Cynthia Erivo is no stranger to making a statement, and at the 2025 LACMA Art + Film Gala, she delivered nothing short of pure visual poetry.
The award-winning actress and singer arrived in a breathtaking custom Schiaparelli creation aptly titled “Seeing.”
Dripping in crystals and intrigue, the gown blurred the lines between fashion, art, and performance, an embodiment of the gala’s artistic spirit.
Designed by Daniel Roseberry, the piece featured meticulously embroidered crystal “eyes” scattered throughout the fabric, an unmistakable Schiaparelli signature that symbolizes perception, awareness, and surrealism. The gown’s sculptural shoulders gave Erivo an ethereal, almost celestial silhouette, while the form-fitting bodice and sweeping tulle train added layers of drama and sensuality. Each encrusted detail caught the light like a constellation, commanding attention with every camera flash.
Erivo’s styling choices were equally powerful. Her shaved head and radiant skin provided a sleek canvas for the intricate gown, while her bold yet minimal makeup allowed the look to breathe. A touch of shimmer across her eyelids echoed the gown’s sparkle, and her statement rings and earrings, also from Schiaparelli, tied the entire look together with avant-garde elegance.
Fashion enthusiasts and art lovers alike praised the ensemble, calling it one of the evening’s most unforgettable moments. “Cynthia doesn’t just wear a dress, she performs it,” one stylist remarked online. Indeed, her commanding presence on the carpet felt like a live exhibition of couture craftsmanship.
The “Seeing” gown is part of Schiaparelli’s ongoing exploration of surrealist fashion, channeling the late Elsa Schiaparelli’s fascination with the human form and dreamlike imagery. For Erivo, who has consistently pushed boundaries on and off the red carpet, the partnership felt serendipitous, a meeting of creative minds that celebrate individuality, art, and bold expression.
As the night unfolded, Erivo stood out not just for her sartorial excellence but for her ability to embody fashion as a language of storytelling. With each pose and turn, she reminded the world that red carpet fashion can be more than glamour, it can be performance art.
