Grammys 2020: Best fashion on the red carpet

Written by CNN Staff

A somber atmosphere hung over the Grammy Awards on Sunday, as the biggest names in music arrived at LA's Staples Center just hours after news broke that Kobe Bryant -- who made his name at the arena -- had died in a helicopter accident.

Television host and producer Ryan Seacrest opened his red carpet coverage with a lengthy tribute to the NBA star, though the celebrity arrivals continued as planned amid police calls for mourning fans to avoid the venue.

In a contrast of moods, the Grammys is -- compared with some of its Hollywood counterparts -- traditionally one of the most bold and outrageous award ceremonies, fashion-wise. Some attendees found last-minute ways to pay homage to Bryant.

Priyanka Chopra wore #24 on one of her nails to commemorate Kobe Bryant. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, for instance, was pictured with "24" painted on one of her nails, a reference to Bryant's jersey number during the latter years of his LA Lakers career.

But otherwise, the red carpet continued in characteristically colorful form. There were plenty of reds and pinks, including Yola in hot pink and Rosalía in a red leather dress.

The vibrant colors were also reflected in the evening's menswear, with Lil Nas X arriving in a Versace harness suit with hand-embroidered gold studs and Tyler, the Creator opting for a slightly lighter shade for his bellhop-inspired look (which he completed with a large piece of luggage).

Lil Nas X in Versace. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

This is not to say there weren't examples of pared down Hollywood glamour, from Gwen Stefani in Dolce and Gabbana to Lizzo in a strapless floor-length Versace gown. But even classic looks were taken to exaggerated extremes -- none more so than Ariana Grande's volminuous princess ballgown, its layers of tulle flowing dramatically as she posed for the cameras.

Equally eye-catching was Billie Eilish, who matched her outfit's near-fluorescent shades of green with her latest hair color. The signer was head-to-toe Gucci, from a logo face mask and fingerless gloves right down to branded nail art.

Close up of Billie Eilish's Gucci-branded green nails. Credit: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images

Many of the men, meanwhile, chose to accessorize with bold head gear (the Grammys is, after all, where Pharell debuted his iconic outsized hat in 2014). There was an abundance of cowboy hats, and, in one of the more dramatic ensembles, Orville Peck, pairing his with a fringed mask.

Diplo and Orville Peck attend the 62nd Grammy Awards. Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images

Billy Porter's teal hat became a motorized curtain that opened to reveal his dramatic eye makeup, while Guapdad 4000 sported a durag so long that it formed a train behind him on the red carpet.

See the gallery above for some of the night's most memorable looks.

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