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
Real Photos of Slaves Released After 15-Year Legal Battle with Harvard

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

A Look Inside Prince's Famous Paisley Park Mansion in Minnesota

A Look Inside Prince’s Famous Paisley Park Mansion in Minnesota

An all-new Prince celebration is set to take place soon, so what better time to revisit the place Prince called home? Let’s take a look! …
Rihanna's Biggest Hits That Helped Her Make Music History

Rihanna’s Biggest Hits That Helped Her Make Music History

Rihanna just made history by becoming the first woman in the music industry to have 200 million Recording Industry Association of America-certified singles units. We’re celebrating by looking back at her biggest hits …
D4vd Arrested in Celeste Rivas Death Case: What We Know

D4vd Arrested in Celeste Rivas Death Case: What We Know

Authorities had been circling D4vd for a while now, but had nothing concrete to bring him in on until now. Here’s what we know …
Why Black Women Continue to Defend Meghan Markle Despite the Online Trolls

Why Black Women Continue to Defend Meghan Markle Despite the Online Trolls

Meghan Markle is opening up about the digital bullying she experienced, but Black women online aren’t letting her fight this fight alone! …
Why Bill Bellamy's Latest Message to Black Women Has the Internet Heated

Why Bill Bellamy’s Latest Message to Black Women Has the Internet Heated

While many people love Bill Bellamy for his comedy, he’s sadly coming under fire for his latest joke and message to Black women. Let’s get into it! …
Hilton Head's Gullah Geechee Community Built A Legacy, Now They're Fighting To Be Heard

Hilton Head’s Gullah Geechee Community Built A Legacy, Now They’re Fighting To Be Heard

The Legal Defense Fund says that the Hilton Head Gullah Geechee community is being shut out of key land talks that could shape their survival …
Dave Chappelle Says Republicans 'Weaponized' His Trans Jokes, But That's Not the Whole Story

Dave Chappelle Says Republicans ‘Weaponized’ His Trans Jokes, But That’s Not the Whole Story

Dave Chappelle is reflecting on his trans jokes and the role some Republicans seemingly played in making things worse—but there’s more to it than that …
Vogue Slammed Online After Trying to Rename The Afro

Vogue Slammed Online After Trying to Rename The Afro

The Black internet is giving Vogue magazine an earful after they tried to rename a classic hairstyle that represents Black pride …
Viral 'Demure' TikToker Jools Lebron Breaks Her Silence on the Brutal Toll of Internet Fame

Viral ‘Demure’ TikToker Jools Lebron Breaks Her Silence on the Brutal Toll of Internet Fame

In a new interview with Tamron Hall, Jools Lebron reveals the dark side of overnight fame after she went viral on TikTok for “demure.” …
LeBron James Should Retire Now While Greatness Still Defines Him

LeBron James Should Retire Now While Greatness Still Defines Him

The only thing left for King James to prove is that he knows when to walk away …
This Georgia Lawmaker's Blackface Photo Was Offensive Enough— But His Response Was Even Worse

This Georgia Lawmaker’s Blackface Photo Was Offensive Enough— But His Response Was Even Worse

Folks say if “tone-deaf” were a person, Georgia lawmaker Kasey Carpenter might be contending for top spot after a photo of him in blackface sparked fury …
Khloé Kardashian Claps Back at Lamar Odom Over His Comments About Her Role in His Recovery

Khloé Kardashian Claps Back at Lamar Odom Over His Comments About Her Role in His Recovery

After allegedly trying to downplay her role in helping Lamar Odom recover from his 2015 brother incident and more, Khloé Kardashian is now pushing back! …
Black Virginia Lt. Governor and Wife Shot Dead in Harrowing Murder-Suicide

Black Virginia Lt. Governor and Wife Shot Dead in Harrowing Murder-Suicide

Justin Fairfax made history as the second Black man elected as lieutenant governor in Virginia. Now, police say that trailblazer shot his wife, then himself …
After Trump Fired Bondi, Noem, Are These 5 Officials Next?

After Trump Fired Bondi, Noem, Are These 5 Officials Next?

Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel are among the top picks of folks President Trump will fire next… And that’s not all …
The Trump Administration Continues to Ignore Black Maternal, Infant Health

The Trump Administration Continues to Ignore Black Maternal, Infant Health

Black Maternal Health Week reminds us we’re still fighting systemic neglect, rising costs and a food apartheid that fuels unequal care for Black mothers …
Mary Mary Singer's Husband Files for Divorce After 25 Years of Marriage

Mary Mary Singer’s Husband Files for Divorce After 25 Years of Marriage

After 25 years of marriage and a public struggle to stay together, the husband of one member of the gospel duo Mary Mary has filed for divorce …
Taraji P. Henson Breaks Silence on the Hollywood Politics That Stalled Her Career Growth After 'Baby Boy'

Taraji P. Henson Breaks Silence on the Hollywood Politics That Stalled Her Career Growth After ‘Baby Boy’

Taraji P. Henson has always been transparent about her career. Now, she’s opening up about how she and Tyrese took different paths after ‘Baby Boy.’ …
Al Sharpton On Three Major Threats to Black Voters in 2026

Al Sharpton On Three Major Threats to Black Voters in 2026

In an Exclusive interview, Rev. Sharpton warns that the “tricks” of 2026 are designed to silence Black influence …
Nick Cannon Makes Shocking Claim About Bible’s ‘Tales’ and the Internet Has Some Thoughts

Nick Cannon Makes Shocking Claim About Bible’s ‘Tales’ and the Internet Has Some Thoughts

It’s never a dull day when you have Nick Cannon letting off his latest controversial take. This time it’s about the Bible. Let’s get into it! …
New Development in Influencer Ashlee Jenae's Mysterious Death on Vacation

New Development in Influencer Ashlee Jenae’s Mysterious Death on Vacation

New details have emerged about influencer Ashlee Jenae’s death in Tanzania …