Lupita Nyong’o has it all.
Acting chops: The actress just bagged the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the recent 2014 Oscars. Not bad for her feature film debut.
Brains: Nyong’o is a Masters graduate from the Yale School of Drama. Enough said.
Impeccable style: Acting aside, the Kenyan beauty has made a bigger impact on the fashion world. With each public appearance, Nyong’o has raced to the front of the style race. She’s been on every single best dress list during this award season, and deservingly so.
It seems that this woman can do no wrong when it comes to fashion. We narrow down to her top five looks – not an easy feat – and also attempt to decipher her style secrets.
Nyong'o shows off just enough of her body at the 2014 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. Credit: Getty Images
Lupita Nyong’o shows just the right amount of skin, in Calvin Klein at the 2014 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards
She knows how to play up her best assets without baring it all. Take balancing out a crop top with a midi skirt. At the 2014 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, we see her toned shoulders proudly on display and get a glimpse of her toned stomach in this white bandeau dress from Calvin Klein but she keeps the rest under wraps.
The Gucci's gown elaborate floral details are all Nyong'o needs to shine. Credit: Getty Images
Lupita Nyong’o keeps accessories to a minimum, in Gucci at the 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards
From her short crop to simple earrings, the actress rarely goes overboard with accessories, to letting her outfit do all the talking. Just like she did with this striking Gucci gown she wore to the SAG Awards ‒ the elaborate floral neckline almost steals all the attention from her best accessory to date, her brilliant smile.
Orange looks awesome on Nyong'o. Credit: Getty Images
Lupita Nyong’o never shies away from colour, in Antonio Beradi at the Toronto Film Festival
The woman loves bold shades and is a ray of light in a sea of “safe” dresses. Bright colours love her too. This citrus Antonio Beradi sheath dress is a great example ‒ the orange looks gorgeous and pops against her beautiful complexion.
A tuxedo dress, a cape gown? Nyong'o's game for it all. Credit: Getty Images
Lupita Nyong’o takes fashion risks, in Prabal Gurung at the 2013 Governor’s Awards and Ralph Lauren at the Golden Globes Awards
A off-shoulder cape gown; a tuxedo dress ‒ who would have thought such off-kilter designs would work so well. Well, Nyong’o did and the gamble paid off well. She pulled off Prabal Gurung’s take on a tuxedo dress with aplomb and who can forget that show stopper of a red Ralph Lauren gown that we are still talking about?