Zoe Saldaña has developed a comfortable relationship with red carpet dressing, fearlessly flaunting her lithe figure in sheer gowns, practically painted-on dresses, and nearly nude looks. Her confident style can be attributed, in part, to her partnership with stylist Petra Flannery, who she's worked with since 2008.
Saldaña has credited Flannery with keeping her red carpet looks fresh and high fashion, telling Vogue in 2017, "I tell her what I'm envisioning and with her incredible abilities she will find the criteria that I suggested. She puts in her incredible expertise — and then we dance!"
Their fruitful partnership has lent Saldaña a signature mix of soft and edgy, plus a sexy and demure sensibility that has remained tasteful while pushing boundaries. The Avatar star has leaned on a treasured few favorite designers like Gucci, Victoria Beckham, and Alexander McQueen over the years. However, she has also taken Flannery's recommendations and sought out lesser-known designers who create garments in her preferred architectural silhouettes.
Saldaña's fashion risks have paid off. Take, for example, the stunning one-of-a-kind Cartier gold capelet worn as a midriff-baring crop top (that took two years to create) she wore to the Oscars after-party in 2023. Saldaña told Vanity Fair she chose the sheer chainmail piece because its silhouette reminded her of something her mother would have worn in the '70s, adding that it was "such a timeless piece."
Keep scrolling to relive some of Zoe Saldaña's best red carpet looks to date.
Zoe Saldaña in an Alexander McQueen ensemble at a Paramount+ event in London in 2023
At the London launch event of her new Paramount + series Special Ops: Lioness, Saldaña wore an Alexander McQueen leather and tweed skirt with a strapless biker chic bustier.
Zoe Saldaña in a Victoria Beckham dress at the 'Special Ops: Lioness' photocall in London in 2023
For the daytime Special Ops: Lioness photocall, Saldaña opted for an asymmetrical purple Victoria Beckham spaghetti strap dress and knee-high open-toe gray boots.
Zoe Saldaña in a Fendi dress and tights at the Fendi Couture show in Paris in 2023
Saldaña looked runway-ready in a hot pink Fendi midi dress, black knee-high boots, and logo pantyhose at the brand's couture show in Paris.
Zoe Saldaña in Issey Miyake separates in the U.K. in 2023
The Guardians of the Galaxy actress contrasted her rustic English countryside setting in an Issey Miyake concretion turtleneck and torso skirt at the unveiling of RH England, The Gallery at Aynho Park.
Zoe Saldaña in a Cartier cape and Michael Kors Collection skirt at the 'Vanity Fair' Oscars party in 2023
An ethereal metal "Tressage" cape from Cartier of chain link and faceted jewels made up the top half of Saldaña's Vanity Fair Oscars after-party look, which she combined with a black Michael Kors Collection skirt and a bag from Tyler Ellis.
Zoe Saldaña in a Schiaparelli Couture mini-dress at the 'Avatar: The Way of Water' L.A. premiere in 2022
At the Avatar 2: The Way of Water's Hollywood premiere, Saldaña wore a short black Schiaparelli Couture gown and sleek hair with slicked baby bangs.
Zoe Saldaña in an Alexander McQueen gown at the 'Avatar: The Way Of Water' London premiere in 2022
A sheer black corseted ball gown with tulle skirt from Alexander McQueen marked another fashion hit for Saldaña while promoting Avatar: The Way of Water in London.
Zoe Saldaña in a Victoria Beckham ensemble at the 'Avatar: The Way of Water' photocall in London in 2022
An organza top and skirt covered up a lace bralette and tights in Saldaña's Victoria Beckham look for a London photocall. Tamara Mellon High Point platform pumps and black nails rounded out her chic look.
Zoe Saldaña in a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda gown at Venice Film Festival in 2021
The actress truly shone on the Venice Film Festival red carpet in a red sequined Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda gown with a thigh-high slit at The Hand Of God premiere.
Zoe Saldaña in a Gucci dress at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in 2019
Lace, tulle, butterflies, and velvet made up Saldaña's head-to-toe Gucci dress at the LACMA Art + Film Gala that she paired with various Gucci High Jewelry pieces.
