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Are the L.A. wildfires going to influence the Grammy's red carpet?

The styling choices will convey a sense of respect for the city and the victims

Are the L.A. wildfires going to influence the Grammy's red carpet? The styling choices will convey a sense of respect for the city and the victims

The Grammy Awards, the premier accolades of the U.S. music industry, will soon take place. These awards are primarily given to singers and musicians, mostly American, based largely on album sales. The ceremony, now in its 67th edition, will be hosted by Trevor Noah, who has been confirmed as the host for the fifth consecutive year. Industry press has highlighted that this year’s Grammy Awards will be heavily influenced by the recent wildfires that devastated Los Angeles. In recent weeks, these events have destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and caused dozens of fatalities, marking one of the most dramatic moments in California's recent history. Among the tens of thousands of evacuees were also hundreds of Hollywood’s prominent actors and personalities, whose homes were located in the affected areas. Some of them shared images of their destroyed homes on social media. Paris Hilton, for instance, posted an Instagram video showing the rubble of her home in Malibu—a city in western Los Angeles County, near the wooded area where one of the major fires started. Among the burned houses were those of actors Adam Brody, Anthony Hopkins, and Mel Gibson, among many others. This natural disaster, exacerbated by the effects of climate change, has had a significant media impact, particularly because Los Angeles is home to countless celebrities and is the capital of the U.S. entertainment industry.

How Stylists Are Preparing for the 2025 Grammy Awards

Due to the severe blow suffered by the city, “for a moment, there were rumors that this year’s Grammy Awards were no longer a viable option,” said Matthew Reisman to the U.S. magazine WWD. Reisman, together with his husband Reginald, forms the styling duo known as Matthew + Reginald. The pair—who have styled looks for Lizzo, Rihanna, Zendaya, and Bella Hadid—are among many professionals in the fashion and entertainment industries affected by the wildfires. “It’s absurd to request outfits from showrooms when people are facing such real problems,” added Matthew. Los Angeles showrooms are still dealing with the consequences of the disastrous events, with a drastic reduction in the variety of available garments for loans. Storm Pablo, a stylist who works with artists such as rapper Bad Bunny and singer Kehlani, had to collaborate with international brands due to the temporary closure of many local showrooms. Haile Lidow, owner of the renowned Los Angeles-based store Lidow Archive, specializing in unique pieces, has also felt the slowdown caused by the fires. However, she mentioned that this situation made her realize how much her entire work depends on “a tangible product that is mostly irreplaceable.”

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The wildfires have led many Los Angeles stylists to rethink their approach to outfit selection, placing greater emphasis on sustainability, ethics, and reducing waste. “We’re making more thoughtful choices,” commented Reginald, who, along with his husband, is styling the looks for singers SZA and Latto for the 2025 Grammy Awards. This year’s event poses a unique challenge for stylists: WWD has noted a general “shift in the mood of the red carpet.” “There are people who have lost their lives and others who have lost their homes: in this context, walking the red carpet ‘as if nothing happened’ feels highly inappropriate, and this must be taken into account when conceptualizing a look,” added Matthew. Despite recent difficulties, many believe events like the 2025 Grammy Awards are vital for supporting Los Angeles’ economy. “I think many people don’t realize how much the city relies on awards season [...]. There are countless individuals and small businesses working behind the scenes to make these events possible and to ensure celebrities look the way they do,” explained Lidow. Tia-Marie Yan, director of the U.S. public relations agency VPR, emphasized that the 2025 Grammy Awards represent an opportunity to strive for a return to normalcy, albeit with a new sense of awareness. The Wall Street Journal has similarly pointed out that the recent disasters in Los Angeles demonstrate how even great wealth becomes almost irrelevant in the face of the effects of climate change. Yan highlighted the importance of leveraging the music industry’s awards as an international platform to support the Los Angeles community. For this reason, the 2025 Grammy looks will likely be more understated, aiming to convey a sense of respect toward those who have suffered losses due to the wildfires.