2024 Style Muse: Ayo Edebiri
No. 72
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Hi there, and Happy New Year! I'm excited to be kicking off Style / Substance for 2024. Welcome back.
Fashion returns to the red carpet this award season, with one standout woman surpassing everyone: Ayo Edebiri. The actress plays Chef Sydney in the hit series "The Bear" and is rightfully raking in awards for this performance while standing out and showing us that glamour is attainable from head to toe.
Ayo is rewriting how to get dressed up and show up. Her genuine persona comes through in her clothing and her acceptance speeches. She's crushing it. In everything. And her wardrobe transformation is worth the examination because it works.
Here's how you can apply Ayo's approach to your personal style:
Less is More
From the jewelry and accessories to makeup and hair, Ayo is keeping it simple and emphasizing intentional restraint. For starters, there’s no dripping of jewels. Most of her strapless gown ensembles have included primarily earrings, with the exception of the black leather Louis Vuitton dress paired with a timeless diamond necklace and matching studs. You don't need to overload yourself to make a statement.
Ayo debuted a new chin-length bob styled smooth, parted, and slightly flipped at the blunt bottom. There's notably a move toward straighter hair and away from the big, bouncy waves of the past (we're seeing this with America Ferrera, Elizabeth Debicki, Issa Rae, Selena Gomez, and Elizabeth Olsen, among others). Her makeup continues to be timeless and natural: neutral eye palettes with brushed brows and soft lip colors. Using it to enhance her beautiful complexion, not cover it up. A little—of the right products—goes a long way in the beauty department.
Whatever the clothing color, her shoes follow a monochromatic script: red, white, black. They complement the outfit; they don't make the outfit. Though I do love a good shoe, when you're getting dressed up, consider letting the dress do the talking. All it takes is one standout garment.
Be Yourself, But Dressed Up
There is no label on her style. Sure, you could point to a more simplistic approach to Ayo's aesthetic recently. But what’s happening is that she's signaling a willingness to try new things and knowing when to wear what for each occasion while being comfortable. "I'm really attracted to things that just make me excited," she shared in a November interview.
This is conveyed quite obviously in her acceptance speeches, media clips, and friendly affection for her co-stars. What she's saying without saying it is you can be yourself even when you're wearing eveningwear. The ease with which Ayo moves in the clothing makes her style so powerful. From holding her train and trekking up and down stairs to the stage, hugging Jeremy Allen White, or hamming it up in interviews about her gratitude for dental insurance.
What stood out to me next to her style is her personality. They’re in lockstep. Watching the Golden Globes remarks, thanking specifically "all of my agents' and managers' assistants” for “answering my crazy, crazy emails!” reveals her character. I took note. Surprised, delighted, funny, talented, kind and grateful. You can be glam and also all of these other things at the same time. How refreshing.
Wearing clothing should be joyful, and Ayo proves that's possible, even with classic silhouettes. Her version of glamour empowers each of us to get back into it. She's making it clear, not complicated.
Trust Your People (And Yourself)
Your special event team should be your everyday team. Ayo's style on the red carpet and at other public events reflects cohesion. Elevated for specific settings appropriately without being too farfetched. Granted, she's worn some whimsical pieces in the past, but this year, there’s a streamlining to her wardrobe and trust in her stylist, Danielle Goldberg, to help her get there.
Ayo isn't thinking twice about this fashion shift—she's listening to her instincts, trying something new without it being too outside her comfort zone, and learning the "style rules" that will help her tap into that intuition with Goldberg's counsel.
In a recent Vogue feature, Emma Stone shared that she chopped her hair the day of the Golden Globes. Having a relationship with her hairstylist for the past 15 years, they decided together on the architectural bob cut. You wouldn't cut your hair before a big event with someone new. Collaboration is a component of helping you be yourself and transform along the way. It's the best feeling when you know that someone gets you.
Each of Ayo's public looks thus far in 2024 are not costumes, compared to many other celebrities as of recent. Instead, they're beautiful, straightforward, well-tailored looks, oozing comfort that you could actually see yourself in. Anyone can wear what she's been wearing, or rather, recreate these outfits at your price point with your personal touch. All of this is what makes her my muse. She can be your's, too.
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Drink / Burn / Listen / Build
🥃 An NA That’s Tasty — The closest mocktail to the real thing I’ve found is thanks to Union Loafers in STL (it’s on their menu). Pour the “Phony Negroni” over an XL ice cube and add a fresh orange peel. Cheers.
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🎧 Articulating Style — Your personal taste can lead to a life of beauty and purpose. Everyone has it, but you have to do the work to find it. Ezra Klein explores this topic with author Kyle Chayka in a recent podcast. I was impressed by the interview.
🧱 Need No Ice — A plant that’s pleasant to build and lasts forever… as long as it doesn’t get knocked over.