With nearly 430 million followers on Instagram, it’s no exaggeration to say that Selena Gomez is one of the most-watched celebrities in the world. And given the breadth of her career, it’s not entirely surprising. First appearing on Barney & Friends at age 10, the Texas native moved to Los Angeles for a starring role in Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place television series just five years later. A record deal soon followed, and Gomez quickly became a fixture at movie premieres and award shows, favoring casual denim looks and sneakers or minidresses paired with sparkling heels.
By her early 20s, Gomez began to seek out more mature roles on-screen, turning to stylist Kate Young to help her curate a more sophisticated wardrobe to match—both for red carpet events and streetwear moments. “We’ve had a clear vision of what we wanted to do together from the beginning,” Young previously told Vogue about her partnership with Gomez, which began in 2014. “There’s an overall mood that we’re going for which is young, modern, clean, and sexy without ever being fussy.” That aesthetic turned heads in the fashion world, with Gomez starring in Louis Vuitton’s fall 2016 fashion campaign (her first for a major fashion house). A partnership with Puma quickly followed, as did a $10 million deal with Coach, which saw Gomez serve as the face of the brand and as a collaborator on a line of leather goods and a ready-to-wear collection.
Ever-evolving, Gomez parted ways with Young in 2023 and enlisted the stylist Erin Walsh to develop a new sartorial direction, whether promoting her work as an actress and singer or celebrating her Rare Beauty cosmetics line and the nonprofit organization that it supports (the Rare Impact Fund, which raises funds for mental health resources and awareness). Ahead, take a look back at some of Gomez’s most memorable red carpet moments, from her Disney days sans stylist to wearing custom couture and creating her own designs.
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Before her starring turn as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place, Gomez had a recurring role on another hit Disney show: Hannah Montana. In 2008, she supported her pal Miley Cyrus at the premiere of the Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert film, wearing a romper over dark denim jeans. A denim vest, layered necklaces and bracelets accessorized her look, which was completed with red ombre hair (a beauty go-to in Gomez’s early days).
Shortly after making history as the youngest UNICEF ambassador (a title that would later be surpassed by actress Millie Bobby Brown in 2018), Gomez attended the nonprofit organization’s Snowflake Ball event in a strapless pink dress with silver open-toe shoes and a rhinestone-embellished clutch.
While performing on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with her band, Selena Gomez & the Scene, the Disney Channel star sported a classic early aughts party look: a sequin minidress and matching sparkly heels.
Gomez opted for a sleeveless yellow minidress by Christian Cota to attend the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. The sunny ensemble featured a draped back and rhinestone-embellished waist, which Gomez complemented with her shimmering gold clutch and dainty gold jewelry.
Towards the end of 2010, Gomez began to take a more glamorous approach to her red carpet looks, as evidenced by this strapless silver Reem Acra dress at the MTV VMAs. The dress featured a thigh-high slit and beaded corset top, and Gomez added matching silver platforms and a beauty look that paired a sultry smoky eye with a softer, low ponytail hairstyle.
After arriving at the People’s Choice Awards in a pink one-shoulder minidress, Gomez switched things up for her performance later that night in a butterfly-print gown by Irina Shabayeva. The strapless design included a high-low silhouette that showed off Gomez’s Christian Louboutin heels and made for the perfect party dress as she celebrated her Favorite Breakout Artist win with Taylor Swift (who also took home an award that night).
The following month, Gomez attended her first Grammy Awards ceremony in a metallic J. Mendel gown that the actress and singer paired with a matching gold clutch and classic, bouncy curls.
The 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar party marked Gomez’s red carpet debut with then-boyfriend Justin Bieber, but it was also a major fashion moment for the Wizards of Waverly Place star, who went Old Hollywood glam in a floor-length red gown by Dolce & Gabbana. A crystal-embellished clutch and gold jewelry rounded out her accessories, and Gomez’s tousled low knot, red lip and shimmery gold eyeshadow tied the whole look together.
Taking home five surfboards at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards, Gomez was one of the night’s biggest winners. She also had one of the most fun looks on the red carpet with her strapless sweetheart minidress. The Erin Fetherston design included a sweeping cream-colored chiffon sash, and the “Love You Like A Love Song” singer added a few pops of color with her hot pink clutch bag and strappy purple and pink heels.
After a successful run of the North American leg of her We Own the Night tour, Gomez started 2012 performing across Latin America. But before she hit the road, the actress and singer held a kickoff celebration in Los Angeles sporting a more relaxed look in a peachy skirt, white T-shirt and oversized necklace. She also chose the occasion to debut some temporary purple and blue streaks in her hair.
Gomez’s appearance in the controversial film Spring Breakers was a bold departure from her Disney days, which........