May’s Best Black Fashion Moments 2023

Black celebs showed this month. From Halle Bailey to Rihanna and Usher, Black celebs were and are killing the Spring looks!

Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer/GA / Contributor

Black celebs have been killing the fashion game all month long at the Met Gala, movie premieres, Cannes Film Festival, and more! Here are the best fits we’ve seen this May! Who’s wearing your favorite fit?

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Nicholas Duvernay Talks ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Working with Natasha Rothwell

May 1- Halle Bailey

Photo: Getty Images Cindy Ord/MG23 / Contributor

Our girl Halle Bailey wore this stunning Gucci dress and her locs styled by Tanisha Meeks in this fabulous red bob to the Met Gala. This whole look deserves a round of applause!

May 1- Doja Cat

Photo: Getty Images ANGELA WEISS / Contributor

Doja Cat is always ready to be the talk of the town! This Oscar de la Renta outfit created to look like Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, was fantastic!

May 1- Diddy and Caresha

Photo: Getty Images Christopher Polk / Contributor

Are they or aren’t they a couple? We may never know, but we do know that Diddy and Yung Miami showed up and showed out in these black outfits at the Met Gala. Diddy’s fit is a Sean John-brand ensemble.

May 1- Cardi B

Photo: Getty Images WWD / Contributor

You already know Cardi B is going to come through with the looks! On the way to the Met Gala, stylist Kollin Karter put Cardi in this pink, Swarovski-embellished Miss Sohee dress inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Couture creations!

May 1- Pusha T

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz / Contributor

Okay, push through, Pusha T! The rapper killed this Thom Browne look at the Met Gala!

May 1- Michael Coel

Photo: Getty Images ANGELA WEISS / Contributor

Actress Michaela Coel was by far one of the best dressed at the Met Gala wearing custom Schiaparelli decorated with thousands of crystals!

May 1- Anok Yai

Photo: Getty Images John Shearer / Contributor

Supermodel Anok Yai was striking in custom Prabal Gurung, Mindi Mond NY jewelry, and Jimmy Choo heels. Love, love, love!

May 1- Jeremy Pope

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur/MG23 / Contributor

Actor Jeremy Pope shocked his fans wearing this custom Balmain outfit that included a 30-foot cape of Karl Lagerfeld’s face! Now this is art!

May 1 – Usher

Photo: Getty Images Gotham / Contributor

Usher attended the Met Gala afterparties dressed in Bianca Saunders with this iridescent shirt, chunky jewelry, and gray wide-legged pants! Looks like he took his wine to go!

May 1- Rihanna

Photo: Getty Images ANGELA WEISS / Contributor

Rihanna showed up fashionably late to the Met Gala, but her look did not disappoint! She wore this dramatic Valentino gown, inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel creations!

May 2- Tems

Photo: Getty Images Gotham / Contributor

The day after slaying the 2023 Met Gala, Tems stepped out in New York City in this relaxed look.

May 3- Arsema Thomas

Photo: Getty Images Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor

Netflix’s Queen Charlotte slayed this green two-piece outfit and fun hair in New York! Love it!

May 5- Golda Rosheuvel

Photo: Getty Images Raymond Hall / Contributor

Golda Rosheuvel, aka Netflix’s Queen Charlotte, stepped out on her press tour in this amazing Mara Hoffman dress and Kalda heels styled by Georgia Medley. The hair is done by Dionne Smith.

May 5- Rihanna and A$AP Rocky

Photo: Getty Images Gotham / Contributor

Rihanna is the queen of pregnancy outfits! She and her boyfriend A$AP Rocky were out on the town in New York. Only Rihanna could pull off this look!

May 8- Halle Bailey

Photo: Getty Images Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor

Our Ariel was styled by Nichole Goodman in this iridescent Valdrin Sahiti gown, fitted to perfection, and gorgeous red, flowing locs for The Little Mermaid premiere in Los Angeles.

May 11- Lil Nas X

Photo: Getty Images Alberto E. Rodriguez / Stringer

Remember when Jack Harlow wore a Lil Nas X fan t-shirt to the BET Awards? Well, Lil Nas X returned the favor by wearing a Jack Harlow t-shirt to the White Men Can’t Jump remake.

