Selena Gomez Warms Up for the 2025 Emmys Red Carpet in Two Back-to-Back Designer Dresses
Selena Gomez is officially stepping back into the red carpet spotlight. After months without major appearances, the multi-talented singer and actress is preparing for the 2025 Emmy Awards, where her hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building is once again nominated. While the Emmys are still a few days away, Gomez has already given fans a taste of her red carpet style through back-to-back designer looks on the streets of New York. Here’s a detailed breakdown of her fashion-forward warm-up and what it signals for her Emmy night.
A Red Carpet Hiatus Ends
Selena Gomez has been noticeably absent from red carpet events since May 2025. Fans who have been eagerly waiting for her return got their first glimpse during the Season 5 press tour for Only Murders in the Building, which premiered on Hulu on September 9.
Her first public appearance was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, alongside co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short. Gomez’s street style outside Rockefeller Center turned heads, signaling that she’s ready to embrace the high-fashion world of red carpet glamour once again.
Look 1: Little Black Dress Elegance
For her first warm-up look, stylist Erin Walsh selected a corseted strapless midi dress from Danielle Frankel. This sleek black dress combined sophistication with modern sensuality, featuring a silky finish and fitted bodice that accentuated Gomez’s figure. The design echoed some of the elegance found in her bridal-inspired pieces, hinting at Walsh’s knack for blending red carpet glamour with contemporary style.
To elevate the look, Gomez paired the dress with a silk scarf draped around her neck, reminiscent of Zoë Kravitz’s Saint Laurent statement at the 2024 Gotham Awards. The scarf added a playful yet refined element, fluttering behind her as she moved. Diamond drop earrings and strappy sandals completed the ensemble, providing sparkle without overwhelming the understated chicness of the black dress. And, of course, her $225,000 engagement ring caught the sunlight, subtly highlighting her signature glamour.
This little black dress (LBD) set the tone for Gomez’s pre-Emmy style strategy: classic yet contemporary, balancing elegance with wearable comfort—a perfect warm-up for her upcoming red carpet moments.
Look 2: Crimson Red Transformation
After her TV appearance, Gomez didn’t pause for long. She swapped the LBD for a crimson red mini dress from Cult Gaia’s Kaela Knit collection. This off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve mini dress featured monochrome floral embroidery from top to bottom, extending beyond the thigh-length hemline for a touch of flirtatious drama.
The Kaela Knit dress was instantly recognizable to fashion insiders. Gomez had previously worn a bridal white version during her bachelorette trip to Cabo, making this crimson red iteration a statement of seasonal versatility. The $758 dress reflects both her commitment to designer craftsmanship and her love for versatile, Instagram-ready pieces that work for multiple occasions.
Stylist Erin Walsh demonstrated her expertise again by accessorizing minimally, allowing the vivid red hue and intricate floral embroidery to remain the focal points. The dress exuded warmth and confidence, suggesting that Gomez is preparing to make a bold fashion statement at the Emmy Awards 2025, potentially in a similarly striking ensemble.
Pre-Emmy Street Style: A Strategic Move
Gomez’s street style warm-up is more than casual experimentation—it’s a calculated introduction to her Emmy looks. By wearing two contrasting designer pieces back-to-back, she demonstrates her versatility: one look classic and restrained, the other bold and statement-making. This dual approach ensures that fans and fashion critics alike will be eagerly anticipating her official Emmy red carpet debut.
Her choice of designers, Danielle Frankel and Cult Gaia, also reflects her ongoing relationship with contemporary high-fashion brands that offer a balance of elegance, trend-forward details, and wearable luxury. Walsh’s styling highlights Gomez’s skill at mixing timeless silhouettes with modern updates—like the corseted midi paired with a silk scarf or the embroidered mini that channels both playfulness and sophistication.
What These Looks Signal for the 2025 Emmys
Based on her warm-up outfits, several trends and predictions for Selena Gomez’s Emmy appearance emerge:
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Classic LBD or Dramatic LRD?
