Tulle: The red carpet trend everyone will be wearing this Christmas party season

Maya Jama, Janelle Monae and Busy Philipps are just some of the celebs embracing the frills

Prudence Wade
Monday 19 November 2018 15:22 GMT
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While the holiday period sees many women reaching for their trusty sequinned party dress, the red carpet has other ideas, with celebrities embracing all things froofy and princessy.

Last night saw the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in London, and presenter Maya Jama went full princess in her pale pink tiered gown.

Jama wasn’t the only celeb championing tulle on Sunday evening. Lady Kitty Spencer showed us the flip-side of the trend with a black, Gothic number.

These two looks from the same event demonstrate how differently tulle can be styled.

Meanwhile, model Maddi Waterhouse, wore a pale pink dress by Ryan Lo to the UK premiere of Fantastic Beasts last week.

Maya Jama at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 – London (Ian West/PA)
Maya Jama at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 – London (Ian West/PA)

While TV favourite Holly Willoughby sported a gorgeous princess Jenny Packham tulle gown to the Pride of Britain awards.

If pale pinks and romantic vibes aren’t exactly your thing, look no further than Busy Philipps for inspiration.

Lady Kitty Spencer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 – London (Ian West/PA)
Lady Kitty Spencer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018 – London (Ian West/PA)

She went to last week’s People’s Choice Awards in a Christian Siriano dress that really brought the witchy drama. Bonus points for her wearing floral Doc Martens with the gown, which must have been a welcome break from achingly high heels.

Or what about singer Janelle Monae at last week’s Glamour Awards. White tulle could veer dangerously into bridal territory, but Monae kept well away from this with an edgy black jacket and hat.

Maddi Waterhouse at the Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald UK Premiere – London (Ian West/PA)
Maddi Waterhouse at the Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald UK Premiere – London (Ian West/PA)

It’s perhaps unsurprising we’re seeing such an increase in tulle on the red carpet. Why? Because of Giambattista Valli, the Italian fashion designer who has been slowly and steadily winning celebs over with his froof-tastic designs.

More definitely is more when it comes to Valli – think huge clouds of tulle dresses in all colours of the rainbow, worn by everyone from Julia Roberts and Lady Gaga to influencer Chiara Ferragni (who has an impressive 15.5m followers on Instagram).

Holly Willoughby at the Pride Of Britain Awards 2018 – London (Steve Parsons/PA)
Holly Willoughby at the Pride Of Britain Awards 2018 – London (Steve Parsons/PA)

Where the red carpet goes, it’s safe to say we will follow. Now is the time of year when we start gearing up for party season, and we’re keeping a beady eye out for sartorial inspiration.

Experimenting in a bit more tulle is the most on-trend fashion choice you could make this year.

Janelle Monae at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2018 (Evan Agostini/AP)
Janelle Monae at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2018 (Evan Agostini/AP) (AP/PA Images)
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