May 11- Danielle Pinnock

Photo: Getty Images Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor

Danielle Pinnock wore this beautiful floral print dress for her press tour in New York City! What a fun print for the sunny weather!

May 13- Colman Domingo

Photo: Getty Images Ilya S. Savenok / Stringer

Colman Domingo pulled up to the GLAAD Awards in this outfit by Moschino and Bulgari jewelry.

May 13- Karine Jean-Pierre

Photo: Getty Images Cindy Ord / Staff

This yellow gown popped on White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s skin at the GLAAD Awards!

May 15- Halle Bailey

Photo: Getty Images Karwai Tang / Contributor

Halle Bailey was styled in custom Miss Sohee for the London premiere of The Little Mermaid! Her stylist has been killing these looks!

May 16- Zendaya

Photo: Getty Images Claudio Lavenia / Stringer

Zendaya was looking fierce in this Custom Richard Quinn silk velvet gown, styled by Law Roach. She was attending the Bulgari Mediterranea High Jewelry event in Venice, Italy. Wow, wow, wow!

May 16- Coco Jones

Photo: Getty Images Jacopo Raule / Contributor

Coco Jones wore this gold gown by Valdrin Sahiti to the Cannes Film Festival!

May 16- Chika Ike

Photo: Getty Images Daniele Venturelli / Contributor

This green dress is breathtaking! Nigerian actress wore this custom-made Kud Collections gown styled by Jeremiah Ogbodo.

May 17- Alton Mason

Photo: Getty Images Jacopo Raule / Contributor

Model and actor Alton Mason was out and about in Cannes, France in this all-black outfit with chunky jewelry.

May 17- Viola Davis

Photo: Getty Images Samir Hussein / Contributor

Viola Davis was one of the best dressed at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in this stunning white Valentino gown and a flourishing afro!

May 17- Ophely Mezino

Photo: Getty Images Gisela Schober / Contributor

Ophely Mezino was a dream in this blue Christophe Guillarme on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.

May 18- Aja Naomi King

Photo: Getty Images Samir Hussein / Contributor

Aja Naomi King wore this silver Gaurav Gupta Couture gown and Piaget jewelry on the Cannes Festival red carpet.

May 21- Flora Coquerel

Photo: Getty Images Arnold Jerocki / Contributor

French model Flora Coquerel was glowing in this gold, hooded gown by Maison Geyanna Youness.

May 21- Alton Mason

Photo: Getty Images Arnold Jerocki / Contributor

Alton Mason showed off his abs in Balenciaga for the Kering Women In Motion Awards at the Kering and Cannes Film Festival Official Dinner.

May 22- Cindy Bruna

Photo: Getty Images Arnold Jerocki / Contributor

Ahhh damn. French model Cindy Bruna shut down this red carpet in this killer Vivienne Westwood outfit. This amazing hat is by Ruslan Baginskiy, Aquazzura heels, and jewelry by Chopard.

May 23- Lori Harvey

Photo: Getty Images Andreas Rentz / Staff

Lori Harvey was glistening and serving body in this black and moss green DUNDAS gown from their A24 collection. She is also wearing Messika jewelry.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

All the Fly Fashions Fans Are Popping Out With to See New Michael Jackson Movie

All the Fly Fashions Fans Are Popping Out With to See New Michael Jackson Movie

Fans are showing up and showing all the way out to go see the new Michael Jackson movie. But if you don’t know what to wear, don’t worry—we got you! …
From the 'Red Record' to the iPhone: 15 Times Journalism Saved Black Lives

From the ‘Red Record’ to the iPhone: 15 Times Journalism Saved Black Lives

Take a look at the investigative work that has and continues to shape the Black experience in this country …
How Ryan Clark Went From NFL Star to Media Mogul

How Ryan Clark Went From NFL Star to Media Mogul

The Emmy-winning analyst is bridging the gap between authenticity and expert analysis, one viral conversation at a time …
Can Democrats Flip Senate From Republicans? The Four Key Seats They Need

Can Democrats Flip Senate From Republicans? The Four Key Seats They Need

Democrats haven’t had a clear majority in the U.S. Senate in years… but now, a perfect storm is brewing which would finally put them at an advantage …
Brian McKnight Stirs Up New Drama With Son, and Fans Are Fed Up