Zoe Saldaña in a Rosie Assoulin dress at the 'Missing Link' New York City premiere in 2019
Saldaña's covered-up pleated Rosie Assoulin dress got a cheeky assist from a sheer panel over the torso. Green Chloe Gosselin sandals added a pop of color to her all-black look at the Missing Link premiere.
Zoe Saldaña in a Givenchy jumpsuit at the 'Avengers: Infinity War' L.A. premiere in 2018
The Afro-Latina actress was a picture of relaxed elegance in a black and white long-sleeved, deep-V Givenchy jumpsuit with boot-cut trousers and satin bow detail at the waist.
Zoe Saldaña in a Gucci gown at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in 2017
Saldaña's two-tone Gucci gown for the LACMA Art + Film gala featured an exaggerated ruffle top with flowers adoring the shoulders and a black velvet floor-length skirt. She complemented the look with Neil Lane jewelry.
Zoe Saldaña in a Ulyana Sergeenko Couture dress at the 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' U.K. premiere in 2017
A sculptural yet romantic Ulyana Sergeenko Couture dress was perfect for the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 premiere in London.
Zoe Saldaña in a Jonathan Simkhai dress at Chateau Marmont in 2017
A cream, off-the-shoulder leather dress from Jonathan Simkhai worn with Christian Louboutin "Uptown" nude heels was the perfect ensemble for Cadillac's 89th annual Academy Awards celebration at the luxury L.A. hotel.
Zoe Saldaña in a Gucci gown at the Golden Globes in 2017
Various shades of pink co-mingled in Saldaña's asymmetrical tiered Gucci gown at the 2017 Golden Globes. A sweet satin bow, pulled-back hair, and Bulgari jewelry completed the look.
Zoe Saldaña in a Dolce & Gabbana gown at the Met Gala in 2016
Saldaña wore a strapless black Dolce & Gabbana gown with a multicolored feathery skirt for the 2016 Met Gala.
Zoe Saldaña in a Rodarte ensemble at the 'Star Trek Beyond' Mexico premiere in 2016
Saldaña inspired shock and awe at the premiere of Star Trek Beyond in Mexico in a revealing black lace number that featured beaded embroidery, ruffled finishes, and a black leather belt cinched at the waist.
Zoe Saldaña in a Givenchy Couture dress at the 'Star Trek Beyond' San Diego premiere in 2016
Saldaña turned heads in an ethereal light blue dress that showed off plenty of skin at the Star Trek Beyond premiere in San Diego.
Zoe Saldaña in a Louis Vuitton dress at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2015
At the L.A. premiere of Infinitely Polar Bear, Saldaña wore a lace-embroidered stain-glass-print Louis Vuitton design with flared lantern sleeves and a high ruffled Victorian neckline.
Zoe Saldaña in a Dolce & Gabbana dress at the Spike TV Guys' Choice Awards in 2015
At the Spike TV's Guys' Choice Awards, Saldaña opted for an emerald green brocade number with a contrasting black floral print. Jennifer Meyer jewelry and Kurt Geiger London sandals rounded out her look.
Zoe Saldaña in a Versace gown at the Oscars in 2015
Saldaña wore a pale pink body-hugging gown with ruching along the bodice, pairing it with a 100-carat diamond necklace by Neil Lane at the 2015 Oscars.
Zoe Saldaña in a Prabal Gurung gown at the 'Vanity Fair' Oscars party in 2015
Saldaña made an appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar after-party in a floor-sweeping black and white Prabal Gurung gown and side braid.
Zoe Saldaña in a Valentino dress at the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' London premiere in 2015
At the London premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy, Saldaña wore a flowing, printed Valentino gown accented with loose waves.
Zoe Saldaña in a Roland Mouret dress at a Samsung event in 2015
Saldaña wore a flattering one-shoulder, graphic-print sheath styled with Porter Lyons earrings; rings by Graziela Gems, Rachel Katz, and Melissa Kaye; and goldenrod yellow Louboutin pumps.