Ciara Pushes Fashion Boundaries in Sculptural Sheer Black Grace Ling Ensemble at Fashion Trust U.S. Awards

Ciara, who never shies away from making bold fashion statements, once again turned heads with her appearance at the inaugural Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in Los Angeles.

Held on March 21, 2023, at Goya Studios, the event marked the launch of a nonprofit initiative dedicated to discovering, funding, and supporting emerging U.S.-based fashion designers. Hosted by comedian Phoebe Robinson, the ceremony spotlighted rising talent across categories like Ready-to-Wear, Jewelry, Accessories, Sustainability, Inclusivity, and a Graduate Award.

Ciara joined a bevy of stars, including the mother-daughter duo Demi Moore and Scout Willis, Paris Jackson, Kate Beckinsale, and Heidi Klum, adding star power to a night devoted to new voices in fashion.

Her appearance followed a headline-making moment at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where she wore a sheer Dundas gown made of crystals, mesh, and minimal coverage, sparking both praise and controversy.

This time, the 37-year-old singer and fashion icon took a different approach. Opting for a more covered yet equally powerful look, Ciara stepped out in a striking head-to-toe black ensemble that blended elegance with confidence. Her outfit showed that modest fashion can still be dramatic, stylish, and unforgettable.

Ciara looked stunning at The Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2023 held at Goya Studios in Hollywood, California on March 21, 2023 (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

🔥 Ciara Serves Edgy Elegance in Grace Ling’s Sculptural All-Black Ensemble

Her outfit from the Fall 2023 Collection of New York-based designer Grace Ling was a masterful blend of edgy and elegant, featuring a sheer black mesh turtleneck layered over a sleek black bralette. Ciara’s glittering mesh top was tucked into a form-fitting Pillar skirt, creating a stunning silhouette highlighting her curves.

With its sculpted shoulders and sharp fastening that sliced through the fabric at her neckline, the Dagger Blazer completed the look, adding a touch of drama to the ensemble.

To accessorize, she layered silver jewelry for a chic and polished look and carried a black leather tote that added an extra edge.

Ciara was all sculpted shoulders and sharp angles at The Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2023 (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

Completing the outfit were shiny black pointed-toe shoes with ankle straps, and her hair was styled in a bold, tapered cut, letting the singer exude confidence and power.

💬 Ciara Shuts Down Rumors and Celebrates Her Independence in Marriage

The absence of Ciara’s husband, NFL star Russell Wilson, from the inaugural awards ceremony prompted speculations that he was annoyed by her head-turning outfit at such a high-class event.

However, Ciara shut down these rumors in a recent interview with Essence magazine, claiming that her marriage is firmly grounded and her husband gives her the freedom to express herself however she chooses.

Ciara said, “The thing that I love about my husband is that he speaks life into my independence. Before I came into his life, he knew who I was. And he’s always respected that from day one.”

Ciara completed her striking all-black look with sleek, black pointy-toe heels featuring subtle ankle straps, adding a sharp finish to her ensemble (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

🎶 Ciara Speaks on Confidence, Independence, and the Message Behind “For Da Girls”

Her fashion choices may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they reflect her confident and independent spirit.

She elaborated, “I think there’s something really beautiful about the woman that knows who she is and is confident in who she is. She’s fearless. She goes after what she wants. Even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, there’s still an independence that you have to make the house go round to make things happen. Or the girl that’s out there grinding, trying to get it.”

The singer shared, “I’ve been that girl since I was a little girl. I mean, I had to do a lot on my own. Whether it was from the vision of the songs I would write, starting with ‘Goodies,’ or whether it was from running my own label – that’s who I am.”

Meanwhile, Ciara was assured that the message of her new song “For Da Girls,” which received backlash on social media, would eventually reach its intended audience.

The songstress noted, “I think those that may not be so confident may feel a certain kind of way, but those that are confident in themselves, especially [regardless of] a male’s perspective, know what that is. And they love what that is, and they celebrate what that is, and they support what that is. They uplift what that is in us. So that’s like a good bit of my inspiration and where I’m coming from with this record.”

Ciara donned a sophisticated Grace Ling ensemble, featuring a sheer black mesh turtleneck, a sleek bralette, a form-fitting Pillar skirt, and a Dagger Blazer, completed with pointy-toe heels and a black leather tote (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

In response to the controversies surrounding her previous naked dress, Ciara posted a hilarious TikTok video of herself wearing a white bed sheet and walking on an imaginary red carpet. The clip had a background that sounded like paparazzi calling for her attention to strike a pose for the cameras.

She added a message to the video with, “POV: How I’m Pulling up to Vanity Fair Next Year,” and captioned the post with, “Selective outrage.”

👠 Explore More of Ciara’s Boldest Shoe Moments

From red carpets to front rows, Ciara has consistently delivered statement-making footwear that reflects her fearless style. Below, we’ve rounded up some of her most iconic shoe and fashion pairings featured on Your Next Shoes.