South African singer Tyla usually delivers when it comes to fashion, but her latest red carpet appearance has sparked divided opinions. At the 2025 Glamour Women of the Year Awards, where she was one of the evening’s honorees, the “Water” hitmaker arrived in a vintage Dior gown that should have been a triumph. Instead, it fell flat due to styling choices that clashed with the dress’s refined, couture sensibility.
Tyla’s styling for Glamour Women of the Year Awards isn’t very cohesive
Tyla attended the Glamour Women of the Year Awards at The Plaza Hotel wearing a breathtaking vintage John Galliano for Dior gown from the Spring 1998 collection. The olive-toned brocade dress, complete with an asymmetric beaded sleeve and draped silhouette, was a masterpiece of Galliano’s romantic couture era.
Unfortunately, Tyla’s modern take didn’t quite meet the mark. While the gown itself exuded vintage fantasy, her hairdo and accessories introduced conflicting tones. The sleek cornrow hairstyle, though distinctly hers and culturally expressive, fought against the gown’s old-world glamor instead of harmonizing with it. It was a bold choice that, while admirable in spirit, disrupted the visual rhythm of Galliano’s fluid design.
Her jewelry, which included layered Pandora pearls and charm pieces, also competed for attention rather than complementing the look. The original Dior runway version emphasized symmetry and draping, creating a flowing line from the shoulder down.
Tyla’s minimal yet mismatched jewelry left the silhouette feeling unfinished, almost as though key elements were missing. The gown’s dramatic diagonals and sleeve details begged for a structured updo and more directional styling to highlight the craftsmanship, not distract from it.
That said, the singer’s beauty choices were luminous for the evening. Her glowing makeup, soft shimmer, and natural tones brought warmth to the ensemble. However, as a whole, the look lacked cohesion, the kind of seamless storytelling that great red carpet fashion delivers.
Tyla has built her reputation on archival fashion. She has revived runway pieces from icons like Roberto Cavalli and John Galliano with a fresh perspective. Her Dior moment showed ambition and reverence for couture history. But this time, the execution didn’t quite rise to the artistry of the gown.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t a total misfire. It was perhaps a reminder that even fashion’s boldest voices sometimes need better harmony between heritage and individuality.
Originally reported by Zahrah Patel on theFashionSpot.
