Colman Domingo doesn't just walk a red carpet. He consumes it.
Honestly, if you've been paying any attention to award season lately, you know the vibe has shifted. For decades, the "Best Dressed" lists for men were basically a graveyard of black tuxedos and safe choices. Then Colman showed up. He didn't just bring color; he brought a specific, theatrical intentionality that makes everyone else look like they’re just wearing a uniform.
Take the 2026 Golden Globes, for example. While half the room was still clinging to the "classic" look, Domingo arrived in custom Valentino that was basically a masterclass in cosmic tailoring. The jacket was dripping in star-shaped embellishments that caught every flashbulb in the room. He didn't just wear a suit; he wore a constellation. And the Boucheron jewels? Cascading down his lapel like a diamond waterfall. It was loud. It was bold. It was exactly what we've come to expect from a man who famously told GQ that he’s his own favorite fashion icon.
The Architect of the New Dandyism
What most people get wrong about the Colman Domingo red carpet phenomenon is thinking it's just about being "flashy." It’s actually much deeper than that. This is someone who understands the history of Black Dandyism. When he served as a co-chair for the 2025 Met Gala—themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style"—he wasn't just there because he's a movie star. He was there because he is a living embodiment of the theme.
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That night, he paid direct homage to the late Andre Leon Talley. He stepped out in a massive, pleated blue Valentino cape that felt more like a royal coronation than a red carpet entrance. Then, in a classic "reveal" move, he shed the cape to show off a windowpane plaid jacket and a floral lapel pin. It was a transition from high-fashion drama to sharp, sophisticated tailoring.
The secret sauce here? His stylists, Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald. This duo has been the quiet force behind his most "viral" moments. They don't just pick clothes; they build narratives. They understand that for Colman, fashion is an extension of his acting. Each look is a character.
Breaking the Binary of "Men's Fashion"
We need to talk about the 2025 Oscars for a second because that red Valentino look was everything. Most guys wouldn't touch a head-to-toe red shantung silk suit with a ten-foot pole. But Colman? He leaned into it. He told reporters he wanted to be the "color of love."
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He paired it with custom Persol sunglasses and a belt with tassels. It was a guru collar shirt under a double-breasted jacket. It shouldn't have worked on paper. It should have been "too much." But on him, it looked like the only thing he could have possibly worn. That’s the "Domingo Effect."
- The Silhouette: He loves a flare. Whether it's those steel-toe cowboy boots from the 2024 Oscars or wide-leg trousers that flow when he walks, he rejects the "skinny fit" obsession of the 2010s.
- The Fabric: Silk, velvet, textured wool—he plays with touch as much as sight.
- The Jewelry: He is a Friend of the Maison for Boucheron, and he treats high jewelry as a necessity, not an afterthought. We’re talking 20-carat brooches and diamond necklaces worn under shirts.
Why This Matters Beyond the Glitter
You might think, "Okay, cool, a rich guy wears nice clothes." But the Colman Domingo red carpet evolution has actually pushed the entire industry forward. Designers are now creating "Colman-style" pieces for their mainline collections. Brands like Louis Vuitton, under Pharrell Williams, and Valentino, under Alessandro Michele, are seeing that there is a massive market for men who want to look like "the party" rather than just "at the party."
He’s even called out his peers. In late 2025, he joked that he wants his "brothers to step up" because he’s tired of being the only one taking risks. It’s a challenge to the status quo. He’s proving that you can be a serious, Academy Award-nominated actor (like he was for Rustin and Sing Sing) without being a "boring" dresser.
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There’s a certain power in that. For a long time, there was this weird idea in Hollywood that if a man cared too much about fashion, he wasn't a "serious" artist. Colman took that idea and threw it in the trash. He uses the red carpet as a stage to tell stories about Black joy, elegance, and history.
How to Channel the Domingo Energy
You don't need a Valentino budget to learn from him. It’s about the mindset. Basically, it’s about "intentionality," as Pharrell puts it.
- Embrace the Accessory: Stop ignoring the lapel. A vintage brooch or a unique pin can change the entire vibe of a basic blazer.
- Play with Proportions: If you’re tired of standard suits, try a higher waist or a slightly wider leg. It changes how you carry yourself.
- Color is a Tool: Don't just wear black because it's easy. Think about how a color makes you feel.
- The "Reveal" Factor: Layering is your friend. An overcoat or a cape (if you’re feeling brave) allows you to have two "moments" in one night.
Colman Domingo has solidified his spot as the most exciting person to watch when the limos pull up. Whether he’s in a shimmering Anamika Khanna coat or a cropped Dolce & Gabbana fit, he’s teaching us that the red carpet isn't just a hallway—it’s an opportunity to show the world exactly who you are before you even open your mouth.
If you want to track this yourself, start by looking back at his 2022 Emmy win in all-white. He asked himself how he’d want to look 20 years later. That’s the ultimate lesson: don't dress for the trend, dress for the legacy.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe: Go through your closet and identify one "safe" item you always wear to events. Replace it with something that has texture—think velvet or silk—and pair it with a statement piece of jewelry, like a bold brooch or a signet ring, to start building your own version of that red carpet confidence.