Here are the best dressed stars at the GUAP Gala, chosen by the GUAP team

Last Friday, the Natural History Museum was bursting with cosmic excellence as creatives from all over flocked to its halls to celebrate themselves and each other at the 2023 GUAP Gala, of which Lionsgate+ acted as the official headline sponsor. 

At last year’s first-ever GUAP Gala, where the theme was Fairytales and Folklore, guests set the bar high with their fantastical outfits. This year, the theme was Cosmic Dreams, and the fits reached a whole new level of imagination, creativity, and, of course, beauty. Here, the GUAP team runs us through 10 of the best-dressed guests, each one selected by a different member of the team themselves.

Wildat Hassan – Social Media Manager 

Dami Hope

Ex-Love Island contestant and current fashion icon Dami Hope really stood out to me! A satin red suit by Fruche, layered with gold metallic body plates, really transported us to the future. It was easy to go with the typical colour silver chrome look, but the bright red was an unexpected choice, creating shock value. This was enhanced by the long train on the suit, styled by Emmanuel Agbons. My favourite feature was his makeup by Pradaholic (my goat), who gave Dami gold gems dotted across his fingertips, mini chains across his nose and ears, and gems above his eyelids. It was undeniably a cosmic dream, and it was clear that Dami, Emmanuel and Pradaholic were not afraid to take risks, which really paid off. LIKE, he ate that!

Anthea Agyekum – Brand Partnerships Manager

Lily Rebekah 

Lily’s outfit was a multidimensional marvel – a ‘fibre optic’ knitted dress by Zivia Wang with gorgeous structural detailing on the bottom and sleeves. Styled by Bethan Dadson, the colour scheme strayed away from the expected silver and metallics, so it was perfectly on theme without being too on the nose. There was so much to look at on the garment – all of the different fabrics and materials, the way the puff at the bottom of the dress moved as she walked, and the way the light hit the spirals on her arms. Lily’s dewy makeup by Noemie Adebiyi perfectly completed the look. 

Rashida Taylor – Head of Fashion 

Lake Sanu 

There were so many beautiful looks on the night. People really outdid themselves and pulled out all the stops and designer pulls this year! However, one look in particular I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Makeup aficionado Lake Sanu stopped people in their tracks with this piece by House of Alvin. To start with, the dress was in a wonderfully iridescent fabric that danced under the lights. Adding to this movement, the shape of the dress meant that it appeared as if Lake had two sets of wings that moved as she walked, and the bottom of the skirt also billowed with her every step. The clean cut of the neckline and Lake’s choice to go without any necklaces kept the look demure and elegant. On the other hand, her mullet hairstyle funked the look up, modernising it and bringing in that grungy vibe that is very prominent at the moment. Lake was the perfect alien pixie fairy, and I loved everything about it. 

Jide Adetunji – Co-founder

Loriane Mbayo

Loriane’s dress by Zhaoyi was the definition of elegance, beauty and shape. The colour was dreamy, and the construction was divine. Although the one-tone colour scheme was simple, the structural material of the base of the dress brought drama and storytelling, whilst the top half was graceful and beautifully hugged Loriane’s perfect figure. Together, the look was very futuristic and otherworldly. Loriane’s hair was pulled back in a beautifully sleek and subtle bun, with a lone curl on her forehead that was very Star Trek-esque. 

Alero Helena Opuama – Head of Arts & Culture

Martin Akinola

Martin’s 3-piece suit and makeup captured an iridescent galactic essence that married well with his skin tone and the Cosmic Dreams theme. The navy outfit was made by M-SEW but designed by Martin himself and consisted of a blazer jacket, kilt and trousers, all finished with a cobalt blue and silver pattern that was perfectly cosmic. Martin’s GmbH boots were the icing on the cake, elevating the look further. His hair was styled in Bantu knots, which was a surprising but enjoyable choice. It was refreshing to see men who amplified their looks with makeup and hair accessories and aren’t afraid to rock a skirt! 

Sayo Olukoga – Junior Producer

Nana Esi

Wearing Maximillian Raynor, a key player at the gala dressing 10 guests, stylist Nana Esi embodied Cosmic Dreams to a T. The dress was reminiscent of a cloud or some otherworldly material but glammed up, perfect for a gala. Despite the neutral colour of the dress, the material and construction of the dress gave it A 3-D feel, in a nod to the development of tech and the relationship between tech and fashion. To elevate an already beautiful silhouette, the eye makeup took us to another planet, giving us a glimpse into the beauty of the cosmos.

Ibrahim Kamara – Co-founder

Brazy

Musician Brazy’s everyday look is already “Afro-future-afro-sexy”, as she calls it, and her GUAP Gala dress was no different. A black Hubris dress styled by Zena roped around her body, creating a silhouette which reminded me of an alien queen. It was one of those dresses that not everyone can pull off, but she did so excellently. Accompanied by Bantu knots in her hair, she created a look that was on theme and really stood out for me.

Elsie Cullen – Community Manager

Zakiyah Shani 

Iridescence was a big feature at the gala this year, with many (myself included) wearing reflective fabrics that change colour before the eye with movement and lighting. Makeup artist Zakiyah looked gorgeous in a custom metallic purple and green dress by Maximilian Raynor, styled by Adama. The dress had water-like trail details all over and featured a hood that, when worn up, made Zakiyah look beautifully regal and, when worn down, covered the arms in a beautiful drape. She completed the look with a perfectly simple bun hairstyle by Haus of Shee, elevated with an intricate knot detail that matched the purple ribbon knots on the back of the dress. That’s not all – she added to the watery effect of the dress with a slightly wavy fringe. Zakiyah is a pro makeup artist, so it’s safe to say that she nailed her own makeup! A flawless beauty base with an iridescent lavender eyeshadow, a sultry nude lip, and she was ready to go. Accessories-wise, Zakiyah kept it simple but on theme, with a silver structured clutch in a chrome finish and a beautiful layered necklace and earrings, both with gems complimenting the colour of the dress. 

Shenell Kennedy – Head of Music

Deela 

Musician Deela’s GUAP Gala look was on theme yet still in synergy with her personal style – taking the theme of Cosmic Dreams and mixing it with a sexy punk aesthetic. The draping on her custom Kate Walker dress was beautiful and heavily used cooler tones such as icey teals and silvers, usually associated with futurism. That’s not all – the dress featured chain details that decorated Deela’s bare skin where the dress was cut out – very sexy and punk! The key elevating elements, such as custom Poppy Whitehorn jewellery, were amazing and showed real attention to detail – she had on a spiked clear ear cuff with gems and a construction made of safety pins, amongst other wild and wonderful jewellery pieces. The look together was cohesive, on theme and also authentic to Deela; you can tell she and her stylist, Tio, worked together beautifully on this look.

Shane Duncan – Head of Video

Rashida Taylor

My favourite look was from GUAP’s own head of fashion, Rashida Taylor. I thought her outfit, a custom dress and skirt by Meg Fletcher, complete with a crescent moon-shaped train and crater holes, was executed well in line with the theme. The dress was elegant & sexy, and the rich navy colour of the dress and the silver planet-like accessories complemented each other effortlessly – an excellent choice for Rashida’s figure. No one else could have pulled it off.