Her recent choices suggest she may either stick with a classic little black dress or opt for a long red dress (LRD) for maximum red carpet impact. Both silhouettes align with her established aesthetic of elegant simplicity with bold accents. -
Monochrome Magic
Gomez’s use of single-color outfits in both black and crimson red highlights her preference for monochrome ensembles, a strategy that maximizes sophistication while allowing her accessories to shine. -
Statement Accessories
From diamond drop earrings to her engagement ring, Gomez’s accessories are subtle yet luxurious, suggesting that her Emmy look will likely incorporate statement jewelry to complement her dress rather than compete with it. -
Designer Loyalty
By featuring Danielle Frankel and Cult Gaia, Gomez reinforces her connection to contemporary designer brands that marry high-fashion aesthetics with red carpet appeal—a trend her fans will want to emulate for fall fashion.
Behind the Scenes: Stylist Erin Walsh’s Influence
Erin Walsh’s styling plays a crucial role in Gomez’s public appearances. Known for combining wearable fashion with red carpet-ready glamour, Walsh’s expertise ensures that Gomez’s looks are both photogenic and functional. From balancing bold colors to layering textures strategically, Walsh’s work allows Gomez to effortlessly transition from TV interviews to red carpet events, maintaining her reputation as a style icon.
For instance, pairing the Danielle Frankel corseted midi with a silk scarf demonstrates Walsh’s understanding of movement and detail, while the crimson Cult Gaia dress showcases her ability to highlight embroidery and fabric texture without over-accessorizing.
Social Media Buzz and Fan Reactions
Gomez’s back-to-back outfits have already generated excitement across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Fans celebrated her return to red carpet-worthy fashion, praising both the timeless elegance of the black dress and the bold vibrancy of the red mini. Fashion influencers are already predicting that she will dominate the Best Dressed lists at the 2025 Emmys, emphasizing her ability to balance modern trends with classic glamour.
The contrast between her two looks also fueled discussion about her evolving fashion strategy. Followers noted that Gomez is mixing street style with red carpet cues, creating a sense of accessibility while maintaining high-fashion appeal.
Styling Takeaways from Selena Gomez’s Pre-Emmy Looks
Selena Gomez’s recent outfits provide key lessons for fashion enthusiasts looking to navigate the transition from casual to formal or from summer to fall:
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Invest in Statement Designer Pieces
A single well-crafted dress can serve multiple purposes. Whether it’s a corseted black midi or an embroidered red mini, high-quality design allows you to create impact without over-accessorizing. -
Play with Contrasting Colors and Textures
Combining silky fabrics with subtle accessories or intricate embroidery with a simple silhouette creates visual interest while remaining elegant. -
Monochrome Dressing Wins
Selecting a single color palette keeps outfits cohesive and versatile. Gomez demonstrates how monochrome dressing can convey both sophistication and boldness, depending on the hue. -
Accessorize Thoughtfully
Focus on jewelry, shoes, and scarves that enhance your outfit rather than overshadow it. Diamond earrings, strappy heels, or a luxurious scarf can elevate a look instantly. -
Confidence is Key
Perhaps most importantly, Gomez’s confidence in both outfits highlights how wearing something you love can transform your appearance and presence.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Emmy Awards
Selena Gomez’s back-to-back designer looks are more than just fashion moments; they are an early indicator of how she will approach the 2025 Emmy Awards red carpet. Fans and fashion critics alike can expect a seamless blend of timeless elegance, contemporary edge, and high-fashion polish.
Whether she chooses a dramatic long red dress or a classic LBD, Gomez has already shown that she understands the power of wardrobe storytelling—using color, texture, and silhouette to convey personality and style. Her pre-Emmy appearances suggest that she is not only prepared for the spotlight but also eager to inspire fashion-forward thinking among her fans.
Conclusion
Selena Gomez’s return to red carpet-style public appearances marks an exciting moment for fashion enthusiasts and Emmy watchers alike. By wearing two back-to-back designer dresses, she demonstrates versatility, sophistication, and strategic style planning. From a sleek black corseted midi to a vibrant crimson embroidered mini, Gomez shows how to balance classic elegance with contemporary flair.
As the 2025 Emmy Awards approach, all eyes will be on Gomez to see which signature style choices she ultimately selects for the big night. One thing is certain: her warm-up outfits have already confirmed that she is ready to own the red carpet in a way that’s effortlessly glamorous, perfectly styled, and unmistakably Selena.
