Over the past year, Chappell Roan has become pop’s new Midwest princess; the world has fallen in love with her powerful ballads about self expression and her unapologetic approach to stardom.
She also continues to establish herself as a fashion trailblazer. Chappell takes heavy inspiration from the drag scene, and each outfit she wears is a breath of fresh air in an era of minimalist fashion trends. But there’s more to Chappell’s style than just sequin bodysuits; each outfit she wears is carefully chosen by her and stylist Genesis Webb in order to send a message.
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, where she was nominated for six Grammys and took home the award for Best New Artist, Chappell walked the carpet in a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier gown decorated with ballerinas. She paired the dress with fingerless blue gloves, lace up leather boots and a dramatic headpiece. The look serves as a nod to the drag artists she consistently references.
As Chappell’s level of fame continues to rise, she is consistently vocal about her opinions and doesn’t let the criticism she receives stop her. During her acceptance speech, Chappell called for record labels to pay upcoming artists a living wage whilst wearing a grey Acne Studios dress and golden hennin hat.
On a surface level, Chappell is wearing her signature ‘campy’ style; but she’s also continuing to prove that she won’t let fame change her.
Meanwhile, back in 2024 Chappell Performed as a glammed-up Lady Liberty at the Governer’s Ball in NYC. The Statue of Liberty is considered a representation of freedom. During the performance, Chappell directly criticised the White House after they invited her to perform for pride month celebrations and called for “liberty, justice and freedom for all.” Yes, she’s performing in New York dressed as one of NYC’s most recognizable landmarks, but she is also sending a message.
There are countless more examples of Chappell telling stories through her outfits. Her fashion choices are consistently fun, and refreshing, but also powerful. Not only do they reference her love for drag and include elements of punk, y2k and art, they also prove that fashion can always be inherently political, especially for those in the public eye.
Edited by Rosie Wood
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