Janelle Monáe's LBD Had Two Strategically Placed Bejewelled Brooches

After making a surprise appearance at the New York City Marathon, singer and all-around cool human Janelle Monáe hopped across the pond to accept the Musician of the Year 2023 honor at Harper's Bazaar's Women of the Year event in London. Of course, a star known for her (Monáe uses both she and they pronouns) out-there style and fearless approach to fashion didn't just arrive in a simple LBD. Instead, Monáe's Harris Reed masterpiece combined all the trappings of a traditional red carpet showstopper with two celestial brooches that were placed on the cups of her gown's bodice.

According to a press release from the brand, the look was made from dead stock black velvet and included a bustier with bespoke cups and a floor-sweeping flared black velvet skirt. The crescent-moon shaped jewels that were pinned to the dress came from jewelry brand Missoma and featured silver metal, shimmering crystals, and two irregular-shaped pearl-esque gems. Monáe's hair was swept back off her face and her beauty look was finished with graphic cat-eye liner and bright white in her waterline. 

Monáe is being honored for her latest album, The Age of Pleasure, which Bazaar called a "departure" from her previous work.

"I wanted people to get a sense of my life during [this] time," she told the publication.

Speaking about her live performances, which often involve her pulling fans up on stage to dance with her, the singer says she's all about creating moments.

"Dancing with people is one of my love languages," Monáe explained. "Giving them a moment to shine, to really commune with each other. When you leave here, you’re going to be reborn. I don’t make the rules! I just break them."