At the iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 26, 2026, Nicole Scherzinger wore the Simkhai Carrington Leather Bustier Gown with Alexander McQueen crystal earrings – and the leather changes the red carpet tone.
Leather on a red carpet always shifts the energy. At the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on 03.26.2026, Nicole Scherzinger leaned fully into that edge with the Simkhai Carrington Leather Bustier Gown.
From the neckline down, it’s sculpted and precise. The strapless black leather bodice is structured like a corset, with subtle paneling that defines the waist before releasing into a full, mid-length skirt. And that volume? Unexpected.
Because leather usually hugs. This one floats.
The skirt holds its shape without looking stiff, which keeps the look from feeling heavy. I’ll say it – this is strong red carpet fashion because it commits. No half-measures. No “softening” the leather with chiffon or sparkle.
She paired it with long leather gloves in the same tone, which doubles down on the statement. It’s dramatic, yes, but cohesive. The Alexander McQueen Silver Bar Big Tear Drop Crystal Earrings cut through all that matte texture with sharp flashes of light.
Honestly? The gloves make it.
Without them, it might’ve read as just another black gown. With them, it becomes a clear designer outfit moment that feels intentional from head to toe.
If you’ve been watching recent celebrity red carpet arrivals this year, you’ll notice more leather creeping into eveningwear. This look sits right in that trend, but pushes it further with the fuller skirt silhouette.
It’s not soft. It’s not romantic. It’s controlled power.
Would you keep the leather gloves for maximum impact, or let the bustier gown stand on its own?
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