For the past few weeks, all eyes have been on actress Naomi Ackie. The British star plays the leading role in I Want To Dance With Somebody. The biopic directed by Kasi Lemmons, which was released in UK cinemas on the 23 December, is a biographical musical film based on the life of global singing sensation Whitney Houston.
And of course the film has us craving the high-octane glamour of the 1980's, thanks to the film’s costume designer, Charlese Antoinette's spot on reimagination of Whitney's wardrobe. In honour of the film we share the legendary Queen of R&B's most memorable outfits.
MORE: Naomi Ackie channels Whitney Houston at the I Want To Dance With Somebody London screening
RELATED: Dua Lipa recreated two iconic looks at the 2022 GRAMMYs
Whitney Houston's 10 most stylish fashion moments of all time:
The Oversized Bow AMAs dress - 1986
Singer Whitney Houston attended the 13th Annual American Music Awards on January 27, 1986 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California wearing a stunning black column dress with an oversized teal satin bow and a twinkling brooch. We’d still wear this now. Goals.
The Grammy Awards Cinderella moment - 1986
Whitney Houston attended the 28th Annual Grammy Awards on February 25, 1986 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California in a aquamarine blue gown featuring a dazzling white embellished shoulder strap detail.
The Sex & The City Hibiscus Dress - 1987
You may recognize this white flower-adorned dress from somewhere else… Sarah Jessica Parker wore it in the opening scene of the 2008 Sex and The City movie, but was originally designed for Whitney, who wore it in a 1987 promotional photoshoot that later was used for her Life magazine cover in 2012. The gown was created by Eugene Alexander, who also dressed the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda and Loretta Lynn in the 1980s. It was adjusted for Parker’s iconic Carrie Bradshaw character however, adapted to feature only one over-sized hibiscus blossom and converted into a mini dress.
The Butterfly belt - 1986
Whitney performed at the 30th annual Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York which was broadcast on March 2, 1988. The style icon wore a giant statement butterfly belt, paired with a yellow blouse and pedal pushers in a look that was the epitome of 1980s glamour.
The National Anthem White Tracksuit - 1991
Whitney Houston sang the National Anthem during the pregame show at Super Bowl XXV while tens of thousands of football fans waved tiny American flags in an incredible outburst of patriotism during the Persian Gulf War on the 27th January 1991. She stood out for her decision to wear a patriotic white track suit, rather than “dress up” for the occasion. "Whitney's thing was, she was there to cheer on the New York Giants,” Rickey Minor, Houston’s longtime music director said of her decision to wear the white tracksuit and headband. "She was there for that and after she performed she wanted to be comfortable to go and sit in her box and relax and watch the game. So it's like not putting on the makeup and the gowns and stuff... it was really, I'm at a football game. I'm not at the Met," he told Today back in 2021.
Lady in red at the Billboard Music Awards - 1993
We can’t get enough of Whitney Houston’s bold all red lace embellished outfit she wore to the 1993 Billboard Music Awards in Universal City, California. Whitney was the "big winner" of the night thanks to her The Bodyguard album and hit song I Will Always Love You, which was originally written and performed by Dolly Parton.
The White Grammy Awards dress - 1994
Whitney Houston and David Foster posed with their respective Grammy awards at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in Radio City Music Hall in New York City on March 1, 1994. Whitney wore a magnificent white long sleeved scoop neck evening gown which was glistening with embellishments, teamed with a glamorous updo. The songstress looked positively angelic.
Twinning with Mariah Carey at the VMAs - 1998
At the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston pretended to have a fashion faux pas on stage. They both wore the same brown dress on stage they initially believed was 'one of a kind' in a now iconic skit. Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Stallion recreated the hilarious moment in Versace dresses while presenting at the 2022 Grammys.
The Leather Corset and Choker at the BRITs - 1999
In a look which wouldn’t look out of place with today’s Gen Z, Whitney brought the vibe to The BRIT Awards in 1999 performing It’s Not Right but It’s Okay in a skin-tight black leather corset. Her sharp bob, plum lip and choker set the mood for her astounding performance on February 19th in London.
The Festive 'Fit - 1999
Whitney Houston attended "Whitney Houston's All-Star Holiday Gala," on the 4 December 1999 alongside her then-husband Bobby Brown. (The pair met at the Soul Train Awards in 1989 and divorced in 2007.) Whitney donned one of her signature embellished dresses which she paired with a mustard fur bolero.
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