Honestly, if you close your eyes and think of the 2020 Grammys, you probably see a giant cloud of smoke. Or maybe a storm front. But really, it’s just Ariana Grande in that massive Giambattista Valli creation. The Ariana Grande gray dress wasn’t just a piece of clothing; it was a structural feat of engineering that basically required its own zip code.
People still talk about it. Why? Because it felt like a peace offering to the Recording Academy after that whole 2019 drama where she skipped the show. She showed up looking like a melancholic Cinderella, and the world collectively lost its mind.
The Giambattista Valli Gown: 20 Feet of Tulle
Let’s get into the weeds of this thing. Most people don't realize how heavy these gowns actually are. This wasn't just "big." It was a custom dove gray tulle masterpiece that measured roughly 20 feet in diameter.
Imagine walking through a standard doorway in that. You can't. You basically have to be craned into the Staples Center. Her stylist, Law Roach, actually mentioned he was moved to tears when he saw her in it. And yeah, it’s easy to see why. The layers were tiered in a way that mimicked actual clouds, and the color was this perfect, muted smoky gray that didn't wash her out—which is a miracle given her skin tone at the time.
She paired the look with:
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- Matching satin opera gloves (a total Glinda move before she was even Glinda).
- Her signature high ponytail, but blonder and sleeker.
- Custom Christian Louboutin heels with a nonslip sole.
- Lorraine Schwartz diamond studs that probably cost more than my entire life.
Wait, There Was a Second Gray Dress?
This is the part everyone forgets. She didn’t just wear one gray dress that night. After the red carpet, she did a quick change into a second gray look.
She swapped the Valli for a custom Schiaparelli outfit. This one featured a gray satin cropped top with crystal trim and a massive, full skirt. It was still very "ballgown," but it felt a little more modern and edgy compared to the ethereal Valli. Some critics actually preferred the second one because the proportions didn't swallow her whole, but let’s be real—the Valli is the one that ended up on all the mood boards.
Why Gray Was Such a Bold Move
Think about it. Most stars go for "pop" colors on the red carpet. Red, gold, neon—anything to grab the camera’s attention. Gray can be risky. It can look like a "nothing" color if the fabric is cheap.
But on Ariana, it felt expensive. It was "expensive sad." It captured the vibe of the Thank U, Next era perfectly—soft, resilient, and a little bit moody. It also marked a shift in her style. We started seeing fewer cat ears and more high-fashion risks.
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The Schiaparelli 2024 Connection
Fast forward to the Wicked press tour. We’ve seen her in a million shades of pink, obviously. But she’s gone back to those cool tones more than once. At the 2024 Oscars, she wore a pink Giambattista Valli that was essentially a sister dress to the 2020 gray one.
Then, she hit the carpet in a structured Schiaparelli haute couture gown that leaned into those same silvery, gray-adjacent tones. It seems like whenever Ari wants to signal "I am a Serious Artist," she reaches for that specific palette.
How to Get the Look Without a Stylist
You probably don't have Law Roach on speed dial. And you definitely don't have 20 feet of clearance in your hallway.
But you can still pull off the Ariana Grande gray dress aesthetic. The key is the texture. Look for:
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- Monochromatic layers: Gray works best when it's not just one flat shade. Mix textures like silk, tulle, and satin.
- The Opera Glove: This is the easiest way to "Ari-fy" an outfit. A gray or silver glove immediately makes a simple dress look like couture.
- The Silhouette: If the dress is big, keep the hair tight. The reason she didn't look like a pile of laundry is because her hair was pulled back so sharply it balanced the volume of the skirt.
People often ask if the dress was actually blue. Nope. Under the harsh camera flashes, some photos gave it a slight periwinkle tint, but it was confirmed as a custom dove gray.
It’s one of those fashion moments that defines an era. It wasn't just a dress; it was a statement of power after a really tough couple of years in the spotlight.
If you're planning a look inspired by this, focus on the volume. Don't be afraid to take up space. That was the whole point of the 2020 look—Ariana was back, and she wasn't going to be ignored. Check out some of the archival footage from that night to see how she actually moved in it; it's like watching a very fashionable ghost float across the floor.
Keep an eye on her upcoming appearances for the Wicked: Part Two tour—rumor has it she's moving away from the "Glinda Pink" and back into these sophisticated neutrals.