A Canadian stylist picks her 10 favourite looks from the 2019 Grammy Awards

The 61st Annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Alicia Keys, offered great style-watching, even if it sometimes felt like there were more musical montages and performances than actual awards given out last night in Los Angeles (a "Premiere Ceremony" earlier in the day took care of many honours, and the winners of most categories were announced in advance).

While there were glamorous gowns galore, many celebs also embraced red carpet looks that were both personal and unapologetically creative — unlike what's typically seen at more formal events like the Oscars and Golden Globes. I'm still not sure how I feel about the evening's showstopper, Cardi B's oyster or clam-like 1995 Mugler couture arrival dress, but it was exciting to see the musicians and celebrities in attendance have fun and take risks with their sartorial choices.

Quirky, bold and stylish — here are 10 of the night's best looks.

Alessia Cara

Brampton, Ontario's Alessia Cara, who won Best New Artist at last year's Grammys, wore a pretty, patterned black dress from London-based label Self-Portrait, shoulder-grazing earrings by Toronto designer Jenny Bird, and strappy platform heels by Nicholas Kirkwood.   

H.E.R.

H.E.R. — who won Best R&B Album last night and also shared the Grammy for Best R&B Performance with Canadian artist Daniel Caesar — wore a custom Coach jumpsuit made with an embellished-jacquard fabric on the red carpet. Glam and confident, the look was accessorized with diamond and gold bangles and hoop earrings from Sheryl Jones jewelry, along with a well-placed crystal hair accessory.

Lady Gaga

Sparkling in a sculptural, asymmetrical dress by Hedi Slimane for Celine and Tiffany & Co. jewelry, Lady Gaga's Grammys look was both confident and timeless. Her tousled, platinum-blonde hair truly complemented the gown's high-wattage silver sequins and the casual 100 carats(!) of diamonds that she rocked last night.  

Tracee Ellis Ross

Actor Tracee Ellis Ross wore a bright green Ralph & Russo wool crepe suit and an embroidered crystal serpent belt from the label's Spring/Summer 2019 Haute Couture collection, pulling it all together with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Christian Louboutin heels. The stand-out look was styled by Canadian talent Karla Welch.

Shawn Mendes

Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, styled by Toronto's Tiffany Briseno, looked particularly handsome in a blue, slim-fitting Paul Smith tuxedo at last night's show. Styled with an open-collar black shirt, the ensemble was polished yet still relaxed.

Chloe x Halle

Nominees Halle and Chloe Bailey of Chloe x Halle looked amazing both on the red carpet and while performing on stage at last night's Grammys. Styled by Zerina Akers, their sculptural, complementary-but-not-matching looks were a fun, elegant style statement from the fashion-forward sisters.

Lilly Singh

The comedian, actress and author (and Scarborough, Ontario native) hung out with Korean supergroup BTS and took over Alicia Keys' Instagram for the night, all while wearing a stunning halter-neck sequinned jumpsuit with matching silver heels. Also lovely: the crystal-embellished accessories she sported on one side of her hair.

Leon Bridges

Nominated for four Grammys this year, singer Leon Bridges wore a crafty, corduroy jacket and pant combo from New York label Bode with a classic white hat and black leather shoes. The custom, hand-drawn images on the suit, depicting everything from a guitar to playing cards, are meant to evoke certain memories from Bridges' life, according to the label's Instagram page.

Michelle Obama

Ok, technically Michelle Obama didn't walk the red carpet, but her surprise appearance on the Grammys stage with Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez was certainly one of the show's highlights. Her drapey sequinned suit was a custom design by American label Sachin & Babi.

Young Spirit

Nominated this year for Best American Roots Performance, members of Young Spirit — a Native American singing group founded in Frog Lake, Alberta — walked (and performed!) on the Grammys red carpet wearing tailored suiting. Their eye-catching accessories? Hand drums and matching, custom-beaded bow-ties.

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.