In case you missed it, the InStyle Imagemaker Awards took place this week, and they were a veritable feast for the eyes of fashion lovers.
The event—which celebrated its second year in 2025—seeks to honor those working hard behind the scenes in Hollywood to keep our favorite stars glamorous. “We celebrate the biggest names behind the entertainment industry’s biggest names,” InStyle penned in a piece announcing this year’s honorees. “The creatives who are not simply setting trends or innovating new techniques, but who, through their collaborative vision, help these stars—whose image is their currency—achieve all that they are worth.”
This year’s honorees included hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, makeup artist Gita Bass, stylist Jamie Mizrahi, hairstylist Lacy Redway, makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua and stylist Ilaria Urbinati. The event also awarded the Future of Fashion Award to stylist Enrique Melendez, the mind behind many of actress Jenna Ortega’s incredible red carpet moments this year. Meanwhile, the Woman of Impact honor was awarded to actress Laura Dern.
And with an event so focused on the incredible minds innovating the fashion and beauty industries, you already know the red carpet looks for the evening were out of this world! With that in mind, here are just a handful of the elegant ensembles we can’t get out of our heads.
Ortega arrived arm-in-arm on the red carpet with man of the hour Melendez, with the fashionable friends sporting matching burgundy ensembles. The actress wore a delicate pink gown with a sky-high slit and sparkling details, topping the piece with a plush, cropped maroon fur coat.
Ortega also presented Melendez with the Future of Fashion Award that evening, saying the stylist “has such a great sense of self, but more than anything, he’s my friend.”
Washington was on hand to honor hairstylist Sturdivant-Drew, even literally crowning her during an adorable elevator photo op. The actress wore a timeless all-white look featuring a midi dress with a fun and flirty peplum silhouette.
During the ceremony, Washington shared the touching story of how the two first met while also applauding Sturdivant-Drew’s drive and unwavering belief in her dreams to succeed as a celebrity hairstylist, jokingly asking, “Did Takisha manifest my life for me?!”
Olsen is known for her elegant, natural glams, which she achieves courtesy of makeup artist Bass, whom she was present to honor. In a signature Olsen ensemble consisting of wide-legged black trousers and a flouncy tan blouse, the actress’s overall aesthetic was pure 1970s goodness.
Taking to the podium to highlight Bass, Olsen revealed she and the makeup artist have been working together for 15 years—the entire length of her career.
The Love Island USA season 7 fan-favorite was an absolute vision in a black silk Cavalli gown with lace panel details, serving up some seriously sultry vibes.
When asked by Lisa Rinna on the red carpet what she wanted her stylist to go for that evening, Carthen said she hoped for “something bold,” stepping outside her comfort zone with a red lip for a look she described as “very mature, very grown, very bold.”
Petras was pretty in pink for the event, sporting a head-to-toe pastel look that was the definition of balletcore with just a touch of 1980s dance vibes mixed in.
The artist and 2023 SI Swimsuit cover model layered a glittering long-sleeved bodysuit atop opaque pink tights, which she then topped with a wrap around the waist and some matching leg warmers. Petras herself also confirmed that the ensemble was, in fact, ballet-inspired, opening up about the vision and thought process during her red carpet interview with Rinna.
And, of course, we absolutely had to include Dern, who received the Woman of Impact honor during the event.
Sporting a cherry red off-the-shoulder number by Emilia Wickstead, the icon was effortlessly elegant—as always!—as she was presented the award by Adam Sandler, with George Clooney also present onstage to act as Sandler’s “emotional support dog” for his humorous and heartfelt speech.
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