring. Look #1

Black designer: Dapper Dan for Gucci (overcoat). Also wearing: Nicolas Jebran sequin catsuit, Nike Air Force 1 sneakers, Jacob & Co. necklace, Lillian Shalom custom grill. Look #2

Black designer: CD Greene (mirror sequin dress). Also wearing: Christian Louboutin pumps. Look #3

Black designers: Shanel Campbell (skirt) + Aminah Abdul Jillil (shoes). Also wearing: x Karla x When We All Vote “VOTE” tee. Look #4

Black designer: Off White c/o Virgil Abloh (tulle dress). Also wearing: Christian Louboutin pumps. Look #5

Black designer: Sergio Hudson (bodysuit, belt, gloves, and beret). Also wearing: Casadei pumps and Gucci shades. Look #6

Black designer: LAVIE by CK (dress). Also wearing: Stuart Weitzman earrings and pumps. Look #7

Black designer: Balmain by Olivier Rousteing (dress). Also wearing: Christian Louboutin pumps & Amwaj earrings. Look #8

Black designer: Dèshon (suit, earring & brooch). Also wearing: Tamara Mellon pumps. Look #9

Black designer: Cushnie by Carly Cushnie (jumpsuit). Also wearing Jimmy Choo pumps. Whew, chile… that was a slay! We stan a beautiful, Black queen who supports Black designers and inspires the culture. Ross also shared some advice for young Black girls hoping to fill her shoes one day… read more below! ESSENCE: How important was it for you to shine a light on wearing Black designers for your hosting duties? ROSS: When you have a platform, especially in the times that we’re in, it’s important to use it to shine light on the directions you believe in. And I believe in Black people. I love Black people. Based on your former experience working in magazine editorial, can you briefly walk us through your editing process for selecting your final looks for the show? It was a collaboration between [my stylist] Karla [Welch] and I. My final edit is always about choosing the things that make me feel the most powerful. I felt SICK in every one of the looks I wore. What is your response to people who may say that you wearing Black designers is too political?  There’s no such thing as too political. The political is personal. And our equity, safety, and freedom is worth speaking up for. Plus, the reality of the power of blackness is always worth celebrating. For the millions of little Black girls in the world who might need a ‘pick me up’ or word of encouragement— what would you tell them?  I love you. I see you. May you know your power. May you discover the story that you have to tell. May you trust in the truth of your experience as a building block for the medicine that you have to give. And remember, some of the designers I wore tonight were also little Black girls that may have needed a pick me up or a word of encouragement. So never stop thinking that anything is possible. Because it’s all possible. With work and faith.
TOPICS:  american music awards Tracee Ellis Ross
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now