Brian McKnight Stirs Up New Drama With Son, and Fans Are Fed Up

Drama is still brewing between Brian McKnight and his oldest son, and the singer’s latest lawsuit has outraged the internet. Here’s what we know …
Exclusive: ACLU Animator Dishes on New Series That Educates Kids on Their Constitutional Rights

Exclusive: ACLU Animator Dishes on New Series That Educates Kids on Their Constitutional Rights

After launching “Know Your Rights University” with the ACLU, Black animator Brandon Lake spoke with us about what it took to get to this point …
The Gut-Wrenching Crisis of Deed Theft in New York, Snatching Black Families from the Homes They’ve Owned for Generations

The Gut-Wrenching Crisis of Deed Theft in New York, Snatching Black Families from the Homes They’ve Owned for Generations

Long-standing Black homeowners in Brooklyn are being targeted by deed theft scams that have led to the loss of their most valuable asset …
This 82-Year-Old Black Fitness Influencer's Workout Routine Will Shock You

This 82-Year-Old Black Fitness Influencer’s Workout Routine Will Shock You

82-year-old fitness influencer Annie Judis is motivating folks to stay healthy with her impressive workout routine …
Who Is D4vd? The Texas Singer Being Investigated for Murder

Who Is D4vd? The Texas Singer Being Investigated for Murder

D4vd has been arrested in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas. Now, we’re catching you up on everything that led to his arrest …
With Virginia Redistricting Win, Democrats Are Playing Hardball, and They May Have One Black State Senator to Thank

With Virginia Redistricting Win, Democrats Are Playing Hardball, and They May Have One Black State Senator to Thank

Twenty-five years after Republicans redrew Virginia voting maps to shut out a Black female senator, it seems the Democrats are back with a vengeance in 2026 …
Black Woman Changes Her Race on Hinge and the Results Reveal a Startling Truth

Black Woman Changes Her Race on Hinge and the Results Reveal a Startling Truth

If you’re a Black woman failing to get matches on dating apps, it might be because the apps algorithm is hiding your profile …
Solange Debuts New Shaved Hairstyle, But You'll Never Guess How Mom Tina Knowles Responds

Solange Debuts New Shaved Hairstyle, But You’ll Never Guess How Mom Tina Knowles Responds

Solange has never shied away from trying new styles and new looks. And this time around, her mother Tina is sharing some interesting insight about her latest choice! …
Expert: Abuse Rarely Starts With Bruises—Here’s How to Recognize It and Leave Safely

Expert: Abuse Rarely Starts With Bruises—Here’s How to Recognize It and Leave Safely

We spoke with a gender-based violence prevention expert about how abuse starts long before violence becomes visible. She outlines early warning signs and steps for safely leaving …
New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren't Looking Good

New Development in Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect—And Things Aren’t Looking Good

Things are steadily going on a downward spiral for Ivana Ortiz, the woman accused of shooting Rihanna’s LA home in March. Here’s the latest …
Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

Exclusive: Scott Evans Breaks Down How He Created a Safe Space For Black Stars on His Viral YouTube Series

In an exclusive interview, Scott Evans details his journey as an influential Black media figure and his ultimate duty to the Black community …
Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Why You Should Not Listen To The Critics Of Michael

Critics are arguing with a movie that was never trying to be what they wanted …
Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

Black Woman Chased by Zara Employees Speaks Out After Viral Mall Incident

“Shopping while Black” strikes again after a Black woman went viral being chased out of a Zara store for alleged theft, which police later determined was baseless …
Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor's Recreation of One of Her Iconic '90s Looks

Janet Jackson Responds to Teyana Taylor’s Recreation of One of Her Iconic ’90s Looks

Teyana Taylor has paid homage to Janet Jackson before, but this time around she’s recreating yet another iconic look! And now Janet herself and fans all over are speaking out about it …
How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

How Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Directly Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of Preventable Deaths

16.5 million uninsured. Toxic air. Global famine. The high price of Trump’s 2026 budget is paid in American lives— and its only getting worse …
Popular Civil Rights Nonprofit’s Shocking Connections to the Ku Klux Klan Alleged in DOJ Indictment

Popular Civil Rights Nonprofit’s Shocking Connections to the Ku Klux Klan Alleged in DOJ Indictment

After the FBI severed ties with Southern Poverty Law Center in October, an 11-count indictment against the civil rights nonprofit is now raising serious alarms …