Grammys: Janelle Monáe Opts for Toned Down Red Carpet Look in Wake of Fires

At Sunday’s 2025 Grammys at Crypto.com Arena, Janelle Monáe is setting aside her signature black-and-white palette and avant-garde themes in favor of an ensemble that’s equal parts stylish, androgynous and toned down compared to past red-carpet appearances.

That latter decision is undeniably a nod to the L.A. community as it recovers from the devastating impact of the wildfires throughout Los Angeles County. “We pulled things that were more avant-garde, a bit more wacky and out there, but that doesn’t feel like the mindset right now,” Alexandra Mandelkorn, who has worked with Monáe since 2017, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Janelle and I are always on the same page about things, and we’ve talked about this moment in time and how we’re feeling about it. Doing things extra-large or over the top doesn’t feel right.”

Instead Monae is channeling a favorite theme, androgyny, in a menswear-inspired suit by Area, the New York-based label co-designed by Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk. From the brand’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection, the navy suit features subtle gold detailing and is oversized with an extended shoulder, though the look still feels relatable, Mandelkorn says. “We had a few different options we were considering, all giving this vibe of cool and powerful, effortless and comfortable, but the moment Janelle tried this on, it felt perfect,” she explains. “She loved the shoulders and the oversized element of it, so it’s not totally out of her wheelhouse.”

A military-inspired captain’s hat is the look’s standout accessory. “It’s giving a little bit of Janet [Jackson], a little bit of Grace Jones, and that’s what really sold Janelle on it,” Mandelkorn says. “She always loves a look with a coordinated accessory, like a hat or gloves.”

Monae finished the look with chain necklaces and other pieces by Dubai-based Maison H Jewels and platform shoes by Ralph Lauren, which Mandelkorn says were an easy yes. “Jewelry is always a last-minute decision, because it’s about what Janelle is feeling in the moment, but those Ralph Lauren platforms are kind of her go-to. She loves those shoes,” she adds.

If it sounds like Monáe and Mandelkorn enjoy their relationship, the stylist says that’s also an easy yes. “There’s just a language that we both speak, and when you find a client who speaks your language, it makes the job so much more seamless,” she notes. “She can say something, and I can instantly visualize and understand what she wants.”

That’s likewise true of the second ensemble Monáe is wearing at Sunday’s Grammys. Monae will join Stevie Wonder onstage for a previously announced tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November. (Check back here after Monae hits the stage for details shared by Mandelkorn about the performance’s custom look, which was put together by Alex Navarro, Monáe’s tour costumer.)

Perhaps most importantly, the team is confident they’ve hit the right notes for a Grammys night unlike any other. “It feels good to be back in action, but I’m also really excited to see how the community will come together [Sunday night],” Mandelkorn says. “Ultimately this was about Janelle feeling good in what she’s wearing, but not feeling like all eyes are going to be on her because what she’s wearing is so out there. This doesn’t feel like the moment for that.”